Photo: courtesy

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Navigo, a local boat-sharing tech startup, hit a snag in North Hatley recently and had to close up shop because according to the Town, the company was in contravention of municipal bylaws.

Self-described as the “Communauto of watercraft,” Navigo, based in Magog, aims to provide affordable and convenient access to boats and pontoons for people who do not own waterfront properties. However, the company’s recent experiences in North Hatley have highlighted challenges and bureaucratic hurdles that have affected its operations.

Navigo sent out a detailed press release July 30 outlining its attempts over the past year to reach an agreement with North Hatley, which was met with an equally lengthy retort on the Town’s website defending its position.

The company began operations in North Hatley in January 2023, initially out of the marina. However, logistical challenges, particularly with access to the lake that required navigating a narrow passage near a pedestrian bridge over the Massawippi River during periods of high water, led Navigo to seek a new location.

The company rented a commercial property on Main Street to establish a new base. However, local zoning laws allowed commercial activities related to water at only three specific locations: the marina, the federal wharf, and Pleasant View Beach. Navigo’s new location did not meet these criteria, resulting in disputes with the town over permits for signage and docks.

The town’s administration says, in the lengthy statement on its website, that Navigo proceeded with installing docks without the necessary permits, prompting a warning from the municipal inspector and Director General Benoit Tremblay. “Navigo has refused to comply with the current regulations, continuing its operations without the required permits,” says the statement, signed by Mayor Marcella Davis-Gerrish.

Navigo’s co-founder, Gabriel Théberge, expressed frustration over the town’s handling of the situation. In the July 30 press release, Théberge stated, “We have made multiple attempts to engage with the municipal officials, but our requests for meetings and permits have been met with silence or outright refusal. We believe the municipality’s approach lacks transparency and has been unfairly punitive.” However, North Hatley in its statement says that a recent meeting was set up with Théberge, which he cancelled at the last minute.

The situation escalated in June 2024, when Navigo was issued a notice of violation demanding the removal of the docks within five days under threat of fines totaling $24,700. Théberge criticized the town’s actions, contrasting the experiences in North Hatley with those in Magog. He noted that while Magog had been accommodating, even modifying regulations to support Navigo’s operations, North Hatley had been less cooperative. In response, Navigo officially left the town July 19.

“Why is it that in Magog, we were welcomed and supported, but in North Hatley, we faced constant obstacles? The municipality refused to engage in any meaningful dialogue with us, even as they were negotiating contracts with other companies for similar services,” Théberge remarked in a July 30 interview with The Record.

This sentiment was echoed in Navigo’s public statement, where Théberge expressed disappointment over the municipality’s decision to award a contract for watercraft rental management at the municipal marina to a company from Ayer’s Cliff, rather than considering Navigo, which had an established presence in North Hatley. “It is disheartening to see local businesses sidelined in favor of external entities,” he noted.

“We are a small startup with limited resources, trying to address a real problem—access to water bodies. Our experience in North Hatley has been a stark contrast to the supportive environment we found in Magog. It’s unfortunate that the village has missed out on what could have been a positive collaboration,” Théberge said.

The Record reached out to the Town of North Hatley for further comment. DG Benoit Tremblay replied by email, referring the paper to the statement on the Town’s website.