The case of a Quebec boater is an object lesson for Manitoulin’s West End boaters
To the Expositor:
Just when Canadians (and other nationals) have come to the realization that the United States of America is not the benign friendly welcoming place that it once was, it appears that the US Coastguard is haunting the marine borders (inland only?) waiting to pounce on some unsuspecting Canadian who might happen to stray a few feet over the invisible border line of a lake or waterway. They have taken to the waterways now.
This may have happened to Edouard Lallemand, 60, (newyorkalmanack.com/2025/07/canadian-angler-arrested/4) who borrowed a small boat from a friend in Venise-en-Québec.
Looking at the map of Lake Champlain, the area in question is a relatively small bay in the north end of Lake Champlain which is quite a massive and complex lake.
The crew of the US Coastguard boat acted like thugs in keeping with the current manner of ICE and other law enforcement agencies of the USA. The crew of the US Coastguard boat must have been desperate for something to do to traverse a truly large lake to reach the Canadian border in a tiny corner of the lake.
The US Coast Guard crew could have simply pointed out to Edouard Lallemand that he may have strayed over the border. The crew would have had the benefit of a GPS to support their claim which they could have shared with Edouard Lallemand. Good manners and friendship would have prevailed as any right-minded person might expect in any marine environment.
But no! The US Coastguard resorted to what amounted to the thuggery and malicious behaviour now all too common in the United States.
So… while enjoying sailing around Lake Huron—especially around areas like Cockburn Island and the waterway leading to Sault Ste. Marie and beyond—these are no longer friendly waters.
Best regards
Lionel Rudd
Sudbury
