MONTREAL — The Canadian Coast Guard has called off a search and rescue operation after failing to locate two men who disappeared near Havre Saint-Pierre in Quebec’s Côte-Nord region.
It couldn’t confirm the identity of the men Friday, but previously told Radio-Canada their names are Grégory Landry and Nelson Boudreau.
The coast guard said the men and their boat were reported missing on Tuesday at around 9 a.m.
The two reportedly left the harbour at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug 2., toward La Romaine, about 250 kilometres away.
The coast guard said someone had been expecting a call from them once they arrived there, but that call never came.
The coast guard dispatched four vessels soon after the men were reported missing. By the afternoon, three aircraft joined the search, with other local first responders also taking part.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax announced the end of the search and rescue operation Thursday evening, at around 7:30 p.m.
The coast guard noted “these decisions are never taken lightly.”
The same day, gasoline cans, identified as belonging to the men, were found in the area around the Galibois Islands, nearly 400 kilometres east from La Romaine.
The coast guard said several factors, including the items found, estimated survival time, and the gap between when the men were last seen and when they were reported missing, were all taken into consideration before the search was called off.
“The Canadian Coast Guard extends its deepest condolences to the victims' loved ones,” a spokesperson wrote in a statement to The Canadian Press.
Since the coast guard is no longer involved, Quebec provincial police are now taking the lead on the case.
The police service for the region confirmed it has also suspended its investigation into the two men.
Spokesperson Hughes Beaulieu said it will be relaunched if new evidence is found.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 8, 2025.
Miriam Lafontaine, The Canadian Press
