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Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier and Réserve faunique des Laurentides
QUÉBEC CITY, July 5, 2018 – On behalf of Luc Blanchette, Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks, and the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (Sépaq), Véronyque Tremblay, Minister for Transport and MNA for Chauveau, announced a $21.66 million investment in the Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier and the Réserve faunique des Laurentides.
The pledged amounts will enable the completion of numerous projects, including the reconstruction of Camp Mercier, the complete renovation of the historic Lac à l’Épaule pavilion, and the creation of new trails and a new camping and accommodation sector in the Jacques-Cartier River valley.
We are very lucky to have exceptional natural lands close by that allow the population to indulge in the joys of the outdoors. They are important tourist attractions that contribute to regional economic vitality,
– Véronyque Tremblay, MNA for Chauveau and Minister for Transport.
It is our duty to provide continued access to one of Québec’s best-known wildlife sanctuaries and to the unique historic site of the Lac à l’Épaule pavilion. Not only because these places connect people to nature, one of Québec’s most beautiful assets, but also because they allow young people, who are our future, to develop a taste and a passion for the outdoors
– Luc Blanchette, MNA for Rouyn-Noranda–Témiscamingue, Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks, Minister responsible for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region and Minister responsible for the Nord-du-Québec region.
With the investments announced today, the Québec government is honouring its duty to protect a storied region that is intimately linked to important chapters in Québec’s history.
– Sébastien Proulx, Minister of Education and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region.
The popularity of the Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier is undeniable. We want to facilitate access and offer visitors new ways of immersing themselves in this unique valley, while also preserving the richness of its landscapes and its historical heritage.
– Catherine Grenier, Vice President, National Parks Operations and Camping at Sépaq.
Camp Mercier is the gateway to the hunting, fishing and winter sports paradise of the Réserve faunique des Laurentides. Its reconstruction will make it a suitable multifunctional hosting building that will serve as a springboard for anyone wanting an experience that measures up to their passion.
– Dave Boulet, Vice President, Wildlife Sector Operations.
Experience the valley
Hikers will be delighted by new trails that will open up other areas of the valley. The construction of five new Écho cabins and the opening of around forty campsites will make the joy of staying in the park accessible to more people.
Work will be undertaken to improve access to the Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier during peak periods. A gatehouse will be added, access will be improved and additional parking spaces will be created. The minimization of environmental impacts will be a main concern during the work.
North of the valley, in the L’Épaule sector, the pavilion at Lac à l’Épaule is inseparable from Québec’s history. The legendary building that hosted extraordinary high-level meetings and heads of state that marked the twentieth century must be renovated from top to bottom. Particular care will be taken to preserve and restore the unique historical site’s character and splendour.
The pavilion, which is accessible to all and highly coveted by fishers, will also be completely insulated to accommodate visitors during the beautiful winter months.
A building worthy of an exceptional wildlife sanctuary
The reputation of the Réserve faunique des Laurentides’ untamed natural environment is well established. Camp Mercier acts as the headquarters and welcome point for the nature enthusiasts that come to enjoy the richness and beauty of the Boreal forest.
The building will be completely rebuilt, enlarged and refurbished to meet the requirements of the approximately 50,000 people that use it each year. The project, which includes the creation of a welcome area, food court, convenience store, multifunctional room, equipment rental space, and ski waxing room that will also host a ski school, will be completed in 2020, just in time for the 125th anniversary of the reserve.
Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier
Infrastructure, accommodation capacity, roads, buildings, camping, cabins:
$9.74 million
Rehabilitation of the Lac à l’Épaule pavilion:
$3 million
Trail network, employee accommodation:
$1.32 million
Réserve faunique des Laurentides
Reconstruction of Camp Mercier:
$7.6 million
TOTAL
$21.66 million
Economic benefits for the region
- $21.66 million investment
- 223 direct, indirect and related jobs
- $18.2 million in GDP
- $3.41 million in tax and parafiscal revenue
