Quebec protected areas project
Overview
The Dumoine, Noire and Coulonge rivers watersheds are among the last wild and intact watersheds anywhere in Southern Canada. Our vision for Western Quebec is bold and inspiring – an interconnected network of protected areas centered around the the Dumoine, Noire and Coulonge watersheds that fully protect the richness of the landscape while linking the forests of the Ottawa Valley and the Boreal forest. This thriving network would also provide meaningful jobs and investment opportunities for local communities based on ecotourism and sustainable development.
A large-scale network of protected areas
In June 2024, the MELCCFP launched a call for projects to the public. The goal was to receive proposals for protected areas on public land from citizens and environmental organizations in order to achieve the target of protecting 30% of Quebec’s territory by 2030. CPAWS-OV took advantage of this initiative by reaching out to many land users in the Outaouais River watershed. After several discussions with local stakeholders and field outings, CPAWS-OV submitted 14 proposals for protected areas, covering more than 5,600 km².
These proposals would form a structured and developed network of protected areas in the region that ensures connectivity between most of them. For example, we made a proposal that links the Val-d’Or caribou biodiversity reserve to the Dumoine River, which encourages the creation of an ecological corridor spanning several hundred kilometers, benefiting the local large wildlife. We also propose the protection of an East-West corridor connecting the Dumoine River, the Noire River, and the Coulonge River.
Discussions continue
The Pontiac MRC has expressed its support for the MELCCFP to analyze the protected area proposals submitted within its territory.
The MRC of La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau and the Témiscamingue MRC have rejected all proposals made on their territories.
In total, 2 643 km2 of the projects that we submitted were retained for consultation. These were presented to different stakeholders within the MRCs concerned and will be commented on and analysed during the local dedicated round tables. Recommendations issuing from these discussions will be transmitted to a regional round table and to the government of Quebec who will decide on the projects, their limites and the final statuses in 2027.