Sustainable Development
In keeping with its mission, Sépaq plays a major role in the protection of Québec's environmental assets by aiming to integrate environmental, social and economic concerns with development and accessibility for the benefit of Québec residents and future generations. Sustainable development and the protection of the environment are fundamental values guiding the activities of its personnel and the development of services offered to its clientele. These values have already been well integrated into operations, and were the basis of the work done in 2008-2009 to go even further and make Sépaq a model business.
Adoption of a Sustainable Development Plan
Aware of its responsibilities to protect, preserve and make Québec's environmental assets accessible in a sustainable manner, Sépaq created its first Sustainable Development Action Plan for 2008-2013. This plan identifies the activities Sépaq is putting in place to make a significant contribution to attaining the objectives of the Sustainable Development Act and the Sustainable Development Strategy 2008-2013.
Through its Sustainable Development Action plan, Sépaq intends to go further by contributing to the government's three priorities: to inform by raising awareness, educating and innovating, to produce and consume responsibly, to develop the territory in a sustainable and integrated manner. Among other things, Sépaq works to protect natural environments and maintain wildlife resources, thus managing Québec's environmental assets. In this way, Sépaq is participating in the government's orientation to protect and share the collective heritage. Its plan includes the realization of 10 specific actions, which allow it to contribute to the 7 related objectives.
This plan was based on responsibilities stemming directly from Sépaq's mission and task environment. It agrees to take actions related to Sépaq's responsibilities, and which will have tangible results for sustainable development. It is also based on the measures and practices initiated over the years, particularly in environmental management. The action plan is available on the Web site.
Implementation of an Environmental Management Program
Sépaq adopted an Environmental Management Program (EMP), applicable to each of its establishments, in order to significantly reduce their ecological footprint. This program, which is one of the cornerstones of the Sustainable Development Action Plan, integrates practices and measures implanted over the years, and defines all of Sépaq’s environmental orientations and performance targets.
The program is based on the management of energy, water, waste and dangerous and toxic materials. It also targets facilities management for the construction or renovation of infrastructures, as well as the establishment of ecological hotel practices and eco-responsible purchasing.
The EMP is a measure that structures Sépaq’s environmental protection actions. It is already based on very tangible actions to minimize the environmental footprint. For example, compostable dishes, an ecological alternative to disposable plastic dishes, were tested in some establishments last season. Sépaq decided to use these dishes in all of its snack bars. To promote reusable bags, Sépaq also decided not to give plastic bags to customers of its Boutique Nature and convenience stores.
In these stores, more and more eco-responsible products are featured, such as clothing made of organically grown fibres and backpacks made of recyclable materials. In addition, products from Québec companies are chosen when possible, to promote our economy, but also to reduce the impacts of transportation in the life cycle of consumer goods.
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Sépaq managers are increasingly turning to eco-energetic alternatives for transportation, choosing, for example:
- electric vehicles on several campgrounds
- scooters rather than vans
- replacing service snowmobiles and two-stroke engines with cleaner models or models with four-stroke engines.
- public transportation has been introduced in some national parks, such as Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie and Jacques-Cartier.
In terms of water management, the establishments are progressively replacing taps, showerheads and toilets with models that consume less water. Sépaq is also re-examining all of its wastewater treatment systems, not only to meet the new standards in force, but also to be leaders in this field in isolated regions.
In 2008, Sépaq launched a system for collecting and recycling propane tanks used for camping. This is an innovative approach in Canada.
Most of Sépaq’s hotels participate in the sustainable development recognition program, 
, from the Association des hôteliers du Québec. This program, which helps managers of Québec hotels to incorporate practical sustainable development actions at the environmental, social and economic levels, is based on progressive and ongoing training.
The objectives of this program:
- To favour a decrease in the negative impacts of the Québec hospitality industry.
- Provoke the quick development of Québec hotel establishments towards the balance represented by sustainable development.
- Favour the participation of employees, suppliers and clients in the sustainable development of the Québec hospitality industry.
Raising Awareness and Education in Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection
The information given to Sépaq’s visitors also aims to raise their awareness about the impact of human presence in nature and on the responsibility they share with the staff and the corporation. For example, promotional documentation and information handed out when they enter the establishments suggest concrete actions, such as recycling empty propane tanks. This allows visitors to contribute in a tangible way to reducing the environmental footprint. Finally, the 366,000 people who participated in discovery activities in the parks were introduced to environmental issues and the principles of sustainable development.
