Parc national du Lac-Témiscouata

Press Release
Sépaq

Saint-Michel-du-Squatec, July 13, 2010 – Line Beauchamp, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks and Minister responsible for the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec, and Claude Béchard,  MNA for Kamouraska-Témiscouata, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Minister responsible for Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs and for the Reform of Democratic Institutions and Minister responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent Region, today officially broke ground on the project to enhance Parc national du Lac-Témiscouata. "With the commencement of this work, Sépaq is giving tangible form to an important component of its mission, namely to make accessible the territory of Parc national du Lac-Témiscouata for current and future generations so that they can discover the natural, cultural and archaeological resources protected here," stated Minister Beauchamp. Today’s announcement will make possible the construction of an administrative building and the development of roads providing access to the park’s major attractions.

Officially created in 2009 to protect a representative sample of the Monts Notre-Dame natural region, Parc national du Lac-Témiscouata has a $30 million capital expenditure budget. While the work will extend over a five-year period, a campground and a Discovery and Visitors Centre will be built in 2011 and will be open to the park’s clientele beginning in 2012. Once the work has been completed, visitors will be able to take full advantage of the park and to practice a host of activities such as water sports, swimming, fishing, cycling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Sépaq considers that the park should reach 160,000 visitor-days annually. In addition, it should generate economic spin-offs for the region of approximately $30 million per year, while permitting the creation of 50 direct jobs and 500 indirect jobs. "National parks are an eloquent example of the fact that protected areas, in addition to ensuring the permanent protection of our most beautiful heritage, are territories that participate concretely in regional development and in the creation of jobs of the future," pointed out Minister Béchard.

Between now and the official opening of the park planned in 2012, visitors will be able to take advantage of 10 cabins that are put at their disposal and to practice fishing or hiking on the National Trail. Moreover, within the context of the first Québec National Parks Day, which will be held on Sunday, September 19th, the public is invited to come discover free of charge this new park, which is home to remarkable natural assets.