Natural assets to protect
Canada, the world's third-largest forested country, abounds in natural spaces. Many of them are in Quebec. As of March 31, 2024, the province boasted 274,431 km² of protected areas, including 255,377 km2 in continental areas (16.89% of the territory) and 18,991 km2 in marine and coastal areas (12.21% of the territory). These protected areas are divided into almost 5,000 sites of various types, including ecological reserves, marine parks, national parks and biodiversity reserves. Among the most remarkable are Forillon National Park (244.8 km²), La Mauricie National Park (536 km²), Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve (150 km²), Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park (1,245 km²), Bonaventure River Estuary Aquatic Reserve (1.8 km²) and Moraine-d'Harricana Biodiversity Reserve (364 km²).
Quebec's natural backbone is the St. Lawrence, a river, estuary and gulf linking the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. It is part of the St. Lawrence-Great Lakes hydrographic system, one of the world's most important commercial navigation routes. In fact, the system ranks 17th in the world in terms of length, stretching 3,260 km from Lake Superior to Cabot Strait. This ecosystem has been weakened by agricultural and industrial activities close to the river, as well as by hydrocarbon discharges from shipping traffic. However, its condition has improved since the 2000s. Some sites on the islands of Montreal and Orleans are now fit for swimming, while other sectors, especially near urban areas, remain heavily polluted. Concerns about the presence of heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, lead, zinc, copper) have given way to concerns about new products such as PBDEs (bromine-based chemicals). In addition, due to climate change, the waters of the St. Lawrence are becoming depleted of oxygen and warmer. Among the many species impacted by these various threats, the situation of belugas is particularly worrying. The average estimate for 2023 is that 1,850 belugas remain, compared with 10,000 at the beginning of the 20th century. Since 2017, the federal government has limited the speed of shipping to protect them. One of the reasons for this slaughter is the reduction in their food stocks, starting with herring.
Quebec, leader in organic farming
Canada is the world's5th largest exporter of agri-food and seafood products: it accounts for around 75% of the world's maple syrup production, and is a leader in products such as pulses and oats. Agriculture is essentially intensive. The use of GMOs is authorized, and Canada is one of the world's leading producers of GMO corn and soy. However, there is a growing awareness of the effects of pesticides and the benefits of organic farming. On this subject, Quebec is ahead of other provinces. There are over 3,000 organic farms spread over 98,400 hectares. The province has exceeded its target of 98,000 hectares by 2025. What's more, in August 2021, the City of Montreal announced that it was banning the sale and use of 36 pesticides on its territory, including the controversial glyphosate. A first in Canada! Will it inspire other municipalities, or even the government?
Aboriginal people, the first defenders of the environment
According to the latest Statistics Canada census (2021), 2.3% of the Quebec population is of Aboriginal origin. There are eleven Aboriginal nations in Quebec, divided into three major linguistic families: the Algonquins of the boreal forest, the Iroquois of the St. Lawrence plain and the Inuit of Nunavik. Although they have been victims of forced and violent acculturation, some have managed to maintain part of their traditions. Some sixty Aboriginal communities are scattered throughout Quebec, some with fewer than 200 inhabitants, others with more than 5,000. Canada was also the first signatory of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, which states that Aboriginal communities "have a role to play in environmental management and development because of their knowledge of the environment and their traditional practices. However, it was not until the 2000s, after several court decisions, that this consultation became more systematic. The government's consideration of the Aboriginal people tends to evolve. They are organizing themselves to make their voices heard. Their link with nature and their knowledge are slowly (finally) beginning to be taken seriously. The Impact Assessment Act adopted in 2019, which reforms the environmental impact assessment system for major energy and transportation projects, includes a clearer consideration of "indigenous knowledge.
A new generation of environmental activists
One of Trudeau's biggest missteps, according to environmentalists, was to nationalize the Trans Mountain pipeline, in order to continue exploiting Alberta's tar sands, one of the world's most polluting oils. No matter how hard he tries to reduce the country's emissions, this pro-oil policy sticks in the craw of anyone with an ecological sensibility. Quebec, on the other hand, is faring a little better. Not only has the province succeeded in cancelling a pipeline project, Énergie-Est, designed to bring oil from Western Canada to the Atlantic coast, but it has also announced, in 2021, that it will put a stop to all oil and gas exploration projects on its territory. It has to be said that citizens are increasingly sensitive to these issues. In Quebec, more than 300 municipalities, representing nearly 74% of the population, have declared a "climate emergency", pledging to accelerate their ecological transition. In the spring of 2019, 150,000 Quebec students demonstrated to demand climate action, in the wake of the appeal launched by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. Équiterre is one of the most influential associations to follow for information and/or commitment on these issues, with around 130,000 supporters and almost 22,000 donor members. The David Suzuki Foundation, a key Canada-wide association, helps preserve biodiversity and the rights of indigenous peoples. Last but not least, Greenpeace Canada is also well established.
Public transport to be improved
Per capita emissions in Canada are four times higher than in France. This is due not only to the exploitation of hydrocarbons, but also to transportation, which is responsible for a quarter of the country's emissions. Unfortunately, the car is still the most efficient way to cross the great distances of Quebec, as buses and trains are too infrequent and do not serve all the province's communities. However, at both federal and provincial levels, investments are being made to improve infrastructure and public transport. For example, the Réseau express métropolitain (REM), a new light rail transit system, is gradually being built in Greater Montreal (the first line was inaugurated in summer 2023). For her part, the Mayor of Montreal is working hard to bring to fruition the project for a new metro line, the "pink line", but for the moment it's on hold. Quebec City is also planning a mass transit project, including a tramway, and phase 1 has been given the go-ahead for summer 2024.
National parks: wild and harmonious spaces
National parks are established and managed according to the same standards as national parks around the world. They must meet two major objectives: the permanent protection of natural environments and public access for educational purposes and outdoor activities. Quebec's 24 national parks are managed by the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (Sépaq), 3 by Parks Canada and 4 by Parcs Nunavik. They all offer a multitude of activities throughout the four seasons, as well as accommodation in most cases (camping, ready-to-camp, huts, chalets, etc.).
One of the most popular is Forillon National Park, Gaspé's main attraction. It was designed in 1970 on the theme of harmony between man, land and sea. In addition to its landscape configuration of sheer cliffs, pebble beaches and caves, the park's great appeal lies in its flora and fauna. Lynx, beaver, moose, red fox and bear live here in harmony with nature. There are large colonies of seabirds, as well as various species of seal and whale, including humpback, minke and white-sided dolphins. Also on the Gaspé Peninsula, is the Parc national de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé. It's home to a migratory bird sanctuary and some 185,000 animals, including razorbills, kittiwakes, murres, puffins and the world's most accessible gannet colony. Next to Quebec City is Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier, a plateau fractured by steep-sided valleys, covered with conifers and lakes. On the Côte-Nord, the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve is made up of some 30 limestone islands and over a thousand granite islands and islets. It's the largest concentration of eroded monoliths in the world. Near Montreal, Mont Saint-Hilaire is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Its owner, McGill University, is committed to preserving and researching the mountain. Hiking trails lead to some of the mountain's peaks. The mountain is also ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. Last but not least, Uapishka Station is not to be missed. Created jointly by the Conseil des Innus de Pessamit and the Manicouagan-Uapishka World Biosphere Reserve, this resort focuses on three areas: scientific research, accommodation and ecotourism. It serves as a base camp for hiking in the Groulx Mountains, discovering Innu culture, observing the stars, aurora borealis and perseids in season, visiting the Manicouagan crater, fishing and snowmobiling.
