The Quebec Seminary possesses the last seigneury on the continent, like a true relic of feudalism that has come down to us in the 21st century.e century. The seigneury of Beaupré is a territory larger than 55 of the countries sitting in the UN. However, although its surface area is equivalent to more than twice that of the island of Montreal, public access is prohibited. What is hidden behind its padlocked gates? What does this famous caribou habitat look like that everyone talks about and where the Seminary would like to put wind turbines?
The Sainte-Anne River flows directly through the territory of the municipality of Baie-Saint-Paul, in the seigneury, out of sight. However, this valley is not like any other: it is one of the most beautiful in Quebec, nothing less.
The MRC of Charlevoix, in its development plan, describes the valley as follows: “spectacular relief, comparable to the Hautes Gorges of the Malbaie River”. It is therefore rather unfortunate to think that the people of Charlevoix will never have the opportunity to see this spectacular landscape that is in their course.
This glacial valley has unique physical characteristics for the region. A cliff several hundred meters long overhangs the river at nearly 1000 meters above sea level, like an immense natural hanging cornice. The mountainside is formed by a vast rocky slope devoid of vegetation, exactly as is found in high mountain ranges in northern climates.
The Sainte-Anne River Valley, in addition to being spectacular, has an impressive ecological richness. Indeed, this territory is the habitat of the Charlevoix caribou as well as the Bicknell’s thrush, two endangered species. The pressures on these species will intensify if the Des Neiges-Charlevoix wind project goes ahead. Because the mountain tops are the habitat of these endangered species, but also the location chosen to install the wind turbines. For the Charlevoix caribou, the even more pronounced destruction of its habitat can only sign its death warrant.
Hence the importance of broadcasting these images, so that the people of Quebec can fully measure the extent of what some are prepared to sacrifice in the name of energy production.
It is clear that this area could be a world-class natural park. On the scale of the northeastern part of the continent, few landscapes can rival this spectacular glacial valley. Its protection and development would generate significant economic benefits, both for the Séminaire de Québec and for the entire region. It would also help relieve congestion in the very popular national parks in the Capitale-Nationale region. The most surprising thing is that they didn’t think of it.
On the contrary, the implementation of this wind project risks negatively affecting the region’s landscapes and therefore also the entire tourism industry, which is at the heart of the Charlevoix economy.
The wind turbines would be visible from everywhere in Baie-Saint-Paul, Saint-Urbain and the Grands-Jardins National Park. This impact on the landscape is obviously not taken into account when we talk about the potential economic benefits of the wind turbine project.