The Côte-Nord dreams of a new national park

A superb lake, the deepest in Quebec. Glacial valleys. Cliffs that would lend themselves perfectly to rock and ice climbing. Potential canoe-camping circuits. Ancient forests, in which live forest-dwelling caribou to be protected. The territory of Lac Walker, on the North Shore, would constitute a magnificent park.

Mary Tison
The Press

A national park project has been in the cards for fifteen years, but two years ago, the Quebec government put the brakes on and suspended it.

Twenty environmental and tourism organizations, municipalities and major economic players in the region have joined forces to get the government to relaunch the process.

“Along Route 138, we have the Saguenay Fjord. After that, we have a federal park in the Mingan Islands archipelago. Between the two, there is nothing,” says Caroline Cloutier, Deputy Director General of Environnement Côte-Nord. “When you look at the SEPAQ parks map, there is absolutely nothing in this area. »

However, the pandemic has sparked real enthusiasm for the outdoors, and many Quebecers have been discovering the North Shore.

“We are talking about tourism, but there is also the question of local parks, adds M^me Cloutier. Back home, we don’t have a well-organized playground. There is the Port-Cartier–Sept-Îles wildlife reserve, but it is intended for hunting and fishing. It’s not the same clientele, the same infrastructure. »

Well done project

Véronique Bussières, head of biocultural conservation for the Society for Nature and Parks of Canada (CPAWS), Quebec section, says the Lac Walker park project would arrive squarely on a silver platter.

The last park to be created in Quebec was that of Ulittaniujalik, in Nunavik, in 2016. We have to go back to 2013 for the creation of a park south of 51^e parallel, Parc national d’Opémican.

The website of the Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs always mentions the park project at Lake Walker, emphasizing its spectacular panorama. “33 km long and bordered in places by cliffs that can reach more than 200 m in height, Lake Walker has the appearance of a fjord. Interestingly, this lake, with its 280 m depth, is the deepest known to date in Quebec. »

Two years ago, the Government of Quebec sent a letter to the MRC of the region to let it be known that the project was suspended.

“We did not really give reasons, deplores M^me Bussieres. But the justifications we have heard between the branches do not seem insurmountable to us. »

Political issues

Obviously, the creation of the Lac-Walker park, 30 km from Port-Cartier, would require the agreement of the Innu community Uashat mak Mani-Utenam. “The band council is currently in an election period, notes M^me Bussieres. So we haven’t been able to continue discussions with them over the last few weeks, we haven’t been able to involve them more in the coalition. »

Quebec as a whole is also entering an election period. “When we see the outcome of the elections, we will consider what happens next,” says Caroline Cloutier. We will invite elected officials to visit the territory, that’s for sure. »

In the meantime, the Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks has been stingy with comments, noting in a brief email to The Press that the project was suspended and not abandoned. “The follow-up to be given in the Walker Lake file can be assessed later,” it was simply stated.