Creation of the Nibiischii National Park | The largest natural lake in Quebec will be protected

(Quebec) The Legault government officially announces the creation of the Nibiischii national park, with a budget of $60 million, and whose management will be entrusted to the Cree nation. It will thus protect the largest natural lake in Quebec, the Mistassini.

Quebec plans to invest nearly 60 million over 10 years to set up infrastructure to welcome tourists and hire staff. It thus protects, including adjacent protected territories, 16,000 km² of territory, or nearly 1% of Quebec territory, or the equivalent of 32 times the island of Montreal. It’s the 28th^e Quebec national park.

“It’s another national park. You can go hiking, climbing, and observe the rich flora and fauna. And see the bodies of water,” says Environment Minister Benoit Charette.

It will contribute, indicates Mr. Charette, to the conservation of ancient forests as well as the habitat of around fifteen areas in precarious situations, and will protect around fifty archaeological sites.

However, it is too early to know if it will provide access to the Otis Mountains, located in the northern portion of the park, by taking access from Route 167 north, which is seeking a use since the closure of the Renard mine.

And the “operationalization” of this park will be orchestrated by the Cree Nation of Mistissini, a first in southern Quebec. Located nearly an eight-hour drive from Montreal, it is still accessible by car.

A strong symbol

“It’s major, it’s a strong symbol,” says the Minister responsible for Relations with First Nations and Inuit. This park, he hopes, will create contact between tourists and First Nations. He cites a survey which shows that 89% of Quebec tourists wanted to live an “indigenous experience”.

The Legault government is thus bringing to fruition a project that has been in the pipeline for around twenty years. We will have other indigenous initiatives in the coming years. Mr. Lafrenière imagines a welcome pavilion with awareness activities, and emphasizes that the welcoming community of Mistissini will benefit from the arrival of tourists.

Alain Branchaud, general director of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Quebec section (SNAP Quebec), is delighted with this announcement. This park is located in the territory of the woodland caribou. We will also protect Lake Mistissini, the largest natural lake in Quebec with its 2,335 square kilometers. And we will allow the Crees to continue to practice their traditional activities, outside of the “glass bell” protection method that we see in national parks.

“It’s the birth of a new model. The large parks in northern Quebec are managed by Parc Nunavik, those in the south by SEPAQ. This will have a hybrid model,” he explains.

Another reason to get excited: it will be accessible by car. “Even if it’s far away, it’s still easier to get there than in the big parks in the north, where you have to take the plane,” says Mr. Branchaud.