Maniwaki – October 1, 2007 – With its approach centered on sustainable development, the Gatineau Valley, host region to the Third Salon Chalets et Maisons de campagne 2008 (Cottages and Country Homes Show 2008), is no doubt Québec's best kept secret when it comes to vacation living.

Located in the Outaouais, the Gatineau Valley is bounded by Abitibi to the north, by the Collines-de-l'Outaouais RCM to the south, by the Pontiac to the west and by the Antoine-Labelle RCM to the east. With its 3200 lakes and its very own Gatineau River that runs from north to south, the Gatineau Valley represents a vacation area of choice. This is a lot, but at the same time, we are only scratching the surface, given the enormous potential of the area that spans 13,424 square kilometres. Unlike several other regions in Québec, there is still time left to protect its natural capital. That is why the region has taken a position based on sustainable development, which was eloquently and unanimously stated by development stakeholders who gathered at the Summit on the Protection of Gatineau Valley Lakes and Rivers last September. “We are all responsible to some extent for protecting our lakes and rivers and ensuring water quality for tomorrow,” declared the Reeve for the Gatineau Valley RCM, Pierre Rondeau at the time.

This is built on a common vision of development which respects the capacity to accommodate nature and the surroundings while at the same time protecting the vacationers' investments and quality of life. We do not want to repeat the errors of the past by overdeveloping the shores of the waterways. Of course, the Gatineau Valley is not immune from problems such as blue algae, but as far as most of its waterways are concerned, it is not too late to act…far from it! This can be said of several bodies of water, including the Gatineau River which is considered one of the 10 most attractive in Québec and whose shores are still today virtually totally untouched.

Vacation living is not a recent concern in the Gatineau Valley. It constitutes not only an important component of its economy but is a major concern to all development stakeholders. Four years ago, the Gatineau Valley Société d'aide au développement des collectivités (SADC) launched a movement to generate more awareness by conducting two vacationer impact studies. This movement snowballed to the point that a symposium (in February 2007) and a summit (September 2007) brought together those involved with vacationers, municipal officials, business persons and association members to work toward achieving a common objective and action plan. In a nutshell, there was agreement that we must plan and monitor development with a long-term vision. It is hoped that a new Web site launched in the summer of 2007 by the Gatineau Valley SADC (www.villegiateur.com) will establish ties with those in the vacationer field and the entire surrounding community.

Current and future vacationers will have an opportunity to learn more about the Gatineau Valley by visiting the booth that will be set up at the Third Salon Chalets et Maisons de campagne from February 14 to 17 at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal. They will be able to obtain all information on real estate promoters in the region along with the commercial, municipal and other services that are provided. “Visitors will discover that the Gatineau Valley stands out from the others due to the beauty of its landscapes, the quality of its water and its enormous potential which we want to develop but not at the cost of mortgaging its natural capital,” emphasized Pierre Monette, the Director General of the Gatineau Valley SADC, who has taken a leadership role on this issue.



Source : Pierre Monette
                Gatineau Valley SADC
                Telephone : 819-449-1551
                Toll free: 1-866-449-1551
                E-mail : sadc@ireseau.com