Countryside Exchange – Charlevoix, Quebec, Canada

Charlevoix in the 3rd Millennium

Prosperity = Preservation and Development

INTRODUCTION

From October 8th to 16th, the Charlevoix region was host of the first International Countryside Stewardship Exchange organized in Quebec. The Exchange, whose theme was ” Charlevoix in the 3rd millennium ” was organized by the Charlevoix Community College (Centre d’études collégiales en Charlevoix), in collaboration with “les États généraux du paysage québécois”, an association of professionals concerned with landscape preservation throughout Quebec and with the Glynwood Center, an American organization which coordinates the Exchange program in North America.

The Exchange team included professionals from the United Kingdom, France, the United States and Canada. The team met with Charlevoix residents to help them undertake a reflection concerning the future of their region. Faced with continued decline of the economy of Charlevoix, the community established on consensus on the need to identify ways to attribute in the future an equal importance to environmental, economic and social issues.

The first task for the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) was to identify the major issues which the Exchange team should consider. The LOC initially identified the following set of issues:

Balance between economic development, community development, environmental quality and protection of heritage and landscape
Protection of the cultural and historic fabric of the community including traditional land uses such as agriculture and forestry
Sustainable tourist development based on natural and cultural resources
Partnership between a large number of organizations concerned with environmental protection, economic development and tourism.

During the Exchange week, the team explored the region by boat and by minibus and discovered a great diversity in its natural and built environment. The team was warmly welcomed by the community and took part in a wide variety of activities which enabled members to meet with stakeholders in economic, social and cultural development. A series of round table discussions were organized to discuss the themes of culture, agriculture and forestry, natural resources, tourism and economic, social and community development.

TEAM MEMBERS

Janice Astbury (Canada): Coordinator of the North American Fund for Environmental Cooperation (NAFEC), she has worked in the areas of community development and sustainable agriculture for the Commission for Environmental Cooperation.

Sylvie Bourrust (France): Director of the Regional Nature Park of the Orient Forest in France, she has developed a number of projects to ensure protection of forest landscapes and conservation of local cultural and architectural heritage.

Bernard Guiheneuf (France): Director of the Regional Nature Park of Briere, his experience includes community development and sustainable agriculture. He has set up programs for agricultural development, environmental protection and heritage conservation based on consensus-building within the community.

Phillipe Morgan (Wales): A consultant in forestry, he is currently preparing a 10 year management plan for the Coed Cefn Lewyd (Welch Forest).

Françoise Paretias (France): A consultant in cultural heritage and the organization of popular festivals, she has worked with a large number of rural communities to development cultural activities based on local history but which also respond to current community needs.

Samuel Stokes (United States): Director of the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Division of the National Parks Service in Washington, D.C., he is also well known for his book ” Saving America’s Countryside “. For more than 20 years, he has advised rural communities on ways to protect natural and cultural resources.

Christine Turner (Scotland): As European Liaison Officer for Scottish Natural Heritage, she has been involved in tourism and economic development for rural areas and is currently working on international financial policy for rural economic development.

Verity Walker (United Kingdom): Responsible for education and interpretation programs for the National Trust, she has developed an expertise in the protection of cultural heritage and is actually working in the south of England on the planning of interpretation programs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REGION

The Charlevoix region stretches some 150 km along the St. Lawrence River and 83.6% of its land area is occupied by the forest. The area includes some 20 towns and villages and the majority of the population is concentrated around two urban centers: Baie-St-Paul et La Malbaie-Pointe-au-Pic.

Charlevoix is divided into two Regional County Municipalites (RCM). The population of the RCM of Charlevoix-Est includes approximately 17,000 inhabitants while some 13,000 residents live in the RCM of Charlevoix. In the entire area, only three towns have a population greater than 3,000. Development in Charlevoix-Est wass largely the result of the presence of a few important industries (Donohue, Raynolds et La poulette grise) and of the presence of many wealthy summer residents who were willing to invest in local services. The RCM of Charlevoix developed largely as a result of its considerable natural resources.

The Landscape

The Charlevoix region benefits from a wide variety of spectacular landscapes whose picturesque quality represents a major attraction for visitors. The exceptional character of the entire region led to its recognition in November 1988 by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve.

Tourism

Charlevoix has been a destination for tourists since the 19th century when the quality of its landscapes first attracted wealthy summer residents. Over the last 20 years, considerable efforts have been made to develop tourism based on the themes of nature and culture so characteristic of Charlevoix. Nature tourism is based on the a number of important parks which include fjords, lakes and taïga, on marine activities associated with the St. Lawrence River, the Saguenay fjord and whale watching. Cultural tourism focuses on the Charlevoix Art Center and a number of museums, and interpretation centers.

The Population

The year-round population of Charlevoix has been gradually declining since 1986 but in recent years, has become relatively stable at approximately 31 000 inhabitants. This decrease in population was accompanied by other demographic trends which are cause for concern: the proportion of young people continues to decline while that of the elderly is increasing.

Employment

The primary sectors of employment in Charlevoix are: tourism (2,400 jobs), manufacturing and foresty (2,000 jobs), health and social services (1,600 jobs), and agriculture (1,400 jobs). Almost 60% of the working population is seasonally employed and Charlevoix is one of the regions in Quebec which has the highest level of unemployment.

THE TEAM REPORT

The Charlevoix region is changing. It must rapidly establish its position in a tourist market which has become increasingly competitive. The region’s natural and cultural resources are numerous, but at the same time fragile. The balance between their development of the quality of life of residents is a major challenge for the region. The Exchange affords an opportunity to address these issues and to contribute to the development of an overall vision for the future for the local community. The future of the region requires that the entire region works together and its participation in the Exchange represents a commitment of the community in this direction.

The Exchange team’s report includes its observations and recommendations which have been regrouped in four general areas, as described in the following pages. For each area, a goal and the team’s recommendations are presented.

1. Natural Resources

GOAL: The residents of Charlevoix must regain control of the development of their natural resources.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Contribute to the development of the Marine Park and the exiting national and provincial parks and those which may be created in the future
Develop the concept of multiple use of the forest
Create initiatives to maintain existing panoramic vistas, particularly through the conservation and development of agriculture
Develop a partnership with the universities in the areas of research and management of natural resources

2. Land use and economic development

AGRICULTURE

GOAL: Create the conditions necessary to maintain sustainable agricultural development which contributes to protection of the landscape, quality of life and the economy of Charlevoix.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Consider offering grants and tax reductions to protect landscape and panoramic vistas by limiting overgrowth of existing open areas
Encourage diversification of agricultural activitiesPropose innovative forms of agriculture, particularly biological farming
Promote agri-tourism
Work toward greater cooperation between crop production and woodcutting activities to ensure the economic viability of each farm
Develop new products based on forest resources
Build links within the region to increase the distribution and commercialization of local agriculture products
Improve the quality of agricultural products and establish a “produced in Charlevoix” label

FORESTRY

GOAL: Ensure multiple use of forest resources and woodland areas to better develop the economic and social potential of these areas.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Make better use of woodland resources through diversification of products, selective cutting and greater attention to the specific characteristics of each site
Develop new forestry techniques which take into account the limits of the resources, long term management practices and the scale of sitesIdentify tradition forest-related trades which can contribute to multiple use of wooded areas
Encourage greater compatibility between existing various commercial activities in woodlands (forestry, fishing and hunting) and recognize the development of new activities, both commercial and recreational
Establish greater collaboration at the local level concerning management practices and ensure that management is a responsibility of local actors and that the profits generated return to the community

PLANNING AND HERITAGE PROTECTION IN CHARLEVOIX

GOAL: Ensure the protection of natural and built landscapes of Charlevoix, a condition for prosperity.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Encourage urban development within existing towns and villages, establish grants for renovation of existing buildings and for the construction of housing for the disadvantaged
Establish in land use plans a clear distinction between agricultural areas, urban areas and rural non-agricultural areas and ensure protection of the landscape through tax credits or grants which encourage the elimination of undesirable buildings and the preservation of panoramic vistas
Restrict development of sand and gravel pits and require rehabilitation by the owners of all sites which are closed
Ensure compatibility between regional and local plans
Complete inventories to identify sites and areas of heritage and cultural interestProvide the appropriate tools to enable municipalities to identify heritage buildings
Contact the owners of buildings which are of historical or architectural interest and provide information and advice for their restoration
Provide financial assistance by tax reductions or grants for renovations undertaken by owners with limited resources and require, in exchange, the provision of social housing or reduced rents
Protect the natural environment surrounding existing buildings in the planning of new roads
Support the efforts of towns and villages to protect and make accessible to the public heritage buildings and sites

TOURISM

GOAL: Ensure that tourist development contributes to landscape protection and the wellbeing of residents of Charlevoix

RECOMMENDATIONS

Make better use in promotional efforts of the existence of the Marine Park and the status of Charlevoix as a World Biosphere Reserve
Establish mechanisms for better coordination between stakeholders in the tourist industry
Find new financial resources to hire staff for project development
Define more precisely in a charter the type of tourist development which will contribute to reinforcing the identity of the area
Offer alternatives to the automobile for tourists who travel to Charlevoix (cruise ships, bus, bicycle circuits)
Reinforce the image of a living and authentic natural environment in Charlevoix through:
Promotion of tourist activities based on discovery of the forest and the marine worlds, particularly by the development of bird-watching activities
Development of new winter activities based on the traditional activities of Charlevoix residents
Development of new thematic circuits which allow visitors to discover other parts of Charlevoix and consequently to extend their stay with the accompanying benefits to the local economy
Adopt a clean environment policy to contribute to the image of Charlevoix as a pristine natural area
Establish a rating system for accommodations and a label of quality for products and services
Offer tourist information centers for all the points of access to Charlevoix
Reinforce the role of the Charlevoix Community College in training of tourist industry employees
Provide better support the initiatives and projects by local actors

3. Cultural and heritage development

GOAL: Establish bridges between traditional arts and crafts and ” high art ” and between the museums and art centers and Charlevoix artists and craftspeople

RECOMMENDATIONS

Invest first in projects developed by existing institutions and networks
Ensure that university research projects completed in Charlevoix are published and readily available for residents
Contribute to the preservation of oral traditions through recording of senior citizens and storytellers
Create a major cultural activity based on an important historical event which influenced the entire region of Charlevoix

4. Institutions and Education

GOAL: Work with the teaching community to develop educational activities for the entire region which are based on current interest for heritage preservation.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Establish a regional strategy to include heritage preservation in educational programs from kindergarten to community college as well as in adult education programs.
Establish a twinning process based on shared heritage concerns for schools in the eastern and western parts of Charlevoix
Set up an annual contest for the best example of heritage protection or heritage education programs
Development an activity program for ” Rediscovering my region ” for leisure time (weekends and holidays).
Publish a directory identifying Charlevoisiens throughout the world, inform them of financial and human resource needs for economic development in Charlevoix and seek their support for community projects
Reinforce the role of the community college as a center for cultural diffusion in Charlevoix and as a hub for communication between local stakeholders
Associate non-profit associations with educational projects
Establish a program of community concerts organized by the Forget Music Center to inform the community of the objectives of the Center and publicize its regular concert program

CONCLUSION

On the verge of the 3rd millennium, Charlevoix is an area undergoing important changes.

Charlevoisiens, like residents of other regions of Quebec, increasingly question the long-term viability of traditional economic activities. With increased ” globalization ” and changes which are rapid and difficult to anticipate, Charlevoix is nevertheless in a relatively advantageous position. The local economy is more diversified than many rural areas and the combination of natural, social and cultural resources offers a wide range of possibilities. Tourism, an activity whose growth is rapid today has been an activity in Charlevoix for many years.

A wide variety of activities enable each person to find his or her place in society. It enables the development of a diversity of abilities and consequently greater flexibility – traditionally important in rural areas where it was essential to possess many skills. In Charlevoix, the diversity of economic activities also contributes to creating a distinctively Charlevoisien landscape.

To add to this diversity, it is important that the region welcome newcomers who want to become part of the community and play their part in its development. These people can contribute the the dynamism of the region, which in turn will encourage young people to remain in the area rather than seek employment elsewhere.

While it is necessary to encourage diversity to survive in today’s world, it is also increasingly important to work toward the preservation of a common vision and identity. Charlevoix must define itself clearly to attract the interest of outsiders. Fortunately, the area already possesses a strong sense of its natural and cultural identity. It disposes of important tools to ensure a unity of action, the most important being its status as a World Biosphere Reserve. This concept clearly emphasizes the notion of biological diversity as the basis of all the other characteristics of Charlevoix and of its natural and cultural specificity.

But how should the region use this concept, translate it in concrete actions and link it to the daily life of its inhabitants? In this sense, it is essential to develop an integrated educational project to which all residents contribute and which can be a source of community learning.

This shared vision can become a reality on the basis of the many projects which are already underway: the Eco-village of St-Simeon, the local museums, the circuit of agricultural products, the interpretative activities in natural areas and also through other projects which will emerge.

Many programs and projects are already in place and others are in the development and planning stage. The region has sufficient analyses and the necessary structures. It is time to consolidate these actions, to recognize the progress which has already been made in a variety of sectors, and to reinforce and integrate a wide variety of initiatives. It is essential to improve communication between stakeholders and to find the time to work together in building a shared vision of the future which will contribute to :

The reappropriation by the inhabitants of Charlevoix of their territory and resources
A unified vision and action by stakeholders throughout the World Biosphere Reserve
The protection of the authenticity of the natural and cultural landscapes
A reversal of the usual decision-making processus to provide a greater place for local initiatives
An integration of efforts
Support and strengthening of existing initiatives Improved communication between stakeholders through better networking
An economically viable and sustainable agricultural baseMultiple-use of the region’s forests

Top of Page