Québec Northern Québec spans more than one million square kilometres, covering almost 80% of Québec. It includes the Nord-du-Québec administrative region, as well as the northern areas of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and Côte-Nord administrative regions. This territorial reality directly affects nearly 140,000 people, representing 2% of Québec’s population, 26% of whom are Cree, Inuit, Naskapi and Innu. The Aboriginal population has been growing rapidly over the past few years, and consequently, 63.5% of Aboriginal inhabitants are under 30 years of age.

Key Industries

Hydroelectricity
The North produces more than 77% of Québec’s electricity. Still more hydroelectric projects are being developed in the region, with an estimated investment of $8.2 billion in three projects, some of which are completed while others are ongoing. These projects, located on the Eastmain, Rupert and Péribonka rivers, represent an additional capacity of 1,753 megawatts and will lead to the creation of 32,000 direct and indirect jobs over a span of nine years. Furthermore, draft-design studies are underway for another hydroelectric development project, estimated at $7 billion, on the Romaine River. This 1,550-megawatt generating station could be commissioned in 2020 and would create 10,900 direct or indirect jobs.

Mining
Mining is a major part of the North’s resource-based economy. In 2005, 60% of the nearly one billion dollars invested in mining exploration and development in Québec was spent in the North,as was most of the $22.8 million invested in the search for diamonds. Northern Québec is responsible for all the iron and ilmenite ore produced in Québec. The region’s mines make Northern Québec the largest producer of nickel, cobalt and platinum group elements in Québec, and the second largest producer of silver, gold and copper.

Forestry
Sustainable logging activities play a key role in the economic development of Northern Québec, which has the largest forested area in Québec, covering more than 300,000 square kilometres.

Tourism
Tourism is a growth industry in Northern Québec, with its untouched wilderness, breathtaking landscapes and a wealth of wildlife and fish resources. According to the latest estimates, the region welcomed 810,000 visitors in 2004, generating $166 million in tourist revenue. The North offers a wide range of activities, including hiking, canoeing, kayaking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, wilderness camping, aerotourism, wildlife observation, and Aboriginal culture experiences.

Research centres
Northern Québec is host to various research facilities, including a northern studies centre and several forestry research and development centres. An aquaculture research centre was recently set up in the Côte-Nord region.

Northern Québec's Contributions to the Economy

Exports

Lumber, pulp and paper, fabricated metals, and machined metal articles are primary northern exports.

• The value of Northern Québec's manufacturing shipments for 1999 was $2.76 billion.  
• In 2005, per capita personal disposable income stood at $18,404 in the Nord-du-Québec region, $22,572 in the Côte-Nord region and $22,123 in Québec as a whole.

Major Capital Investments in Northern Québec

Investment of $6.1 billion in various projects:

• Development of mine sites valued at $885 million
• Construction of mine buildings valued at $161.8 million
• Reopening of a sawmill valued at $20 million
• Construction of a power transmission line valued at $35 million
• Construction of a hydroelectric generating station valued at $54.5 million
• Construction of the Eastmain-1-A-Rupert project valued at $4.9 billion
• A project focusing on telecommunications infrastructure valued at more than $30 million is under development for the Baie-James territory

A Look to the Future

In recent years, in addition to signing significant agreements that contribute to Northern Québec’s development, Québec has developed a northern policy and an economic development strategy for the Nord-du-Québec and Côte-Nord regions.

Developing the North depends, more than ever, on establishing sustainable partnerships between the populations who live there. The commitment to do so is confirmed by the implementation of agreements already signed with the Crees and the Inuit, as well as the upcoming signature of an agreement with the Innu.

Helping northern communities to increase their capacity to lead northern economic, social and cultural development, through training and skills development, will make it possible for Northern Québec to meet the challenge of creating jobs for youth.

Maximizing the economic and social benefits from major hydroelectricity, mining, logging, and adventure tourism development projects in the North should be encouraged, primarily for the local population, but also for Québec as a whole.