The Quebec government unveils The Plan North toward 2035, 2015-2020 Action Plan (french only)
Montreal, April 8, 2015. -The Premier of Québec, Philippe Couillard, and Minister of energy and natural resources, Minister responsible for the Plan Nord and Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region, Pierre Arcand, today unveiled the Plan North up to the year 2035, the plan of action 2015-2020.
"With our five-year action plan, we present a long-term vision, but also a series of priority actions that we intend to put in place quickly to achieve our goals of economic and social development. "Our vision is simple: to the year 2035, Northern Plan will have enabled the development of the potential of diverse territory, for the benefit of its populations and across Quebec, as part of an exemplary sustainable development, according to a comprehensive, integrated, consistent and responsible approach", said the Prime Minister.
Fundamental principles
The Prime Minister stressed that the development of the resources of the North should be for the benefit of the populations inhabiting the territory and contribute to the progress of all of Quebec. He said that the action of the Government in Northern Quebec should follow four basic principles, either:
a project planned and coordinated, that focuses on partnership, the investment by the private sector and the support of the communities;
a sustainable development perspective integrates the dimensions economic, social and environmental;
Government intervention adapted to the realities of indigenous and local communities, and the whole of the Northern Territory;
a harmonious, ethical and respectful of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations development which is also concerned with equality between women and men.
"Northern Plan cannot exist outside of a close partnership with the communities who live in the territory and the development priorities that they are given. The continuation of the dialogue with the partners of the northern territories reflects the firm commitment of our Government to maintain and strengthen the privileged and dynamic relationship he has established with the environment", said the Prime Minister.
Updated guidance
Minister Arcand noted that on the basis of the long-term vision term of Northern Plan, the Government has targeted three major strategic directions to guide its approach and that of the partners:
highlight in a responsible manner the diverse economic potential of Northern Quebec to the benefit of the populations who live there and throughout Quebec;
support the development of all the communities in the territory of the North Plan, both in terms of the development of their full potential in their living conditions.
protect the environment and preserve the distinctive biodiversity of Northern Quebec in ensuring to implement mechanisms allow to devote, by 2035, 50% of the territory of Northern Plan for other industrial purposes, to the protection of the environment and the preservation of biodiversity.
"The business environment and financial support measures that we put in place will contribute to create favorable conditions to attract private investment in Northern Quebec. To be successful, the Plan Nord we rely also on concrete actions that will lead to a development transport infrastructure and telecommunications. Scientific knowledge, which is necessary to plan our interventions, will be also supported, notably with the creation of the Nordic Institute of Quebec", he said.
Framework of realization
Minister Arcand noted that the Government has a governance structure tailored to the objectives which he is given for the implementation of the Plan Nord. He recalled that the company the North will be the instance key in the deployment of the various components of the Plan Nord. Its mission will be to contribute to the integrated and coherent development of the territory of Northern Plan, in accordance with the guidelines defined by the Government, and in consultation with representatives of the regions and concerned Aboriginal nations, as well as with the private sector.
The company will be supported in its efforts by the Assembly of partners, whose members are appointed in such a way that it is representative of the communities of the territory of Northern Plan as well as the main sectors of activities concerned. Its function is to give its opinion to the company and to the responsible Minister on any matter that the company submits in connection with its mission and its activities. It may also, on its own initiative, provide advice and make recommendations.
Financial framework
With the revival of the Plan Nord, significant investments will support current and future development North of the 49th parallel projects. The Government will build on the sums provided by North Plan funds, which are estimated at 356.7 million over the horizon 2015-2020. These amounts combined contributions of the various departments and agencies, as well as those of partners, will enable the Government to support interventions 1.340 billion over the next five years.
"By adding measures fully financed by various departments and agencies and their partners, intervention carried out on the territory of the Northern Plan will total almost 2 billion dollars on the year 2015-2020. To these amounts, will add substantial investments from the private sector. Contributions from the federal Government can improve the envelopes', explained the Minister.
«By relaunching the Plan Nord, the Government takes a strategic step in pursuit of the approach that he has initiated in 2011 to ensure the harmonious and sustainable development of Northern Quebec. Fort of an updated vision, our Government will be able to achieve the objectives set to highlight the economic potential of the North for the benefit of the whole of Quebec, to ensure the well-being of local and indigenous populations as well as to protect the environment and conserve biodiversity of this vast territory,"concluded the Prime Minister.
The north up to the year 2035 Plan, 2015-2020 action plan and its terms of reference are available on the website of the North Plan to www.plannord.gouv.qc.caLogo pour symboliser un lien externe du site..
