Have you ever heard of the proposed national park Tursujuq? Formerly called the Park Guillaume-Delisle-et-à-Eau Claire Lakes, this park project is located in Nunavik, east of Hudson Bay. This will be the largest national park in Quebec where the government of Jean Charest will make the official announcement soon (over 15 000 km2). It is only then that all will know the final route of the limits of the park and at the same time, the fate of the majestic river which runs alongside Nastapoka north.

Nastapoka

In preliminary studies, the river Nastapoka was considered a central element to integrate the future park, as much by scientists as the Inuit and Cree communities involved in the process. Indeed, it has several characteristics that make it an irreplaceable jewel of Quebec's natural heritage. Note the presence of a single population of salmon in eastern Hudson Bay, an estuary which has a population of beluga whales endangered, and the source of the river, Lake des Loups Marins - place of residence a single common seal population on the planet, contained in fresh water and also, unfortunately, endangered. Despite this and the almost unanimous support from stakeholders to include Nastapoka River National Park, there is no indication that it will be protected. A wild river broadband in Northern Quebec hydroelectric potential ... tempting.

Why should we worry about the fate of the Nastapoka? The answer goes far beyond the mere creation of the park Tursujuq - and is the essence of the conservation component of the Northern Plan. Indeed, 6 November 2009, over 200 stakeholders from diverse backgrounds were invited to Quebec City to hear a number of ministers extol the possibilities of economic development in northern Quebec. Exciting project for the Quebec economy it goes without saying, as this development is not at the expense of our environment. Moreover, the Prime Minister announced many times since his election his intention to prohibit industrial development on half of the territory north of the 49th parallel, an area the size of France. This commitment has been supported by several environmental groups including CPAWS Quebec because it offers the possibility of a balanced development, where areas of ecological significance are identified and protected before they even give free rein to industrial projects.

That is another reason to worry about the fate of the Nastapoka. If Quebec can not even protect this unique river and crucial for biodiversity, so why should we expect for the 50% of the country that we promised to keep? Do bequeath it be said that the crumbs of wilderness for future generations? If that is the direction envisaged Quebec on our public lands, development associated with the Northern Plan may be anything but "sustainable".