Quebec' environment
Québec (province), largest province of Canada. Québec is located in the eastern part of Canada and extends north from the United States border to Hudson Strait and east from the shores of Hudson Bay to the region of Labrador. Québec is nicknamed La Belle Province (The Beautiful Province) because of the splendor and diversity of its landscape and architectureThe province's enormous size and geographical variety have resulted in a wide range of climates and economic activities, and a wide distribution of population. Québec's landscape is divided into three major regions: the Canadian Shield, the St. Lawrence Lowlands, and the Appalachian Region. The Canadian Shield, which lies in the northern part of the province, makes up the overwhelming majority of Québec's territory. This region is sparsely inhabited as cold temperatures and permafrost (permanently frozen ground) make it unsuitable for agriculture. However, the Canadian Shield and the southeastern Appalachian Region are rich in natural resources. As a result, mining, forestry, and hydroelectric power production predominate in those areas. The St. Lawrence Lowlands, sandwiched between the other two regions, form the agricultural, industrial, and commercial center of Québec. The province's population is largely concentrated in this region, which is where most of Québec's largest cities are located.
Technical information
Area: 1 667 926 km² (3 x France)
Population: 7 400 000 inhabitants
Capital: Quebec
People: 83% francophones, 9% anglophones, 0,88% natives andf 0,11% inuits
Languages: In 1977, law 101 made the French language offical language in Quebec. However, French and English languages are the two official languages in Canada.
Religions: 90% catholic, 6% protestant
Government : based on the British parliamentary system, in which the executive is chosen from, and responsible to, the legislatur
GDP: 591,57 milliards de $US
GDP/capita.: 19 000 $US
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Major industries: industrial exploitation of natural resources, mining, forestry , hydroelectric energy.The asbestos mines in the Eastern Townships have made Québec a world leader in asbestos production. The main categories of industrial production in Québec include pulp and paper products; machines, electrical equipment, and audio-visual devices; and petroleum and coal products. Industries that produce nuclear reactors, mechanical parts, and aluminum products are also significant .
Major trading partners: United States (50% of its production) Excanges with europe (mainly France) are steady, but are in decline with the other provinces of Canada
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History in short
35000 B.C. - Arrival of the first Asians, Amerindians ancestors, from the Bering Strait.
Around 11000 B.C. - Ice melting allows Amerindians to spread over North America..
Around 5500 av B.C.. - Another Asian group, Inuit ancestors, arrive from Siberia.
1534 - Jacques Cartier , in name of France, takes possession of what is now the territory of the Province of Quebec.
1608 - Samuel Champlain founds Québec.
1642 - Fondation of Ville-Marie futur Montréal.
1663 - King Louis XIV decrees that the colony will be subject to the "Paris Custom" (Coutume de Paris), which ends a system under which customs from several different regions of France applied in New France (as Quebec was then called). By the end of the sixteenth century, the Paris Custom had become the prevailing one in France.
1713 - Utrecht Treaty. New France territory is reduced to the Saint-Laurent banks.
1759 - Battle of Les Plaines d'Abraham . France defeat and surrender of Québec City.
1760 - England conquers New France.
1867 - July 1st, creation of Canada , regrouping Québec, Ontario, New-Brunswick and Nova-Scotia.
1876 - Adoption of a law relative to Natives and creation of the reserves.
1939 - In Septembre, Canada joins the allies in the war.
1948 - The fleur-de-lis flag, symbol of France's royalty since 1100's is adopted and becomes Québec's official flag.
1960 - Start of the Quiet Revolution.
1963 - Beginning of terrorist actions from the FLQ S.
1967 - Montreal Universal Exhibition. In July, pronouces the sentence "Vive le Québec libre".
1970 - Begining of the October Crisis .James Cross, British Trade Commissioner was kidnapped .
1976 - Olympc games in Montréal.
1980 - 59.5% of Quebecers voted against the sovereignty association proposal in the referendum.
1987 - Signing of the Meech Lake Accord on June 3rd.
1990 -11, 1990. The SQ arrives at the Pines and demands that the Mohawk Indian natives who have put up barricades around their burial ground and occupied a large tract of land leave immediately. After hours of verbal confrontation, the Sûreté du Québec lobs volleys of canisters of tear gas and concussion grenades into the Pines and moves in. The Mohawks resist. The ensuing exchange of gunfire is inevitable. The first victim of what is later to be known as the "Oka crisis" is thirty-one-year-old Quebec policeman Corporal Marcel Lemay.
1995 - 50.5% of Quebecers voted against the sovereignty association proposal in the second referendum.
1998 -Lucien Bouchard is re-elected as Prime Minister on November .
2001 - Lucien Bouchard resigned as premier and party leader early in 2001. He is replaced in his functions by Bernard Landry from the same party (PQ) .
Climate
Québec has a number of different climates because of its huge area. In the far north, near Hudson Strait, the province has an arctic climate, with frigid winters, brief annual thaws, and constant permafrost. Most of the Canadian Shield and the St. Lawrence Lowlands east of Lake Saint-Pierre have a subarctic climate, characterized by long cold winters and relatively short warm summers. In the south, there is a humid continental climate with cold winters and hot, muggy summers. The average July temperatures in Montréal range from a high of 26°C (79°F) to a low of 15°C (60°F) and in Kuujjuak in the far north from a high of 17°C (62°F) to a low of 11°C (52°F). January temperatures in Montréal range from -6°C (22°F) to -15°C (5°F) and in Kuujjuak from -19°C (-2°F) to -28°C (-19°F). During summer, the temperature in Québec City fluctuates between 10°C (50°F) and 30°C (86°F). Winter temperatures average between -25°C (-13°F) and -5°C (23°F),. e.
(average temperatures in degree C at sea level)
| Season / region |
South(Montréal) |
Centre (Québec) |
North (Gaspésie) |
| Summer (June to September.) |
18 to 32 C. |
17 to 28 C. |
15 to 24 C. |
| Fall (October to November) |
0 to 15 C. |
-2 to 12 C. |
-6 to 6 C. |
| Winter (December to February) |
-18 to -6 C. |
-22 to -8 C. |
-30 to -12 |
| Spring (March to May) |
-10 to 18 C. |
-12 to 15 C. |
-15 to 12 C. |
Fauna and flora
The province is divided into four types of environmental zones, each with its own distinct landscape. In the extreme north is tundra, a treeless region, where mosses, lichens, and low shrubs are the typical ground cover. South of the tundra is the taiga, which is predominately covered by sphagnum peat marshes and lichens. Although also largely unforested, it does have small coniferous trees. The boreal forest extends from the taiga to about the latitude of Québec City. It consists of larger coniferous trees, such as balsam fir, black spruce, white spruce, hemlock, and jack pine. The temperate forest lies south of the boreal forest. Its mixed and deciduous forests contain species such as fir, spruce, pine, sugar maple, birch, elm, and oak.
Québec's forests teem with wildlife. Mammals found there include black bear, woodland caribou, moose, deer, beaver, mink, marten, red fox, and otter. Birds of the forest include ruffed grouse, hermit thrush, Canada jay, woodpecker, and a variety of warblers and ducks. The polar bear makes its home in the far north, as do the barren-ground caribou, arctic fox, and lemming. Birds of the far north include the snowy owl and ptarmigan. Whales, seals, and other sea mammals inhabit Québec's coastal waters, as do saltwater fish such as cod, herring, and salmon. The province's lakes and rivers contain salmon, trout, bass, pike, pickerel, and whitefish, as well as geese, ducks, loons, and other waterfowl
The animal prints represented below are not to scale .
Caribou
7 to 14 cm |
Moose
12 to 15 cm |
Virginia Deer
5 to 8 cm |
 Felides |
 Canines |
Canada Cougars and Lynx: 8 to 10 cm
Red Lynx: 5 cm |
Coyote: 6 cm
Wolf: 10 à 12 cm
Red Fox: 4 to 6 cm |
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Hares and rabbits: 9 to 15 cm - The arrow shows the moving direction
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Mink
3,2 cm |
Marten
3,2 cm |
Weasel
2 cm |
 Beaver
18 cm |
 Skunk
5 cm |
 Porcupine
8 cm |
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The Travellers' groups you will be part of is composed of 6 to 12 hikers, accompanied by a naturalist guide and if possible a driver/cook. River tours groups are from 6 to 8 travellers joinded by two river guides + a driver also in charge of supplies.
Equipments
Necessary equipment for the journey are supplied but for the personal belongings : a good pair of walking shoes (for hiking tour), a compact sleeping bag (3 seasons or 0 degree), a good back pack maximum 55L and a smaller one (15 L) for every day excursions, a wind-proof jacket... a and a good mood and humour ready to get over any difficulty !
Booking conditions
Please take the time to consult the regular booking conditions prior to book/reserve on one of our tours. Please note that special booking conditions may apply to some circuits and/or departures. In such case, information will be given to you on booking/reservation.
Meals and gastronomy
Meals that won't be served in restaurants will be offered in the different inns or cooked together, as a group, with the best possible fresh and typical food of the region. We promote a healthy and nourishing food, as we think that it very important and enjoyable to eat well. In our opinion, a good diet, for meat-lovers as well as for vegetarians is essential for each of us to make sure that the day goes by smoothly. .
Hiking
The hiking tours vary from easy to difficult.. The tours (#QEA and QEC) include from 0 up to 8 hrs hike per day with a total difference in altitude which can reach 800m in the same day, but usually around 150 to 300m. You carry with you the daily needs (water bottle, knife, camera, windcheater and sometimes a light snack)..
Rafting
For these tours you are accompanied by a specialist river guide and all the nessary equipment is supplied, but for the personal belongings. These tours have a daily minimum of 6 km and a maximum of 20km. Short portages are designed to avoid certain rapids (facultative for rivers classed III but are mandatory for rivers classed IV and V). Provisions and transports are the responsibility of our driver and training and security tips is done by 2 friendly expericiended river guides. The rapids are of level R1 and R2, and a few R3 at the end of the tour. Potages are designed to avoid certain rapids.
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Luggages and personal belongings
Please bring only the necessary. Small bags make it a lot easier for everyone to manage luggage. Hard and rigid suitcases are not recommended. The ideal is to have two bags one of which , an approximately 25 litre backpack, is used as a day bag for small excursions and the other, approximately 45 litres, contains the majority of clothing and personal belongings. We recommend that each participant brings with him/her:
- A pair of comfortable shoes to hike in
- A compact sleeping bag
- A pair of sandals or light shoes
- A light rain coat or plastic ponchoe
- 1 or 2 jackets (fleece or woollen)
- 7 pairs Warm socks (3 woollen and 4 cotton)
- 2 pairs Warm trousers (1 fleece)
- 2 pairs of shorts
- A light hat or cap
- A watch
- Sun glasses
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- Sun block (min. SPF15 no oils please) and Insect repellent
- Pocket knife..
- Underwear 100% polyester or polypropylen
- A water bottle
- A whistle (mandatory for river circuits)
- Flash light, frontal lamp
- Water proof jacket and trousers(river tours)
- *Leggings (hicking tours)
- *Binoculars(hicking tours)
- *A wet suit (river tours)
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Do not bring too much! You have the chance to wash your cloth during the tour.
* Optional but very handy !
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Tips on what to wear
During hiking
During hiking, we highly recommend the peeling method, wearing multiple thin layers, giving you the possibility to remove them and put them back on depending on the temperature changes which are very usual during hiking circuits (climbing, going downhill, stops, morning, mid-day or evening). Give your preference to synthetic outfits such as polypropylene and fleece, easy to dry and lighter and allowing ventilation. Wear 2 pairs of socks, thus avoiding burns and blisters consequent to friction. The first one should be in polypropylene and the second one a woollen pair, this is the ideal mix.
For rafting circuits
If you own a wet suit, this is ideal, you will wear it for rivers (we may lend you one for the journey but we do not commit to it). If you do not have a wet suit, do not worry, this is not mandatory. You will wear polyester or polypropylene underwear, a fleece or woollen jacket and pair of trousers, a water proof pair of trousers. This will allow you to remove and put back on pieces depending on the weather conditions. Most of the time you will be wearing T-shirts and shorts to enjoy the sun but be ready for cooler conditions, cold rain and falls in the river !
Lodgings
Lodging in charming Inns, on double occupancy basis (2 to 3 *). These places have been chosen with the following standards in mind : welcoming, charming, comfortable and very friendly more than the luxury they can offer. Stays in Chalets are on double or multiple occupancy basis and offer to all hickers the possibility to fill up, refresh and rest for a good night sleep. Nights spent in camps or in refuges have a more rustic comfort but we supply a mattress when no beds are offered. This is a very special time to enjoy mother nature and spend a night under the stars around a camp fire with a glass of good wine or 'petit caribou' (a local typical strong drink).
Children and the journey
During hiking
From 6 years of age, children can take part in the hiking circuits, if they are motivated . Tours can easily be adapted and groups divided. Programs can vary according to the presence of young children among them. Hiking tours last from 1/2 a day to a full day, and do not ask for several days of autonomy. We know how to adequately adapt a journey if children are on board. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you want to discuss further on that matter , we will try to respond to your specific needs with pleasure.
During rafting
When accompanied by parent(s), 11 years of age children are welcome . If your child is younger but you think that he/she is up to participating to a rafting program, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be more than happy to discuss it with you. We know that age is not the only component.
What to read:
Hiking in Quebec, Ulysse Green Escapes
Québec et Ontario, Guide Lonely Planet (Fr) ISBN: 2-84070-077-8
Electricity: 110V 60Hz
Time zone: GMT/UTC -5 hrs ( 6AM in Québec w France)
Glossary:
Rivers classification:
RClass I. Moving water with a few riffles and small waves. Few or no obstructions..
Class II. Easy rapids with waves up to 3 feet, and wide, clear channels that are obvious without scouting. Some maneuvering is required
Class III. Rapids with high, irregular waves often capable of swamping an open canoe. Narrow passages that often require complex maneuvering. May require scouting from shore.
Class IV. Long, difficult rapids with constricted passages that often require precise maneuvering in very turbulent waters. Scouting from shore is often necessary, and conditions make rescue difficult. Generally not possible for open canoes. Boaters in covered canoes and kayaks should be able to Eskimo Roll
Class V. Extremely difficult, long and very violent rapids with highly congested routes which nearly always must be scouted from shore. Rescue conditions are difficult and there is significant hazard to life in the event of a mishap. Ability to eskimo roll is essential for kayaks and canoes.
Steps preceding any departure:
- You select the tour and dates you wish to book (or reach an agreement with us on your Tailor Made Tour's program.
- Using our Booking Form you make your reservation / booking.
- As soon as your booking request is received we get in touch with you to confirm the booking and we send you an invoice including payment instructions and booking conditions.
- Upon reception of this invoice you must send your initial deposit (25%) to secure your booking. NB: If your package includes the international flight and/or an insurance plan, it will be integrally payable with your initial deposit. You will receive your flight tickets and/or insurance enrollment confirmation on the next business day following the reception of your payment.
- After reception of your initial deposit we will send you a detailed and complete TRAVELER'S FILE.
NB: Unless your booking request is received within 30 days from the departure date, in which case you will receive your Traveler's File upon payment of your initial deposit, please allow between 15 and 30 working days for the preparation of these documents and 2 or 3 more days before receiving any printed material.
This complete file will contain the following detailed information:
- Voucher / proof of your booking.
- Detailed program with a map of the tour's route.
- Information on your tour guide(s) and other human resource(s) connected to the project.
- Information on the meeting point and a list of the inns and hotels with their description, address & contact information.
- Info on the cities, sites & regions visited on the tour.
- Technical & practical information.
- General recommendations for the traveler.
- Emergency plan and detailed maps of the country and /or region(s).
- Travel insurance complete documents and/or flight tickets (if included in your tour package).
- Your balance must be received 30 days before your departure or in the week following the reception of your Traveler's File if you are booking within 30 days preceding your departure.
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Comparing our tours and prices with others, consider...
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- The number of participants in the tour. The GROUP SIZE has a major incidence on the quality of the services provided by the tour leader and the driver. Small groups remain personal unlike large groups.
- What IS and what is NOT respectively included in the tours you compare.
- Our tours respect the principals of ecotourism. Our guides, staff members and providers are meticulously selected to meet our exacting requirements and standards and they are remunerated equitably and considered with great esteem as we much value their participation to our mission.
- The quality standard of the services and accommodations we provide in our tours is high and our customer service is exceptional. We are committed to offering the very best to our travellers before, during and after their tour.
- We provide our travellers with the contact information of their tour manager who is available 7 days a week, reachable at all time before and during the tour to promptly assist them with any situation or simply answer questions or doubts before the tour starts.
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