MRC of Matapedia, a centre for rural excellence regarding sustainable development

Affected by both an economy whose main sectors are in a fully-blown crisis and with a population that is in drastic decline, the MRC of Matapedia will work on a sustainable development plan that will be on the same plane as the 2007-2025 Vision already in place. The plan’s main focus will be to adapt the French concept of a “natural regional park”, that is to say a populated rural territory recognized for its valuable heritage and for its landscape and that is centred on a concerted sustainable development project. Indeed, it will produce “fair trade” and sustainable consumer goods. In order to accomplish this, the MRC will create an organizational structure in support of this experimental process; it will get the community to take part in the planning and will obtain its participation in the sustainable development plan and finally, will ensure that the process gets the support it needs from elected officials as well as their approval. Among sustainable development issues that will be dealt with in the plan, note ones pertaining to water, energy, residual matter, transportation, social equity as well as the consolidation and diversification of the economy. Environmental gains should include production and consumption of renewable energy, the reduction of greenhouse gas, the protection of surface and underground water and optimization of residual matter. More than just a simple development plan, the MRC of Matapedia concept is intended as a real community project focusing on an integrated sustainable development approach based on the protection and appreciation of its territory, community and natural and cultural heritage.The sustainable development plan will bring together all MRC municipalities as well as the local development centre which will all be responsible for its implementation via their respective municipal plans.

(Project description from original funding application)