Creation of a Sustainable Development Plan for the Municipality of Saint Valérien

Located 15 km from Rimouski, the Town of Saint Valérien offers a number of services to its citizens, whose median age is 41. However, for some time now young families and university students living in Saint Valérien have been adding to this community’s vision. To meet the needs of its diverse citizenry and to develop according to its regional reality, the municipality wants to adopt a sustainable development plan that includes environmental, economic and social measures as part of a long-term vision. This plan will prioritize the management of transportation, water, energy, waste and contaminated sites, as well as update internal policies. To engage its citizens, Saint Valérien will use a process called “World Café.” This interactive and friendly approach fits well with the context of a small, rural community and advocates active public engagement in the decision-making process. By promoting the development of various initiatives and local services, the town hopes to improve the local economy and environment, and encourage the social life of the community. This participatory planning process offers a practical tool for all municipalities within the RCM of Rimouski-Neigette. The project methodology and resulting sustainable development plan will be posted on the Municipality of Saint Valérien website and on the De La Neigette Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation website. (Project description from original funding application)