The provincial government’s decision in December 2020 to cancel plans to protect 100 natural areas in southern Quebec galvanized a group of people, with the support of various environmental, aboriginal and political groups, to come to their aid.
On September 6, a group of walkers set out from the Outaouais to Quebec City. Other groups of travelers mobilized over the weeks to join the first group in a rally in Quebec City on October 16.
Several dozen marchers arrived at Pointe-aux-Lièvres Park shortly after 2:00 p.m., to the sustained applause of rally participants already gathered. Afterwards, several of them spoke, as well as some leaders of Aboriginal nations, thanking the marchers for their achievement, but also encouraging everyone to continue to mobilize for the protection of the forests that the government has given up protecting for future generations.
There were also musical and dance performances by Aboriginal representatives, who were strongly affected by the lack of will of the Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks to protect these biodiversity basins.
Jean-Pierre Duford
Spokesperson for Agriculture and Food Policy
