Hydroelectricity

The Lanaudière region has a hydroelectric power station at Rawdon on the rivière Ouareau, and another at Matawin dam on the river of the same name.

Mining

The Lanaudière region is an important centre for limestone, an industrial stone used to produce quicklime and cement. It also produces quartzite transformed into silica sand, architectural stone of varied composition and colours, sand, gravel and crushed stone. The Lanaudière region has a large graphite processing plant.

Forestry

Public forests cover 77% of the Lanaudière region, with rich stands of great variety ranging from hardwoods only in the south, to softwoods only in the north. The forestry industry is made up mainly of sawmills and plants producing flooring, doors and windows and mouldings.

Wildlife-related activities

The Lanaudière region has a rich natural heritage. In addition to two wildlife reserves and six regional parks, the region has fifteen outfitting operations with exclusive rights, four wildlife management areas (ZECs), and the outstanding Mont-Tremblant park, which it shares with the neighbouring Laurentides region. Hunting and fishing activities generate $106 million annually.

Cottage development, recreation and tourism

Each year, over 750,000 people visit the Lanaudière region, not surprisingly since the region has all the infrastructures needed to attract sports enthusiasts and cottage dwellers. Camping, golf, cycling, hiking, wildlife observation, hunting, fishing, horse riding, skiing and even dogsledding are just some of the activities available!

The recreational park at Mont-Tremblant, the number one resort in eastern North America , the National Hiking Trail, and the regional parks at Lac Taureau and Forêt Ouareau all attract enviable numbers of visitors.

Thanks to its expanses of public land, which constitute a key component in regional tourism products, the Lanaudière region has strong potential for further recreational development.

Future prospects

One of the main regional issues is clearly the harmonization of land uses. Meeting the needs of forest operators, outdoor activity enthusiasts, cottagers, hunters and fishers, all interested in the same land, is a constant challenge.

The issue affects the forest sector, especially at a time when Québec intends to modernize its forest management system. Sustainable development, integrated resource management and public participation by users are at the heart of priorities for the region.

Last, to promote recreation and tourism, the Lanaudière region will have to maintain access to public land and increase the range of activities offered while providing constant support for economic development.