forillon

Gaspé Municipal Update: Dangerous dog to be euthanized

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ: — The Town of Gaspé wants to euthanize a dog that has been declared dangerous, which would be a first in the Gaspé Peninsula.

The town is basing its decision on a measure in the Regulation to implement the Act to promote the protection of persons by establishing a framework concerning dogs.

The Quebec government delegated responsibility for dangerous animals to municipalities following various tragic incidents involving dogs in the province through a law passed on June 13, 2018, which came into effect on March 3, 2020.

A notice of intent was filed at the September 2 council meeting. “We have a potentially dangerous dog here, which has been declared very dangerous by a veterinarian. This is a dog that has killed another animal. Everything has been proven and admitted by its owner. We must begin the process of determining what to do with the dog. What was discussed with the council is that since we are dealing with a dog that has been declared very dangerous by a veterinarian, we must issue a notice of intent,” explains the Mayor of Gaspé Daniel Côté, who remains very cautious in the face of a legal and possibly judicial process.
The town became involved following an incident that occurred on July 17, when the “dangerous” dog, a Labrador mix, fatally injured a small dog.

“There are steps to follow. It can take several weeks or even months. We are fortunate to have a veterinarian in Gaspé who can analyze the dog’s dangerousness and behaviour. In this case, it went fairly quickly,” notes the mayor. The owner of the animal has five days to respond to the notice of intent filed by the council.

“All costs and preliminary analyses up to euthanasia, which is the ultimate solution in this case, are the responsibility of the owner,” says the elected official.

The mayor points out that, according to the Civil Code, the owner is responsible for the care, control, supervision, and health of the animal. “We must remember this because I feel that this notion of individual responsibility is forgotten in our society,” says Mr. Côté.

The council was scheduled to revisit the issue on September 15.

The SHQ will have to pay

A 1974 agreement is coming back to haunt the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ), which will have to pay 100% of the renovation costs for certain low-rent housing units in Cap-des-Rosiers.

The mayor of Gaspé suggests that this may be related to the construction of these housing units following the mass expropriation of residents when Forillon Park was created.

“A series of low-income housing units were built around the Forillon peninsula. Perhaps it was in connection with this that the SHQ, to make up for the expropriations, assumed 100% of the relocation costs. Perhaps that is the situation. We brought up this agreement and the SHQ agreed to pay 100% of the renovation costs,” says the mayor.

The work is estimated at $8.2 million. If the municipal administration had not brought up this agreement, the town would have had to pay its 10% share, or $820,000.

“We obviously searched for any kind of agreement that could exempt us from the 10% bill. But everything that was in the agreement, we got,” notes the mayor.

There are other low-income housing renovations that need to be done, and the town will pay its 10% share. This is particularly the case for the renovation project on Rue des Grandvillais, a $1.6 million project for which the town will have to pay approximately $100,000.

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A new Mi’gmaq experience in Forillon National Park

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Jean-Philippe Thibault, LJI Journalist

FORILLON – The Micmac Nation of Gespeg and Parks Canada have been working closely since 2020 to develop traditional Mi’gmaq accommodation. Both parties want to offer visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in Forillon National Park. This will be possible starting next year.
The Um’tgi Wapg – Land of Dawn project was officially inaugurated on August 8. Five wigwams with a total capacity of 17 beds, have been erected at Cap-Bon-Ami, opposite the campsite of the same name, at the entrance to the first car park. These will be available for rent beginning in 2026 for overnight stays.

What’s more, visitors will discover Mi’gmaq history, legends, cultural practices and spirituality through educational activities such as dreamcatcher and traditional basket making. Artifacts found in Penouille and reconstructed will also be on display.

“Guests will be able to learn about the culture of the Mi’gmaq Nation,” explains Chief Céline Cassivi. “It’s more than a tourist site, it’s a living tribute to the memory, knowledge and spirituality of the Mi’gmaq. Visitors will discover our worldview. I am particularly proud of this announcement. It is a place of remembrance, but also a place that looks to the future.”

In addition to five wigwams for accommodation, another longhouse-shaped building has been constructed as a reception centre. The project is described by many as unique in the province.

“It showcases Mi’gmaq culture in the Gaspé Peninsula by promoting appropriate and authentic tourism. As far as I can remember, this is the first time there has been such a wonderful collaboration between Parks Canada and an Indigenous community. Something this structured in a national park is a first,” says Patricia Auclair, Acting Executive Director of Indigenous Tourism Quebec.
Last year, Ottawa signed a 25-year shared governance framework between Gespeg and Parks Canada to carry out joint projects in Forillon, while promoting Mi’gmaq cultural heritage.

Although the idea for the project dates back well before this agreement, it is a concrete step in that direction. “This agreement allows us to move forward together toward a more inclusive management approach where Gespeg’s voice is fully heard, recognized and valued,” notes Hugues Michaud, Executive Director for Quebec and Nunavut at Parks Canada.

It should be noted that the chosen site is a symbolic place for sun ceremonies, as it pays tribute to the thousand-year history of the Mi’gmaq people who inhabit it. The first Mawiomi was held there in 2017.

Um’tgi Wapg – Land of Dawn is expected to be open on the same dates as Forillon National Park. Three jobs will be created in Gespeg. “This is in line with the agreement’s objectives to create economic development opportunities. It’s one of the main focuses, and we’re very proud of it,” said Matthieu Côté, director of Parks Canada’s Gaspé Peninsula Management Unit.

Ottawa has invested $185,000 in the project, which is estimated to cost a total of more than $500,000. The site was designed and built by members of Gespeg, including Martin Jean-Dubé, who is also a commercial fisherman for the Nation and who worked alongside his crew.

“I had already seen how it was done and how it worked at the Pointe-Navarre site. I started from there with that knowledge and questions for the elders. It’s a modern version, but with a traditional feel. I’m very proud of it, since the project was started by my mother, who was a councillor in 2015.”
His mother, Johanne Jean, explains that she launched the idea 10 years ago, when she was a councillor. She has also been an employee of the Gespeg Micmac Interpretation Site since 1993.
“We want to give visitors an authentic and unique Indigenous experience. Our guides will share our stories and tales. Thank you for taking the time to discover our culture, listen to it and experience it,” she concludes.

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Moose declining in Forillon National Park

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The number of moose in Forillon National Park has decreased by half since 2017, according to the latest aerial survey conducted by park managers in February 2025.

In 2017, the moose population had reached a peak of 34 moose per 10 square kilometres, equivalent to 800 moose, prompting discussions on how to curb the population, which was putting its habitat at risk due to overpopulation.

The 2020 and 2024 inventories concluded that there were 22 moose per 10 square kilometres. The latest inventory showed a rate of 17 moose per 10 square kilometres, representing approximately 400 moose.

“The target for an ecosystem like ours is between 10 and 20 (moose per square kilometre). We are within the target range for a healthy ecosystem. The closer we are to 10, the better. But we are in a situation that is less problematic than we were at the end of the 2010s,” says Mathieu Côté, manager of Parks Canada’s Gaspé management unit.

“It’s difficult to explain this fluctuation. We are seeing a significant decline, but it is not cause for concern. Our long-term concern was that if we had remained at 35 per 10 square kilometres, there would have been significant impacts on the forest ecosystem. At 17, we are continuing to monitor the situation, but we are less concerned,” notes Mr. Côté.

The park has been tracking the moose population since 1970. The population continued to grow until it peaked in 2017, and since then, the situation has been stabilizing. “Over the past six years, we have been monitoring the situation more closely. We are continuing to do so, and we are pretty much back to where we were in 2009,” notes the manager.

It is difficult to explain what might have happened. “It is possibly multifactorial. There are natural variations. When it reaches a peak and becomes very dense, it often declines,” says the manager, who remains cautious.

Given this situation, conservation hunting to control the population is ruled out in the short term. “We don’t need to intervene. We’re going to let nature take its course. We’re going to monitor the situation closely,” he says.

Additional aerial surveys are not planned in the short term. Monitoring will be done using cameras deployed throughout the park.

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A busy summer ahead for Forillon Park 

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , , ,

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The summer tourist season, which began on May 30 for Forillon Park, is off to a good start, with overnight stays booked so far 23% higher than those recorded at the same time last year. 

More than 18,840 overnight stays have been booked since the reservation centre opened on February 5. 

“If you look at our popular ready-to-camp sites in July and August, they’re practically full. The same goes for our electric campsites,” notes Forillon Park manager, Mathieu Côté, Parks Canada’s Gaspésie Field Unit Director. There’s still room for unserviced sites. 

For those looking for ready-to-camp sites, there are still good dates available in June, September, and October. The season continues to stretch out. 

“We feel there are a few more reservations in June. We expect the tourist season to start fairly early, but it all depends on the weather. Those who want to come to Forillon should check the booking sites because they fill up quickly,” notes the manager. 

The new season brings its share of new developments, including a major conservation project for the first of Grande-Grave’s four heritage homes. Work began on the Joseph-Gavey House on May 12. 

“This is the beginning of the work. For safety reasons, there was a weakened barn. We had to hold discussions over the past few months with the group (Regroupement de personnes expropriées de Forillon) and the families involved. We had to deconstruct the barn and we committed to rebuilding it, keeping as much of the material as possible,” explains Mr. Côté. 

A dome will be placed over the house to protect it from the weather during the outdoor construction. Interior work will begin later this year. 

“It’s a complex project. There’s heritage, conservation, and visitor experience, because we’re making heritage accommodations. There’s also a relationship project with the community and the families. We want to commemorate the families who lived there,” explains Mr. Côté. 

In November 2022, the federal government announced nearly $9.8 million in support, focusing on four wooden heritage houses in the Grande-Grave area: those of Élias Gavey, Daniel Gavey, Joseph Gavey, and Charles Philipp Bartlett. 

Last year, work to finalize access roads to the houses and water research to drill a well for the houses was completed. 

The restoration and development project in the beaver pond area is nearing completion. The installation of furniture and the addition of interpretation and signage panels will complete the development of the three new trails in the area during the season. 

While these final steps are being finalized, visitors can enjoy the Le Pic-bois, Le Ruisseau, and Le Castor trails, which are now listed on the Forillon National Park map. 

“The trails will be inaugurated on July 19, but they are accessible. One of these trails connects the Visitor and Discovery Centre to the waterfall trail,” says the director. 

The asphalt on the old Route 132 has been removed. “We’re talking about six kilometres of road where we’ve removed culverts, restored waterways, and removed the asphalt. We’re in the final phase with the planting of 15,000 trees. We’ve also saved a kilometre of road,” notes the director. “In the context of a national park, leaving it as is was out of the question,” adds Mr. Côté. 

Several cultural and sporting events will also fill the park’s activities, including the inauguration of the trails on July 19; the Mawiomi, the pow-wow of the Micmac Nation of Gespeg, on August 9 in the North sector, near the reception and discovery centre; the sunrise show with Sara Curruchich on August 10 at Cap-Bon-Ami in partnership with the Festival Musique du Bout du Monde; and the Ultra Trail Forillon, a trail running event by Événements Gaspésia, which will return for a third year from September 19 to 21. 

Heritage sites including the Blanchette House, the Dolbel-Roberts House, and the Hyman & Sons General Store will come alive starting June 20. Food and sports concessions will gradually open between now and then. Over the past 15 years, more than $100 million has been invested in the park to bring it up to date.

A busy summer ahead for Forillon Park  Read More »

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