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Sustaining the forest | Forestry | Private forests
Secondary industries | Farming | Mining
Forest
The ample forests in the RCM of Antoine-Labelle cover some 81% of the area and forestry is the driving force of the whole local and regional economy.
There are conifers and broad-leaved trees of various species. The forest is a rich natural resource in the RCM of Antoine-Labelle area. Forests are 85% publicly owned, 15% privately owned and generate 68% of primary and secondary sector employment.
Forestry and forestry services are the main activities in the primary sector representing 49.2% of businesses and 77.2% of jobs.
The area not only offers quantity, but also quality, namely 22% of the best forests and 50% of quality timber in the province of Québec.
Sustaining the forest, one of our strengths
Requirements to sustain the forests have tripled the level of non-commercial work and multiplied the labour force five fold. To satisfy the requirements of their CAAF (contract for forestry stocking and development), the beneficiaries of CAAF must invest more than 3 million dollars in the development of public timberland.
Foresters at the Coopérative forestière des Hautes-Laurentides are very busy. Their strategic committee works towards promoting the value of forestry, the recognition of the real cost of forestry work and the development of the forestry sector. Forestry used to last a few weeks, but now spans over six months in the RCM of Antoine-Labelle, even 10 months for many. Foresters have developed innovative ways to cultivate, cut, clear and prepare the ground for reforestation. Since 1981, the Mousseau teaching and research forest in Sainte-Véronique has been a growing body of knowledge on ecology and broad-leaved tree populations as well as forestry methods. The area is used for display and educational purposes for students and forestry organizations.
Phase II projects have increased forestry work and the development of other forestry resources in the area such as fauna, spawning, cross-country and snowmobile trails, among others. Increased efforts to sustain the forest creates many jobs and ensures sustainable development.
The Centre de production des plantes forestières des Hautes-Laurentides annually produces over 8 million forest plants used for reforestation in Québec. Employees at the centre are almost all female and are highly skilled. The centre’s high production capacity and skilled labour make it very competitive in obtaining contracts.
The RCM of Antoine-Labelle is a leader in forestry agriculture not only through the Centre de production des plantes forestières des Hautes-Laurentides, but also because many farmers are also involved in forestry activities.
Forestry
There are large forestry companies in the area such as Bowater, Coopérative forestière des Hautes-Laurentides, Max Meilleur et fils (Cobodex) and many more.
Private forestsAmong the 2,000 private forest developers, there are 1,200 farmers in the RCM of Antoine-Labelle who own wooded lots and are members of the Syndicat des producteurs de bois de Labelle [wood producers union].
In 1999 - 2000 the Laurentian Regional Agency for the Development and Improvement of Private Timberland invested $850 000 for the development and improvement of private timberland in the RCM of Antoine-Labelle. In summary, with these funds :
278 000 trees were replanted;
230 hectares of plantations were maintained;
275 hectares of precommercial planting were groomed;
635 hectares of commercial planting were developped.
About 210 owners of private timberland in the RCM benefitted from Agency subsidies to complete these projects.
For more information, please contact :
infos@foret-privee-laurentides.qc.ca
You can also browse the ministère des Ressources naturelles website under “Mise en valeur des forêts privées.”
The RCM of Antoine-Labelle boasts not only of broad-leaved, top quality forests, but it is also known for its skilled labour having built its reputation on the satisfaction of a job well-done.
Total number of forestry industries in the RCM of Antoine–Labelle
Categories and total number of manufacturing plants
Categories and total number of manufacturing plants |
|
| Doors, windows and other crafted woods | 25 |
| Products for sawmills and planing workshops | 22 |
| Kitchen cupboards and cabinets | 16 |
| Prefabricated buildings with wood frames | 5 |
| Particle and fiber boards | 3 |
| Wood conservation | 1 |
| Stripping mills | 1 |
Other companies in the area and their products
Uniboard, St-Aimé-du-Lac-des-Îles : Plywood
Maisons de pièces Bondu : Log houses
La Boîte à bois : Wooden presentation cases and gift boxes
Charles Meilleur et fils Kiamika : Docks
Maisons en bois rond Sâgâ : Log houses and furniture
In addition,our products are distributed all over the world which reflects the hardworking and industrious spirit of the people working in the area. Quality forests and wood, skilled labour and reknown products is what the local economy is built on.
Secondary industriesLocal industry is in large part linked to the forest resources. Many companies are involved in sawing and planing, while others are involved in transforming wood into value-added products.
Among the latter there is the Mont-Laurier division of Uniboard Canada which manufactures MDF (medium density fibre) panels and is today a real leader in wood transformation using the most high tech processing methods.
In fact, Uniboard Canada is the only company of its kind in the northeast of North America and only the second in all of Canada. MDF (medium density fibre) is being used more and more to replace real wood. It is a growing industry with a lot of room for variety, initiative and investment.
You’ll often find our products outside Québec, not only in the U.S. and across Canada, but also in Europe, especially Great Britain and France, in the middle east and in some Asian countries.
For us — quality has no border.
The challenge in forestryDiversifying industry in the RCM of Antoine-Labelle involves diversifying the manufacturing base tied to the forest. This would mean doing secondary and tertiary transformation of wood products and new product development.
FarmingThe Upper Laurentians — one of the sunniest areas in Quebec !
The RCM of Antoine-Labelle boasts of one of the sunniest areas in Québec which is an added bonus for both tourists and farmers in the RCM of Antoine-Labelle.
Local farming is significant as 19 out of 22 municipalities have quality farming areas. Farming generates $18 million dollars in revenue and generates another $40 million for the local economy. Farming accounts for 43% of primary sector business and generates 16.3% of jobs. In 1997, there were 270 farmers including 37% in beef farming and 27% in dairy farming. Horticulture accounts for 8% and maple products production for 5%.
Traditional farming is stable and new production is being developed such as goats, ostrich and greenhouse farming. In addition, fruits and vegetables, grain and fodder production is central to area farming. Large crops are usually potatoes.
There is also fish farming, bee farming and small fruit farming. As well, there are many tree groves and lawn farms in the RCM of Antoine-Labelle.
Among the 286 farms in the 1995 census, 181 are either individual farms, sole proprietorships and 19 are family owned businesses. Men and women farmers each have their respective unions.
Future prospects for forestry and maple products production
Prospects and markets are good for forestry and maple products production. These areas should continue to develop over the next few years.
Mining, quarries and gravel pitsThere are 10 mining companies in the area which include about 280 people employ in the extraction and transformation industries.
Graphite and granite are also produced including some very good quality graphite. There are several small sites which show good potential. Since they are dispersed throughout the area, there is minimal visual impact on the scenery.
The granite produced in Guénette has a significant competitive advantage. It has a unique pink colour and is considered very pure.
The mining industry in the RCM of Antoine-Labelle is not running at full capacity. Creating full inventories is necessary to develop the area’s full potential.
The RCM of Antoine–Labelle has many sand quarries and gravel pits.
Sustaining the forest | Forestry | Private forests
Secondary industries | Farming | Mining
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