Sustainable Tourism: Concrete Actions in the Outaouais

Read about Outaouais businesses that take action every day to support sustainable development and environmental protection. For an action to be considered a sustainable initiative, it must involve at least one of the following three areas: social equity, environmental preservation and economic efficiency. Find out more about some local companies that care about sustainability!

Getting back to nature

Nestled in the heart of soothing nature, HOM Mini Chalets combine design, comfort and ecological awareness. Designed from the outset to reduce their environmental footprint, the chalets incorporate a host of innovative measures: energy-efficient heat pumps, remote temperature management, strategic solar orientation, carefully selected materials… everything is in place to minimize energy loss and maximize harmony with the environment. Built on stilts, they also reduce the ecological footprint on the ground and help maintain the ecosystem. For the same reason, the establishment asks visitors to stay on the paths when walking on the site. The company has also developed, in collaboration with the SADC Papineau-Collines, a customized greenhouse gas calculator to monitor and offset its emissions. Add to that charging stations for electric cars, eco-friendly household products, tree planting and a careful selection of local suppliers. The furniture is made by Danou Charette, a local cabinetmaker who transforms reclaimed wood into unique pieces, full of charm and meaning. The wood he uses is from the construction of the chalets.

For a low-environmental-impact experience in the heart of the forest, treat yourself to a high-end, eco-responsible stay at a Terre & Neige cottage. You can have responsibly catered meal boxes delivered right to your chalet door! The nature and provenance of each product is provided. The owners make a point of featuring local and seasonal products, often sourced only a few kilometres from the property.

Discover Chalets Prunella and fall in love with these minimalist, A-frame cabins built with wood from a local sawmill. Take a stroll along the 2-mile long trails and explore the 30-hectare (75-acre) property, then relax in the comfort of your energy-efficient cottage and enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding forest through the large windows.

Housed in a former flour mill dating back to 1838, the Wakefield Mill Hotel & Spa was the first establishment in Quebec to achieve LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)—an international symbol of sustainability excellence and green building leadership—following the construction of its 13-room Eco River Lodge. The lodge is also Green Key certified, a certification whose green rating program is recognized by the World Council for Sustainable Tourism. While you’re there, charge your electric vehicle at the on-site charging station.

Embrace adventure and get out of your comfort zone with CarpeDiem Aventures. Rent a Canadian-made watercraft or bicycle and explore the surrounding area. Check out the unusual accommodations and sleep under the stars in a hanging tent. The company has earned Aventure Écotourisme Québec’s Quality-Safety and Ecotourism accreditations for sound environmental practices. Take part in an environmentally respectful adventure stay in nature.

Fairmont Le Château Montebello and the other establishments in the Fairmont family are recognized as having one of the best ecological programs in the North American hotel industry, and follow the environmental guidelines established by the Accor international hospitality group. While you’re in the area, book a stay at this iconic resort hotel and support some of the chain’s major environmental initiatives: used cooking oils and greases are recycled into biodiesel, bee hotels are set up around the world to help establish sustainable beekeeping, and organic gardening principles are applied in maintaining landscaping and golf courses.

From farm to fork

Outaouais restaurateurs are increasingly adopting sustainable practices. Using local and organic ingredients, reducing food waste and improving energy efficiency are at the heart of their business model.

Enjoy a meal at Les Fougères restaurant, where the menu changes according to the availability of local produce. The restaurant has its own garden and sources its ingredients from nearby organic farms.

At the crossroads of sustainable agriculture, gourmet discovery and education, Courges et Cie cultivates much more than just pesticide-free fruit and vegetables. The Halte gourmande transforms the harvest into tasty dishes that you can enjoy on the spot: squash poutine, pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven, fried pickles and strawberry lemonade to go with microbrewery beers. The freezers are also full of ready-made meals that you can take home: chicken tagine, many varieties of soup, macaroni and cheese with squash and bacon, vegetarian shepherd’s pie with butternut squash, tarte tatin with roasted cherry tomatoes and much more. A pumpkin beer has also been brewed using the company’s cucurbits, in partnership with À La Dérive Brasserie Artisanale.

Quebec’s microbreweries are known for their collaboration and their efforts in terms of circular economy, and those of the Outaouais are no exception! The 5e Baron and À la dérive microbreweries source their hops from a local farm. The Brasseurs de Montebello use cocoa from the nearby ChocoMotive chocolate shop in their brewing recipes, and brew a Pale Ale with honey from their neighbour, Kenauk Nature.

Head for Chelsea and a fine meal at L’Orée du Bois. The menu combines classic French cuisine and hearty Quebec fare, and features local products and produce grown in the restaurant’s own garden.

Monsieur Limonade uses upcycled lemons, thus avoiding food waste while creating tasty products. A great way to prove that the circular economy can also rhyme with pleasure.

Pure Conscience Farm is an organic-intensive farm that will make your mouth water with its fresh vegetables and unique products. Each food item comes from a production method that promotes biodiversity and soil fertility. You’ll find eggs from free-range chickens and certified organic grains. At the Ponti-Yak boutique, try yak meat, rich in protein and vitamins.

Activities in harmony with nature

Rooted in an approach of respect and preservation of the environment, the Parc Omega is much more than a tourist attraction: it is an animal refuge for some twenty wild species from Canada, covering an area of more than 2,200 acres. From the outset, the company has relied on the involvement of local artists, artisans and entrepreneurs to bring to life a project deeply rooted in the living traditions of the region. The accreditation of the AZAC (Association of Accredited Zoos and Aquariums of Canada) has also recognized the excellence of its animal welfare practices. Parc Omega, in collaboration with its Foundation, also plays an active role in wildlife conservation. In addition to offering a refuge for orphaned animals in partnership with wildlife officers, it is involved in concrete projects, such as the protection of the loggerhead shrike or the monitoring of caribou health in collaboration with the University of Ottawa. Not to mention the educational workshops in schools that plant the seeds of a more sustainable future in the minds of the youngest. For its part, the OmegaBon Restaurant showcases boreal flavors and delights the taste buds in harmony with the land.

For an inspiring example of the circular economy, take a walk around Old Chelsea Square. Stock up on local products at La Petite Grocerie, a specialty boutique that doubles as the reception area for the Village Lofts apartment hotel, which stocks Biscotti & cie coffee in its accommodations. The Chelsea Pub uses Distillerie du Square‘s Gin du Jardin in its cocktails, and craft beers from Chelsea & Co are served at the Nomades du Parc equipment rental centre.

In addition to being one of the largest and oldest private nature reserves in North America, Kenauk Nature is home to the Kenauk Institute, a research institute whose ultimate goal is to become a laboratory for monitoring climate change and human ecological impacts. Did you know that thanks to the Kenauk Institute and the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the reserve’s territory is in the process of being declared a protected area? Plan your next fishing trip there and support this company that raises fish on its own fish farm and has a capacity to produce over 100,000 fish per year. Practise sustainable fishing while protecting wild fish populations.

Visit Eco-Odyssée Nature Park and explore the beaver’s habitat in a unique water maze aboard a watercraft of your choice. Learn more about this iconic animal and how humans and beavers can coexist in the environment. Observe the richness of the marsh and enjoy its beautiful sunset views.

Learn the story of Charles Symmes, the founder of Aylmer, at the Symmes Inn Museum and discover a unique historical site. The museum strives to make history and culture accessible. The inn is certified by Kéroul, a an organization that rates the accessibility of establishments and their services. A mobile app has also been created for self-guided tours of the Old Aylmer Historical Tour.

Climb aboard Ottawa Boat Cruise’s 100% electric boat for a trip on the Rideau Canal in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The boat is EKEAU certified, a certification that promotes sustainable and accessible tourism experiences.

Travel between Quebec and Ontario by water aboard the Aqua-Taxi, an eco-friendly shuttle service that is 100% electrically powered. The boat has a special area reserved for cyclists who want to take their bikes along. Admire the beautiful views of Canada’s Capital Region along the way!

Rent adapted equipment at the Relais plein air du parc de la Gatineau thanks to the valuable collaboration of Circonflexe, an innovative social project that aims to make adapted sports equipment accessible throughout Quebec. Whether for a family bike ride, a hike with friends or winter activities, the mission of the Gatineau Park Outdoor Relays is to make the outdoors accessible to everyone in all seasons.

Eco-responsible events

Sample several kinds of beer in one place and find your new favourite brew at the summer and winter editions of the Gatineau Brewfest. The festival promotes local brewing expertise, stimulates the local economy and uses eco-responsible supplies.

Head over to La Baie Park to watch the hot air balloons inflate and light up before taking to the skies at the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival. A shuttle service operated by the Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) is available for the duration of the festival to limit the use of cars and encourage festival-goers to use a more sustainable means of transport.

Discover sculptures made from recycled objects at RECYCL’ART Gatineau event. This public art exhibition, organized by the Centre d’art contemporain de l’Outaouais, raises public awareness of ecological and social issues through the contribution of artists.

The Upper Gatineau Whitewater Festival aims to raise participants’ awareness of nature conservation, particularly protecting rivers and their heritage. Take part in family activities and go rafting in the rapids.

Outaouais businesses go above and beyond when it comes to sustainable tourism. To learn about all of each company’s initiatives, read their strategy plan or contact the business directly.

Would you like to improve your sustainable practices at home? Bulles et chiffons offers bulk food, household and body products that are environmentally friendly.

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Taste local flavours and encourage the region’s producers by discovering the Outaouais’ agrotourism offer.