Summer 2024 marks a turning point for the Gaboury Development Corporation
A non-profit organization founded in 1991, the Gaboury Development Corporation continues to expand its impact on the Témiscamingue region. Led by a dedicated team led by André Baillargeon, the Corporation is having a particularly dynamic year. At the intersection of forestry, recreational tourism, and community activities, the year 2024 confirms one thing: at Gaboury, the word development takes on its full meaning.
Forestry: a summer of reforestation and clearing
The Corporation's core business remains forestry, and this year, government contracts are pouring in. Since June, teams have been hard at work in several areas—Témiscaming, Béarn, Rémigny, Notre-Dame-du-Nord, Moffet, Laforce, Fugèreville, Latulipe, Guérin, and Fabre—carrying out brush clearing and reforestation work.
This activity, which had slowed due to a lack of manpower, is now restarting thanks to major contracts signed with the Société d'exploitation sylvicole du Témiscamingue, under the management of the Regional Agency for the Development of Private Forests. Reforestation resumed in May and will continue until the end of September.
Nature tourism: recreational tourism takes root
One of the most promising aspects of Gaboury's revival lies in the development of its recreational tourism offerings. The maintenance of the Chute à Ovide and Pointe-aux-Roches trails, entrusted by the municipality of Latulipe, is part of a broader vision: to create accessible and sustainable natural accommodations.
Two new options are currently being developed: ready-to-pitch, for those who wish to pitch their tent in the middle of the forest, and ready-to-camp, which is more comfortable, including a magnificent yurt with a mezzanine now available for rental in Moffet, on the shores of Lac des Quinze.
Wood processing: a local and useful service
In an effort to fully exploit forest resources, the Corporation has acquired a wood processor and a sawmill. This allows it to recover little-used species, such as red pine, and offer them to the public in the form of firewood or sawn timber.
This is not a profit-making project, but rather a gesture of service to the community of Eastern Témiscamingue. These activities also extend the employees' working season, both before and after the main forestry operations.
Local traditions: the magic of self-picking
Another unifying aspect: the Corporation continues to uphold deep-rooted local traditions, such as the Christmas tree pick-your-own. Located at 775, ranges 7 and 8, just before the fork for Moffet, the fir forest of more than 5,000 trees opens its ranks a few weekends before the holidays in a festive atmosphere.
Additionally, the Latulipe blueberry field, which has been on hiatus for several years, is being revitalized. The goal: to bring families back to the Lac des Bois trail to pick blueberries in the great outdoors.
A mobilized team and a promising future
With offices in the heart of the village and worker housing on the second floor, the Corporation continues to welcome local and external talent to meet growing demand. In 2023, due to a labor shortage, the team had to call on external workers. In 2024, these reforestation workers are living on-site, reinforcing the idea of a well-established and autonomous organization.
André Baillargeon reminds us with conviction: "The word development in our name is not there for show." The organization is consolidating its current projects, but does not hide the fact that other initiatives are in the pipeline—some of which are still confidential.
One thing is certain: the summer of 2024 confirms that the Gaboury Corporation is alive and well, action-oriented, and still deeply rooted in its territory.
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