Val-Jalbert

Located between the borders of the municipalities of Chambord and Roberval, Val-Jalbert was founded in 1901 when Damase Jalbert from Lac-Bouchette built a pulp and paper mill to meet growing demand for newsprint in Britain and America.

The company also built state of the art infrastructure in the remote community, including electricity, sewer, water works and telephone service.

The new administration applied and was granted a $17 million subsidy by the Quebec and federal governments in 2009 to overhaul the facilities in order to increase the annual patronage.

The "Bureau of Environmental Public Hearings" (BAPE) heard concerns of the citizens of Roberval and surrounding areas during the months of March and April 2012.

The developer intended to provide an aesthetic flow of 7 m3 (250 cu ft) per second during daytime operational hours, which is half the average rate at which summer tourists are accustomed to.

At night and during the six winter months, the developer offered to ensure a mere ecological flow of 0.3 m3 (11 cu ft) per second, which is equivalent to a standard domestic hot water tank.

On February 5, 2013, Martine Ouellet, Minister of Natural Resources terminated the controversial small hydroelectric dams program with the exception of the Val-Jalbert project, which prompted much dismay among the opposition.

On April 8, 2013, five members of the Front for the Liberation of Ouiatchouan barricaded themselves inside two sky cabins which serve as a lift for tourists to access the top of the falls.