A promising new wave in the adventure scene in Quebec, the Coop de l'Arrière-Pays is a solidarity cooperative that brings together the driving forces of the community to establish a complete and integrated outdoor offering that meets the needs of the regional community and its visitors.
The Backcountry Cooperative offers a range of tourism and experiential activities in a human and natural setting in Témiscamingue and Abitibi. These experiences include several day trips or longer excursions, guided or self-guided, as well as support services and equipment rentals.
The Coopérative de l'Arrière-Pays also invests in the development and maintenance of infrastructure at practice sites and in the development of skills and knowledge among school clients.
THE CHARTER
OUR MISSION
Creating synergy in the territory enabling interactions between humans and nature through safe, environmentally friendly and innovative outdoor experiences.OUR VALUES, THOSE THAT GUIDE OUR ACTIONS, OUR BEHAVIOURS AND OUR DECISIONS
RESPECT: We act for the preservation of natural spaces and infrastructure in nature | We are caring and attentive to our clients, our members, our teams and our partners while showing empathy, recognition and fairness towards them.ACCESSIBILITY: We are working to make natural environments accessible | We encourage the participation and involvement of all stakeholders in order to help generate significant social and economic benefits in all communities.
AUDACITY: We are agile in the art of building unique and innovative experiences | We demonstrate initiative, creativity, and magic in everything we do.
PROFESSIONALISM: We apply the highest safety standards in the industry | We act in a way that is worthy of the trust of our clients, our partners and our teams in the fulfillment of our mission | We manage and develop in a sustainable and responsible manner.
AUTHENTICITY: Our offering of original, spontaneous, and genuine experiences reflects our local culture. We act with integrity, generosity, and responsibility in all our activities. We are sincere and transparent in our relationships.
OUR SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
Respect, preserve, and love. The Backcountry Co-op uses these words as a mantra in every facet of its operations. We use Leave No Trace principles to make our tourist destination a place for responsible and environmentally friendly outdoor activities.
We are committed to sustainable tourism. Ensuring sustainable development means combining environmental, social, and economic dimensions. In our process of developing a hub for adventure and nature experiences in Témiscamingue, Abitibi, and Northeastern Ontario, we are focusing on the rational use of the land, the conservation of natural systems, and respect for local culture and the Anishinaabe and local communities. We want to contribute to ensuring a
COMBATING INVASION AQUATIC SPECIES
CLEAN UP TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF INVADERS
Simply cleaning equipment, away from any body of water, helps preserve the balance of our environment. At the Coop de l'Arrière-Pays, all nautical equipment is cleaned upon its return to the central base or rental stations.
After boating or fishing, you must take precautions to avoid spreading invasive exotic species between different bodies of water. Here are four steps to follow:
- Inspect your boat, trailer, and equipment. Completely remove all clumps and debris of aquatic plants, any mud, or any organisms visible to the naked eye. You must dispose of them in a place that will prevent their reintroduction into nature, such as garbage cans;
- Drain any water that may be in your boat or on your equipment before leaving the waterway. This includes checking livewells, the engine, the bilge and the coolers;
- Clean and dry your boat, trailer and any equipment that has been in contact with water;
- Repeat all these steps when you plan to visit a new body of water.
Watch this video describing simple steps to prevent the spread of the most problematic aquatic invasive alien species in Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
Production: Abitibi-Témiscamingue Regional Environment Council
or consult the Government of Quebec's website.
OUR ACCREDITATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
QUEBEC ECOTOURISM ADVENTURE QUALITY SAFETY ACCREDITATION
This seal certifies that the Cooperative applies the highest safety and quality standards adopted by adventure and ecotourism professionals in Quebec. As an accredited member of Aventure Écotourisme Québec, the Coop de l'Arrière-Pays has demonstrated its safety, professionalism, and compliance with the Association's accreditation program. The quality and safety accreditation is a self-regulatory system for nature and adventure tourism businesses, developed by Aventure Écotourisme Québec with financial support from the Ministry of Tourism (MTO). Designed to maximize the safety of tourists participating in nature and adventure activities in Quebec, the accreditation includes over 60 minimum standards with rigorous criteria, in addition to activity-specific standards, technical training for guides, a business inspection mechanism, and procedures for handling complaints.
THE SHORT STORY
The idea of creating an outdoor cooperative has long been germinating in the minds of stakeholders in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region as a solution to enhance the natural heritage and its exceptional attractions through the development of outdoor activities.
In 2019, a concrete step in this direction was taken when the population of Témiscamingue chose nature-adventure tourism as one of the three strategic development pillars of its territory and as the spearhead of its tourism development.
The shared vision of making Témiscamingue the hub of the adventure-nature experience of Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Northeastern Ontario revolves around the implementation of a connected cooperative structure rooted in its environment.
The Coop de l'Arrière-Pays was created thanks to the involvement of a group of experts and enthusiasts and the considerable support of local development agencies. It works to establish a comprehensive and integrated outdoor offering that meets the needs of the community and its visitors.
Captivated by the exceptional assets of Témiscamingue, the Coop team is focusing its development efforts on seven pillars:
- The addition of high-quality, specialized outdoor equipment;
- Package deals for outdoor experiences for seamless access to activities and accommodation;
- The addition of essential services to support the offering (shuttle, baggage transport, etc.);
- The establishment of a team of competent and qualified outdoor professionals;
- The structured planning and maintenance of practice areas;
- A high-performing transactional website.
Such a process lays a solid foundation for building the success of this innovative project for the common good.