A WHOLE WORLD TO MAKE YOUR OWN

Discover

EXPLORE A PLACE LIKE NO OTHER

La Matanie is a place in a league of its own.
A place that strikes a balance between differences
and presents a whole world of opportunities
to those who call it home.
A place far from the hustle and bustle of the city
but still connected to the world.
Spread across a great expanse
and rooted in the St. Lawrence River,
La Matanie is a place where people and businesses thrive.

Here, in La Matanie,
there is room for everyone to make their mark.
With impressive schools and colleges,
and a thriving business community,
the opportunities for growth are endless.

Life in La Matanie is not just real life, it’s a life well lived.
A life where you can combine business and pleasure.
A life where you can support local
and take your business international.
A simple life, where your neighbours smile at you in the street
and you know they mean it.

Make our home your home.
Invest in your career.
Find a sense of fulfilment.
And most importantly, discover the real you.
Here, in La Matanie,
you don’t need a fortune to get creative,
experiment or to make a fresh start.

MATANIEXP
A whole world to make your own.

LET’S EXPLAIN OUR MISSION

Help develop a thriving, open economy that boasts a unique environment and unrivalled conditions that entice companies and people from all over to make our home their home.

LET’S EXPAND ON OUR VALUES

EXPLOITING THE THINGS THAT MAKE US UNIQUE

Do everything in our power to revitalize the region to the benefit of our society. Dare to think outside the box and make decisions that will forge our future economy. Pave the way. Break down barriers. Lay the brickwork. Make La Matanie a place people dream of making their home. And never, ever throw in the towel.

EXPLORING EVERYTHING THE WORLD HAS TO OFFER

Develop and maintain an international society. A society where best practices are truly best practices regardless of their origin. A society where language, distance and differences are no big deal. A society without prejudice. A society without constraint. A society with the world as its playground.

EXPERTLY WORKING TOGETHER

Work tirelessly to build an unshakeable sense of local and regional economic solidarity. Get key players on board, listen to their wants and needs, and encourage them to act. Celebrate everyone’s successes, no matter how small. Make sure everyone gets the credit they deserve.

PROMOTING OUR EXPLICITLY FRIENDLY NATURE

Push ourselves to ensure our businesses and business partners maintain an unrivalled friendly and welcoming nature. Encourage diversity. Listen and give people the tools they need to overcome their hurdles, whether they’re the boss of a major company or an employee.

INVEST HERE

Over 4 million square feet of industrial land along the St. Lawrence River

Industrial park next to a deep-water seaport

Industrial park strategically designed to facilitate the transportation of oversized goods from factories to the seaport

Collaborative and proactive pull marketing strategy for the area

Bespoke training programmes

Labour recruitment support service

Sources of funding and investment tax credits

Cost of land 15 times lower than in urban areas

Regional and municipal airports

Port accessible year-round

Geographic location = logistical hub

AN ECONOMY WITH EXPLOSIVE POTENTIAL

  • Wood and seafood processing
  • Tourism (hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation)
  • Wind turbine manufacturing
  • Digital creators
  • Food processing
  • Automated production
  • Shipyards
  • Metal parts engineering and manufacturing
  • Construction
  • Green construction
  • Renewable energy
  • Énergies renouvelables
  • Electrification of transportation

INVEST IN MATANIE FOR THE EXPPANSION OF YOUR ACTIVITES

A private investment fund for innovation and economic development spearheaded by a committed and vibrant network of entrepreneurs who care about the area’s priorities: FIDEL de La Matanie.

Property tax rate of $3.08 per $100. 100% credit for an increase in property value during the first three years and a 50% credit for the subsequent two years provided by the Ville de Matane.

Local, regional and national public and private sector players invested in creating wealth for the community. Entrepreneurship grants, mentoring services, business linkage service, expert services, co-working space, business support and guidance.

Boasting a college (CEGEP de Matane), a vocational training centre (CFPro), a bespoke training centre for businesses (Groupe Collégia) and a university within driving distance (Université de Rimouski), La Matanie has everything needed to invest in the right talent and help its workforce reach new heights.

Nestled between the Chic-Choc Mountains and the St. Lawrence River, La Matanie is more than just small-town life. It’s getting back to nature and stopping to smell the roses. It’s getting to know your neighbours and your community. It’s enjoying local products as you sit by the river and admire the most incredible sunsets you can imagine. It’s finishing work for the day and heading to the countryside to switch off and take in the view. It’s peace and quiet that you won’t find in a city. It’s a life with no long commute to the office, a life where you can enjoy breakfast and dinner with your family. Life in La Matanie is a life well lived.

AN EXPANSE OF NATURE ALL AROUND YOU AND A CONNECTION TO THE WORLD ON YOUR DOORSTEP

Matane boasts one of the largest industrial port zones in Eastern Quebec. Surrounded by an expansive road network and located next to the deep-water port, our industrial port zone is easily accessible by road, boat and train, and its strategic location makes transporting oversized goods easy. Represented by a strategic industrial port zone committee, Matane’s industrial port zone is eligible for industry-specific government funding.

The Port of Matane tranships more goods than anywhere else in Eastern Quebec and on the Southern Shore of the St. Lawrence. The deep-water wharf provides year-round access to the rest of the world. The port is located directly on Route 132 and the Canadian National Railway (CN) via a rail car ferry ramp for its specific use. Furthermore, when you use the Port of Matane, you won’t have to pay change of captain fees as you would in a larger city port such as Quebec City (located 400 km downstream).

Direct ferry connections linking Matane and the North Shore (Matane to Godbout/Matane to Baie-Comeau) run daily. The ferry transports passengers, cars and trucks, and the crossing takes approximately two hours.

The only daily rail ferry service destined for Northern Quebec and Labrador, the Georges-Alexandre-Lebel has guaranteed links with the CN’s expansive rail network for over 40 years, providing access to 75% of the North American market. The rail ferry can carry 31 40-foot (12 m) cars and up to 7,812.2 tonnes, and transports consumer goods, forest products, metals, petroleum products, chemicals, heavy materials, dimensional and oversized loads, among other things.

Matane is located at the intersection of Route 132 (East-West), connecting the town to the rest of the country, and Route 195 (North-South) which extends towards New Brunswick and the North-Eastern United States.

The CN rail network provides a direct link between North America and the rest of the world. The network links three coasts and covers Canada from East to West and also runs from Mid-West US to the Gulf of Mexico. The rail network passes through Matane and provides users with access to all major Canadian markets and 75% of the American population.

The regional airport at Mont-Joli provides fast, daily connections to international airports making it easy to travel to Europe. Several daily regional flights are also available to the North Shore and the Îles de la Madeleine. The municipal airport (CYME)—located 3 km East of Matane—can accommodate tourist and private planes, and is also used for medevac flights. The airport currently has a 5,500 × 150-foot runway and sufficient space to build hangars. Plans to improve the quality and safety of the facilities are underway, and a weather station and new terminal are scheduled for 2021.

If you needed any concrete proof that the industrial park’s strategic port side location facilitates the manufacturing, transportation and ship loading of oversized products, you don’t need to look any further than the companies who are already using it. Our industrial park is home to many major national and international companies, including Marmen, Enercon, Construction CEG, Béton Provincial, Rayonier Advanced Materials and Eastern Quebec Seafoods (Royal Greenland).

What better location for conventions and business meetings than a fully equipped convention centre with incredible views of the St. Lawrence? Housed in a hotel quite literally on the beach, the convention centre has seven fully configurable rooms equipped with the latest technology, and can accommodate up to 400 people. What’s more, if your event is running over several days or you’re expecting people from out of town, the hotel has 120 rooms and another 500 rooms are available in other local establishments.

Located where the Matane and St. Lawrence rivers meet, La Matanie is known for its diversity. One thing’s for sure, when people visit La Matanie, they get to experience a whole host of things. Salmon fishing in the centre of town might sound like something we’ve made up, but we haven’t! Cast a line into the river in the heart of the town, or head to the observation post and watch the salmon run. Explore the Parc des Îles where you can play sports or simply take a stroll and enjoy the peace and quiet. Head down the Promenade des Capitaines and learn about Matane’s maritime history, and then pop into our cultural complex which houses our library and the Espace F art galleries. Take a drive out of town to the wildlife reserve for a hike or to take part in a wildlife watching activity. There’s so much to do all year: skiing, hiking, snowmobiling, ATVing, sailing, kitesurfing, hunting, offshore fishing, and the list goes on…

The CDRIN (a college technology transfer centre affiliated with the CEGEP de Matane) aims to provide businesses with research and development, technical support, specialized training, value-added production and innovation guidance services. The CDRIN works to enhance digital intelligence technology to foster creativity and productivity, and strives to promote the use of this technology and knowledge in the key sectors for economic development in Quebec, in collaboration with its scientific, industrial, cultural and artistic partners. The CDRIN is a key partner of Matane’s digital cluster.

In synergy with the CDRIN, L’ALT Numérique Desjardins offers personalized coaching and services to entrepreneurs who are in the process of launching or optimizing their digital business. This incubator accompanies entrepreneurs every step of the way, from the creation of the business plan to the launch and marketing of their digital company. Whether you are from here or from anywhere in the world, you will get access to expert support and services as soon as you choose La Matanie to kick off your project. Thanks to the combined efforts of L’ALT Numérique Desjardins, the CDRIN and the business network in place, your digital dream will come true, ritght here, at the very heart of our little paradise.

 

Enrico Carpinteri

Les Cuisines Gaspésiennes

Matane has everything you would expect from a town located close to larger cities, but it has so much more, too! You’ll never be stuck in a traffic jam again, everything is just around the corner: work, shops, sporting facilities, cultural facilities, schools and colleges, nature, the river, mountains, fresh air… There’s no better quality of life!

Camille T-Tremblay

Tiny Houses builder

Moving to La Matanie was one of the best choices I’ve ever made. It’s such a fertile land, full of wide-open spaces, resources, and people who really care. There’s no better place to be if you want to create, get involved in your community and raise a family.

Isabelle Béchard

Les biquettes de la coulée

Starting a business in La Matanie is being welcomed into a business community that cares about the vitality and development of the area. My business wouldn’t be what it is today without the help and support of our local entrepreneurs. La Matanie has all the services you would expect, but the thing that makes the area stand out is how the business community really gets stuck in to help make its businesses a success.

François B. Rioux

Groupe Bertrand Rioux

Matane is a breeding ground for ideas! My parents wanted us to be bilingual, so I studied in Florida before moving back home to take my place in the family business. Once back on Matane soil I was driven by the potential I could see in the tourism, construction and real estate industries. The quality of life, welcoming and friendly atmosphere and our proximity to everything make La Matanie the ideal place to pursue a career and raise a family. I never get tired of the riverside views and incredible sunsets, which give me the chance to recharge my batteries every day. Not to mention the time I save by not being stuck in traffic!

Éric Gendreau

Sappi Canada factories

Matane has three things that set it apart from all the rest: a seaport that enables us to export our products to the rest of the world, a pool of workers so we can be sure we have the right person for the job, and an unrivalled quality of life. Our employees want to work for us, not just because of the quality of their jobs, but because of the quality of life afforded to them in La Matanie.

Alexandre Marion

Monts-et-Marées Educational servicies center

I came to Matane in 2017 for a working holiday, and I loved it so much that I never left! If like me you value your quality of life, happiness, safety and opportunities to grow, you’ll love it here. In the lower St. Lawrence, everyone feels at home.

Nicole Lagacé

Arseno

Living in La Matanie is being able to enjoy the fresh air, and the sea and mountain views every day. We’re lucky that we have so many services close by, and if you get stuck in, you can really make a difference here. I’m proud to be an adoptive “Matanaise” and to be an entrepreneur, I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Serge Desrosiers

Verreault Navigation

La Matanie is a succession of mountains, cliffs and beaches with grandiose coastal landscapes so typical of the Gaspésie. The cold winds and sea breeze do nothing to harden the local’s warm and welcoming nature, and anyone looking for a peaceful life will find it here. There are no traffic jams, just incredible views from Route 132. I hope that you will consider dropping anchor in our fantastic area, too.

André Tremblay

Metallic products AT

When you set up a business in La Matanie, you’re offering your employees a unique place to live. If you love the outdoors, La Matanie is located next to a little slice of heaven: Gaspésie National Park. In La Matanie, you can play golf on an incredible course, ski with your family at Mont Castor, try your hand at backcountry skiing in the Chic-Choc Mountains, or go for a hike. We also have a very active mountain biking club, endless forests for hunting, and a famous salmon river that runs right through the town. It really is a quality of life like no other.

Yves Bertrand Makon

Eweego

La Matanie was an easy choice when came the time to start my digital company. Being part of a tight knit business community and getting access through L’ALT Numérique Desjardins to personalized support, coaching, expertise and amenities was a strong driver for me. When in Montreal or elsewhere in the world to develop my business, La Matanie is always by my side!

EXPERIENCE LA MATANIE THROUGH THE EYES OF OUR ENTREPRENEURS

EXPERIENCE LA MATANIE THROUGH THE EYES OF OUR LOCALS

Anne Dionne

I moved back to Matane because I felt an irrational need for freedom to move and to think. We wanted to sail on the St. Lawrence, climb mountains, feel like every day was an adventure, and to do it all at our own pace with our family. Not only did we succeed, but our roots are so much deeper than I could have ever imagined.

Claudy Rivard

Living in La Matanie is living in a warm and welcoming community close to nature. I’ve found the calm and simplicity that I was looking for when I left Quebec City. Despite what my friends and family might have thought, I have found the professional challenges I needed to push myself further. I’m sure that my move was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made to improve my quality of life.

Baptiste Lacroix

When we look around us and notice the incredible beauty everywhere, it’s clear how lucky we are to call this place home. It’s all so calming and warm, from the picture-perfect landscapes, to the welcoming locals.

Sandrine Edmond

If three years ago, you’d spoken to me about La Matanie, I would have said, “where?” But I chose to move here and now I love it! I’m from Martinique, and living close to the river reminds me of home, even though the temperature is quite different. Living here, I’ve been able to explore new professional and personal paths — yes, I fell in love! Now I work for the newcomer welcome committee. So, what are you waiting for?

Nathalie Blouin

From Paris to the Gaspésie! I had great memories of my childhood in the area, and then one day I met an entrepreneur from the Gaspésie at a travel show in Paris and I was sold on moving to Matane. For me, living in La Matanie is being able to take on management roles sooner than you would elsewhere. I love being part of this warm and welcoming community, both at work and in my personal life. One of my friends always used to say, “You’d be happier as queen of a small village than a valet in a big palace!” And she was right, I’m proud that I can contribute to the economic development of La Matanie and feel like I’m making a difference.

David Lefebvre

A life project, which happened sooner than expected, but which we make the most of each day.

Yann Gonthier

I decided to live in La Matanie because here I feel grounded and peaceful. There’s a great social life and so many nature trails. It’s easy to switch off. If you’ve had a busy afternoon or you need a change of scenery, just head out of your front door and take a stroll. As a project manager at the CDRIN, I’ve never felt more connected to major companies in big cities. Technology keeps us connected to everyone, everywhere, all the time. So, what are you waiting for?

OUR COMPANIES

LIVE HERE

LIVE HERE

MAKE A REAL IMPACT

TREAT YOURSELF AND THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE TO A LIFE WELL LIVED

GET AWAY FROM ALL THE NOISE AND ENJOY EVERYTHING MOTHER NATURE HAS TO OFFER

BECOME THE BEST VERSION OF YOURSELF

CONNECT TO THE THINGS THAT REALLY MATTER

GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS

GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY

ENJOY A SENSE OF FREEDOM AND SAFETY

LIVING IN LA MATANIE = EXPLORING YOUR FULL POTENTIAL

There’s no shortage of interesting and exciting job opportunities in La Matanie. Does the maritime industry float your boat? With the port and several shipyards in close proximity, you’ll be able to find a position that suits your needs. More interested in the hotel and catering industry? You’ll be able to find something that suits you in one of our many hotels, motels or tourist attractions. Regardless of your interests and experience, whether you’re a labourer, digital creator, entrepreneur, nurse or engineer, you’ll be able to find a job in one of our key industries that pushes you to explore your full potential.

Living in La Matanie is all about finding that perfect work-life balance. It’s about raising your family in a safe space and maximizing your time to pursue your passions in the great outdoors rather than sitting in traffic on a two-hour commute. It’s about enjoying the very essence of the word local — local craft brewery, local artisan bakery, local produce and seafood, local artists and creators… the list goes on. It’s about slowing down to enjoy the view and truly experience every moment.

Safety and peace of mind are defining characteristics of life in La Matanie. This isn’t a place where you need to keep your doors locked while you’re at home or to worry that you’ve not set the house alarm. This is a safe space where neighbours look out for each other. We might have a strong regional identity, but we are also very proud of our multicultural community. Our reputation as friendly and hospitable folk precedes us, and you can be sure that we’ll welcome you into our community with open arms!

In the province of Quebec, the majority of workers have the right to paid vacation days, statutory holidays — Labour Day, Canada Day, the Fête Nationale du Québec (Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day), Christmas and New Year — and sick leave. Some companies also provide group insurance plans and pension plan contributions. Job-related continuing professional development is also normally covered by the employer.

Many countries strive to live up to Quebec’s commitment to academic excellence and ensuring access to formal education. Free education is available to all across the province and ensures that everyone can receive a quality education starting at elementary school and going right through to college level. Furthermore, Quebec residents pay a lower tuition rate at Quebec universities than other Canadian or international students. There are 23 elementary schools (age 4–12), four high schools (age 13–17), one college (CEGEP de Matane, age 18+), one vocational training centre (CFPro) and a training centre for businesses (Groupe Collégia) in La Matanie. The Université de Rimouski is located within driving distance and offers over 150 university-level programmes (undergraduate to doctorate). Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about our youngest residents; La Matanie also has an educational day care system for children aged 6 months to 5 years.

The MRC de La Matanie is made up of Matane and 10 surrounding villages (Saint-Ulric, Sainte-Félicité, Baie-des-Sables, Grosses Roches, Les Méchins, Saint-Adelme, Sainte-Paule, Saint-Jean-de-Cherbourg, Saint-Léandre and Saint-Réné-de-Matane). Our beautiful corner of the world is nestled between the Chic-Choc Mountains and the St. Lawrence River, so whether you’re looking for quiet seaside village life, incredible mountain views or something a bit more lively, you’ll find the perfect spot to set down your roots. Affordable and spacious, you’ll no doubt find that you get a lot more bang for your buck here in La Matanie. Our property experts will help you find your ideal home, whether you’re looking to buy or rent.

Canada has a universal health-care system and each province or territory has their own health insurance plan, which we pay for through our taxes. In Quebec, many of the hospital and medical services provided by the state are covered under the Hospital Insurance Plan, the Health Insurance Plan, and the Public Prescription Drug Plan. People can also subscribe to private health insurance plans to pay for services not covered. Matane has a hospital, several satellite health clinics, a list of family doctors, and a local community health centre (CLSC), all of which are available free of charge.

EXPERT SERVICES HELPING NEWCOMERS SETTLE INTO THEIR NEW HOME

The SANAM strives to provide information, guidance and support to people aged 35 and over who intend to make La Matanie their home and encourages them to play an active role in their new community. The organization provides the following services: information about the area and services available; reception service for people temporarily in the area for job interviews; support to help newcomers and their families settle in; assistance finding housing and child care services; activities for newcomers to see more of their new home and meet more people; enrolment to French lessons, if desired; help with the immigration process, if desired; custom guidance and follow-ups; support to help newcomers integrate into the community (culture, education, career); workshops about the area, services available, Quebec culture and access to the labour market.

The Place aux Jeunes is a service for 18-35-year-olds coordinated by the Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi, which promotes life in La Matanie by helping young people find meaningful work in the area. The team can help you find a job, an internship or a business opportunity, and will also help you integrate in the community through a wide range of networking activities. From dreaming of setting down roots in our beautiful corner of the world to buying your first home, the Place aux Jeunes can help!

The first (and oldest) of the RÉZO Matanie associations is the RÉZO Matanie itself. This is the welcome committee that organizes a wide range of activities for newcomers throughout the year. RÉZO Matanie activities are developed with newcomers to the town in mind, but many locals also love to join in, so they can be a great place to meet new friends. RÉZO Matanie organizes world cuisine cooking lessons, geocaching outings, networking activities, hikes, winter sports activities, language exchanges and much more.

The second is the RÉZO des parrains et marraines, which is a group of locals who volunteer to be paired up with a newcomer or overseas student for a year. Over the course of the year, they’ll help you get settled into your new home, meet new people and show you the sights. There’s no better way to get a feel for a new place than in the company of someone who knows it like the back of their hand!

Sylvestre Lambert

Graphic designer

I decided to live in La Matanie because here I feel grounded and peaceful. There’s a great social life and so many nature trails. It’s easy to switch off here. If you’ve had a busy afternoon or you need a change of scenery, just head out of your front door and take a stroll. As a project manager at the CDRIN, I’ve never felt more connected to major companies in big cities. Technology keeps us connected to everyone, everywhere, all the time. So, what are you waiting for?

LA MATANIE = A PLAYGROUND WAITING TO BE EXPLORED EVERY SEASON OF THE YEAR

WINTER IN LA MATANIE

Our winters may be bitingly cold, but as the saying goes, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!”. So, get wrapped up warm and head out to enjoy our winter wonderland with its bluebird skies and crisp white snow. Go skiing, go snowshoeing, go snowmobiling, go sledding, build a snowman, build an igloo, try your hand at winter camping if you’re brave enough, and use the worst weather days to get cosy indoors by the fire, put your feet up and enjoy a hot chocolate — what’s not to love?

SPRING IN LA MATANIE

Spring arrives a little later here in La Matanie, but as the snow begins to melt in April, nature bursts into life: buds appear on trees, crocuses and daffodils pop up in gardens, and the birds come back and burst into song. It truly is a wonderful time of year, a rebirth of sorts, as nature and wildlife wakes from its long winter’s sleep. With such expansive woodlands, come spring there’s no shortage of the Canadian delicacy loved the world over. Spring in La Matanie is synonymous with maple syrup, and we can guarantee that once you’ve tasted fresh, local syrup, you’ll be hooked!

SUMMER IN LA MATANIE

Summer in La Matanie is a stark contrast to winter. As the temperature begins to rise through double digits to the 20s and beyond, wildflowers burst into life on the roadside and our gardens overflow with plant life. The sunshine is here to stay and people flock to the once-snow-covered mountains, which are now lush and green. Why not join them? Pull on your walking boots and head out on an adventure along the International Appalachian Trail, spend a night camping in the wildlife reserve admiring the star-filled night sky, or saddle up and test out our mountain bike trails. La Matanie is famous for salmon fishing, so why not cast a line in the river or head to the observation post to watch the salmon run? Prefer to be by the seaside? No problem! Whether you’d rather lounge on the beach and lose yourself in a good book, have a go at kitesurfing, or sail along the St. Lawrence, we can guarantee you won’t get bored in La Matanie!

FALL IN LA MATANIE

Fall in La Matanie is an explosion of colours! Red, orange, gold and yellow as far as the eyes can see. The temperature starts to drop and the days become shorter, but there’s still plenty of time to enjoy the great outdoors and to admire the beautiful colours, whether you’re strolling through the forest with your family or hunting for game. Fall is also the time to enjoy the delicious food we’ve been growing all summer long. Fire up the stove and get jamming and canning — we’ve got plenty of traditional recipes to share with you!