10 Reasons Why You Should Choose the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Region

Quality of Life 

The Abitibi-Témiscamingue region is a dream location for your family. Many recreational activities are offered and easily accessible for children and adults. The general trusting and mutual assistance climate in the community fosters the creation of strong bonds for parents and children and the development of an essential network of social support. The community members are very much tied together and feel accountable for one another.  

Workers can get to work quickly and often without even using their cars. There are many job opportunities in a wide range of fields.   

When you live in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region, you can be surrounded by peace, have access to the outdoors even in the middle of the city or by driving only a few minutes, visit local shops and enjoy cultural events as you would in large cities while experiencing unparalleled human warmth. 

Community Spirit 

The region has a small close-knit population. People know each other, visit the same places (regardless of their age, work or origins), use the same services and will inevitably cross paths at the grocery store. These recurring encounters added to the proximity between communities and generations facilitate the building of relationships between community members while fostering a sense of accountability toward fellow citizens.  

There is an extraordinary sense of mobilization, sharing, mutual assistance and generosity among the Temiscabitians. The population loves its territory and its community and is very proud of it. This has led to many innovative projects that have contributed to the strengthening of the social net, the development of a vibrant cultural life and the creation of a feeling of safety and trust in each other.  

Proximity   

This advantage may seem counter-intuitive when you consider the size of the region. While it is true that there is some distance between urban centres and that several rural districts are spread on the periphery of the main cities. It won’t take you long to travel from one place to another.  

First of all, you won’t find any traffic jams. Driving around is a breeze. Whether you are in good company or are travelling alone listening to your favourite music, driving can be a form of meditation here.   

In other words, you’ll notice that living in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region will save you time and money and spare you from many frustrations!  

Recreational Activities 

Who said that there is nothing to do in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region? Besides the numerous events of all kinds (music, comedy, theatre, dance, sports events, conferences, etc.), you can also pursue your passions and undertake various hobbies. Young and old will surely find something interesting in the wide range of courses, services and workshops offered by various organizations throughout the region.  

Whether you or your child are a genealogy or role-playing enthusiast, are eager to learn a new language, have a deep desire to master the basics of Latin dance, are curious about the secrets of nature, are keen on piano lessons, there is somewhere in Abitibi-Témiscamingue a place and a community where you’ll be able to pursue your passions to the fullest, whoever you are. 

Nature

The Abitibi-Témiscamingue region stands out for its proximity to nature in all its forms. Vacationers looking for peace and outdoor enthusiasts searching for adventures will enjoy the lush forest and 22,000 lakes and rivers.   

In addition to Aiguebelle and Opémican national parks and our well-known La Vérendrye wildlife reserve, there are many other places for nature lovers to indulge their passion. These sites are almost all listed on the Web site and in the app Accès Plein air. In addition, more and more local organizations and businesses are offering equipment rental or guiding and training services, which allows you to discover new experiences and destinations safely without tapping too much into your savings. 

Tranquility 

Many say that the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region is far from everything as if it was a bad thing. But we see it as an advantage since it is why we have all that space and peace.   

The low population density on the territory as well as the abundance of natural shelters allows residents to have easy access to the rich silence, disturbed only by the sound of the waves in summer or the rustle of the wind in the leaves. If this description might seem more suitable for a cottage or a house on the outskirts of the city, you should know that even urban centres stand out for their peacefulness. You can stroll through the streets of Rouyn-Noranda, Val-d’Or, Amos, La Sarre or Ville-Marie without people ever invading your personal space. At night, the streets are quiet and you’ll feel safe. 

Culture 

The culture sector in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region is multifaceted. Whether through visual arts, theatre, dance, music or literature, local creators have much to share and stand out for the quality of their work. This is no coincidence that people such as Richard Desjardins, Sophie Dupuis and Zach Zoya are known beyond our regional borders.   

That said, artists don’t have to leave for the big city to blossom. You just have to talk to Guillaume Laroche, Annie Boulanger and Ariane Ouellet—the two visual artists behind many of the gorgeous murals that make our region more beautiful—Serge Bordeleau or Jacques Baril.   

Art lovers will have plenty of opportunities to quench their thirst for discoveries. In addition to the multiple festivals (with their unique intimate and warm atmosphere) that fill the summer months, the cultural offer spread all year long with the museums and exhibition centres, the annual programming from performance halls or the literary events. You might even have to make heartbreaking choices between two interesting activities.    

In addition, you can also have a rich cultural experience through your encounters with residents of various ethnicities. The members of the Anishinabe Nation, who have been here for thousands of years, and the immigrant populations have played a major role in our region’s history. These communities contributed to enhancing our daily lives and to building bridges in the community. Throughout the region, you will notice the presence of more and more events, works of art or businesses which showcase their culture and allow a privileged encounter with them.  

Studying 

In the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region, there are learning opportunities for all tastes, interests and ambitions. Whether you want to pursue a vocational training program, technical studies in college, a bachelor or a doctorate in a niche field to become an international reference, you’ll find opportunities throughout the territory.   

The educational establishments in the region are well known for their personalized and human-scale approach. Due to the small size of classes, as well as the dedication and passion of the teachers, the academic experience of students is marked by the creation of strong and deep bonds and the availability of resources.   

The Abitibi-Témiscamingue region offers high-quality programs that are unique in the world. The Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue counts among its students and teachers distinguished specialists, whose research projects are known for their quality, creativity and their significant contribution to the field in which they work. 

Careers Opportunities 

Job opportunities abound in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region. There are various fields of work with really interesting employment conditions. Working in a human-scale work environment, you’ll be able to build strong and important relationships and see the value of your work in the community. 

Everything is Possible (Business Opportunities, Community Support, etc.) 

The Abitibi-Témiscamingue region is a bold and innovative land. The geographic distance isn’t seen as a disadvantage here but rather as an excellent opportunity to exploit your creativity and develop your own strengths.  

Whether you have a business idea, a bold festival project, an activity you would like to organize, or a desire to create a NPO to address a specific need, you will probably find the opportunities to do so. There are many resources available to help you accomplish your goals. Locals welcome new developments with unparalleled enthusiasm.