Kataskomiq: A gateway to Wolastoqey culture and prosperity
In the heart of the Wolastokuk, an ancestral Wolastoqey territory, a future multiservice rest area on the Kataskomiq reserve, located about 30 kilometres from Rivière-du-Loup in Quebec, will be much more than a road stop. This project is part of the Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation's (WWFN) vision for territorial revitalization and economic development, and at the same time an affirmation of a strong cultural identity.
That determination to protect the territory is embedded in the planning of this major infrastructure project, which reflects a clear desire to manage the land in a sustainable and coherent manner. Guided by an architectural and landscape charter, the WWFN ensures that each construction reflects its cultural identity while respecting the natural environment.
The project took shape following the announcement of work to transform Route 185 into Highway 85 by the Ministère des Transport et de la Mobilité durable du Québec (Quebec's Transport Ministry). This project has created a significant accessibility opportunity for the community, particularly through the construction of access ramps to Kataskomiq territory.
"Initially, the route of the future Highway 85 was to cross the Kataskomiq reserve. However, negotiations with the Transport Ministry made it possible to adjust the course to avoid encroachment, while allowing the construction of four access ramps. This win has proven to be a major lever for the development of our future projects," explained Esther Blier, Director of Projects and Infrastructure at the WWFN.
Thanks to these developments, a territory that was previously difficult to access can benefit from a development lever. The WWFN plans to develop a service and light industry park, the first phase of which is a multiservice rest area for visitors passing through on Highway 85 and users of the Petit Témis trail. Located in a strategic location, it will become a major showcase for the community for visitors arriving from New Brunswick. As a reception hub on the Wolastokuk, it will promote the Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk community and its other hubs, including the one in the Cacouna sector.
Kataskomiq's service and light industry park and its multiservice rest area are the result of strong, collaborative governance. Supported by 93% of members in a referendum, the project reflects a collective approach carried out with and for the community.
From left to right: Nathalie Turgeon, Acting Director General, Quebec Regional Service Delivery, Indigenous Services Canada; Kevin Morais, Chief Advisor at the WWFN; Patrick Ducharme, Sales Manager, Cardlock Network, Harnois Énergies; Jacques Tremblay, WWFN Grand Chief; Amélie Dionne, Quebec Minister of Tourism; Martine Bruneau, Chief Councillor at the WWFN, and Ian Lafrenière, Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Relations with the First Nations and Inuit of Quebec.
"The projects are in line with our ambitions. I am proud to put my expertise at the service of my community. It's rewarding to know that my work contributes directly to the well-being of the WWFN, sort of like I'm working for my own family," said Alex Lepage, WWFN engineer and member of the Nation.
Phased planning reflects a structured and sustainable approach. The project will begin with the opening of a commercial site for truckers in transit on Highway 85, which was inaugurated on July 3, 2026, and will then evolve into a full-fledged gas station with construction expected to begin in late spring 2027. It will include a multiservice building, a dog park, a bike stop with a charging and repair station, a playground and a picnic area.
Beyond its infrastructure, the multiservice rest area will be a regional economic lever. It will result in the creation of a number of jobs, particularly for members of the First Nation, through measures to promote Indigenous hiring. Before even welcoming its first visitors, the project will have injected more than $13 million into the local economy. Its first year of operation, scheduled to begin in late fall 2028, is expected to generate an additional nearly $14 million.
In the longer term, the Kataskomiq service and light industry park will be able to accommodate businesses, particularly Indigenous businesses, and create new business opportunities, thereby strengthening entrepreneurship and economic development in the area.
Indigenous Services Canada is proud to support WWFN in this project through the Community Opportunity Readiness Program.
For more information:
- Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation
- Putep 't-awt: A New Immersive Experience Celebrating Indigenous Culture and Enhancing Tourism in Bas-Saint-Laurent
- Community Opportunity Readiness Program