Huron-Wendat First Nation and Ville de Quebec

Through the establishment of a formal Working Group in March 2022, Wendake and Quebec City strengthened their relationship and identified shared economic development priorities. Monthly meetings, joint workshops, and technical collaboration enabled the partners to develop a common vision and advance six initiatives across economic development, land-use planning, tourism, environmental sustainability, and public safety. These efforts led to several key projects and tangible outcomes. 

1. Bastien-Racine 

The partnership worked together to revitalize the main corridors of Bastien-Racine to enhance the urban landscape, community engagement, and revitalize businesses in the area. This shared street is known as Racine on the Quebec side and Bastien on the Wendake side, hence the combined name. The two communities created a sub-committee, an operational team of urban planning staff from Wendake and Quebec City, that met with the following objectives: 

• Breakdown barriers and foster connections between business owners, artisans, and residents. 
• Enhance the area for residents, businesses, and tourists. 
• Develop economic, social, and tourism solutions. 
• Secure funding for the development plan from various levels of government and other sources  

Bastien-Racine sub-committee developed a 10-year revitalization action plan, and using the CEDI Capacity Development Grant, developed a distinctive signature for the Bastien-Racine, integrating Wendake’s visual identity. 

2. Expanded and Inclusive Economic Development  

The partnership identified inclusive economic development as a shared priority. Through workshops and ongoing collaboration, the communities explored opportunities to improve access to economic supports and strengthen entrepreneur networks. 

During this partnership’s participation in CEDI, the communities accomplished several achievements, including: 

• Establishing an annual Wendake Economic Forum to support ongoing collaboration  
• Providing Wendake entrepreneurs access to Quebec City’s “Vision 2026, Défi-Entrepreneurial” grants  
• Expanding access to the Yarihwa Business Centre fund  
• Enabling twenty Wendake entrepreneurs to access Quebec City’s procurement registry  

These initiatives improved economic inclusion and strengthened business relationships between Wendake and Quebec City. 

3. Spatial Organization Plan (SOP) 

The Spatial Organization Plan emerged from early Working Group discussions and joint workshops that explored shared land-use priorities and community needs. Through engagement with Wendake and Loretteville residents, businesses, and stakeholders, the partnership gathered input on social, cultural, and environmental priorities. 

This engagement informed a preliminary Spatial Organization Plan, including potential improvements for the Bastien-Racine corridor and surrounding areas. The SOP helped align planning approaches between the two communities and supported the development of coordinated revitalization initiatives. 

4. Environmental Sustainability  

The partners worked together to align environmental goals and advance joint initiatives, including: 

• Established new waste disposal agreements supporting UNESCO Biosphere designation  
• Prioritized restoration of eel habitat  
• Advanced preservation of Segamite Nature Park 

These initiatives reflected a shared commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development. 

5. Public Safety  

Through strengthened collaboration and regular communication between staff and leadership, the partners renewed fire and emergency response agreements. This improved coordination and emergency preparedness across jurisdictions. 

This collaboration included: 

• Successful joint response to the Wahta’ School fire  
• Support provided to Waswanipi Cree during the 2023 wildfires  

These efforts strengthened inter-community emergency response capacity. 

6. Tourism:  

Tourism collaboration emerged as a key theme during CEDI workshops, where partners explored opportunities to create a distinctive destination that promotes Wendat and Quebec City history, culture, and identity while supporting sustainable tourism. 

Through this collaboration: 

• Joint events expanded, including Transat Québec-Saint-Malo 2024  
• Wendake Tourism became featured in Destination Québec City’s marketing campaigns  

These initiatives strengthened regional tourism and increased visibility for Wendake.