The Collines-de-l’Outaouais RCM is located immediately north of Gatineau, in the Outaouais region. Its territory covers more than two thousand square kilometers and includes rolling hills, forested valleys, lakes, and a large portion of Gatineau Park. This close proximity to the urban centers of Gatineau and Ottawa makes it a place where nature and accessibility complement each other.

The RCM’s administrative headquarters are located in Chelsea, a municipality known for its natural setting and strategic location along Highway 5, which makes travel between its communities and neighboring cities easier.

The Collines-de-l’Outaouais RCM includes six municipalities: Cantley, Chelsea, L’Ange-Gardien, La Pêche, Pontiac, and Val-des-Monts. Each has its own distinct identity, ranging from growing residential areas to vast rural and forested zones.

Some municipalities, such as Chelsea and Cantley, have a high proportion of residents who work in Gatineau or Ottawa. Others, including La Pêche, Pontiac, and Val-des-Monts, stand out for their natural environments, lakes, and many outdoor attractions. The RCM council brings together the mayors of these municipalities to coordinate regional services and projects.

The Collines-de-l’Outaouais RCM is predominantly French-speaking, while also having a well-established English-speaking community, particularly in municipalities located near Ottawa. Bilingualism is common in public services, businesses, and everyday life.

This linguistic reality contributes to the territory’s cultural openness and makes it an attractive environment for families and workers in the National Capital Region.

Access to the Collines-de-l’Outaouais RCM is mainly via Highway 5, which connects Gatineau to Chelsea and the Wakefield area. Several regional roads, including Routes 105, 307, and 366, provide access to more rural municipalities and resort areas.

The Transcollines public transit service offers intermunicipal routes and connections to Gatineau, providing an alternative to driving alone. Carpooling and designated regional stops also complement mobility options. However, due to the diversity of the territory, which includes both densely populated areas and vast rural zones, the automobile remains the most commonly used mode of transportation among residents.

The main natural attraction of the RCM is Gatineau Park, a vast area offering hundreds of kilometres of trails, lakes suitable for swimming, scenic lookouts, cross-country skiing trails, and numerous nature observation sites. The park is a major tourism driver and attracts both residents and visitors from across the region.

Other attractions complement this offering, such as the Lac-des-Loups area, the resort zones of Val-des-Monts, and Laflèche Caves. Picturesque villages in La Pêche and other local communities also host public markets, microbreweries, outdoor recreation centres, nature cottages, and various cultural activities throughout the year.

The Collines-de-l’Outaouais RCM offers a wide variety of outdoor activities thanks to its mountainous terrain, forests, and many lakes and rivers. Among the most popular activities are:

Summer and Fall Activities

• hiking
• mountain biking and road cycling
• canoeing
• kayaking
• stand-up paddleboarding
• fishing
• swimming in designated areas

Winter Activities

• cross-country skiing
• downhill skiing
• snowshoeing
• ice fishing
• snowmobiling
• family-friendly outdoor activities

The region is also well known for its resort areas, forest cottages, and numerous sites ideal for nature observation.

The economy of the Collines-de-l’Outaouais RCM is supported by several major sectors. Tourism plays a central role thanks to Gatineau Park, outdoor activities, nature-based accommodations, and cultural events. Residential and real estate development also plays a key role, particularly in municipalities located near Gatineau.

The agricultural sector remains present through family farms, local producers, and seasonal markets. Personal services, local retail, artisanal businesses, and microenterprises also contribute significantly to the territory’s local economy.

Daily life in the Collines-de-l’Outaouais RCM combines the tranquillity of a natural environment with proximity to a major urban centre. Residents benefit from local shops, schools, libraries, community centres, sports facilities, and a wide range of family-oriented activities.

Thanks to the proximity of Gatineau and Ottawa, many people live in the RCM while working in the National Capital Region. This dynamic supports a balanced lifestyle, with peaceful neighbourhoods, abundant green spaces, and strong citizen involvement in community life.

The Collines-de-l’Outaouais RCM offers preschool, elementary, and secondary education in both French and English. Several public schools are located throughout the territory, allowing families to access local schools depending on their municipality of residence. The school service centres serving the RCM are the Centre de services scolaire des Portages-de-l’Outaouais and the Centre de services scolaire au Cœur-des-Vallées.

Vocational training and adult education are offered mainly in Gatineau, particularly through the Centre de services scolaire au Cœur-des-Vallées, whose facilities are located in Buckingham. For college, university, or specialized studies, residents generally travel to Gatineau or Ottawa, where the region’s main post-secondary institutions are located.

The Collines-de-l’Outaouais RCM is served by the Outaouais health care network, which provides primary care services such as medical clinics, dental services, physiotherapy, psychosocial and community services, as well as home care for seniors.

The territory is also home to Wakefield Hospital, which offers local health services, including basic hospital care and emergency services. For specialized care or more complex treatments, residents generally travel to Gatineau or Ottawa, where the region’s main hospitals are located, while continuing to enjoy a semi-rural living environment.

The Collines-de-l’Outaouais RCM is governed by a council of mayors representing the six municipalities. This council sets regional priorities, plans territorial development, and administers supramunicipal services.

The warden chairs the council and represents the RCM to government authorities, regional partners, and the public. The administrative headquarters in Chelsea house the services required for regional operations, including urban planning, environmental management, land use administration, and technical support for municipalities.

The Collines-de-l’Outaouais RCM delivers several mandatory and optional regional services that support both municipalities and residents. These services include:

• land use planning and maintenance of the land use and development plan;
• residual materials management and property assessment;
• management and protection of waterways;
• coordination of emergency measures and fire prevention;
• economic development and business support;
• support for organizations and social development initiatives;
• public transit services in several areas;
• a community policing service, unique in Quebec, which ensures public safety across the entire territory.

These services contribute to coherent and sustainable territorial management and help improve residents’ quality of life.

The Collines-de-l’Outaouais RCM places strong emphasis on protecting its natural environments and ensuring sustainable land management. Its priorities include:

• protecting biodiversity and wetlands and aquatic environments;
• preserving ecological corridors for wildlife and plant life;
• sustainable water management, including access to drinking water and flood prevention;
• sustainable forest management and support for forest landowners;
• conserving forest cover and responsibly managing multi-use trails and roads;
• addressing climate change through the protection of natural environments.

These actions aim to preserve the ecological integrity of the territory and maintain a high quality of life for residents.

The Collines-de-l’Outaouais RCM hosts a variety of events that vary by municipality. These include seasonal public markets, community gatherings, outdoor performances, and cultural activities organized throughout the year.

Events by Municipality

• La Pêche (Wakefield): known for its vibrant arts scene, with local-scale concerts, music festivals, exhibitions, and community events.
• Other municipalities in the RCM (Cantley, Chelsea, L’Ange-Gardien, Pontiac, and Val-des-Monts): organization of seasonal markets, family activities, local celebrations, and various cultural events depending on the season.

These events reflect the strong community spirit and cultural vitality that characterize the RCM. In addition, residents often take part in major festivals in nearby Gatineau and Ottawa, even though those events do not take place within the RCM itself.

The Collines-de-l’Outaouais RCM has implemented various actions to facilitate the arrival and integration of new families and businesses. These initiatives focus on housing, access to services, mobility, and community support.

For Families

• immigration and social development initiatives that support welcoming, integration, and civic participation
• tools provided by local organizations, such as service directories and family planning resources, to help with daily organization
• support for access to local services, particularly in health care, social services, and education
• improvements to mobility across the territory, including public transit and active transportation solutions

For Businesses

• workforce attraction initiatives and support for economic development
• guidance provided by regional organizations to support business start-ups and growth
• efforts to improve access to services and mobility, contributing to quality of life and employee retention

These initiatives aim to create a welcoming living environment and a favorable economic climate for the development of communities within the RCM.