Forillon National Park

Infobox_protected_area | name = Forillon National Park
iucn_category = II

---

caption = Location of "Forillon National Park" in Canada
locator_x = 235
locator_y = 161
location = Quebec, Canada
nearest_city = Gaspé, Quebec
lat_degrees = 48
lat_minutes = 49
lat_seconds = 26
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 64
long_minutes = 17
long_seconds = 26
long_direction = W
area = 244 km²
established = 1970
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = Parks Canada

Forillon National Park of Canada is located on the Gaspé Peninsula of Quebec. The park includes forests, sea coast, salt marshes, sand dunes, cliffs, and the northern end of the Appalachians. Created in 1970, Forillon was the first national park in Quebec. It covers 244 km².

The word "forillon" is thought to have referred to a flowerpot island or sea stack which used to be a landmark in the area but has since collapsed into the ocean.

The park includes nesting colonies of sea birds and whales, seals, black bears, moose, and other woodland animals.

The creation of the Park

The creation of the Park in 1970 was preceded by the removal through expropriation of several families that had settled within the boundaries of the proposed area. Several of the foundations of the demolished houses remain today hidden in the underbrush of several sections of the park. Several families in the Gaspé Peninsula region were forced to re-settle in the surrounding areas and hold a vivid memory of the events that unfolded during those times. Forillon National Park does not mention these unfortunate events anywhere within their exhibits and fails to acknowledge the existence of a community within the park. When preparing to create the new park, the Government of Canada requested that the Quebec government expropriate the homes of these families. The Quebec government sub-contracted the appropriation and negotiations to a private firm. This firm allegedly used various bullying tactics to scare the residents into agreeing to settlements of reduced value. This stratagem ensured a larger profit margin for the unscrupulous contractor.

Gallery

ee also

*National Parks of Canada
*List of National Parks of Canada
*List of Quebec national parks

External links

* [http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/qc/forillon/index_e.asp Forillon National Park of Canada]