Celebrating 50 Years of Radisson: A Unique Locality in Northern Quebec

Radisson, a remote locality in northern Quebec, is gearing up for a big celebration of its 50th anniversary from July 26 to August 3. “The programming is worthy of a city of 5,000 inhabitants!” beams Marie-Claude Labbé, a member of the organizing committee.

Located at the end of Billy-Diamond Road and 620 kilometers north of Matagami, Radisson has a rich history that organizers are eager to showcase. The festivities kick off tonight with the inauguration of turbine number 9, setting the stage for a week filled with events.

The weekend will feature family-friendly activities, with regional artists leading workshops. The schedule also includes a night of anecdotes, a screening of the documentary ‘Des nouvelles du nord,’ directed by Benoît Pilon, a comedy show by humorist Derrick Frenette, and a closing night themed around the 1980s, according to Labbé.

The goal of the committee was to celebrate Radisson’s unique history in a grand way. The locality has stood out since its inception in 1974, coinciding with the construction of the Robert-Bourassa hydroelectric power station.

“50 years ago, the vision was to build hydroelectric power stations, and this led to the establishment of our community,” said Sébastien Lebrun, president of Radisson. Today, Radisson boasts around 150 permanent residents, but during peak times, the population can swell to about 600 due to the influx of workers.

Sebastien highlights that for nature lovers, Radisson is a paradise. The landscape is distinct, dominated mostly by conifers with very few deciduous trees. It is also bordered by the reservoir created for the hydroelectric facilities.

“It’s hard to find such a landscape anywhere else in Quebec!” he exclaimed, emphasizing the natural beauty of the area. He points out that visits to the hydroelectric plants are a major draw for tourists. Notably, the Robert-Bourassa facility is one of the largest underground power stations in the world.