Le navettage aérien dans le Nord du Québec. Une étude exploratoire des représentations sociospatiales des travailleurs

The rise in ore demand over the last two decades has fostered the opening of several mines in northern Quebec and Labrador. As a result, many new mining sites have emerged, in addition to the Hydro-Québec dams. The previous mining booms had led to the creation of small towns. However, the practice of fly-in/fly-out has replaced the building of settlement by residential compounds. The worker’s daily life is divided into two worlds, mobility allowing a new way of life which may lead to social impacts. This trend is increase by the advent of telecommunications technology. The purpose of this research is to study representations among workers involved in this labour-management system, using a survey and interviews. The results show many representations of the North, intertwining positive and negative dimensions.