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Charest’s Plan Nord troublesome news for First Nations
Posted by Montreal Environment in Aboriginal, Energy, Forestry, Mining, Resource Development
If Jean Charest gets re-elected today (and it seems that the Liberals will get a majority government), heavy traffic on dusty gravel roads will become a common sight north of the 51st parallel in La Belle Province. The Liberal Party’s electoral campaign impinges on a well promoted economic plan that must reassure the electorate that priority is given to employment and protecting Quebec’s businesses. Dubbed Plan Nord, the Liberal economic plan foresees an acceleration and massive investment in resource development. Apart from hastening mining and forestry in northern Quebec, the Liberal government pledges to add an additional 3500MW to the already scheduled 4500MW energy production, an equivalent investment of $19 billion.
The last time Quebec’s economic independence was tied to large scale hydroelectric development on First Nations territory, the Cree Nation in eastern James Bay mounted an international opposition campaign that forced the government and Hydro Quebec to cancel the $12.6 billion Great Whale project. This time around the Cree have already settled their grievances with the government and the public utility in 2002, when the Paix des Braves was signed. Part of the agreement is consent for a 800MW project on the Rupert River and no more opposition to resource development unless environmental standards are not met. With the Cree Nation out of the debate, and a government familiar with indigenous negotiations, the work of local First Nations and environmental groups across Quebec will be that much harder. The La Romaine hydroelectric project in the North Shore is in public hearings phase but it is expected that authorizations will be given, even though a coalition of three environmental groups – Nature Quebec, Fondation Rivieres, and Societe pour Vaincre la Pollution – maintain a publicized opposition campaign.
Innu (Montagnais) communities on the North Shore, QcWhat complicates the process and will have implications for the Plan Nord is that the North Shore territory along the St. Laurence houses eight Innu (Montagnais) communities: Mashteuiatsh, Essipit, Bestiamides, Uashat mak Mani-utenam, Ekuanitshit, Nutukuan, Unaman-Shipu et Pakua Shipu. They have been negotiating land-settlement agreements with the federal and provincial governments since 1975 when they formed the Atikamekw and Montagnais Council (CAM). In 1994 the CAM split into two regional councils: 1) the Mamuitun mak Nutakuan that includes the communities of Essipit, Mashteuiatsh, Bestimaieds et Nutashkuan; and 2) the Mamu Pakatatau Mamit (AMPM) composed of the communities of Ekuanitshit, Pakua-Shipu et de Unaman-Shipu. Uashat mak Mani Utenam pulled out of negotiations in 1998. The divisive issue remains reaching consensus regarding First Nations rights over the territory and the decision-making powers over resource development planning and implementation. In 2002 Mamuitun Council signed the Approche Commune (Common Approach) while the AMPM have yet to settle on an agreement in principle.
With the 800MW Rupert Diversion project almost complete and the 1550MW La Romaine project currently undergoing environmental impact assessment, many environmentalists are worried that Quebec’s water security is at risk. Out of the handful of major rivers, there are now only three that haven’t been touched: Great Whale, George River, and Natashquan. Even if 20% of the new power block comes form wind projects, the remaining 2800MW are the equivalent of 2 La Romaine projects or 3.5 Rupert diversions. With no water policy in place the province risks undermining its most prized possession. It is also disconcerting that investment in energy efficiency is tacitly absent from the Liberal platform. Quebec Solidaire has already pointed fingers at the Liberals for this omission and have pledged $110 million investment in an Energy Efficiency Program.
For their part, First Nations in the process of negotiations are worried that resource development will continue and accelerate while their negotiating strength and control over the territory will be diminished. Even though the Liberal platform states that “nothing we do in the North should put into question the pursuit, conclusion or implementation of negotiations with the First Nations and Inuit”, Ghislain Picard, the Chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL), believes formal recognition of First Nation land claims are essential to the success of the Plan Nord: “Jean Charest now has a chance to make a difference, to turn talk into action, to put an end to the colonialist attitude which still prevails in the relationship with the First Nations. We will no longer be ignored.”
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