“This is a historic agreement,” said Marielle Vachon, president of Bissamet, before signing the agreement with Hydro-Quebec and Quebec, accompanied by the state company's CEO and Prime Minister François Legault, who were transported to the Innu community of Quebec. Haute Côte Nord on Thursday. According to the government, this is a big step forward in relations between the two countries.
Marielle Vachon said she was proud of the Prime Minister's visit to his community. This is the first time in recent years
I argued.
Under this agreement, the community will receive about $45 million by 2030 to establish a social development fund.
The money to be paid to Bessamet will be used specifically for housing construction. This community, with a population of just over 2,000 people, only has about 1,000 housing units on its land, which is very few, according to leader Mariel Vachon.
Quebec also benefits from this issue. In fact, Pesamet must stop its $500 million lawsuit against the government.
This signing comes within the framework of the reconciliation process, according to the government.
I hope there are agreements like this with every society and every country
Prime Minister François Legault stated. What we want is to reconcile. And let's do projects together in the area we share.
The party began around 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Pesamet Community Hall.
Photo: Radio-Canada/Reno Chicoine Mackenzie
The partnership will also allow Hydro-Québec to discuss potential projects in the region to increase its electricity production. Indeed, the framework agreement proposes, among other things, solutions related to the management of the Manicogan reservoir and obligations related to wind energy development.
, we can read in a press release from Quebec. In return, Hydro-Québec has also suspended the upgrade of the Manchiquagan reservoir.
In response to a question about the projects he is considering in Nitasinan province, he said CEO Michael Sabia of Hydro-Québec explained that he intends to push the Innu community for new wind energy projects.
It is part of our business plan to increase electricity production
He confirmed on the sidelines of the ceremony. Innu should be consulted
Pesamet Band Councilwoman Christine Vale quickly responded.
The Prime Minister is accompanied by CAQ MPs from the region, Yves Montaigne and Kateri Champagne-Jordan, the Minister of Employment responsible for the North Shore, as well as the Minister responsible for relations with First Nations and Inuit, Ian Lafreniere.
Watch the report prepared by journalist Reno Chicoine-McKenzie.
Image: screenshot
Frame signature
Elected officials met with Pesamet President Marielle Vachon at approximately 12:30 p.m., so this private meeting was closed to the media.
The agreement signing ceremony began around 1:30 pm with the rest of the community in the community hall.
Community members regret that they were never consulted during the construction of hydroelectric dams on their territory, the Nitasinan area, which is home to 13 power plants and 16 dams.
A previous version of this article stated that there were 16 power stations and 13 dams. Rather, it is the opposite.
Protesters tried to prevent Legault from entering
A barrier was set up at the entrance to Bessamite. Protesters planned to block access to François Legault. A protester was screening who could enter the community.
Photo: Radio-Canada/Paul Fontaine
François Legault was finally able to enter society. The dam erected by members of the Innu community was finally dismantled Thursday morning at noon. The demonstrators are demanding that the band council hold a referendum on this agreement because they believe that community members were not adequately consulted on the matter.
These protesters prevented non-Indigenous people from entering the community for several hours. They only allow in indigenous people or even truck drivers who deliver essential goods. They also planned to deny access to various leaders. Bessamite police participated in the dismantling process.
The instigator of the dam, Jerome-Charles St. Onge, wanted the planned meeting between elected officials in Bessamite and Quebec not to take place behind closed doors. We ask our elected officials and leaders to hold a referendum to open the Community Hall to the people.
Whether we vote yes or no, or cancel the $45 million. This doesn't make sense, it's a beautiful farce.
Members of the Pesamet Band Council came to meet them Thursday morning. Tension was evident between elected officials and demonstrators.
Vice President Jerome Bacon-Saint-Onge wanted to reassure Bessamite residents. According to him, the agreement that must be signed is not an end point for negotiations between Quebec and Bissamet. Rather, it would open the door to future cooperation between the two parties.
Several community members expressed Wednesday that they simply were not aware of this agreement and would have preferred more transparency from the band council.
With information from Renault Chicoine Mackenzie and Paul Fontaine
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