(Sept-Îles) François Legault has set himself the goal of concluding a “historic” treaty with three of the nine Innu communities of Quebec by March 31, if he is returned to power. He also says he is open to creating a Crown corporation under Aboriginal control in the wind energy sector.
Posted at 5:02 p.m.
Tuesday, passing through Sept-Îles as part of his electoral tour in the East, François Legault met with leaders of Boralex and Innergex, two companies in the wind sector, and Innu leaders. He was accompanied by his Innu candidate in Duplessis, Kateri Champagne Jourdain, the director of community relations for the Apuiat wind farm project, which is based on a partnership between Hydro-Québec, the Innu of the North Shore and Boralex.
Negotiations are going well with the Petapan group, which brings together three Aboriginal communities (Mashteuiatsh, Essipit and Nutashkuan) with a view to concluding a treaty. “No later than March 31, 2023, we have set ourselves the goal of signing a treaty that would be historic,” said Mr. Legault during a press scrum.
“We must try to respect the principles of the UN Declaration [sur les droits des peuples autochtones]. We have to recognize the territory [ancestral] but without taking the risk that the territory will be divided and without there being an automatic right of veto” on economic projects, he explained, adding that he is looking for “a real partnership”.
During the meeting, the CAQ leader recalled his promise to develop 3000 MW of wind energy, which could be done on the model of the Apuiat project. “You forgot something,” interjected Chief Mike McKenzie of Uashat mak Mani-utenam (not part of Petapan). He asked her to support the creation of an “Innu energy company”. “It’s also important that we have our own companies,” he added.
François Legault said he was “open” to this idea which would amount to creating a state corporation under indigenous control according to his explanations. “We are open to their investments, which currently go through Hydro-Québec, being able to go through a state corporation,” he said.
François Legault says he did not discuss his dam projects with the Innu chiefs. He was unable to specify the consequences of a treaty with Innu communities on the construction of hydroelectric projects in the future.