(Quebec) The government of Quebec signed a framework agreement on Thursday with the Innu Council of Pessamit concerning, in particular, wind power development.
This agreement, described as historic, is accompanied by a budget of 45 million to be used to “promote the economic and social development” of the Innu community located near Baie-Comeau.
Prime Minister François Legault was accompanied for the occasion by the head of Pessamit, Marielle Vachon, Minister Ian Lafrenière and the president and CEO of Hydro-Québec, Michael Sabia.
Together, they said they wanted to build a partnership that will benefit both the Innu community and the Quebec nation.
The parties have been at loggerheads since Hydro-Québec built several hydroelectric power stations and dams in Pessamit. The community has also filed lawsuits against the state-owned company and the government.
The framework agreement provides that these proceedings will be put “on hold” for two years, during which the government will not address the issue of raising the level of the Manicouagan reservoir.
“It’s a historic agreement,” said Chef Vachon on Thursday. The agreement establishes the parameters that will guide negotiations with a view to reaching a final agreement.
While he recognizes that there remains “distrust” within the Pessamit community, Mr. Legault said he hopes that the sum of 45 million will be seen in the meantime as a “gesture of good faith”.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
François Legault
This is a gesture that we are taking and it will be up to the Band Council to decide what it will do with this amount. We are told that there is a real urgency to act to improve living conditions.
François Legault, Premier of Quebec
He highlighted the work of the women of Pessamit. “I want to say, the fact that the majority of people on the Band Council are women, I think there is something to do with the fact that we are seeing this reconciliation. »
For his part, Mr. Sabia declared that the framework agreement signed Thursday marked “the beginning of a new era.”
“This is a step towards the type of partnership that we want to build with all Indigenous communities across Quebec, partnerships based on recognition, respect and dialogue,” he said.
“Our agreement gives us the opportunity to start discussions on wind turbines […] with the Pessamit community, and these discussions will allow us to define the best projects together,” he added.