[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
DAM-L [harmful-hydro] Quebec and Cree agree to multibillion dollar deal fornorthern co operation (fwd)
----- Forwarded message from Donne Flanagan -----
Return-path: <sentto-1526124-74-1003945107-dianne=sandelman.ottawa.on.ca@returns.onelist.com>
Received: from noxmail.sandelman.ottawa.on.ca (nox.sandelman.ottawa.on.ca [192.139.46.6])
by lox.sandelman.ottawa.on.ca (8.8.7/8.8.8) with ESMTP id NAA06070
for <dianne@pophost.sandelman.ottawa.on.ca>; Wed, 24 Oct 2001 13:38:38 -0400 (EDT)
Received: from n32.groups.yahoo.com (n32.groups.yahoo.com [216.115.96.82])
by noxmail.sandelman.ottawa.on.ca (8.11.6/8.11.6) with SMTP id f9OHdCE17445
for <dianne@sandelman.ottawa.on.ca>; Wed, 24 Oct 2001 13:39:12 -0400 (EDT)
X-eGroups-Return: sentto-1526124-74-1003945107-dianne=sandelman.ottawa.on.ca@returns.onelist.com
Received: from [10.1.4.54] by n32.groups.yahoo.com with NNFMP; 24 Oct 2001 17:38:27 -0000
X-Sender: dflanaga@mts.net
X-Apparently-To: harmful-hydro@yahoogroups.com
Received: (EGP: mail-8_0_0_1); 24 Oct 2001 17:38:27 -0000
Received: (qmail 60883 invoked from network); 24 Oct 2001 17:38:27 -0000
Received: from unknown (10.1.10.26)
by l8.egroups.com with QMQP; 24 Oct 2001 17:38:27 -0000
Received: from unknown (HELO n8.groups.yahoo.com) (10.1.10.47)
by mta1 with SMTP; 24 Oct 2001 17:38:26 -0000
X-eGroups-Return: dflanaga@mts.net
Received: from [10.1.10.94] by n8.groups.yahoo.com with NNFMP; 24 Oct 2001 17:38:04 -0000
To: harmful-hydro@yahoogroups.com
Message-ID: <9r6u8p+kg3n@eGroups.com>
User-Agent: eGroups-EW/0.82
X-Mailer: eGroups Message Poster
X-Originating-IP: 139.142.210.209
From: Donne Flanagan <dflanaga@mts.net>
X-Yahoo-Profile: cabcom1
Mailing-List: list harmful-hydro@yahoogroups.com; contact harmful-hydro-owner@yahoogroups.com
Delivered-To: mailing list harmful-hydro@yahoogroups.com
Precedence: bulk
List-Unsubscribe: <mailto:harmful-hydro-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2001 17:37:29 -0000
Reply-To: harmful-hydro@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [harmful-hydro] Quebec and Cree agree to multibillion dollar deal for northern co operation
Quebec and Cree agree to multibillion dollar deal for northern co
operation (Que-Landry-Cree)
Oct 23 18:01 - CP
QUEBEC (CP) _ The Quebec Cree stand to get at least $3.5 billion
over 50 years from the province after signing a tentative agreement
Tuesday aimed at quelling longstanding feuds and opening the door to
future hydroelectric projects.
Hailed by both sides as ``historic,'' the wide-ranging agreement
also promises that the northern aboriginals will gain greater
control over their community and economy; more power over logging in
their forests; and more jobs with Hydro-Quebec.
In return, Cree elders have promised to drop $3.6 billion in
environmental lawsuits against the government.
They also agreed to hydro installations along the Eastmain and
Rupert rivers, a $3.8-billion project that would signal a 15 per
cent boost in energy output around James Bay. The project remains
subject to environmental approval.
Both sides said recent terrorist attacks in the United States
helped seal the long-awaited deal.
``It is not coincidental that this decision is arrived at after
the horrific and tragic events of Sept. 11,'' Ted Moses, grand chief
of the Cree, said during the signing ceremony at the legislature.
``That day people throughout North America realized how small the
world is and how important it is to resolve issues rather than let
them divide us.''
Premier Bernard Landry agreed.
``We're all too aware that on this planet today we're not just
sensing winds of peace and harmony,'' Landry said.
``Quebecers and Cree are taking steps toward peace, harmony,
brotherhood and a bright future away from a sometimes-troubled
past.''
Cree leaders will consult with their people in the coming weeks
before signing a formal deal.
Meanwhile, they said they will not drop lawsuits against the
federal government unless a similar deal is reached with Ottawa.
The Quebec government and Cree have had a rocky relationship over
the last 30 years.
In 1971, Hydro-Quebec announced plans to build a $15-billion
system of dams on native territory east of James Bay. After four
years of arduous negotiations, a deal was reached that gave the Cree
and Inuit $262 million in payments, 13,000 square kilometres of
land, control over hunting, and a guaranteed income for those who
live off the land.
In return, the aboriginals gave up any future claims to other
land and rights as part of the James Bay and Northern Quebec
Agreement in 1975.
The result has been extensive flooding on lands traditionally
used by natives for hunting and trapping.
Tuesday's deal gives the Cree powers they lacked in the 1975
agreement, Moses said.
``The Cree were essentially left out of community and economic
development,'' said Moses.
``As an example, we face a very major housing crisis where in
some communities we have three families sharing a three-bedroom
shack.
``Cree unemployment is rampant. Health conditions are terrible.''
Disputes with the Cree have also been a source of international
embarrassment for the Quebec government.
For example, a Cree delegation arrived by canoe in Manhattan in
the early 1990s to urge New York State not to buy power from
Hydro-Quebec's proposed Great Whale dam. The project was shelved.
Also, the 12,000 Cree have attempted to thwart Parti Quebecois
plans for Quebec independence.
In a 1995 Cree referendum, nearly 100 per cent of voters said
they would not live in a sovereign Quebec _ threatening that an
independent Quebec would lose its northern half, an energy-rich area
which is crucial to the province's economy.
Both sides said Tuesday they agreed to delay talk of sovereignty
in order to get the deal done.
INDEX: POLITICS ENERGY SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
### End Src CP Id 20011023G3513A Rcvd Oct 23 2001 18:02 ###
To Post a message, send it to: harmful-hydro@eGroups.com
To Unsubscribe, send a blank message to: harmful-hydro-unsubscribe@eGroups.com
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
----- End of forwarded message from Donne Flanagan -----