NORTHERN QUEBEC - The SUPERIOR COURT OF QUEBEC has ruled that the Canadian Environmental Assessment (CEA) Act does not apply in Northern Quebec. Instead, the 1975 James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA) takes precedence over incompatible federal or provincial laws.
The Court confirmed the constitutionally protected right of the Crees to "fully participate ... in the management, control and regulation of the development of the territory." Since the CEA Act does not recognize the special status of the Crees and does not use the impact on Cree rights as the basis for the assessment of development projects, the Court has declared it inapplicable in northern Quebec and in violation of the constitutionally affirmed JBNQA.
For further information, please contact grand chief Matthew Mukash at 819-673-2600 or executive director Bill Namagoose at 613-761-1655 of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee).
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