Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Algonquin Nations Denounce Quebec’s Mining Act

(January 26, 2017. Val d'Or, Québec) Meeting this morning at a press conference at Val d'Or, the Algonquin Nations are uniting their voices to denounce the Quebec Mining Act and the impacts that it causes on their territorial and Aboriginal rights. The Algonquins are asking the Government of Quebec to review the foundations of the law, which they believe are unconstitutional.

"We face, even today, mining claims and mining projects for which we were never informed, consulted and never gave our consent," said Chief Casey Ratt of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake First Nation, who called the press conference.

"We support viable development of our territory, but we want to be able to make choices that respect our rights and meet our needs, our expectations, and our values. The current Mining Act is preventing us from doing that," added the Chief Lance Haymond of Kebaowek First Nation (Eagle Village).

According to Chief Harry St-Denis of Wolf Lake First Nation, "The Quebec government is responsible for ensuring that its laws and mining policies respect constitutional rights of Aboriginal Nations. Quebec’s Mining Act still fails this test in 2017."

The Algonquin First Nations are particularly critical of the Mining Act’s lack of any obligation to inform or to consult indigenous nations before the Government grants mineral claims on their traditional territories. The law also fails to require permits or consultation for the vast majority of mining exploration work, including drilling, mechanical trenching, and other use of heavy equipment. The Mining Act does not allow integrated land use planning in respect of indigenous peoples’ rights and aspirations, including the possibility of saying 'no' to mining claims located in culturally or ecologically sensitive areas.

In two presentations delivered this morning at Val d'Or, professors Jean-Paul Lacasse and Sophie Thériault of the Faculty of Law of University of Ottawa have been clear: the current Mines Act would not pass a constitutional legal test, if it were to be challenged by an Aborigoinal nations in Quebec. The solution would require a change in the law and in the meantime, the suspension and/or the takeover of mining titles in sensitive areas, or until agreements are reached with affected Aboriginal nations.

Mr. Clifford Lincoln, former Quebec’s Environment Minister and special representative for the Algonquin Nation of Barriere Lake, makes a similar point, considering that it would be more responsible for the Government of Quebec to take a path of reconciliation and agreements with Aboriginal Nations, rather than a path of continuous denial (see Mr. Lincoln’s video – English version available soon).

While the government announced its “intention” to “temporarily” suspend the claims of Copper One on the territory of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake on January 26th, the long term scenario remains uncertain. The Algonquin Nation, located largely within the La Vérendrye Wildlife Reserve, asks for public support in order to protect their culture, the land, the waters and the wildlife, which are all interconnected.

The Algonquin of Barriere Lake Nation held a day of information and awareness yesterday, January 25, with the participation of around 25 individuals and civil society organizations including: Greenpeace Quebec, Amnesty International Canada, Ligue des droits et libertés du Québec, Coalition Québec Meilleure Mine, MiningWatch Canada, Action Boréal de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Regroupement vigilance sur les mines en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, and the Conseil régional de l’environnement de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue.

Sign the petition before February 10, 2017: https://www.assnat.qc.ca/en/exprimez-votre-opinion/petition/Petition-6379/index.html

Support the Algonquins of Barriere Lake: http://www.barrierelakesolidarity.org/p/t.html
Support statement from the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec & Labrador: http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/the-afnql-supports-the-algonquin-nation-communities-who-denounce-the-quebec-mining-act-611903515.html
 
Support statement from opposition party Quebec Solidaire: http://www.fil-information.gouv.qc.ca/Pages/Article.aspx?idArticle=2501267899

Quebec Government’s reaction the same day, announcing their ‘intention’ to suspend Copper One’s mining claims: http://www.fil-information.gouv.qc.ca/Pages/Article.aspx?aiguillage=ajd&type=1&idArticle=2501261419

Copper One’s reaction the next day, announcing their ‘intention’ to seek legal remedies if they are prevented from accessing their mining claims (likely against the Quebec government, and possibly against the Algonquins of Barriere Lake…): http://copperone.com/news/news-display/index.php?&content_id=147
For more information:
  • Chef Casey Ratt (English), Algonquin Nation of Barrière Lake, 819-441-8002
  • Chef Lance Haymond (English), Algonquin Nation of Kebaowek (Eagle Village), 819-627-6884
  • Chef Harry St-Denis (English), Algonquin Nation of Wolf Lake, cell. 819-627-3628
  • Clifford Lincoln (Français/English), former Quebec cabinet ministre and special representative of the Algonquin Nation of Barrière Lake, 514-441-9446
  • Tony Wawatie (Français/English), Algonquin Nation of Barrière Lake, 819-355-3662
  • Michel Thusky (Français), Algonquin Nation of Barrière Lake, 819-215-0591
Intervenants externes:
  • Jean-Paul Lacasse, Law Faculty, University of Ottawa, 819-210-1435
  • Sophie Thériault, Law Faculty, University of Ottawa, Sophie.Theriault@uottawa.ca
  • Ugo Lapointe, MiningWatch Canada & Coalition Québec meilleure mine, 514-708-0134
Website www.solidaritelacbarriere.blogspot.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BarriereLakeSolidarity

French media:
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Monday, January 30, 2017

The current situation

In June 2016, while the community was negotiating an agreement with Quebec to implement 1991 and 1998 agreements, the Quebec government stealthily lifted the moratorium on mining on their ancestral and current-use territory, which had been in force since 2011.

The moratorium on mining activities was lifted unilaterally by the Quebec Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources without any prior advice to, or consultation with the community, as clearly expected according to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Mining activities are completely incompatible with both the terms and intent of the Trilateral Agreement of 1991, the Bilateral Agreement with Quebec of 1998, and the 2006 Joint Recommendations from Special Representatives of Quebec and Barriere Lake, which is to ensure the continuation of the community's culture and the sustainable use of renewable resources.

While the government announced its “intention” to “temporarily” suspend the claims of Copper One on the territory of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake on January 26th, 2017, the long term scenario remains uncertain. The Algonquin Nation, located largely within the La Vérendrye Wildlife Reserve, asks for public support in order to protect their culture, the land, the waters and the wildlife, which are all interconnected.
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Friday, January 13, 2017

Community Dinner and Presentation in Montreal

Thursday January 19, 2017
6pm at the Centre Lorne
2390 Ryde
(Metro Charlevoix)

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/650646381804261/

Come eat with us, and hear community members talk about their land defense camp and other efforts. In the coming weeks, a junior mining company intends to begin exploratory drilling in the heart of the community’s territory, without consultation or consent. A copper mine would be devastating to the community, and would also affect a large part of the La Vérendrye wildlife reserve and the headwaters of the Ottawa river. Community members have set-up an indefinite land-defense camp on the main access road to the area.

The dinner is free / by donation. Those attending will be encouraged to donate to support the land defense camp if they are able to. The event is organized by QPIRG McGill,

Accessibility Info:
- The venue is wheelchair accessible
- Childcare will be provided on-site
- Whisper translation (En-Fr) will be available- We encourage people attending to not wear strongly scented products (perfume, cologne, hair products, lotions etc.) to the show. For more information on scent-free policies, see: https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/scent_free.html
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Friday, December 16, 2016

Urgent call to action and Updates on the Struggle of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake Struggle Against Mining

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Urgent call to action and Updates on the Struggle of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake Against Mining 


What's the latest news?
Drilling on the territory has yet to begin. The community is now aware of specific drilling sites, which they are monitoring. A Quebec consultation on logging has delayed drilling, Quebec consults on cutting trees but not the related mining exploration activities like cutting trails for equipment and clearing drill sites. But tree-cutting and trail construction for drilling could begin as early as next week. Permits may be issued by Quebec to remove trees as early as Monday, December 18. 

In the meantime, community members have been winterizing the land defense camp. They are also continuing political efforts targeting the Quebec Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.
Things you can do
1) URGENT: Ask Quebec to deny permits for drilling and road-building today and Monday: If you are a resident of Quebec, Please call and e-mail  the Ministère de l'Énergie et des Ressources Natural and the Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs today or Monday, and ask them to deny permits for [removal of trees, trail-making and drilling] in Copper One’s Riviere Dore claim on the territory of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake. These permits are being issued without the free, prior and informed consent of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake and stand in direct violation of the community’s wishes for no mining on their traditional territories. Barriere Lake has expressed their opposition to mining on their territories in a September 2016 band council resolution and September 2012 letter to the Quebec government. The extraction of non-renewable resources from ABL territory violates the 1991 Trilateral Agreement with Quebec and Canada; the 1998 Bilateral agreement with Quebec and the 2001 Lincoln-Ciaccia joint recommendations. Tell Quebec to honor its word and deny these permits.
MERN: – Mines///418 627-62781 800 363-7233(Toll-free in Canada and United States)/
service.mines@mern.gouv.qc.ca 
MERN Director of Aboriginal Affairs// 418 627-6254// 5700, 4e Avenue Ouest, C-422// Québec (Québec) G1H 6R
 MFFP Haute-Gatineau-et-du-Cabonga //266, rue Notre-Dame, RC 100///Maniwaki (Québec) J9E 2J8
Phone: 819 449-3333 // Fax : 819 449-6865. Email : outaouais@mffp.gouv.qc.ca
Bureau of the sub-Minister of Forests// 5700, 4e Avenue Ouest, bureau A-405// Québec (Québec) G1H 6R1// Phone: 418 627-8652
2) Watch the movie Honour your Word : You can now stream the movie on your computer for $4.99. Even better, watch it with friends or organize a screening with a group. Be part of a growing network of supporting individuals and groups.
3) 

Donate : Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. Donations from people like you have covered basic costs of the land defense camp and monitoring of the territory. These costs are ongoing, and there are likely to be other needs in the months ahead. Donations continue to be very welcome and helpful. You can donate through Paypal or by cheque. 
4) Sign and share the petition: You can sign it online, or print this paper copy: printable English version

5) Print the PDF brochure (1pg doublesided, folded in three) on Barriere Lake's struggle against Mining to make copies and distribute
6) Spread the word and stay tuned : Soon there will be other ways to support the community. By email or through our Facebook page, stay tuned for upcoming events to be announced in the coming weeks or months in Montreal, Ottawa or Toronto.
6) Watch these two short videos that you can stream online on the struggle of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake against mining

What is at stake?
For the community, a huge mine in the heart of their territory would have devastating effects. The community has invited other users of the territory and supporters to join them in protecting this area, which includes part of the largest wildlife reserve in Quebec. Communities downstream also have reasons to oppose the proposed mine, which threatens to contaminate the headwaters of the Ottawa river
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