Thank you. Minister responsible for Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, Mr. Kakfwi.
Debates of March 21st, 1994
Topics
Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 724
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Return To Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 724
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Madam Speaker, I only know of it through the media and a brief report I received from the staff. We don't have the actual agreement that is being talked about at this time. Thank you.
Return To Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 724
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.
Supplementary To Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 724
James Arvaluk Aivilik
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will he be tabling the hard material or anything like that, so that all Members can have information about this deal?
Supplementary To Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 724
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Kakfwi.
Further Return To Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 724
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Madam Speaker, we will try to acquire whatever documents and information there is available,
circulate it amongst Members as early as possible, and arrange for a tabling, if that's the request of the Member. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 725
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.
Further Return To Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 725
James Arvaluk Aivilik
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I also have a newspaper clipping. I had hoped the Minister would have a little bit more detail and information than I have. However, my question concerns the preamble by my colleague, Mr. Pudluk, in his question to the Leader, is the Minister prepared to do something to protect the interests of the residents of Sanikiluaq and the Hudson Bay communities?
Further Return To Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 725
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Mr. Arvaluk, Madam Premier took the particular question as notice, the one your friend Mr. Pudlat had posed. I regard your question as similar to the one he posed. Would you like to attempt to rephrase your question?
Supplementary To Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 725
James Arvaluk Aivilik
Thank you, Madam Speaker. The basic tenet of this agreement between Makivik Corporation and Hydro Quebec, according to the paper, is Makivik Corporation has agreed not to impede the completion of the Great Whale River Hydro Project in any way, shape or form. When the project has finally reached the environmental review hearing stage, is the Minister prepared to take part in these hearings and represent the interest of the people of Sanikiluaq and the Hudson Bay communities?
---Applause
Supplementary To Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
March 20th, 1994
Page 725
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Thank you. Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Kakfwi.
Further Return To Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 725
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Madam Speaker, the Quebec government has historically taken the view that they are pro development and pro aboriginal in the sense that they have made deals before with northern Cree and northern Quebec Inuit, which has resulted in the settlement of their claims some years ago. This is another phase of hydro development that they have been engaged in. They make no bones about the fact that they want to make the Inuit and the Cree, if possible, partners and supporters of the project. In that sense, the compensation package that was announced and trumpeted in the media can be seen as a deal to go partners.
As partners, I suppose in any environmental hearings, you expect your partner not to be so critical of your plans. The businessman would say that is a good way to proceed because everyone is happy. An environmentalist would say it is compromising your responsibility to take care of land and resources and undermines the credibility you have as a member of the panel reviewing the environmental impact of that project.
Those are valid points and observations to be made. These are just thoughts I have, resulting from the media focus and the brief comments I've received from the staff today. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 725
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Amittuq, Mr. Allooloo.
Further Return To Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 725
Titus Allooloo Amittuq
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister of the Environment a question. My colleague was saying that there seems to be a cash deal between Hydro Quebec and the Inuit of Makivik of northern Quebec. According to press reports, this was a $500 million deal over a 50 year period. The first year, Makivik would receive about $30 million. If, at some point during the environmental review process, it appears that all the questions are not answered -- the answers that people of Sanikiluaq and the Keewatin people are seeking, about whether there is going to be environmental damage because of the Hydro Quebec project -- is the government willing to take legal action if it seems Hydro Quebec will proceed with the project? Thank you.
Further Return To Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Question 333-12(5): Agreement Between Makivik Corporation And Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 725
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Thank you. Mr. Allooloo, I have some problems with the question you are posing. It appears to be somewhat hypothetical and that is not allowed under our rules. I would like to ask if you could rephrase your question? The honourable Member for Amittuq, Mr. Allooloo.
Question 334-12(5): Government's Willingness To Take Legal Action Against Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 725
Titus Allooloo Amittuq
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Member of the Environment, if the Hydro Quebec project is going to proceed without answering all the concerns of the residents of Sanikiluaq, is the government willing to represent the people of the Northwest Territories and take legal action? Thank you.
Question 334-12(5): Government's Willingness To Take Legal Action Against Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 725
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Thank you. Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Kakfwi.
Return To Question 334-12(5): Government's Willingness To Take Legal Action Against Hydro Quebec
Question 334-12(5): Government's Willingness To Take Legal Action Against Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 725
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Madam Speaker, I go on the assumption that the environmental hearings, set up by the federal government and the Quebec government, will go ahead. That the Inuit will participate. That the panel will be charged with doing a fair and objective assessment of it. We will see and fight for the community of Sanikiluaq to get maximum participation in it, to work as hard as we can to ensure that they are happy, or as happy as we can make them, in seeing the hearings take place. That is about as much as I can do. I go on those assumptions. Thank you.
Return To Question 334-12(5): Government's Willingness To Take Legal Action Against Hydro Quebec
Question 334-12(5): Government's Willingness To Take Legal Action Against Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 725
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Allooloo.
Supplementary To Question 334-12(5): Government's Willingness To Take Legal Action Against Hydro Quebec
Question 334-12(5): Government's Willingness To Take Legal Action Against Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 725
Titus Allooloo Amittuq
Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Cree residents of the James Bay area have great misgivings about this project and do not appear to be even contemplating entering into an agreement with Hydro Quebec. Would this government consider entering into a joint defence agreement with the Cree to stop the project if it was thought to be environmentally dangerous? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 334-12(5): Government's Willingness To Take Legal Action Against Hydro Quebec
Question 334-12(5): Government's Willingness To Take Legal Action Against Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 726
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Kakfwi.
Further Return To Question 334-12(5): Government's Willingness To Take Legal Action Against Hydro Quebec
Question 334-12(5): Government's Willingness To Take Legal Action Against Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 726
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Madam Speaker, I have trouble with the "if" so I would say that we will be monitoring the environmental review and watching how the project and the review takes place. We will certainly be aware of all our options in the event that things don't go exactly the way we would want them to go. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 334-12(5): Government's Willingness To Take Legal Action Against Hydro Quebec
Question 334-12(5): Government's Willingness To Take Legal Action Against Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 726
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Thank you. The chair also had trouble with the "ifs." I would like to caution Members that questions posed to the government are questions with regard to knowledge within their responsibility. Questions should not be in any way on a hypothetical basis. Therefore, I would like to caution Members in formulating their questions posed to the government. The honourable Member for Amittuq, supplementary.
Supplementary To Question 334-12(5): Government's Willingness To Take Legal Action Against Hydro Quebec
Question 334-12(5): Government's Willingness To Take Legal Action Against Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 726
Titus Allooloo Amittuq
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you for that advice. As all Members know, it is in the knowledge, I believe, of the Minister that the Cree residents of the Hudson Bay have always opposed the James Bay project because they know that their hunting grounds and their traditional grounds would be flooded. They have been opposing this project very vigorously. I wonder if the government would consider joining their forces to defend the people of the Northwest Territories, especially Sanikiluaq and Hudson Bay communities. Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 334-12(5): Government's Willingness To Take Legal Action Against Hydro Quebec
Question 334-12(5): Government's Willingness To Take Legal Action Against Hydro Quebec
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 726
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Thank you. Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Kakfwi.