It’s unlikely that Cree communities will see any action soon on the estimated $15-million deal thatwas in the works.
PQ Minister Guy Chevrette of Natural Resources and Native Affairs took a little time off to considerhis political future.
He allegedly brought back a nice Florida tan on Wednesday, February 18, 1998 when he power-lunched with Premier Bouchard.
Surely an omen for Chevrette. The times, they are changing.
While Chevrette was welcomed back to the PQ fold, Bouchard may have laid down the party line.
A compromise was met and full details of the deal not made public. Chevrette is to be given fewerresponsibilities and reports say he claims to be overloaded with work. He is, however, keeping theNative Affairs portfolio. His office says it will take a couple of weeks for things to get back tonormal.
Meanwhile, Crees will have to wait for word on just what is happening with community projects.
The money was promised by Quebec for long-awaited projects in the communities. Negotiations have beengoing on for a number of years to get the money released.
Kenny Blacksmith, who has been disappointed with the process to date, says Crees have to stand backand reflect on just what was offered.
“Are we playing into Quebec’s hands or are we taking them to task? I guess we’ll find out soon enough.I still have to see a real commitment on the part of Quebec,” said Blacksmith, Mistissini’srepresentative to the Council/Board of the CRA.
He went on to say that more healthy debates were needed on this.
Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come declined to say more than: “So far indications are that’s something’scoming down the pipe. That’s what the indications are. That’s why Coon Come isn’t talking about thebacon. It’s still on the frying pan.”
Chief Billy Diamond, who is responsible for the negotiations, did not return calls.
