Whapmagoostui residents may have voted 92 per cent against any new hydro projects, but Hydro-Quebec still isn’t convinced Crees really said, “NO.”
“I’m aware there was a referendum,” said Ghislain Ouellet, Hydro’s executive vice-president, in an interview with The Nation last month.
“But I think the referendum was on the Great Whale project. We don’t have in our approach to do the Great Whale project as it was conceived then.”
Cree leaders have been denying there are or will be any negotiations on hydro projects with HQ, but Ouellet seems to think otherwise.
He said new hydro projects are on the agenda in discussions soon to get under way with Crees. The Cree Nation is represented by Roderick Pachano, Romeo Saganash and Steven Bearskin. Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come is responsible for the discussions.
Ouellet said the discussions are aimed at improving relations between Crees and HQ. “Culturally, we have difficulty in understanding each other sometimes. The idea is to see if the ties between the two communities can be improved so both can be winners,” said Ouellet.
“It’s sure there is potential in James Bay (for new projects). It’s certain that in theprocess of rapprochement we can discuss this.”
