The Inuit have mixed reactions to the postponement of Great Whale, says Makivik Corp.
“It’s not black and white,” said Makivik spokesman Stephen Hendrie. “There were many people who had the same reaction as the people in Whapmagoostui—joyful disbelief because it meant the river which is so beloved was saved.” But Hendrie said some Inuit were not so pleased. “There were some reactions that this project raised some expectations in some communities. We were able to see what some of the potential benefits were.” Hendrie said Makivik won’t take a position on Great Whale at the Quebec forum on energy next spring. “We neither publicly support nor oppose the project.” In another development, an embarassing rift has emerged between Premier Jacques Parizeau and Hydro-Quebec over Great Whale.
The utility was rankled when Parizeau recently said he doesn’t trust Hydro-Quebec’s energy projections. “Never, from my seat, would I support myself on Hydro-Quebec’s projections. It’s been too long that I’ve seen them,” Parizeau said.
The Premier made the remark as he tried to explain in the National Assembly why he postponed Great Whale.
But the Premier also said Hydro isn’t going to stop the environmental assessment process of Great Whale. This means the utility could have the permits it needs to go ahead with construction in two or three years.
Parizeau’s comments seemed to irk Hydro spokeswoman Helen Mayer. “Hydro-Quebec is not in the business of building power for no need,” she told The Nation. Mayer said Hydro stands by its existing development plan, under which Great Whale is expected to start coming on-line in 2003. “As far as I am concerned Hydro-Quebec is on target with its forecasts,” she said, adding that the utility’s forecasters are “very cautious.”
