Talk of new dams in Que. election has some Indigenous leaders surprised, others combative

The François Legault government is eyeing down hydroelectric power from new mega-dams, as a way to meet both the province's future power demands and greenhouse gas emission reduction targets — and the reaction from some Indigenous leaders ranges from surprise to anger.

On the campaign trail last Tuesday, the premier said the province needs to "build half a Hydro-Québec in the next few years" and dramatically increase power production by 50 per cent.

He also suggested that new dams were a strong contender for a re-elected Coalition Avenir Government and promised to ask Hydro-Québec to study the potential of new dams if re-elected on Oct. 3. 

"I was caught by surprise with [premier] Legault's announcement in his campaign," said Cree Grand Chief Mandy Gull-Masty on Tuesday, adding there have been no discussions with Quebec about new dams to date. 

The La Grande hydroelectric project, near present day Chisasibi, but also affecting the Eastmain and Rupert River watersheds, is responsible for about 50 per cent of the public utility's current output.

The province needs another 100 terawatt hours to meet targets to bring greenhouse gas emissions down to zero by 2050, according to Legault's Coalition Avenir Quebec party.

And while Gull-Masty points out the premier did not announce a new project, only a plan to study hydroelectric's potential in the future, she also had a clear warning for any party leader with ideas for energy projects on Indigenous lands. 

"You must confer with Indigenous peoples … whatever nation it is," she said, adding that for the Cree Nation, any potential project is bound by the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, signed by the Cree and Inuit in 1975. 

"There are protocols in there. Treaty trumps all positions. Treaty trumps policy. Treaty trumps campaign promises," said Gull-Masty.  "We intend for the [agreement] to be respected."

In his announcement last week, Legault said any project would move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities. 

"The idea is to have a partnership with these communities. We are talking about enormous economic benefits," said Legault. And in an email response to a request for information on Tuesday, a CAQ spokesperson said it would be hard for the province to reach its climate change goals without considering new hydroelectric projects.

Gull-Masty also had a clear message about any possibility of dusting off a plan to dam the Great Whale River near the Cree and Inuit communities of Whapmagoostui and Kuujjuarapik in northern Quebec. 

The project was shelved in 1992, after an intense and successful international campaign against it by Cree and Inuit leaders, as well as environmentalists. 

"We were not open to it … and I can't imagine that Cree Nation position has changed in this time," said Gull-Masty, adding that if ever the possibility is raised, she will consult her people and follow their direction.