Quebec, Crees in standoff over dam

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The federal government is backing away from active participation in the environmental regime, said Susanne Hilton of the Great Whale Environmental Assessment Office. This leaves Quebec and the Grand Council of the Crees in a standoff situation over the future of the $13 billion hydroelectric Great Whale project in Northern Quebec.

Ottawa has announced its intention to appeal a 1992 federal court ruling which forced a federal review of Hydro-Quebec's Great Whale project. This review was in accordance with the environmental and social impact assessment and review processes set out in the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement.

The decision to appeal by Ottawa puts in jeopardy the environmental and social impact assessment and review process of all projects under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, said the Crees' lawyer James O'Reilly.

The process is now in serious question, said Hilton.

"It doesn't leave much hope in bringing to light the critical issues."

With the federal government not wanting to be involved in the Great Whale review process, and with Hydro-Quebec effectively silencing the Innu with a $100 million agreement signed in Montreal last April by the Makivik Corporation, it leaves the small, underfunded Crees as the only serious opposition to Great Whale, she said.

The appeal process is just underway with Canada's lawyers finalizing their case.

It could be a number of months before a hearing on the appeal will take place.