Indigenous peoples call for withdrawal of Bill 97

Indigenous peoples are rejecting the CAQ government’s offer of compromise on forestry reform, citing the Legault government’s expected reshuffle on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) called for the outright withdrawal of Bill 97.

While blockades were sporadically taking place on Atikamekw territory, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Maïté Blanchette Vézina was still proposing last week that the AFNQL co-draft amendments to the bill with the ministry’s team of lawyers.

“There is no guarantee that the First Nations’ proposals would be incorporated into a significantly amended version of Bill 97,” the AFNQL wrote in a statement released on Tuesday.

The draft legislation aims, among other things, to establish “priority forest management zones,” where the industry will have priority to carry out its activities—a major irritant for Indigenous peoples.

Two weeks ago, Atikamekw people opposed to the reform blocked a road near Obedjiwan (Opitciwan) in Atikamekw territory.

Community leaders said they were opposed to these methods while expressing their concern about the bill.

The AFNQL maintains that there is too much uncertainty to continue discussions to improve the bill, “despite some signs of openness.”

The group cites Wednesday’s cabinet reshuffle, the postponement of the parliamentary session and a possible prorogation.

Last week, Vézina said she was waiting for the AFNQL to cooperate. “We wrote to them to confirm our willingness to work with them and to co-author the bill, but it takes two to tango, and they are not there yet,” she lamented.

“Continuing to work on the bill means continuing to invest time and resources with no guarantee that our fundamental demands will be met,” argues the AFNQL.

In particular, the organization is demanding the complete withdrawal of priority forest management zoning.

It is also calling for respect for ancestral and treaty rights.

And finally, it is calling for the establishment of co-management of forests.

Since its introduction in April, the bill has been heavily criticized by environmental groups, scientists, and unions, but has been fairly well received by the industry.

Last week, Indigenous Affairs Minister Ian Lafrenière hinted that there would be many changes to come, without specifying what they would be.

Vézina had indicated that her ministry’s team of lawyers was ready to sit down with the AFNQL to ensure that “the terms used” and ‘elements’ that were “irritants” were avoided in the amendments.

However, in June, Premier Legault was very clear: “There are no major changes planned at this time, only adjustments.”

In addition to the priority forest management zone, the bill would establish two other types of zones.

There would be conservation zones, where the forestry industry would not be allowed to cut trees; and finally, there would be multi-use zones, where several activities could be authorized, including forest harvesting, but not as a priority.

The objective of the bill is, in particular, to achieve “a higher yield per hectare,” said Vézina when the bill was tabled.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews