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Quebec gives go-ahead to $5B James Bay project |
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Friday, 12 January 2007 |
Montreal Gazette
Hydro-Quebec will proceed with a $5-billion expansion of its James Bay hydro-electric complex, the province's biggest construction project, amid a chorus of opposition by environmental groups and aboriginals.
"We're not insensitive to what is being expressed," Premier Jean Charest said yesterday at Hydro's Montreal headquarters, where he and fellow cabinet members announced the start of the project.
"But it's important to remember that every individual -- everyone who wanted to speak to this project in the environmental assessment process -- had the opportunity to speak up.
"We'll continue to listen, but we've now respected our word and we've done what we said we would do, and now we feel comfortable that this project can go forward."
Last year, a coalition of seven environmental groups called the environmental review of the diversion of part of the Rupert River window-dressing for a megaproject that had already been given the go-ahead by the Quebec government.
The government approved the project at the end of November.
The chiefs of the three Cree communities most affected by the project are also disappointed by the government decision to go ahead. One of them, Chisasibi Chief Abraham Rupert, pointed to the effect it will have on his people.
"When you put vegetation underwater you're bound to have a reaction," he said. About 400 square kilometres will be flooded. "It affects the water and us as Cree people."
Chief Rupert said the Crees are exploring such alternatives as wind power and he hopes enough time will be given to measure the viability of this plan before the river is diverted.
But Mr. Charest said that thanks to this project and the goals set out in the government's energy strategy, Quebec will use its hydro-electric potential as a lever for economic and regional development to create wealth and employment.
The premier said it will also allow Quebec to take advantage of electricity export opportunities in foreign markets.
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