MAJOR AGREEMENT FOR THE EXPLOITATION OF OIL AND GAS DEPOSITS AT PESSAMIT: The
Innu Council of Pessamit denounces Minister Normandeau's unconsidered
reaction

QUEBEC CITY, Nov. 24 /CNW Telbec/ - The Chief of the Innu Council of Pessamit, Raphaël Picard,  deplored Minister Normandeau's snap reaction, which clearly overlooks the facts. "The Minister's reaction is unwarranted. Our decision to authorize gas exploration on the Pessamit reservation was made in accordance with our title and rights over its natural resources," said the Chief of Pessamit, Mr. Raphaël Picard.

Chief Picard yesterday announced the signing of an agreement authorizing a consortium led by TransAmerican to explore the oil and gas potential of the reservation and neighbouring land. Reacting to this announcement, Minister Normandeau said the government would contest Pessamit's project and sue the companies involved.

The fact remains that the Innu have ancestral rights and Aboriginal title to their land which are protected under the Canadian Constitution. In addition, the Council of Pessamit has jurisdiction over the exploitation of the resources found on the reservation. Due to its special political status, the Council isn't subject to the moratorium on oil and gas exploration. Incidentally, the Quebec government breached its obligation to seek the Council's input before announcing the freeze. The Council's position rests on a legal opinion and is well founded in Canadian law. 

"We have had to put up with the decisions of the colonial governments for more than 400 years. Never have we benefited from any economic development carried out on our land. It would be grossly unfair for the government today to prevent us from exploring our land and participating in our way in the sustainable and thriving economic development of our community," indicated Chief Picard.  

About the Innu Council of Pessamit

The Innu Council of Pessamit is the political body representing nearly 4,000 members of the Pessamit community. The reservation, covering an area of 25,242 hectares, is located on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, 54 kilometres southwest of Baie-Comeau.

For further information:

Éric Cardinal
Office: 450-638-5159 / Cell: 514-258-2315
[email protected]