Québec

Innu Takuaikan Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam news release: Quebec – The Innu Takuaikan Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam (ITUM) have submitted recommendations on Quebec's Mineral Strategy to the National Assembly. After a thorough review of the proposed amendments to the Mining Act, and faced with the unwillingness of Quebec to recognize fundamental Aboriginal rights, ITUM has concluded that there is a massive gap between the position of the Uashaunnuat and the government regarding the legal title of mineral resources.

(Uashat, Nitassinan – August 17, 2010) Speaking for his nation, Chief Georges-Ernest Grégoire of the Innu of Uashat mak Mani-Utenam is calling on the Government of Québec to declare an immediate moratorium on uranium exploration and mining throughout Québec. The statement is being made in support of the actions being taken by the grassroots organization Sept-Iles Sans Uranium at the National Assembly in Québec City this week.

Joint news release with Ecojustice and Great Lakes United: New data released Friday in response to a lawsuit won last year by Ecojustice, on behalf of Great Lakes United and MiningWatch Canada, is beginning to shine a light on the toxic legacy of Canada's mining and tar sands industries. Unfortunately, despite a lawsuit and a government order to report pollutant releases, some facilities have failed to comply.

News release from the Innu Strategic Alliance: The Innu communities of Matimekush-Lac John and Uashat mak Mani-Utenam, supported by the member communities of the Innu Strategic Alliance, are undertaking concrete actions to have their rights respected and to make the governments understand that no mining development is to take place on the territory without prior consent of the Innu people. Legal recourse is also among the measures considered by the Innu to have their rights respected and to emphasize that any and all development requires their prior consent.

For over 10 years Niocan Inc. has been pursuing the development of an underground niobium mine in southern Quebec near the town of Oka. Numerous concerns have been raised by the local communities including the residents of Oka and the Mohawk of Kanesatake. The Mohawk have aboriginal treaty rights to the area, which part of an unsettled land claim.

As MiningWatch celebrates our 10th anniversary we are pleased to also be celebrating the one year anniversary of Quebec’s new voice on the mining industry “La coalition pour que le Québec ait meilleure mine!”, roughly translated as “The Coalition to Put a Better Face on Quebec Mining.” (There’s a double-entendre in the name as mine means ‘appearance’ or ‘face’ as well as ‘mine’ in French.) MiningWatch is an active member providing our input, analysis and a small partner support grant to the Coalition.

MiningWatch has applied to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency for funds to participate in the review of the environmental assessment of Quebec’s most advanced uranium project. The Matoush Project is located in north-central Quebec near Mistissini, 550 km north of Montreal and within the area covered by the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement between the Quebec Cree and the federal and provincial governments.

One of MiningWatch Canada's fundamental principles is that mining activiities, including exploration should only occur with the support of local communities. Our uranium policy also calls for a moratorium on new uranium projects.

Quebec is one of the world’s most important mining jurisdictions with mineral production of 4.5 to 5.5 billion in 2006 and 2007 respectively. It has also been ranked as the world’s friendliest mining jurisdiction and called a “Mining Paradise” by its Minister of Natural Resources.

Joint news release with Northwatch: A major new report highlights serious impacts on the Canadian boreal forest from all phases of mining activity, from exploration to closure. Two respected mining industry watchdogs – Northwatch and MiningWatch Canada – say they published The Boreal Below (an all-new and expanded version of a widely circulated 2001 report) in response to growing demand from communities across Canada for information and analysis to help understand the impacts of mining on their lives and livelihoods. It provides a carefully-documented analysis of the social, environmental, and cultural impacts of mining from prospecting to mine closure, as well as an overview of the current situation by province and territory.