Volume 1 - Main Report

1.3 Legal and Regulatory Framework
1.3.1 James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement
On November 11, 1975, the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement (JBNQA)
was ratified between the Government of Québec, Hydro-Québec, Société d’énergie
de la Baie James, Société de développement de la Baie-James, and the Grand
Council of the Cree of Québec and the Northern Quebec Inuit Association. The
Government of Canada is also part of the Agreement. The JBNQA is based on two
guiding principles, namely that Québec needs to use its resources for the benefit of
all of its residents, and that the Government of Québec recognizes the needs of
Aboriginal people, both Cree and Inuit.
The territorial regime defined by the JBNQA recognizes three categories of land,
covering an area of 1,082 million km 2 . Category I lands are those assigned to each
Cree or Inuit community for their exclusive use. They represent 14, 348 km 2 or 1.3 %
of the land under agreement. Category II lands constitute a buffer zone where only
Aboriginals have the right to hunt, fish, trap, and run outfitters. They represent
159,880 km 2 or 14.8 % of the land under agreement. Category III lands are public
lands on which indigenous peoples may, subject to the principle of conservation,
pursue traditional activities year round in addition to having exclusive rights to hunt
certain animal species. They represent 907,772 km 2 or 83.9 % of the land under
agreement.
1.3.2 Sanarrutik Agreement
On April 9, 2002, the Government of Québec and the Inuit ratified the Sanarrutik
Agreement, inaugurating a partnership on economic and community development.
The Agreement is based on the desire to develop the potential of Nunavik while
respecting the environment, and on increased responsibility of the Inuit towards their
economic and social development. Based on the Paix des Braves Agreement, also
negotiated in 2002 between the Government of Québec and the Cree, the Sanarrutik
Agreement is in effect for 25 years. It is a complement to the JBNQA and does not
change that agreement’s foundations.
1.3.3 Environmental assessment process
In accordance with the rules laid down in the JBNQA, Chapter II of the EQA
(EQA., c. Q-2) contains specific provisions applicable to the northern regions of
Quebec. The applicable environmental assessment procedures differ with regards to
the active participation of the Cree and Inuit who live there.
Canadian Royalties Inc.
GENIVAR
101-53046-02 November 2012
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