LETTER

Algonquin denounce forest massacre 

Under the pretext of improving the production of our forests to feed the forestry industry, the Quebec government is preparing a massacre of the biodiversity of our forests with this proposal to devote 25% of the forests to the creation of Intensified Wood Production Areas.

The Algonquin Anishinabeg  Nation Grand Chief, Verna Polson, has pointed out that Quebec has the strictest obligation to consult with First Nations on matters affecting them. Quebec had apparently “forgotten” this constitutional obligation when it initiated its consultations last June. It was not until August that the Ministry of Forests recognized that such a specific consultation should be held.

Apart from the fact that the deadline for proposals is ridiculously short and that this pseudo-consultation was held during the vacation months, Mrs Polson denounced the fact that the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council was never consulted, although it represents the majority of the communities directly concerned by this project. “Quebec prefers to limit its consultations to local communities to avoid, as was the case in the woodland caribou file, the whole Nation standing and opposing the decision of the department.”

Intensive production areas would cover 25% of public lands. In these areas, trees for the forest industry will be grown like rows of onions.  Logging will continue everywhere else, which will increase the amount of wood cut by 50%. “This means the loss of trapping areas, hunting and breeding areas for animals, medicinal and ceremonial plants, gathering sites or even disturbing the burial places of our ancestors,” said Grand Chief Polson.

We want “a collaborative process at the policy design stage,” said the Grand Chief. “In a time of climate change, Quebec has a policy straight out of another century when the forest was only seen as a 2 X 4 stockyard. We are in 2018!” reminded Grand Chief Polson. The Tribal Council also asks to be consulted appropriately on this project as on all others that may affect the Algonquin Nation.

Georges Lafontaine

Kitigan Zibi