Consequently,
First nation blocks access forestry:
For several months. Meanwhile, forestry companies can no longer go to Aboriginal territory Wemotaci, Haute-Mauricie, drinking a road blocked by members of the Mamo First Nation group.
A road roadblock with camps was erected on road 25 to a hundred kilometers from La Tuque. Therefore, Workers are trying to cross the blockade to make a living, which causes serious tensions.
The territorial guards. Moreover, who want to be heard other than by the band council, thus oppose Bill 97 of the Government of the CAQ, which aims to modernize the Quebec forest regime.
They claim their ancestral rights, fearing the white cuts and a deterioration of the forest.
Faced with the magnitude of the situation. For example, the elected officials of the Atikamekw nation, actors from the forest industry and the ministers met to discuss the thorny file.
The group requires first nation blocks access forestry important amendments to the bill, which will be essential to achieve social acceptability in their community.
Upon his arrival at the Council of Ministers. Consequently, in Quebec on Wednesday, Maïté Blanchette Vézina said he was aware of the tensions, but was biting at the reform of the forest industry.
“We all want the same thing. it is to find a solution,” added the Minister responsible for First Nations relations and Inuit, Ian Lafrenière.
Heavy financial losses
Meanwhile, forestry workers say they are out of breath after months of forced stop.
In Saguenay, the forest contractor Mickael Lamontagne says that his operations have been suspended since June.
“For entrepreneurs, it becomes critical. We go from income per month … to zero, “he explains.
Despite the work stopping, the fixed costs continue to accumulate.
“Yes, the forestry brews a lot of money, but the forestry machinery is very expensive to get fired,” first nation blocks access forestry says Mr. Lamontagne.
Like the Oka crisis
The pressure is so strong on forest companies that the pot of the pot could have jumped last week while the entrepreneur. Dany Grenier, found himself face to face with the territory goalkeeper Dave Petiquay, very active in the current conflict.
Thirty natives blocked from July 10 to 15. 2025 the railway line connecting the Tuque to Senneterre, in the Wemotaci sector, an Atikamekw community. Photo provided by Dave Petiquay first nation blocks access forestry
The scene. which recalled the confrontation of the Oka crisis in 1990, raised fears of the worst, but the two opponents finally kept their composure.
The conflict also provoked strong reactions from municipal elected officials. the mayor of La Tuque, Luc Martel, who is not embarrassed to criticize the CAQ in this case.
“We demand immediate and firm measures to remove this blockade. Letting the situation deteriorate is not only a political error. but an outright abandonment of people who live and work in this forest. The state has the duty to act. to protect the regional economy, the security of citizens and social peace, “he wrote on social networks.
– With Geneviève Lajoie and VAT Nouvelles
First nation blocks access forestry
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