Balancing Act – COMEX president Suzann Méthot on compromise between environment and economy
Waswanipi’s response to Broadback decision
by Orlando Blacksmith
With the recent COMEX assessment report and the Quebec government’s recent decision to allow logging in the heart of the Broadback River valley, Waswanipi residents are worried what this means for their community.
The Broadback River Valley is one of Quebec’s last remaining pristine forests and there has been a lot of support and battles to keep it safe. But not every battle can be solved without words and compromise. There needs to be a middle ground.
“[At the moment], we’re satisfied with the outcome of the decision,” said Waswanipi Chief Marcel Happyjack. “But only if our nine conditions are met. We’re willing to work with them. We’re not against development, but we want to speak with the new head of COMEX and tell them our conditions. We want to make sure they’re careful with the land and cut wood according to the Cree standard. We want to get more Cree tallymen and trappers involved in the whole process. We want to make sure they don’t try to come back in the future for more.”
Happyjack adds that construction plans for the logging roads H and I in the area have been reduced by 43%. “The roads won’t cross into the Broadback protected Waswanipi territory. That’s our land and we want to make sure the caribou are protected.”
According to former Waswanipi chief Paul Gull, who is liaising between COMEX and Waswanipi, residents should be involved on all levels.
“We sent a recommendation to the administration for there to be consultations in the community so that studies in the Broadback can be done,” he said. “Climate change studies, environmental studies, expected impacts from development in the area, wildlife studies and how to properly monitor the caribou without upsetting them. A lot of things must be done before we can allow logging companies to go in.”
Gull adds that protecting the land is top priority: “I’m optimistic the government will talk with us so we can work together. The roads have been reduced and we have to sit down with the community and the companies and talk. It’s not economically feasible to go deeper into the Broadback. Companies will lose more than they’ll get. Forestry in Waswanipi is just not economically viable. We need to think long term, not short term.”
As someone who grew up in Waswanipi, I know full well that our hunting and trapping lands are very important to us. They are a mark of what was and what can be. They’re a huge factor in preserving our culture and heritage. People use these lands seasonally and development of this calibre could seriously put a dent in maintaining our traditions, regardless of how much it benefits us, economically.
There are obvious concerns about the Broadback, from what this could do to the animals, plants and other wildlife in the area. Much of the concern is about what could happen if logging companies are continually allowed to have free rein and access into our land. I just hope this isn’t the gateway for companies to have their way with our land.