OUJÉ-BOUGOUMOU, QC,
April 19,
2024 /CNW/ - Maïté Blanchette Vézina, Minister of
Natural Resources and Forests and Minister Responsible for the
Bas-Saint-Laurent Region and the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Region, announced the Gouvernement du Québec's support for two
major projects in the Nord-du-Québec administrative region, namely
the reclamation of the Mine Principale mining site and the
rehabilitation of the La Grande-Rivière Airport located in
Radisson. The announcement was made at the Aanischaaukamikw
Cree Cultural Institute in Oujé-Bougoumou.
Mine Principale reclamation
The Gouvernement du Québec announces its intention to conclude
an agreement with Construction Éconord Inc. to continue and
complete the reclamation work on the Mine Principale mining site in
five phases. This work will improve the quality of the environment,
reduce risks to public health and safety, and help reduce
environmental mining liabilities.
The various phases of work will employ between 20 and 50 people
at a time and require local machinery and supplies. This will
generate significant socio-economic benefits for the communities of
Oujé-Bougoumou and Chibougamau.
The work will also help Cree and James
Bay companies gain experience and expertise.
La Grande-Rivière Airport rehabilitation
The Gouvernement du Québec is investing $32,020,800 to rehabilitate airport pavements,
upgrade the drainage system, and perform other related works at the
La Grande-Rivière Airport.
The rehabilitation project will maintain the airport in good
condition, meet Transport Canada safety standards and meet the
growing demand for diverse goods from communities and businesses
operating in Nunavik. This project is essential to ensure access
and security throughout northern Québec. La Grande-Rivière Airport
is a crucial logistics base for transporting goods and people in
the Nord-du-Québec region. In the context of the forest fires in
the summer of 2023, the airport played a crucial role in evacuating
people and deploying emergency crews.
Quotes:
"The reclamation of Mine Principale and the rehabilitation of
the La Grande-Rivière Airport are two announcements that local
communities have long awaited. I am very proud to promote these two
projects, which will significantly impact the regional economy and
security. Our government and its partners are listening to the
needs and concerns of the region's Cree and James Bay people."
Maïté Blanchette Vézina, Minister of Natural
Resources and Forests and Minister Responsible for the
Bas-Saint-Laurent Region and the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Region
"The development of the Nord-du-Québec region brings together
various government, industry and community partners around a shared
vision of a northern territory that realizes its full potential for
the benefit of its people. Therefore, we are getting closer to that
vision by working together on projects that promote the region's
economic vitality and the quality of life of its residents, such as
the announced projects."
Jean Boulet, Minister of
Labour and Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region, the
Abitibi-Témiscamingue Region and the Nord-du-Québec Region
"The investment at La Grande-Rivière Airport will ensure the
safety of users, improve the efficiency of cargo transportation in
Nunavik, and contribute to the economic development of our
region."
Denis Lamothe, Member for
Ungava and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Public
Security
"This announcement is in keeping with the spirit and desire for
collaboration between the communities of Oujé-Bougoumou and
Chibougamau. The reclamation of
Mine Principale will enable the development of expertise within our
companies that will generate future business opportunities.
Finally, this project will significantly impact the quality of our
community's environment. Québec is the winner today in addressing
environmental mining liabilities."
Manon Cyr, Mayor of
Chibougamau
"The community of Oujé-Bougoumou welcomes this announcement with
great enthusiasm. As we mark this important milestone, we want to
pay tribute to the Wapachee family, who played a crucial role in
addressing the environmental and health concerns related to Mine
Principale, located on their family trapline. Their legacy fuels
optimism for this project, which promises economic revitalization
through job creation and expansion of local businesses, as well as
meaningful environmental improvements and strengthened community
health. We are certain they would have been extremely proud of this
achievement."
Gaston Cooper, Chief of the
Oujé-Bougoumou Cree Nation
"La Grande-Rivière Airport is a strategic transportation
infrastructure for Québec. Its location allows it to ensure a
supply of goods and commodities for northern populations. It is the
main interconnection link for the workers of Hydro-Québec's La
Grande complex, a logistics base for forest fire protection for the
SOPFEU and an essential economic driver for the area. We thank our
government for this important contribution, which will allow this
airport to benefit from the safest infrastructure possible."
Alain Coulombe, CEO and Director of the Société de
développement de la Baie-James
Highlights:
- Construction Éconord Inc. is wholly owned by the Oujé-Bougoumou
Cree Nation. The company would act as a general contractor for the
work at the Mine Principale mining site.
- These three-year investments for the La Grande-Rivière Airport
were provided for in the Plan québécois des infrastructures
2024-2034, which was announced in March
2024 as part of Québec's budget. This is in addition to a
contribution of $10 million
previously received through Transport Canada's Airports Capital
Assistance Program for urgent work.
Related links:
- For information on the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et
des Forêts or to learn more about its activities and achievements,
visit https://mrnf.gouv.qc.ca/en/ or its social networks:
- twitter.com/mrnfqc
- facebook.com/RessourcesNaturellesForets
- linkedin.com/company/ressourcesnaturellesforets
- youtube.com/RessourcesNaturellesForets
- instagram.com/mrnfqc
Source:
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Information:
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Gabrielle
Côté
Attachée de
presse
Cabinet de la ministre
des
Ressources
naturelles
et des Forêts, ministre
responsable
de la région du
Bas-Saint-Laurent
et de la région de
la
Gaspésie−Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Tel.:
438-368-1307
|
Media
relations
Ministère des
Ressources naturelles
et des
Forêts
medias@mrnf.gouv.qc.ca
Tel.:
418-521-3875
|
SOURCE Cabinet de la ministre des Ressources naturelles et des
Forêts