‘We reject your bill:' First Nations heads urge Quebec to scrap forestry reform bill
QUÉBEC – Representatives of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador have told a provincial legislature committee that they reject the government's proposed forestry reform.
AFNQL Chief Francis Verreault-Paul said today that Bill 97 does not respect First Nations' ancestral rights.
The proposed legislation would divide the province's public forest land into three zones: conservation zones, multi-purpose zones and forest development zones where the forestry industry is prioritized.
Natural Resources Minister Maïté Blanchette Vézina wrote in a recent memo that the government hopes at least 30 per cent of public forests in each region will become development zones by 2028.
The AFNQL says that premise is unacceptable and would amount to privatizing one-third of First Nations territories for industrial interests.
The leaders are urging the government to scrap the bill in its present form and restart the process with First Nations as co-authors.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2025.
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