Latest news with #CreeNationGovernment
Toronto Star
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Elections Canada to investigate voting barriers in Nunavik
MONTREAL - Elections Canada says it will investigate 'shortcomings' that prevented some people in Nunavik from casting their vote in Monday's federal election. In a statement Wednesday, chief electoral officer Stéphane Perrault apologized to residents of the northern region of Quebec, which is the homeland of Inuit in the province. 'I deeply regret that some electors in Nunavik were not able to cast their vote,' he said. 'Over the last three years, Elections Canada has engaged with Indigenous communities across the country and made it a priority to remove barriers and improve voting services for Indigenous electors. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'Nevertheless, the shortcomings of our services in Nunavik during the general election underscore the importance of the work that remains.' Perrault said the agency will 'review the circumstances that led to this situation,' and will publish its findings. The apology comes after news reports said polling stations in some Nunavik communities closed hours early, apparently because weather conditions were affecting flights for election workers. In some cases, polling stations reportedly didn't open at all. On Tuesday, Makivvik, the organization representing Quebec Inuit, said it was 'deeply disappointed' by how the vote was handled in Nunavik, and called on Elections Canada to investigate. 'This is unacceptable in 2025,' the organization said in a statement. 'In many cases, Nunavimmiut were effectively denied their right to participate in this election.' The federal agency should 'take immediate steps to ensure that every Inuk in Nunavik has equal access to voting in future elections,' the statement said. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Mandy Gull-Masty, former grand chief of the Cree Nation Government in Quebec, won the riding of Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou for the Liberals on Monday, flipping it from Bloc Québécois incumbent Sylvie Bérubé. Makivvik president Pita Aatami said he was pleased to see an Indigenous woman elected to represent the region. 'Mandy Gull-Masty understands the realities of our communities, and we are thankful that she took the time to visit Nunavik during the campaign,' he said. 'Her election marks a significant step forward for our riding, and we look forward to working closely with her.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 30, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Quebec Inuit representative wants investigation over voting problems in Nunavik
MONTREAL – An organization representing Quebec Inuit wants Elections Canada to investigate reports that some people in Nunavik were unable to vote in Monday's federal election. Makivvik says polling hours were inconsistent across the northern part of Quebec, and some communities were unable to vote altogether. The organization says some Nunavik Inuit were effectively denied their right to vote, which it says is 'unacceptable in 2025.' Makivvik wants Elections Canada to ensure every Inuk in Nunavik is able to vote in future elections. Mandy Gull-Masty, former grand chief of the Cree Nation Government in Quebec, won the riding of Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou for the Liberals on Monday, taking it from Bloc Québécois incumbent Sylvie Bérubé. During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. Makivvik says it's pleased to see an Indigenous woman elected to represent the region, and says Gull-Masty's victory is a 'significant step forward' for the riding. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 30, 2025.
CBC
26-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
In this huge Quebec riding, Indigenous voters have lots of power — and specific concerns
In Edith Cloutier's 35 years at the Val d'Or Native Friendship Centre, she's seen thousands of clients cycle through her doors and handfuls of federal politicians come and go. But the problems impacting urban Indigenous people — the cost of living, affordability and homelessness — have intensified in areas surrounding Val d'Or, Que., located over 500 kilometres northwest of Montreal. With mere days until the federal election on April 28, Cloutier, the centre's executive director, is among those looking for a candidate who can help respond to the needs of urban Indigenous people in Quebec's largest riding. The Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou riding spans thousands of kilometres from areas in northwestern Quebec all the way up to Nunavik, with a large population of potential Indigenous voters. The economy and Canada's response to U.S. tariffs have dominated the electoral campaign, but Cloutier is looking for a candidate to treat local issues with equal importance. "Reconciliation has been set aside because of those more global political concerns," she said. "I'm worried that aspect would be set aside with any government that would be put in place." She says urban Indigenous issues as a whole have not been addressed. That's part of what inspired Mandy Gull-Masty to run for office. Feeling frustrated by the lack of representation in the region, she resigned from her role as grand chief of the Cree Nation Government in Quebec to run as the Liberal candidate. "This is a unique riding," said Gull-Masty, who speaks Cree, English and French. "The challenge is that this is a huge riding. You have to be present everywhere." Another challenge is trying to increase voter turnout. In the 2021 federal election, out of over 38,000 registered electors in Indigenous communities in Quebec, less than 9,000 cast a vote, according to Elections Canada. That 23 per cent voter turnout rate lagged behind the average national rate for electors in Indigenous communities, which sat at 44 per cent. Encouraging residents to vote is a "huge endeavour," says Gull-Masty. "I'm not only working to be elected, but I'm also working to try to get the vote out in these areas," she said. "The reason why not everybody participates in a provincial or federal vote is because primarily, communities vote for their chief. They vote for the grand chief … because they know that these people are working directly for them." But she's highlighting how federal politics have direct consequences on the region. Gull-Masty says the number of Cree and Inuit voters is so strong that they could very well determine the outcome of the vote in this riding. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) has highlighted a total of 36 federal ridings in Canada where First Nations electors could decide the outcomes. "We are the deciding factor," says Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, national chief of the AFN. "But the rest of the poles in this country, we are there and we are in high numbers." While she says voter apathy "is real," it's important for First Nations people to feel included in the process. "Any smart candidate will reach out to First Nations people and come and talk to us and come in and have some soup and bannock with us," she said. Representation also matters. This year, there are nearly 30 candidates across Canada who are Indigenous, she says. " I can't remember another time in an election with that many First Nations candidates," said Woodhouse Nepinak. Bloc Québécois incumbent wants to continue her work Incumbent Sylvie Bérubé, with the Bloc Québécois, won the seat in 2019 after it was vacated by Cree MP Romeo Saganash, who served the riding with the NDP for eight years. Bérubé says she's hoping to convince Indigenous voters to support her by showing that she is listening and respecting them. Seeking her third re-election, she says she still has work to do and adds it's a shame some people criticize her lack of presence in the communities. "I have always been on the ground, I have always met with people and even the Indigenous communities," she said. On her trips north, she says she listens to the need — notably food insecurity and the impacts of a changing environment on the Indigenous way of life. "I look at what the Liberal government has done … nothing is moving. Even the current Liberal government has never respected Indigenous communities like us," said Bérubé. "What's important is to continue my files that are currently in progress." But even at the local level, Cloutier with the Native Friendship Centre says discussion surrounding solutions to key issues such as the shortage of housing or ensuing homelessness is lacking. "Homelessness was not even mentioned once at the local debate for the three candidates this week in Val d'Or," said Cloutier. "All parties, we didn't hear about those aspects as much as we should have." While she feels well-served, she says it's because Indigenous peoples are outspoken — something that will continue.
CBC
27-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Mandy Gull-Masty resigns as grand chief, announces run for Liberals in northern Quebec
Mandy Gull-Masty has been named the Liberal candidate for the Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou riding in the next federal election. Speaking at a regular meeting of the Cree Nation Government on Thursday, Gull-Masty cried as she announced she had accepted the nomination. "It's very hard on me because I love my nation so much," she said. "I did this job with all of my heart. " In 2021, she was elected as the first female Grand Chief of the Cree Nation Government in Quebec on her platform, which centred on governance, language and culture as well as the economy. First elected to public office in 2014, she served as deputy chief of her home community, the Cree First Nation of Waswanipi, where she held the finance, administration, housing and mining negotiation portfolios, according to the Grand Council of the Crees. The Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou riding spans from the province's northwestern border all the way up to Nunavik. The seat is currently held by Bloc Québécois MNA Sylvie Bérubé. In a news release on Thursday, the Cree Nation Government confirmed Gull-Masty's resignation from the role of grand chief and thanked her for her service to Eeyou Istchee. "Sending a strong and principled voice to represent us in Parliament to advocate for the advancement of priorities of the Abitibiens, Jamésiens, Nunavimmiut and Eeyouch is an opportunity fully supported by the Cree Nation," read the statement. Effective March 31, Deputy Grand Chief Norman A. Wapachee will assume the role and responsibility of Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees and Cree Nation Government.
CBC
07-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Knowledge gap on mining development frustrates tallymen, Quebec Cree Nation
Frustration ran high as Cree tallymen voiced concerns about natural resource extraction regulations and their rights under the James Bay Northern Quebec Agreement during recent meetings with the Cree Nation Government. The meetings, organized by the Cree Nation Government (CNG) and held in both Mistissini and Chisasibi, Quebec, came after tallymen demanded better consultation about development projects in the fall. More than 200 people attended the meeting in Chisasibi. Both gatherings were intended to be an initial step toward improving communication between the Cree Nation Government, land-users and tallymen – people who manage traditional hunting territories and pass their deep knowledge of the land down through their family. Tommy Matthew, a tallyman from the coastal region of Eeyou Istchee, said he spoke about a critical knowledge gap at one of the meetings. He admitted to not fully understanding governmental regulations while also emphasizing that decision-makers often lack knowledge of traditional land stewardship. "I was given the traditional hunting territory to take care of. People who do not have this responsibility will not have the same understanding," said Matthew. Despite these challenges, Matthew said he appreciated community discussions facilitated by the CNG and Cree Trappers Association (CTA). He said tallymen have a responsibility to protect their land and should have the right to say no to development. Under the James Bay Northern Quebec Agreement of 1975, the Cree of Eeyou Istchee have rights over their traditional territory, particularly in environmental and social decision-making. The agreement gives them exclusive rights to hunting, fishing and trapping in certain areas. Mandy Gull-Masty, the grand chief of the Eeyou Istchee, says that although the Cree cannot reject exploration projects outright, they do hold significant influence over whether projects proceed. Through environmental assessment committees, the Cree help shape development decisions and negotiate terms that protect their land and traditions. Over time, the Cree have used this power to block, modify or negotiate resource projects that impact their land, rights and way of life. Gull-Masty said these moves are more prominent inland of Eeyou Istchee, where the mining industry seeks to take advantage of existing logging roads because building new ones is expensive. The meeting also served to inform people about the current exploration companies that are active right now in Eeyou Istchee, and to explain new rules and regulations for the Quebec mining industry. Gull-Masty also noted the growing presence of large-scale mining companies, particularly for lithium, on the coastal side of Eeyou Istchee. She said having hard conversations about the impact of mining is part of her job. "Trying to find sustainable development is difficult, the best way to do it is listening to the people and trying to meet their needs." said Gull-Masty. "There are people who absolutely do not want any mining activities and others work for the mining industry and some want to start their own companies." CTA representatives also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting hunters and land-users in navigating policies and understanding their rights. "We need to work together as a nation, to better understand the policies of mining and forestry, and us, from CTA, to help bring more understanding of the Eeyou hunting law," said Thomas Stevens, the association's special projects coordinator.
