Latest news with #Verreault-Paul
Montreal Gazette
6 days ago
- Business
- Montreal Gazette
First Nations heads urge Quebec to scrap forestry reform bill
Quebec Politics QUEBEC — Representatives of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador urged a provincial legislature committee on Tuesday to abandon a forestry reform bill that would reserve large swaths of the province's forests for logging. AFNQL Chief Francis Verreault-Paul and three other leaders called on the government to work with them to develop a new bill from scratch because they say 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. Lucien Wabanonik, chief of the Anishnabe council of Lac Simon, said the idea of handing over a third of forests to industry is a non-starter in the eyes of First Nations. 'We want to collaborate. But not on the basis of your bill,' he said. 'We reject your bill. We can't restart on a foundation that's already broken.' Instead, he urged the government to 'start again ... this time with us First Nations as co-builders.' The bill tabled this spring by Natural Resources Minister Maïté Blanchette Vézina specifies that activities that 'restrict the carrying out of forest development activities' would be prohibited in the development zones, as would the implementation of conservation measures. The goal of the bill is to protect communities that rely on the forest industry amid an uncertain economic context, including a trade war with the United States, the minister said in April. 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. In a news conference in April, she described the idea as a 'triad,' with the forest being split into three parts of approximately equal size. However, a spokesperson for the minister told The Canadian Press that this number was intended for 'guidance principles.' 'Regional forest managers, taking into account local and regional realities, will determine the percentage of priority forest management areas,' Émilie Savard wrote in an email. The AFNQL told the committee the bill represents a 'major step backward' for reconciliation with First Nations, stating that it would be privatizing one third of their territory for industrial interests. 'Protecting biodiversity and our way of life, and respecting the ancestral rights of First Nations, this is not an option that governments can choose to opt in or out of,' Verreault-Paul told the hearing. Verreault-Paul also said First Nations did not feel that there had been a true consultation on the legislation. Blanchette Vézina, in response, highlighted how the government had taken numerous steps to draft the bill. 'If 14 meetings, parallel tables, a discussion table on the future of the forest, a national table where we can talk nation-to-nation to look at amendments for a bill, that is not suitable, then what will be suitable?' she asked. The text of the bill sets out measures on consultation with Indigenous communities, 'including the drawing up of an Indigenous community consultation policy by the Minister of Natural Resources and Forests and a process harmonizing the activities pursued by Indigenous people with the forest development activities provided for by the specific forest planning.' Jérôme Bacon St-Onge, the vice-chief of the Innu Council of Pessamit, said true consultation requires the government to do more than just listen to the concerns of First Nations. 'We can discuss, but without integrating them into the draft of the bill I think we're going around in circles, and will once again promote the degradation of our forests, which are central to our identities as First Nations,' he said. Bacon St-Onge said the goal of forestry reform should prioritize conservation over the interests of the forest industry, and should likely set aside 60 per cent of forests for that purpose. The committee's review began Thursday and it is hearing from unions, forestry companies, groups representing municipalities as well as outdoor outfitters and Indigenous leaders. The process continues Wednesday.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
ELECTION CAMPAIGN: THE AFNQL PRESENTS FIRST NATIONS PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
WENDAKE, QC, April 1, 2025 /CNW/ - With the federal election campaign in full swing, the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) officially enters the political arena to make the voices and priorities of First Nations heard. Its new Chief, Francis Verreault-Paul, will use the campaign to raise awareness among political parties, candidates and the general public of the urgent need for a clear commitment to First Nations. "We are asking all parties to make a concrete commitment: to respect our rights, to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and to advance priority issues such as housing and infrastructure, public safety, education and self-determination," said Chief Francis Verreault-Paul. "We are at a turning point where fundamental decisions have to be made for our future. First Nations must be involved in these political and economic discussions and decisions." The AFNQL's priorities for the federal campaign revolve around three main areas: Self-determination and sovereignty – Supporting and recognizing governance, aboriginal rights and titles, and development by and for First Nations. Reconciliation – Develop concrete legislative and economic reconciliation measures. Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) – Fully implement the UNDRIP in all federal policies. Other key priorities include: Honor and continue to implement regional education agreements; Support initiatives led by First Nations in climate action and community resilience; Immediately negotiate an agreement on the reform of First Nations child and family services; Legislate against cultural appropriation and self-identification, including in government procurement processes. Meeting with the Chiefs' Table Throughout the campaign, the AFNQL will implement a series of political and public initiatives to engage the parties and candidates. Chief Verreault-Paul invites the party leaders to meet with First Nations leaders and to respond clearly to the expectations of the 10 Nations in Quebec-Labrador. "This election is an opportunity to remind everyone that reconciliation is not a slogan, it's a responsibility," added AFNQL Chief Verreault-Paul. "First Nations are sovereign peoples with the right to self-determination. " SOURCE Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador View original content: Sign in to access your portfolio
CBC
26-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
At 37, he's 'ready for the challenge' of leading the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador
Francis Verreault-Paul was surrounded by his family, wife and two-week-old son when he was elected regional chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) on Tuesday evening. His 88-year-old grandmother, or kokum, travelled hours to surprise him for the occasion. "She told me, 'hey you need to win. You need to win this'. I said 'listen kokum, we'll see how it goes.' But I did what I had to do," said Verreault-Paul with a laugh. "It was pretty emotional … but one thing [for] sure is that I'm ready for the challenge." Verreault-Paul, 37, received approximately 58 per cent of the vote. Thirty-six out of the 43 chiefs represented by the AFNQL participated in the vote for the head of the assembly. Top of mind for his mandate is defending Indigenous rights to land, language, culture and children's future. For the past two years, Verreault-Paul has served as chief of staff to regional chief Ghislain Picard. When Picard announced in January he would not seek reelection after over 30 years in the role, Verreault-Paul decided to throw his hat in the ring for the top position. "I just felt I was ready for it," said Verreault-Paul, who is from the Innu nation of Mashteuiatsh, located on the western shore of Lac Saint-Jean. "I've always thought about running in politics," he said. "Ghislain did an amazing job for this and I want to pursue that in the same way." 'We've come a long way,' says outgoing chief Outgoing chief Picard was the same age when he was first elected to the role. After 11 consecutive terms as regional chief, he's held the position for over 30 years. "Three decades later, we've come a long way at a time when Indigenous issues didn't occupy as much space as they do today," said Picard. Throughout his career, he's focused on Indigenous autonomy and the right to self determination, something he says still needs advocacy. In recent years, Picard has denounced the sometimes difficult relationship with Quebec's CAQ government. "What we've seen in terms of the evolution of Indigenous rights, Indigenous title on the land … we're certainly not there yet," said Picard. Picard says Verreault-Paul has "got his eyes on what needs to happen." While he won't miss some aspects of the job – noting some "frustrating" political meetings as an example — Picard says he'll miss the connection with chiefs and communities the most. "He was very dedicated, committed to what he was doing and I intend to be the same," said Verreault-Paul. "I really want to build those sustainable relationships." A former hockey star Verreault-Paul only recently retired from pro hockey in 2020 to serve as head of the Nikanite for First Nations Centre at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi. During his hockey career with McGill University, he was a "prolific scorer," says Earl Zuckerman, sports information officer at McGill Athletics. "He was really the heart and soul of our team," said Zuckerman. "He won almost every trophy that could be won." Named team MVP, league MVP and player of the year, Verreault-Paul was inducted into the McGill Sports Hall of Fame in 2023. Zuckerman says his "statistics are beyond compare." "He's one of the all time greatest hockey players I've ever seen at McGill. And I've seen many players … I've been there 46 years," he said.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Francis Verreault-Paul picked by Assembly of First Nations as Quebec-Labrador chief
MONTREAL — Francis Verreault-Paul has been elected the new regional chief of the Assembly of First Nations for Quebec and Labrador. Verreault-Paul, 37, from the Innu community of Mashteuiatsh in Quebec's Lac-St-Jean region, takes over from Ghislain Picard, who stepped down after 33 years in the role and 11 terms as chief. "I commit to be a unifying voice, to listen, to act and to carry our claims forward with conviction," Verreault-Paul, who before the vote served as chief of staff at the assembly, said in a news release on Wednesday. After a vote Tuesday in Lac-Beauport, Que., north of Quebec City, Verreault-Paul beat three other candidates: Constant Awashish, grand chief of the Atikamekw Nation council; Cathy Martin, council member of the Listuguj Mi'kmaq government; and Monik Kistabish, chief of the Abitibiwinni First Nation. The chiefs of the 43 communities represented by the assembly were eligible to vote, with 36 casting a ballot. Verreault-Paul received 21 votes, needing at least half of votes cast to win the election. He played hockey in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League and at McGill University, which congratulated the member of its sports hall of fame for his new role. Verreault-Paul also played hockey professionally in the United States and in Europe. A spokesperson for the assembly said Verreault-Paul was scheduled to preside over his first assembly meeting as chief on Wednesday at the hotel where the vote took place. In the news release, Verreault-Paul said he accepted the role with commitment and humility. "The trust placed in me by the table of grand chiefs and chiefs of the AFNQL is an immense privilege," he said. "Issues and priorities will be defined in consultation with all chiefs, to ensure that the interests and needs of each community are fully taken into account." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 26, 2025. The Canadian Press
CBC
26-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Francis Verreault-Paul elected to head the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador
Francis Verreault-Paul from the Innu community of Mashteuiatsh has been elected to head the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL). Verreault-Paul secured 21 votes in a single round of voting Tuesday in Quebec City. With 36 of the 43 community chiefs casting ballots, he received approximately 58 per cent of the vote. He needed more than half to win the election. In second place, Constant Awashish from the Atikamekw community of Opitciwan received the support of 11 chiefs, followed by Cathy Martin from Listuguj and Monik Kistabish, who each garnered the support of two chiefs. Verreault-Paul has served as Ghislain Picard's chief of staff for the past two years. Picard, a well-known figure who held the AFNQL leadership for 33 years, decided not to run for another term this year. The election campaign officially launched on Feb. 11. Typically lasting two weeks, it mostly unfolds behind the scenes as only the 43 community chiefs can vote. Four candidates were vying for the position, including Kistabish from the Algonquin reserve of Pikogan. The vote comes after relations between Picard and the Quebec government grew tense. In recent years, Picard repeatedly called out the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government for its strained relations with First Nations. In a 2022 opinion piece in La Presse, he labelled the CAQ "the government of missed opportunities." A year later, in a 2023 year-end interview, he doubled down, pointing to new political proposals from Quebec that he described as paternalistic. And last month, in an open letter announcing his departure, he wrote that hardly a week goes by without his dealings with government authorities dragging him back to the hard-fought legal battles of the 1970s to defend Indigenous rights. According to Neashish and Champoux, the law firm overseeing the election, each candidate had 15 minutes to present to the assembly, in line with AFNQL's electoral procedures.
