Hydro Quebec says river probably not suitable for its purposes

Premier Jean Charest unveiled plans last week to protect Nunavik's George River from hydroelectric development.

But critics immediately pounced on the announcement, saying economics motivated Charest's move to protect lands north of the 49th parallel from mining, forestry and hydroelectric development.

And the opposition Parti Québécois said Charest's Liberal government should do more to protect the North.

Joined at an outdoor news conference Oct. 7 in Quebec City by Kativik Regional Government chairperson Maggie Emudluk and Makivik Corp. president Pita Aatami, Charest told reporters he wanted to send a "strong signal" that his vision for Quebec's north stresses sustainable development.

"It starts with protection," Charest said. "The consequences are very important."

Emudluk, who comes from Kangiqsualujjuaq, the community closest to George River, said the move to protect the river marked "a very tremendous day for my community, plus for the region, for Nunavik."

However, Hydro Quebec likely wouldn't have touched George River in any event.

That's because the power corporation had determined that the river isn't worth developing, even if the 2002 Sanarrutik agreement between Nunavik and Quebec opened up the possibility of a major dam on the 609-kilometre waterway.

"The George River hydroelectric development (around 3,100 MW) does not seem environmentally feasible, given the laws and regulations now in effect. Its cost is also high," said a recent Hydro Quebec strategic plan.

After last week's announcement, about seven per cent of Quebec's total land mass will be spared from development.

The PQ criticized the amount of land set aside as being too little, citing the example of Ontario which has vowed to protect 50 per cent of its northern territory.

The other areas in Nunavik, now protected from development, include the Pyramid Mountains, located near George River, and Tasiujaq's Leaf Bay, called "Baie-aux-Feuilles" in French.

The Leaf Bay park reserve, site of the future parc national de la Baie-aux-Feuilles, is home to peregrine falcons and muskox. It also includes the largest estuary in Ungava Bay, where tides up to 17 metres in height have been recorded.

Charest made no mention about any changes to boundaries of the future Tursujuq provincial park, which includes Richmond Gulf and Clearwater Lake. Many groups have asked Quebec to enlarge and protect the region from all hydroelectric development.

Two powerful rivers, the Little Whale River and the Nastapoka River, run in and around Tursujuq, which covers 15,000 km between Kuujjuaraapik and Umiujaq.

Hydro Quebec had said it doesn't want Tursujuq's boundaries to be enlarged because if larger, the protected area will be in the way of future hydroelectric construction plans.