Rémy Trudel unveils a reflection document

Québec, Wednesday, December 4, 2002 - Mr. Rémy Trudel, Minister of State for the Population, Regions and Native Affairs, today unveiled a reflection document drawn up in preparation for the Parliamentary Committee on Negotiations with the Innu. This document, entitled Negotiations with the Innu, Considerations on the Context and Issues at Stake, presents the orientations of the Government of Québec with respect to the negotiations and the summary of the proposal for an agreement-in-principle with the Innu, in addition to proposing a few avenues for discussion on this subject.

“I hope that this reflection tool, which is available to the general public, will elicit many opinions and comments to help guide the government in its negotiations with the Innu,” explained Minister Trudel.

Within the context of the debate on the negotiations with the Innu, the document invites readers to take into account a number of elements, including the evolution of law, the decisions of the courts, and the need to establish clear rules of practice regarding the use of the territory. For example, the document addresses a few questions that reflect the concerns expressed regarding the negotiations with the Innu.

Persons and groups interested in appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on the Proposal for an Agreement-in-principle with the Innu must submit a brief to the Secrétariat des commissions no later than January 10, 2003. Hearings will begin on January 21, 2003.

To obtain the document entitled Negotiations with the Innu, Considerations on the Context and Issues at Stake, contact the Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones (SAA) at (418) 643-3166 or download the document from the Web site of the SAA (www.saa.gouv.qc.ca) or of the National Assembly (www.assnat.qc.ca).