The Canadian Boreal Initiative Celebrates the Government of Quebec¡¦s New Legislation Establishing the Eeyou Istchee James Bay Regional Government -
Act ensures that local Aboriginal communities have decision-making control over their territory
MONTREAL, June 19, 2013: The Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) celebrates the adoption of Bill 42, passed last week by the Government of Quebec, which establishes the Eeyou Istchee James Bay Regional Government.
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Ottawa: position opening - Administrative Assistant (term position)
CBI is seeking an Administrative Assistant to work in a fulfilling position within a dynamic organization in their Ottawa office.
The Administrative Assistant position is a term contract for 6 months, with the possibility of extension. This is a part-time (5 days/week, 3.5 hours/day) position.
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Positive Step Forward on Land Conservation as the Northwest Territories Moves Towards Devolution
OTTAWA, ON - June 6, 2013: As partners in the NWT Protected Areas Strategy (PAS), the Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) are pleased to recognize the federal Order in Council, which renews interim protection for the proposed Edéhzhíe National Wildlife Area in the Northwest Territories. This will facilitate negotiations with the Dehcho First Nations and Tlicho Government prior to formally protecting this area.
Edéhzhíe, also known as the Horn Plateau, is an undulating plateau rising more than 400 metres over the surrounding Boreal plains and lowlands. It is one of the natural jewels of the NWT’s Mackenzie Valley and a critical and unique region in Canada’s ecological landscape. An area of cultural and ecological significance for the Dehcho and Tlicho peoples, this region figures prominently in Dene legends. Wildlife such as caribou and moose are abundant. It has abundant wetlands that attract thousands of breeding and migrating waterfowl annually.
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Today is the International Day for Biodiversity
May 22, 2013 - A new report by the Boreal Songbird Initiative and Ducks Unlimited¡X10 Cool Canadian Biodiversity Hotspots¡Xshows that the unique biodiversity treasures found in Canada¡¦s vast boreal forest are every bit as important and in need of protection as those found in the world¡¦s tropical forests, which have typically garnered more attention.
The report provides a list of top ten ¡§cool¡¨ biodiversity hotpots within Canada¡¦s boreal forest, ranging from the isolated and landlocked freshwater seals of Quebec¡¦s Tursujuq National Park to one of North America¡¦s largest inland river deltas and critical waterfowl nesting grounds in the Saskatchewan River Delta.
The areas were selected for their unique biodiversity features and as representations of the geographic diversity of Canada¡¦s boreal forest, which spans across the entirety of Canada and can range from high alpine peaks and lush river valleys to rockier, barren swaths of tundra. It is a stronghold for some of North America¡¦s most iconic large mammals, including caribou, moose, bear and wolf, and acts as the nesting grounds for billions of migratory songbirds and millions of waterfowl.
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Broadback watershed Cree conservation plan: CBI calls on Quebec to support the Crees
Montreal, April 11, 2013 - The Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) enthusiastically supports the Broadback Watershed Conservation Plan, released yesterday by the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee), to protect the Broadback River. The proposal, which covers more than 20,000 km2, proposes a balanced approach for the remaining intact roadless areas within the traditional territories of the communities of Mistissini, Ouje-Bougoumou, Waswanipi, Nemaska and Waskaganish. These areas are currently threatened by commercial forestry and mining.
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Quebec Calls for Social and Environmental Review of Uranium Mining - Canadian Boreal Initiative Welcomes Marois Government Announcement
Quebec City, March 28, 2013 - The Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) applauds Quebec's decision to hold a province-wide analysis and consultation on the economic, social and environmental impacts of uranium mining before proceeding with any permitting of uranium mining in the province.
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Polls Show Little Public Support for Mining Industry
Canadian Boreal Initiative Calls for Substantive Reform of
Mining Law and Provincial Study of Uranium Mining Impacts
Download the survey results - northern polling (Eng)
Download the survey results - provincial polling (Frn)
MONTREAL, March 5, 2013: A few days before the Quebec Forum on mining and the beginning of a third attempt at reforming Quebec's mining law in the National Assembly, polls by Leger Marketing released today by the Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) show that:
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the overwhelming majority of Quebec voters disagree with current laws that give the rights of mining companies precedence over rights of private landowners, Aboriginal communities and municipalities,
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Quebecers feel that protection of the environment, and community and property rights should be prioritized in the mining reform legislation,
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a large proportion of voters believe that mining royalties are inadequate; and that
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a province-wide independent evaluation of the economic, health and environmental impacts of uranium mining should be completed before the province approves any uranium mining proposals.
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Why Canada's Wetlands Matter to the World
HUFFINGTON POST CANADA - February 5, 2013 – Here's a surprise for you. You may already know that the list of the world's largest and most important wetlands includes the Amazon Basin and the Pantanal of South America; the Nile River Basin and Congo Basin of Africa; and the Mississippi River Basin in the United States. But did you know that list also includes two boreal wetland systems right here in Canada? Perhaps the most pristine of the world's largest wetlands are the wilderness wetlands of the Mackenzie River Basin and the Hudson Bay-James Bay lowlands.
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Manitoba leads the way in First Nations Land Management
WINNIPEG, JANUARY 14, 2013 – The Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) congratulates the Pauingassi First Nation, Little Grand Rapids First Nation, and the Government of Manitoba for their leadership and vision in protecting a combined area almost the size of Prince Edward Island though the approval of two precedent-setting First Nations Land Management Plans. This significantly strengthens the bid to UNESCO to create the Pimachiowin Aki World Heritage Site and takes it one step closer to reality.
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Tursujuq: Park created through exemplary cooperation
Montreal, December 14, 2012 – Today at Umiujaq in Nunavik, Yves-François Blanchet, the new Minister of sustainable development, the environment, wildlife and parks (MDDEFP), announced the creation of Tursujuq National Park. The Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) would like to commend the cooperative efforts of all stakeholders, which allowed for the creation of Quebec's largest national park.
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In the News: Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation, NWT, recognized for inspirational effort to determine its future
Vancouver, December 14, 2012 - Members of a small, remote NWT First Nation have received a prestigious prize for their efforts to create a sustainable and prosperous future that balances conservation of a way of life and the environment with economic growth.
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Reaction to the Quebec budget by Équiterre, the Canadian Boreal Initiative, Nature Québec and Vivre en Ville - Not enough for sustainable development
Québec, November 20, 2012 - The current Government has been saying, at every chance, that it wants to adopt ambitious objectives regarding sustainable development. But the Budget contains no new measures for this purpose, even though the Parti Québécois made major promises during the election campaign.
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Indigenous Conservation Leadership in Australia and Canada: Speaking tour
Australian Indigenous Rangers visited several Canadian cities this fall to talk about Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) and land management approaches. Along the way, Canadians and Australians were able to share successes and insights that could provide First Nations advantages in the stewardship of their traditional territories
Read all about the tour at the following page:
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Canadian Boreal Initiative’s response to the Inaugural Speech – the Premier sends positive signals on protection and Northern populations
October 31, 2012 – Following the opening speech delivered today by Pauline Marois, Premier of Quebec, the Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) is very pleased with the emphasis placed on protection of Northern Quebec and consultation with Aboriginal communities and the people of the North.
Today, Ms. Marois seized the opportunity to unveil her renewed vision of a policy of responsible development of the North. It is reminiscent of the Northern Quebec development policy of the last PQ Government, which was the result of a broad process to consult Quebecers. This new approach should first respond to the needs and interests of Northern communities and ensure the protection and orderly development of the territory so that all can benefit from Northern resources. As well, we believe that this policy will generate new discussions with First Nations, which are still waiting for an agreement with the Quebec Government. Consequently, we welcome the Premier’s attitude of openness toward collaboration between the Government and First Nations.
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A new report from the Boreal Leadership Council:
Free, Prior, and Informed Consent in Canada
A summary of key issues, lessons, and case studies towards practical guidance for developers and Aboriginal communities
The Boreal Leadership Council (BLC) recognizes that responsible development of natural resources within Canada’s boreal region needs to integrate the principle of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) of Aboriginal peoples who inhabit the region. In 2010, as a first step in developing a common understanding of the key issues and promoting a broader dialogue on FPIC in the boreal region, the BLC commissioned The Firelight Group to prepare a report on the current state of FPIC in Canada. The report, Free Prior, and Informed Consent in Canada: Towards practical guidance for developers and Aboriginal communities contains a literature review, case studies, and focus group results that pertain to recent developments in FPIC in Canada. This summary provides a synthesis of the key report findings that are supported by the BLC.
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