Native rights a contentious issue as mining bill passes – Montreal Gazette

Bill 70 adpopted with support of the Liberals and CAQ

DECEMBER 9, 2013

QUEBEC — The Coalition Avenir Québec and Quebec Liberals backed the Parti Québécois government Monday night, with only Quebec solidaire opposed, to adopt Bill 70, the first major change in the province’s Mining Act in almost a century.

Martine Ouellet, Quebec’s natural resources minister, said the bill struck a balance between the claims of the mining industry, environmentalists, communities affected by mining and native people.

But Ghislain Picard, chief of the Assembly of First Nations for Quebec and Labrador, warned the bill could face a court challenge because it ignores the ancestral rights of Quebec aboriginals.

The assembly was summoned Monday for an “extraordinary session” to fast-track adoption of Bill 70.

Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/joins+push+through+Mining/9264351/story.html