Actions and Commitments:
Exploring Stakeholder: "Government of Québec"
Updates on this page: 94
April 17, 2024
New pre-nursing program lets Cree students pursue studies at home
‘Let’s try to recruit our own people instead of looking elsewhere’ CBC Indigenous: The Cree School Board and Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay partnered and opened up a new “springboard to nursing” program to help Cree students pursue nursing in their own home territory. It will mean Cree students can now obtain their...
April 16, 2024
New health clinic opens for Indigenous families in Montreal
Clinic is integrated within Native Montreal, a friendship centre CBC Indigenous: A new health clinic in Montreal aims to provide culturally safe care for Indigenous families living in the city. It’s a collaborative project launched by Native Montreal, a friendship centre, in partnership with the regional health authority. Philippe Meilleur, executive director of Native Montreal, said the...
April 15, 2024
Innergex, the RCM of Lotbinière and the Abenaki Councils of Odanak and Wôlinak sign 30-year power purchase agreement with Hydro-Québec
NationTalk: LONGUEUIL, Quebec – Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. (TSX: INE) (“Innergex” or the “Corporation”), the Regional County Municipality of Lotbinière (“RCM of Lotbinière”) and the Abenaki Councils of Odanak and Wôlinak are pleased to announce the signing of a 30-year power purchase agreement with Hydro-Québec (S&P credit rating: AA-) for the electricity to be generated...
March 4, 2024
Rouillier Drilling is Strengthening Its Commitment to Indigenous Communities with the Creation of a New Company: Forage Anicinape
NationTalk: AMOS, QC – Rouillier Drilling is proud to announce the creation of a new exploration drilling company, Forage Anicinape, in collaboration with the Coopérative de solidarité de Pikogan. Acting with respect for Indigenous communities The partnership between Rouillier Drilling and the Coopérative de solidarité de Pikogan, which was formed a few years ago, has been a great...
February 5, 2024
Official opening of a new living environment for 42 Indigenous families studying in Trois-Rivières
NationTalk: TROIS-RIVIÈRES, QC – The governments of Quebec and Canada and the City of Trois-Rivières today marked the official opening of the Waska Witcihitowin community living environment. Spearheaded by the Société immobilière du Regroupement des centres d’amitié autochtones du Québec (SIRCAAQ), this nearly $37-million project is intended for Indigenous students and their families. This project was conceived by and for Indigenous people,...
January 26, 2024
Kruger Energy Awarded Two Wind Projects in Québec
Kruger Energy and Its Partners Awarded Two Wind Projects, Totalling 343 MW, Following Hydro-Québec’s Call For Tenders 2023-01 NationTalk: Montréal, Québec — Kruger Energy is pleased to announce that Hydro-Québec has selected its two wind projects that will generate green energy while contributing to Québec’s decarbonization objectives. The 196-MW Saint-Paul-de-Montminy wind project will be developed...
January 24, 2024
Feds provide $25M for First Nations employment project
DCN-JOC News Services NationTalk: Daily Commercial News: ConstructConnect DCN-JOC News Services – HAHNAWAKE, QUE. — The First Nations Human Resources Development Commission of Quebec received $25 million in federal funding for the Global Strategy for Indigenous Employability project, which aims to increase the number of Indigenous people in employment or vocational training in communities and urban areas....
January 23, 2024
Mental-health support for Indigenous paramedic service in Quebec a ‘landmark partnership’
NationTalk: City News – Mental health support for Indigenous paramedic service in Quebec “Those tough calls do come and it’s good to have the proper resources to deal with them,” says paramedic Emilie Darrigade, now that First Nations Paramedics is partnered with Wounded Warriors Canada – the first in Quebec. Alyssia Rubertucci reports. A national...
January 23, 2024
Feds spending $25M on skills training for Indigenous people in Quebec
APTN News: A few years ago, Alexia Petiquay Chilton, a young Atikamewk mother of two, decided to go back to school and get certified as a heavy machine operator. “My father has been an operator for years, and I’ve always had this little idea somewhere in the back of my mind,” she said in an...
December 15, 2023
Galaxy Lithium (Canada) Inc., the Cree Nation of Eastmain, the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) and the Cree Nation Government sign the Kapisikama Agreement regarding the James Bay Lithium Project
NationTalk: NEMASKA, EEYOU ISTCHEE – The Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee), the Cree Nation Government, the Cree Nation of Eastmain and Galaxy Lithium (Canada) Inc. announce that they have entered into the Kapisikama Agreement on December 14, 2023, regarding the development and operation of the James Bay Lithium project in Eeyou Istchee, a...
December 6, 2023
Doctor hopes new app will help Inuit access medical care in Quebec
The Tukisiutik smartphone app provides medical terminology in Inuktitut, French and English APTN News: A new smartphone app called Tukisiutik promises to help Inuit from Nunavik and medical practitioners understand each other better. Healthcare workers and Inuktitut speakers from Nunavik, Inuit territory in northern Quebec, contributed to a digital glossary of medical terminology in Inutkitut, French and English....
December 5, 2023
Kahnawà:ke launches new service ‘for us, by us’ to help victims of crime
Language barrier, lack of culturally appropriate services kept people from accessing provincial help CBC Indigenous: Ionkwatahónhsate means “we are all listening” in Kanien’kéha, or the Mohawk language, and is at the heart of a new service in Kahnawà:ke to help victims of crime. The Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) community south of Montreal recently launched Ionkwatahónhsate Victims Services to provide culturally appropriate...
November 27, 2023
QUEBEC COURT FINDS UNDRIP BINDING AND A UNIVERSAL ABORIGINAL RIGHT TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
– Arend J.A. Hoekstra, Aaron Cressman, Shermaine Chua ABORIGINAL NationTalk: Cassels, Our Insights – On November 1, 2023, the Quebec Superior Court (Court) released R. c. Montour, which considered whether two First Nation-member defendants were criminally liable for importing substantial amounts of tobacco without paying duties under the Excise Act, 2001.1 R. c. Montour found that the defendants, as members of the...
November 9, 2023
New Quebec guide aims to better support Indigenous victims of crime
‘It’s culturally adapted to the First Nation,’ said Huron-Wendat grand chief CBC Indigenous: Quebec’s Crimes Victims Assistance Centre (CAVAC) has unveiled a new guide for its workers to offer culturally safe services to Indigenous victims as they navigate the justice system. The tool, developed in partnership with First Nations and Inuit people in Quebec, is...
October 16, 2023
Haudenosaunee Nationals a step closer to being in the Olympics with inclusion of lacrosse
Men’s and women’s teams among the world’s best CBC Indigenous: The inclusion of lacrosse in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles brings members of the Haudenosaunee Nationals lacrosse teams a step closer to being Olympic contenders. The International Olympic Committee announced Monday that lacrosse and four other sports would be added to the 2028 Games. The Haudenosaunee Nationals, made up of athletes from the Haudenosaunee...
September 28, 2023
Aupaluk gets bigger, better health centre
$45M facility replaces ‘old and deteriorated’ building that dates back to 1979 NationTalk: Nunatsiaq News – The new Qallisarvik Health Centre in Aupaluk is officially open, replacing an older, outdated facility that dated back to the late 1970s. (Photo special to Nunatsiaq News) By Cedric GallantSpecial to Nunatsiaq News Aupaluk’s new health centre is officially...
September 28, 2023
For Inuit by Inuit: Isuarsivik expands to include families, more land-based care
By Emelia Fournier Recovery centre in Nunavik to welcome more guests in new building. APTN News: Perched atop a hill in the tundra looking out at the Koksoak River, the new Isuarsivik building gives its guests easy access to the land – something land coordinator George Kauki said is necessary for Inuit to recover. “We’re very connected to the land, Mother Nature, it brings...
August 18, 2023
New Indigenous health centre opens in Montreal
Need intensified following controversial death of Indigenous patient Joyce Echaquan. APTN News: A new Indigenous health centre has opened in Montreal, prompted, in part, by the controversial death of Joyce Echequan. Michelle Reis-Amores, executive director of Tiotihtià:ke (Mohawk for Montreal), said the project was a long time in coming. “There has been this dream to...
August 7, 2023
Montreal opening first-of-its-kind Indigenous emergency care clinic
Centre will offer traditional Indigenous and Western approaches to medicine CBC News: An emergency care clinic catering exclusively to Indigenous people and their needs is opening in Montreal this week — the first of its kind in the city. Anyone who identifies as Indigenous will be able to walk into the clinic — initiated by the Indigenous Health...
August 6, 2023
Plants of the boreal forest: using traditional Indigenous medicine to create modern treatments
A research group in Quebec has been working for several years to explore the therapeutic potential hidden in boreal forest plants. In this context, “the traditional medicine of the First Nations is a precious asset,” the researchers write. Black Press file photo NationTalk: NNSL Media – Natural health products and phytomedicines (plant-based medicines) are used...
July 7, 2023
Ben & Jerry’s Land Back tweet on Canada Day gets praise from First Nations people
Others called for boycott of ice cream company after tweet says Canada is on stolen land CBC News: Ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s is being praised by many First Nations people in Canada for a tweet supporting the #LandBack movement on Canada Day. The tweet from the Canadian branch of the company read: “Another day...
June 9, 2023
Tabling of the cultural safety bill
by ahnationtalk on June 9, 2023 NationTalk: QUÉBEC CITY, QC – Minister Responsible for Relations with the First Nations and the Inuit Ian Lafrenière has tabled in the National Assembly a draft legislation to adopt the cultural safety approach in the health and social services network (HSSN). Bilateral consultation meetings with 14 Indigenous organizations that expressed their expectations...
May 18, 2023
Quebec wants to exempt some Indigenous students from new French language law
First Nations groups filed court challenge against Law 14, also known as Bill 96, last month The Quebec government wants to create an exception in its newest French language law for Indigenous students. Less than a month after two First Nations groups filed a court challenge against Law 14, also known as Bill 96, the minister of the...
April 4, 2023
Cdn. Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) Releases Health Human Resources Assessment Report
NationTalk: Ottawa – Today, the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) released its report on health human resources (HHR) in Canada. The report, titled “Canada’s Health Workforce: Pathways Forward”, provides key findings designed to inform stakeholders (including governments). The report provides evidence-informed approaches to addressing the current challenges facing the Canadian health workforce. The three...
March 14, 2023
Preclinical Internships in First Nations and Inuit Communities and Organizations
NationTalk: The Quebec First Nations and Inuit Faculties of Medicine Program (QFNIFMP) offers First Nations and Inuit students and non-Indigenous students the opportunity to benefit from internships in the communities. The objective of these internships is above all to introduce students to working in a First Nations or Inuit health centre, nursing station, hospital or...
March 5, 2023
Kindergarten Mi’kmaw immersion program aims to keep the language strong in Listuguj, Que.
Forest Kindergarten program brings kids outdoors, with language revitalization at the forefront CBC News: On a warm, clear day in February, Brenda Germain picks up a large hand drill and asks her students to gather around. Drill in hand, she shows the children how to cut through the thick ice covering Chaleur Bay, on Quebec’s Gaspé...
March 5, 2023
National Inuit organization, RCMP start work to prevent human trafficking
‘When Inuit women move south, they are at risk’ — Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada president CBC News: The national organization representing Inuit says it’s ready to start working with the RCMP to protect Inuit from human trafficking networks — especially in southern communities where they are more vulnerable. Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit...
February 11, 2023
As more high schools add Indigenous- focused compulsory courses, some warn against a siloed approach
‘Reconciliation will only exist … when we see it in every aspect of a student’s experience,’ says professor CBC News: As a Shakespeare fan who loves sharing his work with students, Windsor, Ont., English teacher Carolyn Howlett admits she felt a bit apprehensive when her board began work shifting its Grade 11 English course to focus...
November 9, 2022
National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence a significant step towards gender equality
Pictou County, Nova Scotia – Women and Gender Equality Canada Living a life free from violence is a fundamental human right, but gender‑based violence (GBV) continues to be a significant barrier to achieving gender equality in Canada. It is one of the most pervasive, deadly, and deeply rooted human rights violations of our time. Federal,...
October 24, 2022
Enhanced child services on the way in Kanesatake
First People’s Law: Penticton Herald – The Kanesatake Health Center (KHC) has received a major boost for child and family programming following a landmark settlement between the federal government and First Nations advocacy groups. According to executive director Teiawenhniseráhte Tomlinson, it is too early to offer specifics on how KHC will use the new funding...
July 11, 2022
AFN Calls For First Ministers Meeting on UNDRIP at Council of The Federation
Assembly of First Nations: BC Regional Chief Terry Teegee issued the following statement after a meeting with provincial and territorial premiers today in advance of the Council of the Federation meeting taking place later today in Victoria, BC. “It is important for First Nations to meet with premiers on priorities and initiatives that impact our...
February 11, 2022
Québec Court of Appeal finds sections of Bill C-92 unconstitutional
CBC – The Quebec Court of Appeal issued a decision yesterday finding the law constitutional apart from two key sections that relate to Aboriginal self-government and child and family services that it ruled are unconstitutional. The court took issue with the section of the law that allows Indigenous child welfare laws to supersede provincial laws when...
December 16, 2021
Funding Increase
CISION – Québec government is increasing the funding for the 2021-2022 call for projects – Sexual, domestic and family violence in Indigenous contexts by $6 million. This raises the total investment for this initiative from $5.4 million to $11.4 million. Launched last August, this call for projects has four objectives: 1. Prevent and counter sexual...
December 3, 2021
Tracking Bracelets
Québec Native Women – Recommendations on making tracking bracelet for offenders and victim of domestic violence more effective for Indigenous women: • How will it work in small communities where offender and victim live in close proximity • How can it be adjusted to work in communities with poor cellular coverage • How will police...
November 30, 2021
Québec Education responses to Viens Commission
Québec government is investing $19.4 million to implement three measures covering: direct student support instructional material and program review The government wishes, in this way, to implement the recommendations of the “Inquiry Commission on Relations Between Indigenous Peoples and Certain Public Services in Québec: Listening, Reconciliation and Progress”, and “the National Inquiry into Missing and...
October 24, 2021
Montreal Canadians Land Acknowledgement
Toronto Star – The Montreal Canadians Land Acknowledgement preceding a hockey game “that’s launched hysterical editorials, hours of inane talk radio chatter and the interference of Quebec’s populist right wing government. What’s so offensive? That the Canadiens are insinuating Tiohtià:ke (Montreal) is unceded Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) territory.” According to the nationalist school of Quebec history, when...
June 7, 2021
Viens Commission response: investments in Aboriginal and urban community justice programs
Announced measures to support justice in Aboriginal and urban communities. In response to the Viens Commission’s recommendations, the Québec government wishes to further develop Aboriginal community justice and combat the over-representation of this population in the justice system. The investment covers: the establishment of new urban community justice initiatives to satisfy the needs of the First...
June 7, 2021
Investments to improve justice in Aboriginal and urban communities
14.1-million investment over four years to implement measures to support justice in Aboriginal and urban communities. The first measure will fund urban community justice programs, mainly through Aboriginal friendship centres. Such initiatives are essential to ensure community-based prevention, guidance, and community mediation services, but also to establish adaptability programs such as the alternative measures program. The...
June 3, 2021
Funding to address domestic violence
$28.5M over 5 years for programs to address domestic violence: $10 million has been allocated to help support prevention and intervention services in the field of domestic and family violence in Nunavik. $9.8 million will be made available to Indigenous police forces to meet specific needs connected with domestic and family violence $6 million for the implementation of...
June 1, 2021
Commitment to help searching for sites of unmarked graves
Montreal Gazette – Quebec Premier François Legault said that while residential schools fall under federal jurisdiction, the province is ready to participate in eventual searches of the sites. Quebec’s Indigenous affairs minister said Monday that the province is open to searching the grounds of former residential schools for graves, if survivors and their families are in...
May 28, 2021
Funding for first Indigenous health clinic
Val-d’Or Native Friendship Centre – Provincial funding to set up the first Indigenous health clinic in Quebec. This investment is not only a major step forward in the collaboration between the provincial health network and services for Indigenous people, it also affirms First Nations specificities in front-line healthcare and social services. In brief: The $27 million...
March 5, 2021
Funding to hire more Indigenous workers to provide crime victims assistance services
As part of the government’s response to the Viens Commission, the MMIWG Inquiry and the Report on Racism, funding for hiring additional Indigenous workers responsible for providing crime victims assistance services ($7.7 million): These workers will be deployed in the Crime Victims Assistance Centres (CAVAC) network and in Indigenous organizations that have established victim assistance...
March 5, 2021
Funding for increased deployment of courtworker services
As part of the government’s response to the Viens Commission, the MMIWG Inquiry and the Report on Racism, funding for an increased deployment of courtworker services for Indigenous people ($6 million): Adjustment of the compensation for courtworkers already employed ($1 million); Increased funding for the operation of Indigenous organizations responsible for providing courtworker services ($2.5...
March 5, 2021
Investments Interpreter and other services in Indigenous languages
As part of the government’s response to the Viens Commission, the MMIWG Inquiry and the Report on Racism, $5.5M funding for the improvement and deployment of interpreter services in Indigenous languages Development of agreements with Indigenous organizations for the training, accreditation and hiring of interpreters in Indigenous languages in the context of justice-related activities. In...
February 26, 2021
Mandatory Indigenous training course for Lanaudière Health Authority
As a direct outcome of the death of Joyce Echaquon, Quebec Indigenous Affairs Minister Ian Lafrenière, Health Minister Christian Dubé and interim Lanaudière health authority director Caroline Barbir announced all health authority employees will be obliged to complete a training course, the content of which will be approved by the Atikamekw community Health Minister Dubé...
January 27, 2021
Researchers report on how Montréal police responded to crisis of MMIWG
NationTalk – A team of researchers from the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) have collaborated with Quebec Native Women to examine how the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) responded to the crisis of MMIWG in Montreal? From these potential solutions, several concrete actions have been identified and these must be undertaken...
December 8, 2020
Response to Calls to Justice 20 and 21 of the MMIWG Report on Québec
Québec government directly responds to Calls to Justice 20 and 21 from the MMIWG Supplementary Report on Québec by tabling a draft Act to authorize the communication of personal information to the families of Indigenous children who went missing or died after being admitted to an institution. 20. WE CALL UPON the Quebec government to...
December 8, 2020
Québec response to MMIWG Calls to Justice # 20 and # 21
Québec government directly responds to Calls to Justice 20 and 21 from the MMIWG Supplementary Report on Québec by tabling a draft Act to authorize the communication of personal information to the families of Indigenous children who went missing or died after being admitted to an institution. 20. WE CALL UPON the Québec government to...
December 4, 2020
Funding to adapt police intervention towards victims of domestic violence
$18M funding to finance a set of measures intended to better adapt police intervention to the realities of Indigenous communities, in particular when it comes to women who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. Funding includes: $1.2M to combat the sexual exploitation of Indigenous women and girls and countering all forms of sexual...
December 1, 2020
Montreal Economic Institute poll signals resistance to UNDRIP
The Montreal Economic Institute (MEI), a right wing think-tank aligned with the economic interest of Quebec’s business elite released the results of an Ipsos poll MEI commissioned indicating that 55% of Quebecers are opposed to UNDRIP and should not have any rights beyond what is available to all Quebecers in the province....
November 20, 2020
15th competency: Understanding and Learning to Fight Systemic Racism
The “15th competency: Understanding and Learning to Fight Systemic Racism” for teachers and teacher education programs, developed by a joint effort by the First Nations Education Council, Institut Tshakapesh and the Centre de développement de la formation et de la main-d’oeuvre huron-wendat has received the full support of the Provincial Education Table First Nations Student...
November 6, 2020
Cultural Safety training for management and workers in health and social services
Training will be provided to management and workers in the health and social services network to familiarize them with the concept of cultural safety. Liaison officers will be added within institutions to provide relations with Indigenous communities and organizations, as one of the first steps in the process. Service navigators, preferably Indigenous people, will also...
November 6, 2020
Cultural Safety training for management and workers in health and social services
Training will be provided to management and workers in the health and social services network to familiarize them with the concept of cultural safety. Liaison officers will be added within institutions to provide relations with Indigenous communities and organizations, as one of the first steps in the process. Service navigators, preferably Indigenous people, will also...
November 5, 2020
Investments to enhance cultural safety for First Nations and Inuit in health and social services
The government will invest $15 million to implement targeted actions to enhance cultural safety for members of First Nations and Inuit in the health and social services sector. The cultural safety approach consists in recognizing and taking into account of the reality and culture of the person, in the delivery of services and in the...
August 14, 2020
Premier fears UNDRIP veto on economic projects
Premier Francois Legault reluctant to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) because he fears that it will force the government to give Indigenous groups a veto on all economic projects. Legault has often expressed reservations on this point, citing a risk to the integrity of the province and the...
June 18, 2020
The Minnie’s Hope Social Pediatric Centre
BMO Financial Group (BMO) and the Hewitt Foundation are partnering to maintain social pediatric services in Northern Quebec Indigenous communities. Their respective donations of $3 million and $2 million send a strong message to the business community about the importance of supporting the Montreal Children’s Hospital in changing the face of pediatrics in Quebec through innovative ways...
June 11, 2020
AFN-QL objects to Bill 61
The Quebec government’s decision to introduce Bill 61, which will allow infrastructure projects to proceed without consultation violates the spirit of an agreement the province came to last year, said the leader of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador. “First Nations will never accept legislation that ignores the Crown’s duty to consult...
June 5, 2020
Bill 61 declared on March 13, 2020
Bill 61, an omnibus bill (An Act to stimulate the economy of Quebec and mitigate the consequences of the state of health emergency), declared on March 13, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and tabled earlier this week by the CAQ government cannot be misused by the Quebec government to minimize its duty to consult First...
May 28, 2020
CDPDJ response to Laurent Commission
CISION – The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) and the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission (FNQLHSSC) are favourably welcoming several of the recommendations made by the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (CDPDJ) in the brief it tabled this morning in the...
April 15, 2020
Kativik Ilisarniliriniq launches Inuit-centered Education resource portal (Nunavik-IcE)
Kativik Ilisarniliriniq launches today the Nunavik Inuit-centered Education resource portal (Nunavik-IcE), a website dedicated to educational resources in Inuktitut, English and French. The Nunavik-IcE portal features lessons and other local resources collected and developed by the Education Services department in collaboration with teachers, elders and knowledge holders as well as staff and partners who support...
March 12, 2020
2020-21 Budget investments
$200M over 5 yrs Investments from Quebec’s 2020-21 budget to implement initiatives that will support Indigenous women and girls and improve access to services that are culturally adapted and thus meet the needs of Indigenous people. The Regroupement des centres d’amitié autochtones du Québec (RCAAQ) believes that the Government of Québec will consider the observations...
January 14, 2020
Revamp of Ethics and Religious course
The Quebec Ministry of Education announced plans to revamp its ethics and religious culture course. The First Nations Education Council has noted that his reform is taking place at a time when the government must respond to the Viens Commission’s calls to action, which include the recommendation to “further enrich the Québec curriculum by introducing...
October 17, 2019
Commitment to implement recommendations of the Viens Commission
The Gouvernement du Québec is strengthening its collaboration with First Nations and Inuit by making a commitment to work together to implement the recommendations from the Viens Commission and the National Inquiry into MMIWG....
October 9, 2019
New Eeyou-Eenou Regional Health Centre in Chisasibi
Announcement of construction of a new Eeyou-Eenou Regional Health Centre in Chisasibi. The new $300M, 20,000 m2 facility will combine a 52-bed hospital for the population of Eeyou Istchee (approximately 20,000), and a Community Miyupimaatisiiun Centre (CMC), offering front-line services and community health for the local population of Chisasibi. The new Regional Health Centre is...
October 3, 2019
Quebec Solidaire motion supports implementation of UNDRIP
Quebec Solidaire submitted a motion unanimously supported by the National Assembly on October 3, which states that the government must “commit to negotiating the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples with First Nations and Inuit”....
September 30, 2019
Release of the Viens Commission Final Report with 242 recommendations
Release of the Viens Commission Final Report with 242 recommendations including the following areas: (#34) Fund projects developed and managed by Indigenous authorities that are aimed at documenting and revitalizing Indigenous law in all sectors deemed to be of interest. Amend the existing laws, including the Act respecting the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions, to...
September 20, 2019
Release of Viens Commission Final report
Viens Commission Final Report “Public Inquiry Commission on relations between Indigenous Peoples and certain public services in Quebec: listening, reconciliation and progress” included recognition and implementation of UNDRIP among its first 3 recommendations of 142 after an official apology to members of First Nations and Inuit “for the harm caused by laws, policies, standards and...
September 19, 2019
Funding to improve access to justice for Inuit
Announced almost $2 million in funding over a two-year period to improve access to justice for the Inuit population to provide support for community members involved in the court process. The investments planned are as follows: $675,000 to be paid in 2019-2020 to correct the shortage of parajudicial advisors and upgrade services, in particular through...
August 30, 2019
AFN-QL signs a tripartite MOU with governments of Québec and Canada
Ghislain Picard, Chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL) signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)as part of the AFNQL health and social services governance process with governments of Canada and Quebec. The MOU paves the way for better access to health and social services and better delivery of those...
August 29, 2019
Isuarsivik Regional Recovery Centre in Kuujjuaq
From the Infrastructure Canada to build the new Isuarsivik Regional Recovery Centre in Kuujjuaq in addition to the $6-million contribution by federal Indigenous Services last year. Other funding has come from Isuarsivik’s own fundraising efforts, as well as the Government of Quebec, Makivik Corp. and the Kativik Regional Government. The total investment required $40.5 million to...
August 2, 2019
Syndrome d’alcoolisation fœtale Québec (only available in french)
The Government of Quebec has committed $48M towards the launch of Agir Tôt (Act Early) program, an initiative to screen for and diagnose development delays, physical and intellectual disabilities, and autism spectrum disorder in young children from birth to age five. Funding will include a new health intervention team to help screen for neurological disorders...
May 29, 2019
Special Parliamentary Committee on Youth Protection
Creation of a Special Parliamentary Committee on Youth Protection. The commission will have 18 months to do its work examining child protection services with a report and recommendations to be submitted to the government in November, 2020. The statistics show a critical and alarming situation. In addition to reviewing the functioning of the Direction de...
April 3, 2019
Aboriginal Cultures and Languages Initiative
Launch of the Aboriginal Cultures and Languages Initiative ...
March 18, 2019
Lack of progress on child and youth protection services in Nunavik
The Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse – raised concerns about the lack of progress on the implementation of recommendations from their 2007 report on child and youth protection services in Nunavik, a follow-up report in 2010, in 2014 and again in 2016. In March 2018, the Commission presented these...
February 15, 2019
Nunavik Community Justice Center
Opening of a new community justice centre for Nunavik in the Inuit community of Inukjuak to provide legal information, support and referral services to the general public, free of charge, to complement the services offered by other resources. Makivik Corporation has established the Nunavik Community Justice Center to give Inuit in Nunavik access to relevant...
October 19, 2018
First Nations Education Council
The First Nations Education Council (FNEC) wishes to begin working closely with new CAQ government over the next four years, The FNEC is an association that is based on the collective strength of its 22 member communities that leads them towards the common goal of offering quality education to all First Nations children. The FNEC helps...
September 21, 2018
Premier François Legault stated Coalition Avenir Quebec support for UNDRIP
François Legault, Leader of Coalition Avenir Quebec in a letter to Ghislain Picard, Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador stated that a CAQ government would implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples with the full collaboration of Indigenous peoples. https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/4953088/De-Franc-Ois-Legault-a-GP-En.pdf...
August 10, 2018
Special unit created to investigate Indigenous complaints against police
Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI) CISION – Québec Ministry of Public Security confirming the establishment of a special unit, including certain additional measures, within the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI), which function will be to investigate any complaint alleging criminal acts towards a First Nation member committed by a police officer in Québec. These new measures will come...
June 19, 2018
Replacement of Secondary III history textbook
Replacing its Secondary III history textbook for next year with a version that will “better reflect the Indigenous perspective.”...
June 19, 2018
Québec History book replacement
Replacing its Secondary III history textbook for next year with a version that will “better reflect the Indigenous perspective.”...
March 26, 2018
First Nations Forum on Sexual Assault
128 delegates from First Nations across the province of Québec. Organized in partnership by Québec Native Women (QNW) and the First Nations of Québec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission (FNQLHSSC), the objective of this forum is to define an action plan to fight the cycle of sexual violence within First Nations by supporting...
March 22, 2018
Underfunding of First Nations Policing
AFNQL intends to demonstrate that the treatment of First Nation public safety, which among others results in the underfunding of police forces, confirms that security in our communities does not get the same consideration as that of non-native citizens. First Nation Policing is still recognized as a program, not an essential service as they claim....
October 23, 2017
Québec Native Women lose government funding
Announces that it will no longer be represented by its lawyers at the hearings of the Public Inquiry Commission due to financial realities limiting the organization’s access to legal expertise and the continued refusal of funding bodies in the Quebec government to ensure their access to legal representation....
October 2, 2017
Bill 89: “Act to amend the Youth Protection Act and other provisions” passed
Bill 89: “Act to amend the Youth Protection Act and other provisions” passed. The statute gives First Nation authorities more autonomy to meet the needs of vulnerable youth and children, while helping to preserve cultural identity....
August 23, 2017
Funding for Innu students to retain language and culture
$185,000 in funding for the 2017-18 academic year to promote retention and academic success among Innu students and to foster appreciation of culture and language among Indigenous youth by enabling some 1,800 students living in seven Innu communities on Quebec’s North Shore to retain their culture and their language through the development of teaching materials...
June 16, 2017
Bill 113 recognition of Inuit custom adoptions
Makivik Corporation: Bill 113 “An Act to amend the Civil Code and other legislative provisions as regards adoption and the disclosure of information” begins to harmonize provincial adoption legislation with Cree Aboriginal and treaty rights in relation to adoption matters and reflects the right of Indigenous Nations to govern affairs regarding their children Under the Bill,...
May 28, 2017
May 28, 2017
Quebéc Native Women Open call for Indigenous women to participate in the Public Inquiry that starts in Val D’Or on June 5, 2017...
February 7, 2017
AFN-QL condemns Mining Act of Quebec as “unconstitutional”
Quebec’s Mining Act fails to require consultation or consent from Indigenous nations. On February 1, 2017, the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador adopted a unanimous resolution proposed by Barriere Lake condemning the Mining Act of Quebec as “unconstitutional” in regard to Indigenous rights....
December 21, 2016
Role of the Viens Commission
Quebec government established the “Public Inquiry Commission on relations between Indigenous Peoples and certain public services in Québec: listening, reconciliation and progress” in order to investigate, consider the facts and recommend concrete and effective corrective measures to be implemented by the Government of Québec and Indigenous officials. https://www.cerp.gouv.qc.ca/index.php?id=3&L=1...
December 21, 2016
Mandate of Viens Commission
Public Inquiry Commission on relations between Indigenous Peoples and certain public services in Québec: listening, reconciliation and progress Mandate will be to investigate more broadly the discrimination in the administration of public services towards the members of the Indigenous Peoples of Québec. The following public services are targeted: police, correctional, legal, health and social services,...
October 1, 2016
Introduction of “Bill 113”
Bill 113 (“An Act to amend the Civil Code and other legislative provisions as regards adoption and the disclosure of information”) tabled in Quebec legislature. This is an initiative of the Québec government to have legal effects of customary adoptions clearly reflected in the Civil Code of Quebec....
August 17, 2016
Demand for provincial inquiry into police abuse
Ensure the inquiry focuses on the situation Indigenous communities encounter with Québec public services, particularly with police forces and health and social services as well as educational institutions. Indigenous organizations also demand a provincial inquiry into police abuse given the alleged sexual assaults against indigenous women at Val-d’Or....
June 10, 2015
Resolution calling for recognition of Jordan’s Principle
The Chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) pass a resolution calling on the federal and provincial governments to recognize Jordan’s Principle and to adopt a joint statement indicating their commitment to “resolve any jurisdictional or funding dispute that may jeopardize the health of a First Nation’s citizen, without discrimination based on geography, language,...
August 31, 2009
New funding formula
INAC announced a tripartite agreement which shifted First Nations child and family service agencies in Quebec from Directive 20-1 funding to the “enhanced prevention focused funding” formula (INAC, 2010). The new formula includes maintenance, operational, and prevention funds. Maintenance funds are meant to cover costs of each child in care, operational funds are intended to...