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James Bay Hydroelectric Project Case Study

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Since the 1970s, the implementation of the James Bay Hydroelectric Project has brought about This report investigates the issues created by the James Bay Hydroelectric Project and its impacts on the Cree peoples living in the James Bay region. It also suggests methods of continual adaptation of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (1975) in order to ensure its successful implementation. The report concludes with suggestions on how to avoid complex environment-human related issues (such as the one in James Bay) in the future.

Introduction
The James Bay Hydroelectric Development Project was initiated in 1971 between the Bourassa Government and Hydro-Quebec. Its purpose was to satisfy the future energy needs of Quebec and was named the …show more content…
The outcome was The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, signed in 1975. It was approved by the government of Canada and Quebec’s National Assembly. The agreement provided for land rights and guaranteed a process to deal with future hydroelectric developments. It also included provisions for environmental and social impact assessment for future developments, monetary compensation, economic and social development, and income security for Cree hunters and trappers. At the time, this was thought to be the be-all end-all solution. However, the Cree believe that Hydro-Quebec and the Quebec government have violated the agreement by not performing environmental impact assessments and by beginning the construction of more plants despite low demand (e.g. phase two of the Project- the Great Whale River). The James Bay Project is faced with a lot of controversy. The failure to carry out impact assessments before commencing the megaproject resulted in many “unforeseen” circumstances. Methyl-mercury contamination of the James Bay waterways and its adjacent catchments have caused a significant increase in mercury concentrations in fish populations. Mercury poisoning of the water has created a huge issue for the Cree and Inuit

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