First Nations chiefs criticize Quebec's 3rd link proposal over lack of consultation
Proposed link seems to cross federal land identified for development by Indigenous communities
The latest iteration of the Coaltion Avenir Québec's third link infrastructure project, which will consist of a bridge and tunnel linking Quebec City and Lévis, is being met with criticism in the region.
Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbualt announced Thursday the new link would connect Highway 20 and 40 between both cities.
The central corridor, she said, was chosen because it was the "most optimal," but that isn't sitting well with four regional First Nations chiefs.
That's because while the exact route of the chosen corridor has yet to be determined, it appears to pass through federal land in Lévis, known as Chapais farm.
In an interview with CBC, Pierre Picard, grand chief of the Wendat Nation, said the Indigenous communities have been working with the City of Lévis since 2021 to come up with projects for the space.
"We will have touristic projects, maybe housing projects, maybe economic projects, maybe cultural projects corresponding with our values and with the values of the city of Lévis," he said.
In a joint news release, Picard, along with Wolastoqiyik Grand Chief Jacques Tremblay, Chief Rick O'Bomsawin of Odanak and Chief Michel R. Bernard of Wôlinak, accused the government of acting alone and pointed to the importance of the joint project in the context of reconciliation and recognition of First Nations.
"I think that again, the government has once again shown a lack of consideration," Picard said, adding that while their intentions for the land are well known, they were not consulted nor informed prior to Thursday's announcement.
"We have to be a first-choice player for any major project that has the ambition to take place on our territory," Picard said.
When asked by Radio-Canada whether there were any concerns over the use of the Chapais land, Guilbault didn't see any.
"The land belongs to the federal government and so we have every confidence we can find a way to go through there," she said in French.
"It's not an issue."
Federal Public Works Minister Joël Lightbound, meanwhile, said the federal government won't commit to any funding at this time.
He criticized the proposal for lacking details, such as costs, real impacts on traffic flow and economic security.
"So for us, at the moment, we do not really have a position to take on whether the federal government could be involved or not because there is no project yet," he said in French.
Guilbault said a more detailed plan will be presented in the fall.
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With files from Lauren McCallum and Radio-Canada