The federal decision to sell 20% of the land of the former Sainte-Foy military district to three Innu communities enrages the Huron, who are reaping the remaining 80% but are having to completely rethink the residential and commercial project they hatched. with the city of Quebec.
• Also read: Marchand recalls a possible partnership with the Huron for the La Défense lands in Sainte-Foy
• Also read: The new English-language secondary school was built on the site of the former Sainte-Foy military district
“A bad decision,” a “monumental mistake,” he proclaimed “unconcernedly.” Disappointment runs deep in the Huron-Wendat nation of Wendake on Tuesday, said Grand Chief Rémy Vincent, looking somber in his meeting with the media at the end of the day.
Stevens LeBlanc/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
11 hectares
As Le Journal revealed on Tuesday morning, Defense Minister Anita Anand announced at the end of the day that Ottawa would cede the 11-hectare surplus land of the former military district behind the Sainte-Foy shopping malls to the Huron-Wendat Nation with an 80% stake. The remaining 20% goes to three Innu communities, namely the Pekuakamiulnuatsh Nation (Mashteuiatsh) and the First Nations of Pessamit and Essipit.
So it’s 20% of the territory they covet that the Huron have to give up. They had planned to share this part of the territory with all First Nations residing in the area to allow them to integrate projects. This transfer cannot take place. “The place of the other First Nations is the greatest sacrifice I find difficult to make,” said Mr. Vincent.
Disappointed trader
In addition to the Grand Chef, Quebec Mayor Bruno Marchand also condemned the decision. It’s a disappointment to “return to square one” after so many years of preparation. In fact, the city and the Hurons had developed a six-story development overlooking Hochelaga, with commercial space on the ground floor and 1,200 residential units. “We’ve just wasted a lot of time when there’s a lot of need, especially in housing, especially in social housing,” laments Mr. Marchand. Rémy Vincent adds that 1,000 families from his nation are waiting for shelter in an area owned by the community.
Stevens LeBlanc/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
Mr. Vincent anticipates a difficult working relationship with the Innu, with whom the Huron, particularly those of Mashteuiatsh, are not on good terms. The mayor is concerned about the lack of harmony in the architectural framework.
“It’s pretty hard these days to accept that we’re working or developing with someone who doesn’t want to talk to us, who we’ve contacted several times and who has sent us a letter confirming that they don’t want to.” would like to participate in our project,” said Mr. Vincent.
Duclos positive
On behalf of Federal Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, his spokesman Guillaume Bertrand reacted by speaking of “an important step”. “We have come a long way in this case. We are coming to a decision that will be beneficial to the economic development of the region and also to our reconciliation with indigenous nations.”
A one-hectare portion of this land had already been ceded to the Department of Education for the construction of the new English-language Quebec High School. Strips of land were also ceded to the City of Quebec for the development of Hochelaga.
The federal award for the property was not announced. Grand Chief Rémy Vincent didn’t know that on Tuesday.
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