Archived - 2003-2004 • 2004-2005 - Annual Report - James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and the Northeastern Quebec Agreement

As part of its responsibilities relating to Aboriginal peoples and Northerners, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada coordinates Government of Canada activities pertaining to obligations under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and the Northeastern Quebec Agreement. It is with great pleasure that I present herein, on behalf of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 annual report outlining the implementation activities conducted in those years.

This report provides an overview of the activities organized for the Cree, Inuit and Naskapi under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and the Northeastern Quebec Agreement, and presents the related expenditures. Activities and expenditures under other federal programs are also included.

In 2003-2004 and 2004-2005, continued efforts were made to ensure that obligations under the above agreements were duly fulfilled. The many achievements included the signing and renewal of various agreements to fund activities to help the Cree, Inuit and Naskapi of Quebec achieve their social and economic aspirations and build healthy and sustainable communities.

In an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust between the Cree, Inuit and Naskapi and numerous federal departments and agencies, significant achievements were made in partnership. On behalf of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, I am proud to present them to you in the following pages.

Terry Sewell
Director General
Implementation Branch
Claims and Indian Government

The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA) was signed on November 11, 1975 by the Cree and Inuit peoples of Quebec, the governments of Canada and Quebec, the James Bay Development Corporation, the James Bay Energy Corporation and Hydro-Quebec. Few years later, on January 31, 1978, the Naskapi of Schefferville signed a similar agreement, the Northeastern Quebec Agreement (NEQA).

The JBNQA and NEQA are the first comprehensive land claim agreements signed in modern times by Canada and Aboriginal people. The agreements include self-government components and lay the foundations for a new relationship between the Cree, the Inuit and the Naskapi and the Government of Canada.

The territory covered by the JBNQA and NEQA is comprised of more than 1,000,000 square kilometres of land in Quebec between the 48^th and 62^nd parallels. It was once part of a larger federal territory known as Rupert's Land.

A century ago, the Parliament of Canada transferred two vast stretches of Rupert's Land to Quebec, with Quebec's consent. The first transfer took place in 1898 and Quebec's borders were extended northward to the 52^nd parallel. The second transfer occurred in 1912 and Quebec's borders were extended northward again as far as Hudson Strait and the 62^nd parallel and eastward as far as Labrador. The 1912 Quebec Boundaries Extension Act carried certain obligations for the Quebec government, including the obligation to reach an agreement on land-related issues with the Aboriginal inhabitants. However, discussions regarding these matters would not begin until more than 60 years later.

The inhabitants of these Northern lands, which are barren but incredibly diverse in terms of climate and resources, are Indian and Inuit peoples with significantly different cultures, methods of social organization and languages. The Cree, the Inuit and the Naskapi follow a traditional way of life in which they harvest a large number of wildlife and marine resources. Many continue to earn their living by hunting, fishing and trapping. When the Quebec government launched its hydroelectric power development activities in Northern Quebec, the land claims and other claims of the Aboriginal people living on these lands had not yet been settled. In 1972, the Quebec Cree and Inuit went to court in order to halt the hydroelectric work.

In November 1973, Judge Albert Malouf of the Quebec Superior Court ordered that all work be stopped immediately, in particular because Quebec had not yet fulfilled its obligation under the 1912 Act. In 1974, the Quebec Court of Appeal reversed Judge Malouf's decision, but in late 1973, the parties had already begun negotiations to reach a final agreement. These negotiations culminated in the signing of the JBNQA in 1975.

Subsequently, in 1978, the Naskapi Band of Schefferville signed the Northeastern Quebec Agreement with the Government of Quebec and certain Crown corporations, the Government of Canada, the Grand Council of the Crees (of Quebec) and the Northern Quebec Inuit Association, establishing similar rights to those acquired by the Cree under the JBNQA.

This report provides an overview of the activities organized for the Cree, Inuit and Naskapi under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and the Northeastern Quebec Agreement, and presents the related expenditures. Activities and expenditures under other federal programs are also included.

The map indicates the location of the Cree, Unit and Naskapi communities in Quebec.

The following Inuit communities are marked by the half-moon sign:
- Chisasibi
- Kuujjuarapik
- Umiujaq
- Inukjuak
- Puvirnituq
- Akulivik
- Ivujivik
- Salluit
- Kangiqsujuaq
- Quaqtaq
- Kangirsuk
- Aupaluk
- Tasiujaq
- Kuujjuaq
- Kangiqsualujjuaq
- Killiniq

The following Cree communities are marked by the triangle sign:
- Mistissini
- Oujé-Bougoumou
- Waswanipi
- Nemiscau
- Waskaganish
- Eastmain
- Wemindji
- Chisasibi
- Whapmagoostui

The Kawawachikamach Nation is the Naskapi community marked by the square sign.

Under the terms of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and the Northeastern Quebec Agreement, Aboriginal communities of the region have exchanged their rights and territorial interests for other rights and benefits, as specified in the agreements.

The JBNQA and NEQA define the land regime applicable to the Cree, the Inuit and the Naskapi, as well as their rights in many areas, such as resource management, economic development, policing and administration of justice, health and social services and environmental protection.

In terms of compensation, the Cree received $133,815,678 (including $19,447,615 from the Government of Canada) and the Inuit received $91,184,322 (including $13,272,384 from the Government of Canada) for a total of $225,000,000 under the JBNQA. The Naskapi received $9,000,000 (including $1,310,010 from the Government of Canada) under the NEQA .

In addition, a sum of $2,809,773 (including $1,226,943 from the Government of Canada) was provided to the Cree under Section 25.1.15 of the JBNQA and a sum of $525,428 was provided by the Government of Canada to the Inuit under Sections 25.1.16 and 3 of the Complementary Agreement No. 2 (JBNQA).

The Cree, Inuit and Naskapi are also entitled to a range of services and programs to which the federal and provincial governments contribute annually. The following additional lump-sum payments have been provided as a result of the signing of specific agreements, many of which are associated with complementary agreements to the JBNQA:

• Funds provided by Canada:
  – Cree: $10,000,000 under the Chisasibi Agreement (1978).
  – Inuit: $22,800,000 under the JBNQA Implementation Agreement (1990).
  – Naskapi: $1,700,000 under the NEQA Implementation Agreement (1990); and
  – $900,000 under the Job Creation Strategy for the Naskapi Agreement (1997).
  
  
• Funds provided by Quebec:
  – Cree: $40,000,000 under the Chisasibi Agreement (1978);
  – $25,500,000 under the Sakami Lake Agreement (1979);
  – $112,000,000 under the La Grande Agreement (1986);
  – $18,000,000 under the Mercury Agreement (1986); and
  – $50,000,000 (for the Chisasibi and Wemindji communities) under the Opimiscow-La Grande Agreement (1992).
  – Inuit: $48,000,000 under the Kuujjuaq Agreement (1988).

Lands

Under the JBNQA and NEQA , a land regime was instituted in the territory covered by the agreements. It divides the territory into three categories of lands (I, II and III) and specifies the total land area in each: over 14,000 square kilometres of territory are category I lands, 150,000 square kilometres are category II lands and 1,000,000 square kilometres are category III lands. It also specifies the rights pertaining to each category.

Category I lands, where the villages are located, are set aside exclusively for the Aboriginal communities that are signatories to the two agreements. Cree and Naskapi Category I lands are further subdivided into categories IA and IB: "A" for lands under the jurisdiction of Canada, and "B" for those under that of Quebec. Category IA and IA-N lands (N standing for Naskapi lands) falling under federal jurisdiction are governed by local Aboriginal administrations, as defined in the Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act. Category IB and IB-N lands under Quebec jurisdiction are governed by corporations composed exclusively of Aboriginals. Inuit lands fall under provincial jurisdiction and are governed by public corporations composed mainly of Inuit.

Category II lands, usually located around the villages, come under provincial jurisdiction. However, the Aboriginal people participate in the management of hunting, fishing and trapping and the development of outfitting operations. They also have exclusive hunting, fishing and trapping rights on these lands.

Category III lands are Quebec public lands where Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal peoples may hunt and fish. However, Aboriginal people exercise certain rights on these lands under the agreements. They have exclusive rights to the harvesting of certain aquatic species and fur-bearing animals; they participate in the administration and development of the territory; and enjoy, until the year 2015, a right of refusal in the event of applications to set up or transfer new outfitting operations. The Aboriginal people must, however, relinquish this right for 30 percent of transfers or new outfitting operations proposed by non-Aboriginal people.

Land Area (km²) for Category I and II
Defined by the JBNQA in 1975 and the NEQA in 1978,
by Beneficiary Group

	Category I Lands		Category II Lands	Category III Lands
Cree	IA	3,295.39*		Cree, Inuit and Naskapi exercise Native harvesting rights in Category III Lands
	IB	1,992.98
	IB special	252.96
		5,541.33	68,790.39
Inuit	I	8,152.01	81,596.58
Naskapi	IA-N	41.92
	IB-N	284.90	II-N 4 144.00
Total		14,020.16	154,530.97	910,711**

* Following acceptance by the Government of Canada from the Government of Quebec, in 1999, of the final transfer of Category IA lands, the Cree IA lands cover 3,299.6 km².
** Ministère du Conseil exécutif, Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones.

Sources:
Federal lands, Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Legal Surveys Division, Quebec Client Liaison Unit.
Provincial lands: Gouvernement du Québec, Ministère des Ressources naturelles, Direction de l'enregistrement et du morcellement.
Category III lands as defined in Section 1, Annex 1 of the Complementary Agreement No. 1, JBNQA.

Environmental and Social Protection

The JBNQA and the NEQA provide for consultative bodies to advise governments on policies and regulations that may have an impact on the environment and the social conditions of Aboriginal communities.

For this purpose, two committees have been set up: the James Bay Advisory Committee on the Environment (JBACE) for the area south of the 55th parallel and the Kativik Environmental Advisory Committee (KEAC) for the area north of that parallel. Each committee includes representatives from Aboriginal communities in the territory and from the two levels of government. The JBACE Annual Report is available from the Secretariat of the James Bay Advisory Committee on the Environment, Environmental Assessment Division, Marie-Guyart Building, 6th Floor, P.O. Box 83, 675 René-Lévesque Boulevard East, Quebec City (Quebec) Canada G1R 5V7. The KEAC Annual Report is available from the Secretariat of the Kativik Environmental Advisory Committee, P.O. Box 1093, Station Terminus, Quebec City (Quebec) Canada G1K 7B5.

The JBNQA also establishes evaluation procedures for development proposals. The Cree participate in the evaluation of projects affecting lands below the 55^th parallel, whereas to the north of the 55^th parallel it is the Inuit who participate in these evaluations. The federal administrator – appointed by the Governor in Council – is responsible for the evaluation process for projects under federal government jurisdiction. For matters under provincial jurisdiction, a provincial administrator is appointed by the Quebec government. Projects in Category I Cree lands come under the authority of the local Cree administrator.

The NEQA includes similar provisions assuring the Naskapi of participation in the environmental and social protection of the territory covered by that agreement.

Economic Development

Compensation funds paid under the agreements by the governments of Quebec and Canada and by Hydro-Quebec are administered by three organizations. The Cree Board of Compensation, the Makivik Corporation and the Naskapi Development Corporation handle the funding of projects for the economic development of their respective communities in Northern Quebec.

In addition, under the agreements, the Cree, Inuit and Naskapi continue to benefit, in the same way as other Aboriginal peoples, from the economic development programs offered by the two governments.

Education

The JBNQA provided for the establishment of the Cree School Board and the Kativik School Board. Both of these boards, which operate under Quebec's jurisdiction, possess special powers and ensure that educational programs are culturally relevant to the communities.

Under the NEQA , educational services for the Naskapi are provided for by a school created to fulfill the needs of the Naskapi community; The Eastern Quebec Regional School Board is responsible for its general administration. In addition, the Naskapi Education Committee was set up to perform the same advisory functions as those assigned to school committees under the Education Act at the time, and now known as the Education Act for the Cree, Inuit and Naskapi Native Persons.

The JBNQA and the NEQA established that Canada and Quebec would contribute to the funding of these institutions on the basis of annual operating and capital budgets approved by each. The proportion to be contributed by Canada was set at 75 percent of the approved budgets of the Cree School Board and the Naskapi school, and 25 percent of the approved budgets of the Kativik School Board.

Hunting, Fishing and Trapping

The Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Co-ordinating Committee (HFTCC) was created under the JBNQA and is comprised of government and Aboriginal experts. Federal representatives are from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), Environment Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The Committee's role is to study, manage and, in certain cases, monitor and regulate the hunting, fishing and trapping regime. In most matters, the Co-ordinating Committee plays an advisory role to the Quebec and Canadian governments. It must also make recommendations to the two levels of government. It holds annual meetings in the Northern communities to explain its activities and consult with local people about its mandate and broad objectives. Sub-committees, also made up of Aboriginal and government representatives, have been formed to deal with specific issues such as big game, parks, fishing, outfitting operations, marketing of caribou meat and land use. More information on the HFTCC and its activities is available on the HFTCC Web site  at or from the Secretariat of the Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Co-ordinating Committee, 383 St-Jacques Street, Room C220, Montréal (Quebec) Canada H2Y 1N9.

Local and Regional Administrations

With the passage of Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act in 1984, the Cree communities and the Naskapi community became incorporated. They have local administrations with the power to adopt by-laws concerning public order, environmental protection, taxation for local purposes, roads and transportation, local business and the use of lands and resources. Two additional bodies – the Cree Board of Compensation and the Cree Regional Authority (CRA) – were set up under Quebec legislation.

The Inuit communities of Nunavik, located above the 55^th parallel, are incorporated as municipalities under Quebec legislation. The Kativik Regional Government is their regional structure, and the Makivik Corporation was set up to protect the interests of the Inuit with regard to the implementation of the JBNQA. Both organizations were established under Quebec legislation.

Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act

In 1984, the Parliament of Canada passed the Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act to implement JBNQA and NEQA provisions regarding local government for the communities. This Act supersedes the Indian Act, except for matters pertaining to Indian status. It institutes a form of self-government and establishes the land management system for Category IA (Cree) and IA-N (Naskapi) lands.

Cree-Naskapi Land Registry

The setting up and operation of a registry of rights and interests pertaining to Category IA and IA-N lands and buildings on those lands is provided for under the Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act. The Land Registry System, which reports to INAC, includes the Central Land Registry Office and the Cree and Naskapi local offices.

Cree-Naskapi Commission

The Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act also provided for the establishment of the Cree-Naskapi Commission (CNC), whose role is to investigate any representation submitted to it relating to implementation of the Act. It must also produce biennial reports on the application of the Act, following hearings. These reports are submitted to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development to be tabled in Parliament. The Cree-Naskapi Commission is made up of no more than three commissioners appointed by the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Cree Regional Authority and the Naskapi community.

The process of implementing the JBNQA and the NEQA has taken longer and has become more complex than anticipated.

In 1981, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Indian Affairs and Northern Development urged the federal government to address outstanding issues related to the JBNQA. After a departmental report, the Tait Report, was submitted in 1982, the federal government introduced a series of measures to address JBNQA implementation-related problems.

In June 1986, the federal Cabinet approved a process for fulfilling government obligations under the JBNQA and the NEQA . A federal negotiator, Mr. Andrew Croll, was appointed in order to direct this process.

In September 1990, the federal government signed the JBNQA Implementation Agreement with the Inuit and the NEQA Implementation Agreement with the Naskapi Band of Quebec. These agreements released the federal government from certain obligations under the JBNQA and NEQA . In return, the federal government paid a one-time grant of $22,800,000 to the Inuit and $1,700,000 to the Naskapi. The government made other commitments to these communities. Many activities have been launched within the framework of the agreements. Various working groups and procedures have been established, including procedures for settling disputes and the establishment of a JBNQA Implementation Forum with the Inuit. In 1990, INAC established the James Bay Implementation Office.

Discussions between the federal government and the James Bay Cree regarding JBNQA implementation continued. In May 1992, the federal government signed an agreement providing for the building of a village for the Oujé-Bougoumou Cree and the setting up of a fund for the community's economic and social development. Having agreed that the Cree-Canada relationship was in need of rejuvenation and reform, the Government of Canada and the James Bay Cree entered into a set of discussions and negotiations to renew and define this relationship and pursue the process of meeting their respective responsibilities under the JBNQA, the Constitution and the laws of Canada. To facilitate discussions between the federal ministers and the leaders of the James Bay Cree in the context of these shared objectives, in 1997 the parties agreed to establish a Round Table, bringing together the federal ministers concerned and the leaders of the James Bay Cree. The Cree-Canada Round Table came into existence in 1998. The Chief Negotiator for the Cree at that time was Mr. Ted Moses. In 1999-2000, Mr. Moses was elected Grand Chief of the Quebec Grand Council of the Crees, and his responsibilities as Chief Negotiator at the Cree-Canada Round Table were taken over by Mr. Bill Namagoose.

Since the signing of the JBNQA and the NEQA , several federal departments and agencies have undertaken to meet the federal government's obligations under the agreements. Most of them also provide, within their respective mandates, funding for government programs to which the beneficiaries have continued access.

The signing of the agreements has brought about many changes in the role and jurisdiction of the federal government and INAC with respect to the Cree, Inuit and Naskapi.

In 1982, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development was given overall responsibility for co-ordinating all federal government activities related to implementation of both the JBNQA and the NEQA . To ensure that the federal government's obligations were met, the Department established the Quebec Claims Secretariat in February 1984. This organization later became known as the Northern Quebec Claims Implementation Secretariat. In 1986, the Department's Negotiations and Implementation Directorate at Headquarters assumed the responsibilities of the Northern Quebec Claims Implementation Secretariat, a situation that continued until the early 1990s. The James Bay Implementation Office then assumed these responsibilities.

Since the signing of the JBNQA and NEQA and the passing of legislation that established the Cree and Naskapi local administrations and regional government for Inuit communities, INAC's role has evolved from that of being a direct service provider to that of negotiator of financial agreements such that these communities could deliver their own programs. The Department still provides technical expertise in many areas and participates in the land and environmental management regimes covered by the agreements.

James Bay Implementation Office

The James Bay Implementation Office (JBIO) was created in November 1990 after the federal government signed implementation agreements with the Makivik Corporation and the Naskapi Band of Quebec. The JBIO is part of the Implementation Branch (Claims and Indian Government) of INAC and is located in Gatineau, Quebec.

Mandate

The JBIO's responsibilities include:

• managing the implementation of the JBNQA and the NEQA , including their respective implementation agreements;
• maintaining relations between the Government of Canada and the signatories of the agreements such that negotiations are conducted in a positive and open atmosphere;
• co-ordinating and monitoring all federal government activities in regards to the implementation of the JBNQA and NEQA ;
• ensuring that beneficiaries have access to all federal government initiatives and programs;
• implementing the Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act; and
• preparing and submitting for tabling in Parliament an annual report regarding the implementation of the JBNQA and NEQA .

	1999-2000	2000-2001	2001-2002	2002-2003	2003-2004
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada	160,476,808	181,009,000	193,632,594	186,922,943	195,281,734
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation	37,620,700	42,673,518	44,364,765	41,804,276	41,797,000
Human Resources Development Canada	15,040,039	11,796,730	17,462,698	17,814,683	19,991,595
Health Canada	7,611,209	8,069,540	11,827,148	12,235,769	12,371,131
Public Safety and Civil Protection Canada (Solicitor General Canada)	6,675,144	6,699,353	6,991,096	8,156,973	8,968,900
Transport Canada	6,921,816	9,620,068	8,551,393	6,525,725	10,649,719
National Defence	2,021,000	2,041,000	2,900,000	3,160,000	3,411,000
Canada Economic Development	555,299	635,571	521,511	2,717,629	2,688,587
Canadian Heritage	1,834,424	1,836,345	1,857,962	1,828,962	2,022,150
Industry Canada	520,537	2,162,245	950,279	1,085,870	895,221
Fisheries and Oceans Canada	414,000	487,000	910,000	877,000	810,000
Environment Canada**	494,429	552,912	781,783	850,837	655,063
Justice Canada	529,265	508,456	269,700	459,533	208,874
Natural Resources Canada/Canadian Forest Service	655,100	543,450	596,920	430,550	594,403
Total	241,369,770	268,635,188	291,617,849	284,870,750	300,345,377

FEDERAL EXPENDITURES BETWEEN 1999 AND 2004: 1,386,838,934

* Figures provided by each department.
** Including the expenditures of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

During 2003-2004, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada allocated $195,281,734 to Cree, Inuit and Naskapi organizations and communities under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA), the Northeastern Quebec Agreement (NEQA) and federal programs.

Population

As of June 30, 2003, the agreements covered 24,037 beneficiaries, including 13,940 Cree, 9,304 Inuit and 793 Naskapi.

Education

The Department allocated $95,384,968 for education expenditures:

• Education services and school infrastructure provided to the Cree School Board, Kativik School Board and Central Quebec School Board, which serves the Naskapi, through the Ministère de l'éducation of Quebec:

	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Education services	65,165,201	19,070,417	2,296,280	86,531,898
School infrastructure	3,487,028	3,441,191	110,625	7,038,844
Total	68,652,229	22,511,608	2,406,905	93,570,742
Number of students*	3,592	3,010	251	6,853

* Figures for the 2003-2004 school year include pre-school to secondary students, and are supplied by the Ministère de l'éducation of Quebec.

• $170,150 to the Avataq Cultural Institute for the Inuit, $7,000 to the Makivik Cultural Centre and $198,264 to the First Nation Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres/National Association of Cultural Education Centres for the James Bay Cree Cultural Centre; and
• $1,438,812 to cover expenditures under INAC programs for Inuit and First Nations young people set up under the federal government Youth Employment Strategy, as follows:

	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Science and technology summer camps	56,597	65,726	1,937	124,260
First Nations and Inuit co-operative education	215,837	183,241	8,809	407,887
Summer career placements	261,121	144,939	10,353	414,413
Work experience opportunities	302,886	187,366	—	490,252
Total	836,441	581,272	21,099	1,438,812

Capital, Operations and Maintenance

During 2003-2004, $84,598,013 was allocated to capital, operations and maintenance and infrastructure-related projects in Cree, Inuit and Naskapi communities. This amount includes $16,285,700 for Cree and Naskapi capital projects, $54,844,938 for their operations and maintenance, and $13,467,375 for infrastructure projects in Cree, Inuit and Naskapi communities. Expenditures allocation by beneficiary group is the following:

•  Cree
  – $14,948,000 in capital works grants, including an adjustment of $5,000,000;
  – $51,182,166 for operations and maintenance of communities, including an adjustment of $3,550,482;
  – $882,000 under the federal program for the maintenance of facilities and equipment provided through the Cree Regional Authority (CRA) for the following projects: $250,000 for renovating the pumping station at Chisasibi; $82,000 for repairs at the wastewater treatment plant in Eastmain; $550,000 for repairs to water and sewer pipes in Mistissini;
  – through the First Nations Water Management Strategy for improving the safety of the water supply in communities, INAC provided $819,119 to the CRA for the following urgent projects: $694,119 for a new well in Whapmagoostui and $125,000 for the preliminary drawings and specifications for a new water source; INAC also provided $335,171 for training water and wastewater services operators;
  – $3,550,482 for building a community centre in Eastmain; and
  – $150,000 to Waskaganish for maintaining the community's access road.
  
•  Inuit
  INAC provided $8,057,500 to the Makivik Corporation under the following agreements:
  – $57,500 in annual funding to the community of Chisasibi under the Inuit Housing Agreement (1996-2006) to address the housing needs of the area's Inuit population; and
  – $8,000,000 to the Makivik Corporation, $5,000,000 of which is provided by the CMHC under the five-year agreement (2000-2005) for the construction of social housing in Nunavik.
• Naskapi
  – $1,337,700 in capital funding grants;
  – $3,662,772 for operations and maintenance of the community; and
  – $21,600 for training water and wastewater services operators

Electricity

In 2003-2004 INAC provided $3,233,238 to Waskaganish for electricity.

Social Development

Mistissini, Waswanipi and Kawawachikamach receive social assistance services directly from the Department. In the remaining JBNQA communities, these services were provided by the Government of Quebec. The sums provided by Canada break down as follows:

Mistissini	894,556
Waswanipi	1,055,210
Kawawachikamach	703,141
Total	2,652,907

The federal government also participates in community social development by funding initiatives promoting health and better quality of life through the National Strategy for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities (SIPD) and the Federal Family Violence Initiative (FVI). The following amounts were provided in 2003-2004:

	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
SIPD	21,346	25,744	1,764	48,854
FVI	140,938	168,393	11,635	321,773
Total	162,284	194,944	13,399	369,827

Economic Development

 INAC participates in Aboriginal economic development through direct funding of Community Economic Development Organizations (CEDOs) and other sectoral organizations. These organizations provide technical and financial assistance to projects related to economic development. In 2003-2004 the Department provided:

Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
1,452,616	936,508	51,292	2,476,016

Funding allocated to the Cree included $394,697 for the Cree Trappers' Association, $208,544 for the Cree Outfitting and Tourism Association and $35,600 for the CRA to support Cree arts and crafts activities.

The Department also provided the following additional funds for other economic development projects: $116,618 to Mistissini to set up a shoe and clothing store ($10,000), start a small engine repair shop ($24,000) and purchase hydraulic machinery and a vehicle ($82,618); $349,173 to the Makivik Corporation for a number of social, economic and scientific projects in the Inuit communities; $28,570 to the Naskapi for a feasibility study of rail transport between the Ross Bay Junction (60 km east of Labrador City, Newfoundland) and Schefferville.

Environment

In 2003-2004, the CRA received $8,800 to fund a project for checking groundwater quality at a Nemaska site.

Indian Registration

 INAC and the Cree and Naskapi communities are responsible for Indian registration records. During 2003-2004 the Department provided a total of $112,009, $107,849 to the Cree and $4,160 to the Naskapi, for their participation in maintaining the registry.

Cree-Naskapi Land Registry

Further to the inventory of lands established a few years ago on the existing Category III enclaves on Category 1A (Cree) land regarding existing government and third-party interests before the signing of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, in 2003-2004 the Department's Central Registrar contacted the Quebec Department of Natural Resources to validate and confirm the enclaves that were considered under provincial jurisdiction.

At the same time, a study on the overhaul of the central registration system for rights and interests on Cree and Naskapi land was conducted, following up on the steps taken since 1999 to create the electronic land registry system. The Mistissini Band and the Central Registrar at the INAC regional office in Quebec City took part in these efforts.

Even though the current system is structurally sound, it nevertheless has many limitations, making it difficult to maintain and obtain up-to-date information. An electronic system would allow information on all land and infrastructure transactions for the Cree and Naskapi to be kept up to date.

In the meantime, the Central Registrar continued to provide training to local registrars by holding periodical information meetings.

"Gathering Strength: Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan"

The following amounts were allocated under Gathering Strength initiatives for various projects in Cree, Inuit and Naskapi communities in 2003-2004:

New Paths for Education (previously Education Reform)

– $1,156,630 to the Cree School Board, $927,881 to the Kativik School Board and $53,111 to the Central Quebec School Board to strengthen management and governance skills in education, improve the effectiveness of classroom instruction through consultants specialized in various subjects, encourage the participation of communities and parents, and support the transition from school to the job market.

Water and Sewer Initiatives

In total, $1,710,000 was allocated for the following projects in Cree communities:

– $1,000,000 to Chisasibi for expanding the drinking water reservoir;
– $538,000 to Whapmagoostui for part of the costs for the water
supply network;
– $100,000 to Oujé-Bougoumou for building a second well;
– $72,000 to Mistissini for a study on water supply and drilling operations.

 Professional Development (previously Building Professional Capacities)

– $37,480 to the Wemindji Cree Nation for training on governance and professional development;
– $75,000 to the Makivik Corporation to facilitate the transition towards self-government by gathering the data on the current institutions in Nunavik, establishing a transition plan, conducting research and making recommendations for the next negotiations; and
– $62,500 for various projects to develop Aboriginal leadership, update the election code, provide accounting and project management training, and support administration in general.

Economic Development and Economic Development Opportunity Fund

– $4,000 to the Oujé-Bougoumou Eenuch Association for expanding a studio specializing in digital production;
– $19,000 to Mistissini for starting a video rental business; and
– $23,000 to the Société Tawish de Wemindji for setting up a trucking company and purchasing a truck.
– The Makivik Corporation received $100,000 to network the 13 Northern Quebec cooperatives and $100,000 to build a small shopping centre in Inukjuak.

 Self-Governance Negotiations

In 2003-2004 INAC provided $399,850 to the Makivik Corporation to cover its costs for research, consultation and communication with regard to negotiations for Nunavik's self-government.

Other Financial Assistance

The Makivik Corporation also received $200,000 from the Department in support of negotiations to conclude an agreement-in-principle on the amalgamation of some Nunavik institutions and $335,908 to cover the costs of implementing the JBNQA.

Cree-Naskapi Commission

During 2003-2004 INAC provided $747,242 to the Cree-Naskapi Commission to fund its activities regarding the implementation of theCree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act and support the production of its 2004 biennial report.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Expenditures ($), 2003-2004
		Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Education
	Education Services	65,165,201	19,070,417	2,296,280	86,531,898
	School Infrastructure	3,487,028	3,441,191	110,625	7,038,844
	Cultural centres	198,264	177,150	—	575,414
	Employment programs	836,441	581,272	21,099	1,438,812
		69,686,934	23,270,030	2,428,004	95,384,968
Capital		14,948,000	—	1,337,700	16,285,700
Operations and Maintenance		51,182,166	—	3,662,772	54,844,938
Infrastructure-related projects		5,388,275	8,057,500	21,600	13,476,375
		71,518,441	8,057,500	5,022,072	84,598,013
Electricity Waskaganish		3,233,238	—	—	3,233,238
Social development
	Social assistance	1,949,766	—	703,141	2,652,907
	NSIPD-FVI Programs	162,284	194,137	13,399	369,820
		2,112,050	194,137	716,540	3,022,727
Economic development		1,604,834	1,285,681	79,862	2,970,377
NAR		—	—	—	—
Environment		8,800	—	—	8,800
Indian registration		107,849	—	4,160	112,009
"Gathering Strength" initiatives
	Education reform	1,156,630	927,881	53,111	2,137,622
	Water and sewer initiatives	1,710,000	—	—	1,710,000
	Professional development	37,480	75,000	62,500	174,980
	Building capacities	—	—	—	—
	Economic development/ Opportunity Fund	46,000	200,000	—	246,000
	Reorganizing self-government	—	399,850	—	399,850
		2,950,110	1,602,731	115,611	4,668,452
Other Financial Assistance		—	535,908	—	538,908
Subtotal		151,222,256	34,945,987	8,366,249	194,534,492
Cree-Naskapi Commission		—	—	—	747,242
Total					195,281,734

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), in cooperation with INAC, is directly involved in the Cree and Naskapi communities through its non-profit housing program funded under section 95 of the National Housing Act and the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP).

The housing program for the Inuit is administered by the Quebec housing corporation, the Société d'habitation du Quebec, under a federalprovincial cost-sharing agreement.

In 2003-2004, the CMHC paid operating grants for some 1,900 housing units in eight Cree communities and 126 units in Kawawachikamak. Renovations were also made to 18 units in the various Cree communities under the RRAP, bringing the total to $344,000.

Training sessions continue to be held for individuals in charge of housing in the Cree and Naskapi communities, covering such subjects as air quality, energy conservation and construction and renovation techniques.

CMHC Expenditures ($), 2003-2004

	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Federal Grants	8,464,000	8,464,000 32,787,000	546,000	41,797,000
Subsidized Housing	1,899	1,873	126

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

In December 2003 Human Resource Development Canada (HRDC) was divided in two, resulting in Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and Social Development Canada (SDC). HRSDC is now responsible for the activities and expenditures on behalf of the Cree, Inuit and Naskapi.

In this fifth year of the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy (AHRDS), created in 1999, Quebec Aboriginal organizations signatory to Aboriginal Human Resources Development Agreements (AHRDAs) have come up to speed in the administration of the programs for which they were given responsibility. They also obtained good results in terms of clients finding work or completing labour-market interventions.

The Naskapi received their share of the AHRDS funding, which this year amounted to $387,148.

The Inuit received $2,300,000 for the administration of the agreement on programs and services signed in 1999 and $6,769,137 for human resources development under AHRDS.

During 2003-2004, implementation of the agreement reached in October 2001 between HRSDC and the Cree Regional Authority (CRA) continued. The territorial program implementation committee created in the agreement brought a number of training projects into being in key sectors including forestry, construction and tourism. The CRA also continued to implement a structure to deliver programs and services throughout the Cree territory. The computerized system to manage the files of clients participating in training activities is fully up and running; under this system, developed by the CRA, data from the HRSDC systems can be downloaded directly to report on the results obtained from CRA interventions with participants in the various programs under the Agreement. Funding for the Agreement for the year totalled $10,535,310.

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Expenditures ($), 2003-2004

	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Labour market program	—	—	—	—
Treasury funds	2,743,967	2,320,921	193,468	5,258,356
Employment Insurance funds	1,387,635	1,386,174	105,321	2,879,130
Programs for the disabled	59,338	50,190	—	109,528
Inuit and First Nations Child Care Initiative	1,362,126	1,391,595	88,359	2,842,080
Youth initiatives	391,963	1,519,969	—	1,911,932
Organizational capacity	90,281	100,288	—	190,569
Other programs	2,000,000	—	—	2,000,000
Other activities	2,500,000	2,300,000	—	4,800,000
Total	10,535,310	9,069,137	387,148	19,991,595

Health Canada

During 2003-2004, Health Canada's Quebec Region First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) provided $12,371,131 for various health care programs in the Cree, Inuit and Naskapi communities.

Brighter Futures Program

The FNIHB continued to support this program, which focuses on child development and parenting skills. The Aboriginal component is designed to help communities develop their own approaches to child development.

Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative

This program provides health promotion and diabetes prevention services. The emphasis is on helping recipients to adopt healthier lifestyles that are also suited to the culture. Work focused on creating and carrying out activities to reduce diabetes.

Building Healthy Communities

Building Healthy Communities is designed to help communities develop community-inspired approaches toward managing mental health crises and has helped the Cree, Naskapi and Inuit communities to introduce various activities to achieve this.

Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program

This program provides support for expectant mothers whose health and the development of their baby are at risk. The general objective is to improve the nutritional health of mothers and young children, placing special emphasis on persons at risk. Prevention and promotion activities are conducted by providing information on nutrition and available services. Activities also focus on education, the benefits of breast-feeding, nursing and support for nursing mothers.

Aboriginal Head Start On Reserve Initiative

This early intervention strategy addresses the needs of children aged six and under living in First Nations communities. The communities have provided early intervention in the lives of children and their families by supporting their spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical growth. The program has also supported parents, teachers and guardians in planning, introducing and evaluating projects. The Inuit are not covered under the program, because they receive funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Solvent Abuse Program

In order to eliminate or reduce solvent abuse, communities have established various activities including regular meetings and workshops on wellness to raise awareness of the harmful effects of solvent abuse.

First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program

In 2003-2004, the FNIHB contributed financially to building infrastructure to implement the program and train workers in delivering home and community health services.

National Aboriginal Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Program

The regional FNIHB office funded prevention activities to help communities reduce alcohol and drug use and provide culturally appropriate treatment to First Nations and Inuit.

Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)

The services listed below are provided by the NIHB which is available to all, on and off-reserve Cree, Inuit and Naskapi, thereby helping to pay for all or a portion of the following services:

• Medication
  
• Medical transport
  
• Dental care
  
• Medical equipment and supplies
  
• Vision care
  
• Crisis intervention

Health Careers

The Health Careers Program for Indians and Inuit encourages Aboriginals to take training that will lead to careers in the health sector. In 2003-2004, a Cree student obtained summer employment in health and was included in the program roster.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Program

The program is designed to prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorder among the newborn and to improve the lives of affected children and their families. The communities have provided activities to assist those at risk, helped parents and families of children with FASD, and provided education, training and activities to help identify, evaluate and diagnose affected children.

First Nations and Inuit Tobacco Control Strategy

The overall objective of the Strategy is to reduce the number of smokers and, in the long term, disease and death caused by tobacco.

This initiative focuses on reducing consumption, especially among young people, and on preventing disease and death caused by tobacco use among First Nations members and Inuit. Various promotional activities aimed at encouraging cessation, awareness raising and respect for the traditional use of tobacco were introduced.

Promoting and implementing cessation activities were the main activities financed by the Cree communities. Here are a few examples:

• Promoting counselling services on the radio for those wanting to quit
  
• Getting physicians involved in cessation services
  
• Creating a Web site
  
• Training counsellors (young people, expectant mothers, people at risk) to support smokers wishing to quit

Cessation was the focus among the Inuit communities with activities such as:

• Training 12 young people to serve as community workers to reduce tobacco use
  
• Promoting and participating in the "Quit to Win Challenge"
  
• Creating audiovisual material for young people on second-hand smoke

Health Canada, Expenditures ($), 2003-2004

	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Growing Together Program	1,041,635	879,354	61,425	1,982,414
Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative	206,372	12,592	195,435	414,399
Building Healthy Communities	772,22 6	718,437	46,515	1,533,178
Canadian Prenatal Nutrition Program	139,894	253,240	16,656	409,790
Aboriginal Head Start on Reserve Initiative	1,137,874	—	—	1,137,874
Solvent Abuse Program	109,651	127,958	8,249	245,858
First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program*	1,698,346*	1,874,804*	123,791	3,696,941
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Program (FASDP)	303,665	157,000	11,941	472,606
National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program	564,989	721,417	50,410	1,336,816
Tobacco Control Strategy	32,269	79,050	—	111,319
Non-Insured Health Benefits	692,721	285,505	1,950	980,176
Careers in Health Care	1,000	—	—	1,000
Others	42,791	1,969	—	44,760
Total	6,743,433	5,111,326	516,372	12,371,131

* Includes cost of building infrastructure for program delivery.

Transport Canada

Transport Canada paid more than $10,649,719 to the Cree, Inuit and Naskapi communities in 2003-2004 through its various programs, primarily to help manage, operate, maintain and carry out major projects in a number of remote airports in the Quebec region.

Transport Canada contributed $923,175 to the Kativik Regional Government (KRG) for the management of Kuujjuaq Airport. Investments totalling $2,600,499 were also made to carry out major projects, including construction of a multi-purpose building, to normalize the movement areas on runway 07-25 and to refurbish the terminal sector. An additional $238,720 went to the purchase of heavy equipment, and $4,995 for airport operation and maintenance.

Transport Canada contributed $3,352,583 under the Airport Facilities Assistance Program to improve security at the Kangirsuk, Kuujjuarapik and Puvirnituq airports.

The Department's environmental compliance effort included a payment of $162,184 to the Inuit communities to begin the cleanup of the Cape Hope Advance site in Quaqtaq and to decontaminate the Kuujjuaq Airport pipeline.

During 2003-2004, Transport Canada paid $1,000,000 to the Makivik Corporation to make marine infrastructure improvements through Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) under the Northern Quebec Marine Infrastructure Agreement.

Transport Canada's expenditures under the Marine Security Inspection and Training Program for Inuit communities totalled $85,947.

Under the maintenance contracts for their airports, the Eastmain Cree received $189,769, the Waskaganish Cree, $213,716, and the Wemindji Cree, $191,031. The Department also paid $1,509,757 to regravel the Waskaganish Airport traffic areas. An additional $172,946 went to replace the outer covering on the air terminal and to purchase a road roller to maintain the runway and traffic areas.

Transport Canada paid additional amounts of $38,906 to the Eastmain Airport, $16,167 to the Waskaganish Airport and $29,400 to the Wemindji Airport for the operation and maintenance of these remote sites.

The Department paid $340,713 under the Airport Capital Assistance Program to Inuit communities for projects to improve security at the Chisasibi Airport. Created in 1995, the Program has been extended to March 31, 2010. It provides eligible airports with assistance to fund capital projects related to security, asset protection and operating cost reduction. To qualify, airports must offer year-round regularly scheduled passenger service, meet Transport Canada airport certification requirements and not be owned by the federal government.

On the environmental side, $400,793 went toward soil decontamination at Nitchequon.

In Schefferville, Transport Canada paid $179,465 to the Cree and Naskapi communities for management of the airport by the Schefferville Airport Corporation. An additional $3,900 was paid for the operation and maintenance of the airport facilities.

Transport Canada also provides these communities with aircraft and ship inspection, security and support operations services.

Transport Canada, Expenditures ($), 2003-2004*

	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Northern Quebec Marine Infrastructure Agreement	—	—	—	—
Airport management	—	923,175	179,465	1,102,640
Operation and maintenance	594,516	—	—	594,516
Airport facilities	1,763,703	2,839,219	—	4,602,922
Supplementary airport operation and maintenance	84,473	4,995	3,900	93,368
Environmental compliance	400,793	162,184	—	562,977
Subtotal	2,843,485	3,929,573	183,365	6,956,423
Airports Capital Assistance Program	340,713	3,352,583	—	3,693,296
Total	3,184,198	7,282,156	183,365	10,649,719

* This table does not include a payment of $1,000,000 by INAC.

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (Formerly Solicitor General Canada)

Aboriginal Policing Directorate

James Bay Cree policing services were funded in 2003-2004 by PSEPC's Aboriginal Policing Directorate through the Aboriginal Policing Program under a tripartite agreement (which includes the Quebec government), and Kawawachikamach Naskapi policing, under a bilateral agreement.

Kativik Regional Government policing services are funded under the First Nations Policing Program, which is funded 52% by the federal government and 48% by the Government of Quebec. The KRG police service includes 54 full-time officers policing Nunavuk's 14 communities.

Correctional Service Canada

During 2003-2004, the Correctional Service of Canada continued its strategy of providing programs and services adapted to Aboriginal culture, maintaining its Aboriginal Liaison Officer services in each institution, and contributing $42,500 to Native Para-Judicial Services of Quebec for the Cree, Inuit and Naskapi. This organization is responsible for assisting and counselling Aboriginal offenders in federal penitentiaries to facilitate their safe reintegration. In addition, $27,237 went to various correctional programs tailored to the needs of Aboriginal offenders, primarily in the areas of drug addiction, family violence and sex offences.

Under sections 81 and 84 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, $89,837 was paid for the accommodation, supervision and treatment of offenders on parole in halfway houses.

The Correctional Service of Canada paid $159,574 for Cree, Inuit and Naskapi in 2003-2004.

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, Expenditures ($), 2003-2004

	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Aboriginal Policing Directorate	3,855,455	4,685,551	268,320	8,809,326
Correctional Service Canada Native Para-Judicial Services of Quebec	15,000	27,500	—	42,500
Adapted Correctional Programs	9,613	17,624	—	27,237
Parole-related services	31,707	58,130	—	123,531
Subtotal	56,320	103,254	—	159,574
Total	3,911,775	4,788,805	268,320	8,968,900

National Defence

Land Force Quebec Area (LFQA) is responsible for activities related to delivering the Canadian Rangers and Junior Canadian Rangers programs in its area of responsibility, the province of Quebec. During 2003-2004, the Department of National Defence (DND) allocated $3,411,000 to these two programs in Quebec.

The Canadian Rangers are volunteers between the ages of 18 and 65 who provide a military presence in remote and isolated areas of Canada and, if needed, provide support to the Canadian Forces during major exercises and in response to requests for assistance. Within its area of responsibility, LFQA has 23 Ranger patrols with a complement of 681 Canadian Rangers. On the territory covered by the agreements, LQFA has 17 Canadian Ranger patrols with 481 members including 380 Inuit, 80 Cree and 21 Naskapi.

 DND also provides the Junior Canadian Rangers program, a free program of activities for young people between 12 and 18. In its area of responsibility, LQFA has 28 Junior Canadian Ranger patrols with 626 members. In the territory covered by the agreements, LQFA has 19 Junior Canadian Ranger patrols totalling 447 members 372 Inuit, 47 Cree and 28 Naskapi.

Camp Okpiapkik 2003 provided advanced training to young people of all ethnic backgrounds (non-Aboriginal, Inuit, Cree, Naskapi and Montagnais) who form 2 CRPG. The activity took place in Kangiqsualujjuaq on the shores of Ungava Bay from late June to mid-July 2003, involving over 150 young people.

Canadian Heritage

The Citizens' Participation Directorate, Department of Canadian Heritage, supports a wide range of activities in Northern Quebec, particularly Aboriginal communication networks, friendship centres, protection of Aboriginal languages and cultures, support for Aboriginal organizations, and initiatives to improve conditions for Aboriginal women.

Funding was also provided for the new Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centres Initiative, which creates a network of urban, multipurpose Aboriginal youth programming. The programming provides accessible, Aboriginal community-based, culturally relevant and supportive projects, programs, services and counselling to urban Aboriginal youth, and will facilitate their participation in other programs in order to improve their economic, social and personal prospects.

During 2003-2004, Canadian Heritage provided support amounting to $1,834,424 to Aboriginal communities in Northern Quebec.

Canadian Heritage, Expenditures ($), 2003-2004

	Total
Northern Native Broadcast Access Program
James Bay Cree Communications Society	292,000
Taqramiut Nipingat Incorporated (TNI)	907,317
Aboriginal Representative Organizations Program
Makivik Corporation	201,645
Native Friendship Centre Program
Senneterre Native Friendship Centre Inc.*	1,114,158
Val-d'Or Native Friendship Centre Inc.*	171,237
Cree Indian Friendship Centre of Chibougamou	142,697
Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centres
Senneterre Native Friendship Centre Inc.*	81,246
Val-d'Or Native Friendship Centre Inc.*	111,850
Total	2,022,150

* The services provided by these Native Friendship Centres are not restricted exclusively to the beneficiaries of the agreements.

Canada Economic Development

Apart from the operating costs for the two Aboriginal CFDCs, the main contributions by Economic Development Canada were as follows: $321,000 to the Eeyou Economic Group (Cree CFDC) to capitalize the small business development investment fund; $814,000 to the Nunavuk Investment Corp. (Inuit CFDC) to capitalize the investment fund; and $659,053 to the Kativik Regional Government for the communications infrastructure project.

The communications infrastructure program begun in 2002-2003 resulted in connecting 14 Nunavik villages to the broadband network. The project also improved communications by facilitating access to a number of government services by high-speed internet. The KRG is working on a second phase to give access to distance health services such as education, internet videoconferencing and other broadband services available in the other regions of Quebec.

Canada Economic Development, Expenditures ($), 2003-2004

	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Idea-SME	35,089	37,942	—	73,031
Strategic Regional Initiatives	176,827	746,184	—	923,011
Community Futures progra	623,145	1,069,400	—	1,692,545
Total	835,061	1,853,526	—	2,688,587

Industry Canada

Through Industry Canada's Aboriginal Business Canada (ABC) program, a total of $895,221 was invested during 2003-2004 to support 18 business projects in Cree and Inuit territory.

Of this amount, $845,377 was paid to Cree entrepreneurs and organizations for 16 projects, and $49,844 to Inuit organizations and entrepreneurs for two projects.

These funds were invested in a variety of industrial sectors, especially the development of the region's Aboriginal economy. The projects included the establishment and expansion of Aboriginal businesses, the development of business plans and the holding of a trade fair.

Industry Canada, Expenditures ($), 2003-2004

	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Aboriginal Business Canada	845,377	49,844	—	895,221

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) administers research and development projects in Northern Quebec through its Quebec Region.

Through the Quebec Fisheries Management Branch, DFO participates in the hunting, fishing and trapping regime, as stipulated in section 24 of the JBNQA. Through the Science Branch, it participates, jointly with INAC, Environment Canada and the CEAA, in implementing the social and environmental protection regimes, as stipulated in sections 22 and 23 of the JBNQA.

 DFO is also a co-signatory to an agreement with INAC and Transport Canada under which an annual payment of $3,000,000 is made over a 10-year period for the construction of marine infrastructure in the 14 Inuit communities in Nunavik in order to increase the capacity and safety of navigation, with a view to developing economic ties between the communities and outside regions. In 2003-2004, DFO, through INAC, contributed $1,000,000 to the Makivik Corporation under the terms of this agreement.

Aboriginal Fisheries Division – Fisheries Management

In 2003-2004, the Department continued its implementation of the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS). Execution of the three-year (2001-2003) Beluga Management Plan for Nunavik and adjacent waters continued with the 14 Nunavik municipal corporations, the Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Association of Nunavik, the Makivik Corporation, and the Kativik.

The cooperation agreement with the Kativik Regional Government provided funding for the coordination of the work and the observation patrols of nine Inuit fisheries wardens and for maintaining the working relationship with a DFO-hired multidisciplinary officer in Inukjuak. This agreement also covers the seasonal hiring of community officers in each of the 14 communities in Nunavik. They are responsible for producing statistical data on the beluga catch.

As in the past, fisheries officers from the Aboriginal Fisheries Division and Conservation and Protection Division visited communities in the territory for discussions with the Inuit partners in the form of meetings and patrols.

Science Branch

The scientific activities conducted in 2003-2004 by the Regional Science Branch in the Canadian North were a continuation of the work done in previous years. These research projects are often conducted in cooperation with the Central and Arctic Region of DFO, Inuit organizations and universities, chiefly the Nunavik Research Centre. A number of projects were carried out in the course of the year, including the following:

• sampling of beluga in Hudson Bay, genetic analyses and assessment report on the status of the beluga in Nunavik;
  
• consultation with the communities in Nunavik and support for beluga management planning in Nunavik; and
  
• placing of satellite transmitters on 13 belugas and monitoring of their movements (this work was completed with the help of Inuit from Umiujaq, Kuujjuaraapik and the Nunavik Research Centre), and brought to 20 the number of belugas tracked by satellite since 2002.

Since 2003, the Regional Science Branch has pursued a scientific program monitoring oceanographic conditions in Hudson Bay and Hudson Strait in order to better understand and track the dynamics of this ecosystem, including the influence of freshwater influxes. The initiative will also be continued and extended in the context of the federal government's International Polar Year program.

Oceans and Environment Directorate

In 2003-2004, the Regional Oceans and Environment Directorate in Northern Canada focussed on activities associated with reviewing the Eastmain-1A and Rupert Diversion project and with the projects under the Nunavik Marine Infrastructures Program.

Efforts aimed at harmonizing the various processes (Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and JBNQA) continued and a representative of the Regional Oceans and Environmental Directorate continued to sit on COFEX-N.

As part of the Marine Infrastructures Project, the Directorate took part in evaluating the Puvurnituk project, including the Fisheries Act analysis, site visits and the COFEX-North environmental assessment.

The Directorate was involved in evaluating the Eastmain-1A and Rupert Diversion project in Cree territory. This hydroelectric power development, promoted by Hydro-Quebec and the James Bay Energy Corporation, is subject to the JBNQA environmental assessment process and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. A specific agreement for a joint Canada-Quebec-Cree review was concluded. The Directorate was involved in preparing the joint directive and held technical meetings with the promoters.

Efforts aimed at harmonizing the various processes (Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and JBNQA) continued and a representative of the Regional Oceans and Environmental Directorate continued to sit on COFEX-N.

As part of the Marine Infrastructures Project, the Directorate took part in evaluating the Puvurnituk project, including the Fisheries Act analysis, site visits and the COFEX-North environmental assessment.

The Directorate was involved in evaluating the Eastmain-1A and Rupert Diversion project in Cree territory. This hydroelectric power development, promoted by Hydro-Quebec and the James Bay Energy Corporation, is subject to the JBNQA environmental assessment process and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. A specific agreement for a joint Canada-Quebec-Cree review was concluded. The Directorate was involved in preparing the joint directive and held technical meetings with the promoters.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Quebec Region, Expenditures ($), 2003-2004

	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Northern Quebec
Marine Infrastructure Program	—	*	—	*
Fisheries Management Branch KRG Agreement	—	565,000	—	565,000
Science Branch
Program expenditures	—	185,000	—	185,000
Oceans and Environment Directorate
Program expenditures	40,000	20,000	—	60,000
Total	40,000	770,000	—	810,000

* This table does not include $1,000,000 paid through INAC.

Environment Canada

In 2003-2004, Environment Canada, through its representatives on the James Bay Advisory Committee on the Environment (JBACE), the Kativik Environmental Advisory Committee (KEAC) and the Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Coordinating Committee, continued to assist in implementing the environmental protection and social environment regimes, as well as the hunting, fishing and trapping regime. For 2003-2004, Environment Canada's expenditures related to the implementation of the Agreements totalled $70,000.

Northern Ecosystem Initiative

As part of the Northern Ecosystem Initiative (NEI), Environment Canada established a regional steering committee on which the main environmental participants in Northern Quebec were invited to sit. The steering committee comprises representatives of the Cree, Inuit, Naskapi and Innu Aboriginal organizations.

In 2003-2004, $190,000 was provided, including $181,000 paid directly to the following organizations for projects in Northern Quebec:

• Cree Regional Government: $10,000 for the Community Empowerment Action project, and $15,000 for a public consultation on the content of a protocol governing the sharing, use and dissemination of wildlife harvesting data compiled in Northern Quebec;
  
  
• Kativik Regional Government: $15,000 for an Atlas to identify and monitor plants and vegetation in 14 northern villages in Nunavik, and $50,000 for the (Climate Change in Nunavik: Access to Territory and Resources) project; and
  
  
• Kawawachikamach Naskapi Nation: $15,000 for developing a teaching tool to transfer traditional Naskapi knowledge of plants and vegetation.

Wildlife and Habitat Management

Under the Canada/United States Cooperation Agreement that forms part of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Environment Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service prepared inventories of American black duck and canada geese in 2003-2004. As in previous years, the study of the reproduction and band work on the canada geese were completed as part of the joint Arctic geese plan to continue the assessment of the status of the species and the factors impacting on reproduction in this group of birds. The Canadian Wildlife Service allocated $100,000 for this work, plus a further $75,000 for inventories of migratory birds in the boreal forest.

Environmental Protection

In collaboration with the KRG, Environment Canada was involved in disseminating the report on the inventory of abandoned mining exploration sites, completed in March 2003, and in the preparation of the plan to restore the 18 sites of greatest concern. No expenditures were generated by this activity in 2003-2004.

In summer 2003, Environment Canada specialists participated in an inventory of an Akpatok Island site at which gas and oil exploration activities were conducted in 1969. The inventory and the production of a report were carried out in partnership with the ARG, the Makivik Corporation, the Government of Nunavut and INAC. The expenditures for these activities amounted to $30,000.

The final version of the report Shellfish Water Quality Programs in Nunavik: Field Campaign 2002, Nature and Assessment of Risks [translation] was completed in 2003-2004.

Canadian Meteorological Service

Environment Canada's Meteorological Service operates a network of 18 weather stations on the territory covered by the agreements, including three aerology stations and a network of three lightning stations located at LG VI, in Wemindji and Kuujjuarapik. The Department also provides a range of meteorological services such as weather forecasting, warnings, weather watch, marine forecasting and air traffic forecasts for the benefit of Northern residents and visitors.

The research project on atmospheric mercury in Kujjuarapik continued in collaboration with York University (UK).

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

Under chapters 22 and 23 of the JBNQA, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) supports the federal administrator and provides advice and administrative support to the various committees established under the Agreement.

The Agency's Quebec regional office continued its efforts to coordinate the environmental assessment processes on the territory covered by the Agreement and to share information among the various federal members on the Chapter 22 and 23 consultative committees.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada have been providing funding since 1999 for the construction of marine infrastructures in a number of Inuit villages. To implement these projects, the promoter, the Makivik Corporation, must comply with the requirements of three environmental assessment process, namely the two processes set out in the JBNQA (federal and provincial) and the federal process contained in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA).

With the active collaboration of the federal authorities concerned – the Federal Environmental and Social Impact Review Panel (COFEX-N) and the Makivik Corporation – the Agency's Quebec regional office has developed a mechanism to coordinate the two federal processes (JBNQA and CEAA). Since 2001, the projects have been the subject of a COFEX-N screening delegation in accordance with CEAA section 17.

Since 2003, as a result of an economic partnership agreement between Quebec and the Inuit, construction on these projects has fulfilled the needs of small craft (Phase I) and re-supply vessels (Phase II). Phase II will eventually be implemented in the municipalities in which Phase I has been completed.

In 2003, marine infrastructure projects at Salluit and Kangirsuk were authorized under the CEAA and JBNQA processes, before the commencement of major work by the promoter. During the autumn, work began on the COFEX-N assessment of the marine infrastructure projects in Aupaluk and Puvirnituq. These projects should be approved under the CEAA and JBNQA before work is expected to begin in spring 2004.

The Agency's expenditures for April 1, 2003, to March 31, 2004, included the annual $173,500 federal contribution for maintaining joint funding, with the Government of Quebec, for the James Bay Advisory Committee on the Environment (JBACE) and the Kativik Environmental Advisory Committee (KEAC) secretariats.

Environment Canada and Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, Expenditures ($), 2003-2004

	Total
Environment Canada
Committee expenses	70,000
Northern Ecosystems Initiative	175,000
Wildlife and habitat management	175,000
Environmental protection	30,000
Subtotal	450,000
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency	205,063
Total	655,063

Natural Resources Canada

 Canadian Forest Service

In 2003-2004, the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) of Natural Resources Canada continued implementing the First Nations Forestry Program (FNFP). The objective of this program is to improve the economic conditions of Aboriginal communities through sustainable forest development. In addition to the dimension of forest development on reserve, the program offers components focussing on the economic development of Aboriginal forestry, that is, the development of Aboriginal businesses, cooperation between communities and partnerships with the forest industry. This program is funded jointly by INAC and Natural Resources Canada.

In 2003-2004, contributions totalling $85,404 were distributed to the Cree community of Waswanipi to fund activities covered by the FNFP.

A contribution of $53,000 was paid to the Waswanipi Mishtuk Corporation to assist in sylviculture projects on a site covering 750 hectares. The work consisted of checkerboard clear-cutting and regeneration cutting, pre-commercial thinning, site preparation, blowdown recovery and the planting of 68,000 new trees. Nine kilometres of forest road construction was also completed. The total value of the forest development work in 2003-2004 was over $425,000.

In addition, the Waswanipi Cree model forest, the 11th model forest in Canada, which was in its sixth year of operation, received a $508,999 contribution from the Canadian Forest Service's Model Forest Program to continue its activities, which are focussed primarily on developing concrete approaches and solutions for Aboriginal forestry.

The FNFP also paid $32,404 to the Eenatuk Forestry Corporation of Mistissini. This assistance was applied to sylvicultural work covering an area of close to 175 hectares, in particular land preparation, plantation clearing and reforestation comprising 194,444 plants. The total value of the work done in 2003-2004 was over $50,000.

All the projects proposed by these communities under the FNFP were evaluated, where required, under the provisions of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act by the Canadian Forest Service.

Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Expenditures ($), 2003-2004

	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
FNFP	85,404	—	—	97,550
Model forests	508,999	—	—	508,999
Total	594,403	—	—	594,403

Geomatics Canada

The Geomatics Canada sector of Natural Resources Canada is active in the territory covered by the JBNQA and the NEQA through its Eastern Regional Operations Centre (EROC), Legal Surveys Division, and in particular through the Quebec City Client Services Unit (CSU-Q).

The Quebec City Client Services Unit, the local representative of the Legal Surveys Division, is composed of land surveyors who are also Canada Lands surveyors and of technologists who regularly give professional advice and consultation on the land tenure system and its management, on establishing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and on questions arising from various geomatics-related disciplines.

CSU-Q's involvement with Aboriginal communities in the region consists primarily in managing survey contracts, aerial photography, photogrammetric control, cartography and colour orthophotography. CSU-Q also produces descriptions of the extent and location of land interests requiring registration on Cree and Naskapi lands.

During 2003-2004, CSU-Q prepared 44 parcel plans of land interests for registration on Cree lands, while updating plans representing interests for each Cree and Naskapi community. Ongoing support for the work of the central registrar was also provided.

Justice Canada

The Department of Justice, through the Aboriginal Justice Directorate, in partnership with Aboriginal communities and the provinces, develops long-term community-based programming that facilitates the transfer of responsibilities for the administration of justice to Aboriginal people and promotes a reduction in crime and incarceration rates. The following Cree, Inuit and Naskapi community justice programs were funded through the Aboriginal Justice Strategy:

The Cree Regional Government

Implementation of a justice program with the ultimate aim of coordinating and supporting the development, implementation and maintenance of community justice programs in Quebec's Cree communities.

 The Whapmagoostui Council

The objective of the community justice committee is to find solutions to disputes within the community. This conflict resolution mechanism aims to enhance community participation in social control mechanisms.

 The Council of the Mistissini Cree Nation

The Justice Committee takes a different approach to dealing with offences in the community. By referring cases to the Justice Committee from social services (in the case of young offenders) and when prosecution is initiated (in the case of adults), it aims through the involvement of its members to provide support and alternatives to settling disputes as well as enhancing the future prospects for offenders and their victims.

 The Council of the Kawawachikamach Naskapi Nation

The Naskapi Nation will continue to implement a community justice program through the Naskapi Healing Justice Committee. This committee works with the Court by making sentencing recommendations and providing advice and support to offenders and victims, using such alternative justice models as mediation, diversion and sentencing circles.

The Makivik Corporation

The objectives of the project are to maintain continuity in the operations of the Justice Committees established earlier to enable the committees to discharge their mandate, which is to provide and engage in the promotion of mediation, alternative sentencing (diversion) and sentencing recommendations. The objectives also involve coordination with community correctional initiatives and could include assistance in reintegrating offenders into the community (dispute resolution circle).

Justice Canada, Expenditures ($), 2003-2004

	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Aboriginal Justice Strategy	18,771	—	—	18,771
Native Paralegal Assistance Program	91,328	79,682	19,093	190,103
Total	110,099	79,682	19,093	208,874

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Rabies control is the CFIA's only activity in Northern Quebec, where the Mirabel District's animal health program was responsible for delivering the program. The District's veterinarians are responsible for training personnel for the region to take samples from dead specimens suspected of having contracted rabies for diagnostic analysis in a CFIA laboratory. About 25 specimens were sent to our laboratories in 2003-2004.

	2000-2001	2001-2002	2002-2003	2003-2004	2004-2005
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada	181,009,000	193,632,594	186,922,943	195,281,734	211,549,375
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation	42,673,518	44,364,765	41,804,276	41,797,000	41,823,800
Human Resources Development Canada	11,796,730	17,462,698	17,814,683	19,991,595	22,302,362
Health Canada	8,069,540	11,827,148	12,235,769	12,371,131	12,952,189
Public Safety and Civil Protection Canada (Solicitor General Canada)	6,699,353	6,991,096	6,525,725	10,649,719	8,727,309
Transport Canada	9,620,068	8,551,393	8,156,973	8,968,900	9,444,505
National Defence	2,041,000	2,900,000	3,160,000	3,411,000	3,746,000
Canada Economic Development	635,571	521,511	1,828,962	2,022,150	2,070,751
Canadian Heritage	1,836,345	1,857,962	2,717,629	2,688,587	1,278,735
Industry Canada	2,162,245	950,279	1,085,870	895,221	707,194
Fisheries and Oceans Canada	487,000	910,000	877,000	810,000	788,000
Environment Canada**	552,912	781,783	850,837	655,063	769,122
Justice Canada	508,456	269,700	430,550	594,403	547,700
Natural Resources Canada/Canadian Forest Service	543,450	596,920	459,533	208,874	225,233
Total	268,635,188	291,617,849	284,870,750	300,345,377	316,932,275

FEDERAL EXPENDITURES BETWEEN 2000 AND 2005: 1,462,401,439

* Figures provided by each department.
** Including the expenditures of the Canadian Environmental Agency.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

During 2004-2005, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada allocated $211,549,375 to Cree, Inuit and Naskapi organizations and communities under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA), the Northeastern Quebec Agreement (NEQA) and federal programs.

Population

As of June 30, 2004, the agreements covered 24,543 beneficiaries, including 14,270 Cree, 9,455 Inuit and 818 Naskapi.

 Education

The Department allocated $100,348,900 for education expenditures:

• Education services and school infrastructure provided to the Cree School Board, Kativik School Board and Central Quebec School Board, which serves the Naskapi, through the Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport of Quebec:

	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Education services	67,023,224	19,105,705	2,493,390	88,622,319
School infrastructure	4,517,513	4,358,869	156,938	10,033,320
Total	71,540,737	24,464,574	2,650,328	98,655,639
Number of students*	3,615	2,978	251	6,844

*Figures for the 2004-2005 school year include pre-school to secondary students, and are supplied by the Ministère de l'Éducation of Quebec.

• $232,529 to the Avataq Cultural Institute for the Inuit and $202,229 to the First Nation Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres/National Association of Cultural Education Centres for the James Bay Cree Cultural Centre; and
  
  
• $1,460,732 to cover expenditures under INAC employment programs for Inuit and First Nations young people set up under the federal government's Youth Employment Strategy, as follows:

	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Science and technology summer camps	53,671	54,890	3,054	111,615
First Nations and Inuit co-operative education	142,697	115,557	6,430	264,684
Summer career placements	261,121	228,226	12,697	502,044
Work experience opportunities	302,885	279,504	—	582,389
Total	760,374	678,177	22,181	1,460,732

Capital, Operations and Maintenance

During 2004-2005, $93,608,540 was allocated to capital, operations and maintenance and infrastructure-related projects in Cree, Inuit and Naskapi communities. This amount includes $16,312,500 for Cree and Naskapi capital projects, $58,411,432 for their operations and maintenance, and $16,107,500 for infrastructure projects in Cree, Inuit and Naskapi communities. Expenditures allocation by beneficiary group is the following:

• Cree
  
  – $14,948,000 in capital works grants;
  – $54,578,862 for operations and maintenance of communities, including an adjustment of $4,231,216 to core funding for new infrastructure;
  – $883,865 under the federal program for the maintenance of facilities and equipment provided through the Cree Regional Authority (CRA) for the following projects: $55,865 to identify emergency work for the water system in Whapmagoostui; $160,000 for repairs to the wastewater system pumping station in Wemindji; $88,000 to move fire hydrants in Eastmain; $100,000 to Waskaganish to conduct studies on the capacity of the water supply ($25,000), leaks in the water system ($25,000), the assessment of the wastewater system by video camera ($25,000) and the overall condition of the wastewater system pumping station ($25,000); and $480,000 to upgrade the pumping station at the Waswanipi water system;
  – through the First Nations Water Management Strategy for improving the safety of the water supply in communities, INAC provided $802,096 to the CRA for the following urgent projects:
  • Eastmain, $250,000 to obtain a diagnostic on the state of its water and wastewater systems using an electronic tool (aquadata) and make repairs; $162,000 to move fire hydrants; and $95,000 to upgrade the wastewater system pumping station;
  • Waskaganish, $10,000 for a study on the capacity of the water reservoir;
  • Nemaska, $250,000 to complete work on the second well; and
  • Waswanipi, $35,096 for various water treatment services;
  – $150,000 to the CRA to cover the costs stemming from the new
  provincial fire regulations;
  – $200,000 to conduct a study on the social and environmental impacts of the access road project in Waskaganish, and $124,000 and $27,000 to replace a water pipe and install new valves in part of the community's water system;
  – Wemindji, $85,000 to carry out a series of minor repairs to the water system;
  – $323,000 for road work in Nemaska; and
  – $10,000 to Waswanipi to host the annual provincial firefighters' competition.
  
  
•  Inuit
  
  INAC provided $16,057,500 to the Makivik Corporation under the following agreements:
  – $57,500 in annual funding to the community of Chisasibi under the Inuit Housing Agreement (1996-2006) to address the housing needs of the area's Inuit population;
  – $10,000,000, $5,000,000 of which is provided by the CMHC, under the five-year agreement (2000-2005) to build social housing in Nunavik; and
  – $6,000,000 for the agreement on the Northern Quebec Marine Infrastructure Program.
  The Kativik Regional Government received $50,000 to purchase furnaces in order to dispose of used oil in Kuujjuaq and Salluit.
  
  
•  Naskapi
  
  – $1,364,500 in capital funding grants;
  – $3,832,570 for operations and maintenance of the community;
  – $12,637 to purchase radio equipment for the Kawawachikamach Public Works Department and the Volunteer Fire Department;
  – $108,631 to purchase a forklift and to pay for part of an excavator;
  – $28,732 to purchase two pumps for the pumping station; and
  – $22,147 for training two wastewater treatment plant operators.

Electricity

In 2004-2005 INAC provided $4,514,741 to Waskaganish for electricity.

Social Development

Mistissini, Waswanipi and Kawawachikamach receive social assistance services directly from the Department. In the remaining JBNQA communities, these services are provided by the Government of Quebec. The funding provided by Canada in 2004-2005 break down as follows:

	Total
Committee expenses	868,745
Waswanipi	935,667
Kawawachikamach	854,414
Total	2,658,826

The federal government also participates in community social development by funding initiatives promoting health and better quality of life through the National Strategy for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities (SIPD) and the Federal Family Violence Initiative (FVI). The following amounts were provided in 2004-2005:

	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
SIPD	21,346	25,744	1,764	48,854
FVI	139,491	169,200	11,635	320,326
Total	160,837	194,944	13,399	369,180

Economic Development

INAC participates in Aboriginal economic development through direct funding of Community Economic Development Organizations (CEDOs) and other sectoral organizations. These organizations provide technical and financial assistance to economic development projects. In 2004-2005 the Department provided:

	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
	1,582,341	1,120,441	55,154	2,476,016

Funding allocated to the Cree included $400,784 for the Cree Trappers' Association, $212,602 for the Cree Outfitting and Tourism Association and $35,600 for the CRA to support Cree arts and crafts activities.

The Department also provided the following additional funds for other economic development projects:

• Cree
  
  – $250,000 to Mistissini to open a restaurant and $45,000 to purchase a grader for forest roads; $1,000 to Whapmagoostui for the 2004 National Aboriginal Day celebrations and $74,140 to purchase a rock crusher to start and operate a new business; $75,000 to the Wabannutao Eeyou Development Corporation Eastmain to expand Yaoutao Transport through the purchase of four ten-wheeler trucks, heavy machinery, a trailer and office equipment; $61,750 to Oujé-Bougoumou for two projects (to start up a seasonal landscaping business ($26,750) and cover part of the costs for acquiring an outfitter); $17,500 to Waswanipi to set up and operate a trucking business in the community; and $25,000 to the CRA to support Cree arts and crafts associations' activities for the 51st Quebec Winter Carnival in February 2005.
  
  
• Inuit
  
  – Kativik Regional Government, $54,081 to complete INAC's contribution to start up a business in Inukjuaq and $400 for various expenses; Makivik Corporation, $137,200 to support a number of projects and initiatives, including mapping services and the purchase of scientific equipment for the Nunavik Research Centre, research into the living conditions of seniors in Nunavik, an aquaculture project in Kuujjuaq, a youth summer camp in Kuujjuaq, a prevention program for young people and a cultural reintegration program. Makivik also received $9,700 to explore various options in connection with the project for a federal presence in Nunavik.
  
  
•  Naskapi
  
  – $550 to the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach for activities in celebration of the 2004 National Aboriginal Day.
  – The Department also provided $36,000 to Mistissini for the Resource Access Negotiations Program for its negotiations regarding mining sector.

 Environment

No environment projects were funded in 2004-2005.

 Indian Registration

 INAC and the Cree and Naskapi communities are responsible for Indian registration records. The Department provided a total of $99,157, $94,673 to the Cree and $4,484 to the Naskapi, for their participation in maintaining the registry.

 Cree-Naskapi Land Registry

In 2004-2005, the INAC regional office in Quebec City through its Central Registrar proceeded with the Cree and Naskapi land registration work using the system in place. Meanwhile, the local registrars were trained, in line with the training that started during the previous years.

The current system makes it difficult to update the information. Modernization of the system by computerizing data on all transactions regarding Cree and Naskapi land and infrastructure is necessary for improved results from the work done by the Central Registrar at the regional office and local registrars of the Cree and Naskapi bands.

The training of local registrars continued as the Central Registrar visited all of the Cree and Naskapi communities on an ongoing basis. The training focused on the land management plan, zoning regulations, the procedure for allocating residential lots and matters involving exemption from seizure.

"Gathering Strength: Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan"

The following amounts were allocated under Gathering Strength initiatives for various projects in Cree, Inuit and Naskapi communities in 2004-2005:

 New Paths for Education

$1,373,893 to the Cree School Board, $667,944 to the Kativik School Board and $93,507 to the Central Quebec School Board to strengthen management and governance skills in education, improve the effectiveness of classroom instruction through consultants specialized in various subjects, encourage the participation of communities and parents, and support the transition from school to the job market.

Water and sewer initiatives

In 2004-2005 $1,710,000 was allocated for the following projects in Cree ($1,310,000) and Naskapi ($400,000) communities:

•  Cree
  
  – Waskaganish, $40,000 to review the capital assets inventory and $5,000 to conduct a study on bank stabilization at water intake;
  – Eastmain, $40,000 to review the capital assets inventory, $32,000 to conduct a study on the pumping station and $68,000 for a drainage study;
  – Mistissini, $40,000 to review the inventory of capital assets in the community and $700,000 for protection works against storm water runoff;
  – Whapmagoostui, $40,000 to review the capital assets inventory and $45,000 to conduct a study on expanding the community's territory;
  – Chisasibi, $40,000 to review the capital assets inventory and $50,000 to conduct a study on expanding the community's territory to the west;
  – Wemindji, $40,000 to review the capital assets inventory;
  – Nemaska, $40,000 to review the capital assets inventory;
  – Waswanipi, $40,000 to review the capital assets inventory and $50,000; and
  – Oujé-Bougoumou, $40,000 to review the capital assets inventory.
  
  
• Naskapi
  – $400,000 to conduct the preliminary survey phase (options
  review, treatment trials, plans and specifications, environmental assessment) of a project to install a new water treatment system in Kawawachikamach.

Professional Development

$50,000 to the Makivik Corporation to set up a temporary office to develop an implementation plan to facilitate the transition towards a new kind of self-government in Nunavik.

Economic Development and Economic Development Opportunity Fund

$6,250 to Mistissini to set up a commercial and industrial cleaning business; $25,860 to Whapmagoostui as additional funding for purchasing a rock crusher in order to start and operate a new business; and $100,000 to the Kativik Regional Government to build a small hotel in Kangirsuk and $27,000 as additional funding to start an Inukjuak business.

 Self-governance Negotiations

In 2004-2005 INAC provided $485,675 to the Makivik Corporation for negotiations for Nunavik's self-government; it also continued to support the Corporation by allocating $54,000 to cover the operating costs of a technical advisory committee tasked with advising Inuit negotiators on issues surrounding the amalgamation of some existing public institutions into a single administrative and decision-making entity.

 Other Financial Assistance

The Makivik Corporation also received $200,000 from the Department in support of negotiations for creating a Nunavik government and $349,393 to cover the costs of implementing the JBNQA.

Cree-Naskapi Commission

During 2004-2005 INAC provided $685,342 to the Cree-Naskapi Commission to fund its activities regarding the implementation of the Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Expenditures ($), 2004-2005
	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Education
Education services	67,023,224	19,105,705	2,493,390	88,622,319
School infrastructure	4,517,513	5,358,869	156,938	10,033,320
Cultural centres	202,229	232,529	—	434,758
Employment programs	760,374	678,177	22,181	1,460,732
	72,503,340	25,375,280	2,672,509	100,551,129
Capital	14,948,000	—	1,364,500	16,312,500
Operations and maintenance	54,578,862	—	3,832,570	58,411,432
Infrastructure-related projects	2,604,961	16,107,500	172,147	18,884,608
	72,131,823	16,107,500	5,369,217	93,608,540
Electricity Waskaganish	4,514,741	—	—	4,514,741
Social development
Social assistance	1,804,412	—	854,414	2,658,826
NSIPD-FVI Programs	160,837	194,944	13,399	369,180
	1,965,249	194,944	867,813	3,026,006
Economic development	2,131,731	1,321,822	105,154	3,558,707
NAR	36,000	—	—	36,000
Environment	—	—	—	0
Indian registration	94,673	—	4,484	99,157
"Gathering Strength" initiatives
Education reform	1,373,893	667,944	93,507	2,135,344
Water and sewer initiatives	1,310,000	—	400,000	1,710,000
Professional development	—	50,000	—	50,000
Building capacities	—	—	—	0
Economic development/Opportunity Fund	32,110	127,000	373,681	532,791
Self-government	—	539,675	—	539,675
	2,716,003	1,384,619	867,188	4,967,810
Other financial assistance	—	549,393	—	549,393
Subtotal	156,093,560	44,933,558	9,836,915	210,864,033
Cree-Naskapi Commission	—	—	—	685,342
Total	156,093,560	44,933,558	9,836,915	211,549,375

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), in cooperation with INAC, is directly involved in the Cree and Naskapi communities through its non-profit housing program funded under section 95 of the National Housing Act and the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP).

The housing program for the Inuit is administered by the Quebec housing corporation, the Société d'habitation du Quebec, under a federalprovincial cost-sharing agreement.

In 2004-2005, the CMHC paid operating grants for some 1,970 housing units in eight Cree communities and 128 units in Kawawachikamack. Renovations were also made to 19 units in the various Cree communities under the RRAP, bringing the total to $352,000.

Training sessions continue to be held for individuals in charge of housing in the Cree and Naskapi communities, covering such subjects as air quality, energy conservation and construction and renovation techniques.

CMHC, Expenditures ($), 2004-2005
	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Federal Grants	8,321,500	32,875,000	627,300	41,823,800
Subsidized Housing	1,968	1,873	128

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

The Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy (AHRDS), created in 1999, was supposed to end on March 31, 2004, but was extended by one year in order to implement a second version of the program (AHRDS II) in April 2005. This additional year enabled Quebec Aboriginal organizations operating under Aboriginal Human Resources Development Agreements (AHRDAs) to continue working on the labour market programs for which they were given responsibility.

The Naskapi received their share of the AHSDS funding, which this year amounted to $448,203.

The Inuit received $2,300,000 for the administration of the agreement on programs and services signed in 1999 and $7,312,942 for human resources development under AHRDS.

During 2004-2005, implementation of the agreement reached in October 2001 between HRSDC and the Cree Regional Authority (CRA) continued. The territorial program implementation committee invested close to $3,000,000 in training programs in such key industries as forestry, construction and tourism. Funding under the agreement for this year totalled $12,241,217.

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Expenditures ($), 2004-2005
	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Labour market program	—	—	—	—
Treasury Board funds	3,355,967	4,246,331	240,559	7,842,857
Employment Insurance funds	1,387,635	1,270,079	97,717	2,755,431
Programs for the disabled Inuit and First Nations	59,338	50,190	—	109,528
Child Care Initiative	1,381,033	1 390,775	88,359	2,860,167
Youth Initiatives	391,963	279,205	21,568	692,736
Organizational Capacity	90,281	76,362	—	166,643
Territorial Programs	3,000,000	—	—	3,000,000
Administration	2,575,000	2,300,000	—	4,875,000
Total	12 241 217	9 612 942	448,203	22,302,362

Health Canada

During 2004-2005, Health Canada's Quebec Region First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) provided $12,952,189 for various health care programs in the Cree, Inuit and Naskapi communities.

 Brighter Futures Program

The FNIHB continued to support this program, which focuses on child development and parenting skills. The Aboriginal component is designed to help communities develop their own approaches to child development.

 Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative

This program provides health promotion and diabetes prevention services. The emphasis is on helping recipients to adopt healthier lifestyles that are also suited to their culture. Work has focused on creating and carrying out activities to reduce diabetes.

 Building Healthy Communities

Building Healthy Communities is designed to help communities develop community-inspired approaches toward managing mental health crises and has helped the Cree, Naskapi and Inuit communities to introduce various activities to achieve this.

 Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program

This program provides support for expectant mothers whose health and the development of their baby are at risk. The general objective is to improve the nutritional health of mothers and young children placing special emphasis on persons at risk. Prevention and promotion activities are conducted by providing information on nutrition and available services. Activities also focus on education, the benefits of breast-feeding, nursing and support for nursing mothers.

Aboriginal Head Start On Reserve Initiative

This early intervention strategy addresses the needs of children aged six and under living in First Nations communities. The communities have provided early intervention in the lives of children and their families by supporting their spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical growth. The program has also supported parents, teachers and guardians in planning, introducing and evaluating projects.

The Inuit are not covered under the program, because they receive funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

 Solvent Abuse Program

In order to eliminate or reduce solvent abuse, communities have been giving training to street workers who patrol the communities and give wellness workshops to raise awareness of the harmful effects of solvent abuse.

 First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program

In 2004-2005, the FNIHB contributed financially to building infrastructure to implement the program and train workers in delivering home and community health services.

 National Aboriginal Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Program

The regional FNIHB office funded prevention activities to help communities reduce alcohol and drug consumption and provide culturally appropriate treatment to First Nations and Inuit.

Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)

The services listed below are provided by the NIHB is available to all, on and off-reserve Cree, Inuit and Naskapi, thereby helping to pay for all or a portion of the following services:

• Medication
• Medical transport
• Dental care
• Medical equipment and supplies
• Vision care
• Crisis intervention

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Program

The program is designed to prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorder among the newborn and to improve the lives of affected children and their families.

First Nations and Inuit Tobacco Control Strategy

Emphasis is placed on reducing consumption, especially among young people, and on preventing disease and death caused by tobacco use among First Nations and Inuit members. Various promotional activities aimed at encouraging cessation, awareness raising and respect for the traditional use of tobacco were introduced.

Promoting and implementing cessation activities were the main activities held by the communities.

Health Canada, Expenditures ($), 2004-2005
	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Growing Together Program	1,074,142	980,648	63,268	2,118,058
Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative	206,372	195,435	12,592	414,399
Building Healthy Communities	793,922	739,990	47,910	1,581,822
Canadian Prenatal Nutrition Program	67,116	233,272	16,847	317,235
Aboriginal Head Start on Reserve Initiative	1,202,407	—	—	1,202,407
Solvent Abuse Program	148,488	129,890	8,496	286,874
First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program*	659,862*	1,874,804*	109,201	3,643,867
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Program	503,585	207,000	11,941	722,526
National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program	689,844	743,060	51,922	1,484,826
Tobacco Control Strategy	81,600	97,779	—	179,379
Non-Insured Health Benefits	721,361	269,505	1,950	992,816
Health Career	1,000	—	—	1,000
Others	7,980	—	—	7,980
Total	7,156,679	5,471,383	324,127	12,952,189

* Includes cost of building infrastructure for program delivery.

Transport Canada

Transport Canada maintained its support for Cree, Inuit and Naskapi communities, investing a total of $8,727,309 in its programs during 2004-2005.

Transport Canada contributed $813,820 to the Kativik Regional Government (KRG) for the management of Kuujjuaq Airport. Investments totalling $1,493,510 were also made to complete construction of the multi-purpose building, to normalize the movement areas on runway 07-25 and to refurbish the terminal sector.

Transport Canada contributed $2,047,154 under the Airport Facilities Assistance Program 1 to improve security at the Aupualuk, Kangirsuk, Kuujjuarapik and Puvirnituq airports.

The Department's environmental compliance effort included a payment of $350,462 to the Inuit communities to complete the cleanup of the Cape Hope Advance site in Quaqtaq and to decontaminate the Kuujjuaq Airport pipeline.

During 2004-2005, Transport Canada paid $1,000,000 to the Makivik Corporation to make marine infrastructure improvements through Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) under the Northern Quebec Marine Infrastructure Agreement.

Transport Canada's expenditures under the Marine Security Inspection and Training Program for Inuit communities totalled $73,707.

Under their maintenance contract, the Eastmain Cree received $193,564, the Waskaganish Cree, $126,283, and the Wemindji Cree, $180,875 from Transport Canada. These three communities also received the following amounts from the Department: $870,204 to improve airport facilities and finance the purchase of heavy equipment to maintain the Eastmain Airport; $220,640 to complete regraveling of the movement areas and finance the purchase of maintenance equipment for the Waskaganish Airport; $635,604 to improve airport facilities and finance the purchase of heavy equipment to maintain the Wemindji Airport.

The following additional amounts were paid by Transport Canada to ensure the operation and maintenance of these remote airports: $30,746 for the Eastmain Airport; $6,211 for the Waskaganish Airport; $5,950 for the Wemindji Airport.

The Airport Capital Assistance Program enabled Transport Canada to pay $400,000 to the Inuit communities for a project to improve security at the Chisasibi Airport. Created in 1995, the Program has been extended to March 31, 2010. It provides eligible airports with assistance in financing capital projects related to security, asset protection and operating cost reduction. To qualify, airports must offer year-round regularly scheduled passenger service, meet Transport Canada airport certification requirements and not be owned by the federal government.

The Cree communities also received $823,539 for soil decontamination at Nitchequon.

Transport Canada paid $181,700 to the Schefferville Airport Corporation to manage the Airport, and has spent $204,962 to purchase the heavy equipment required to maintain the airport facilities.

A project to restore the firefighter training site at the Schefferville Airport was carried out to meet environmental standards, with the Cree and Naskapi communities having received $142,085 from Transport Canada for the project.

Transport Canada also provides these communities with aircraft and ship inspection, security and support operations services.

Transport Canada, Expenditures ($), 2004-2005*
	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Airport management	—	813,820	181,700	995,520
Operations and maintenance	500,722	—	—	500,722
Facilities	1,726,448	1,493,510	204,962	3,424,920
Supplementary airport operation and maintenance	42,907	—	—	42,907
Environment	823,539	350,462	142,085	1,316,086
Subtotal	3,093,616	2,657,792	528,747	6,280,155
Airports Capital Assistance Program	400,000	2,047,154	—	2,447,154
Total	3,493,616	4,704,946	528,747	8,727,309

* This table does not include a payment of $1,000,000 by INAC.

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (Formerly Solicitor General Canada)

 Aboriginal Policing Directorate

Cree policing services were funded in 2004-2005 through the Aboriginal Policing Program under the tripartite agreement between the Cree Regional Authority and the Government of Quebec.

Under this program, the Kativik Regional Government received $5,024,148 under the JBNQA for police services in the Inuit communities. Funded 52% by the federal government and 48% by the Government of Quebec, the Program provides for the operation of the Kativik Regional Government police service and includes 54 full-time officers policing Nunavuk's 14 communities.

The Kawawachikamach Naskapi have also benefited from this type of funding under a bilateral agreement, with the amount allocated representing Canada's 52% share of total policing costs.

Correctional Service Canada

During 2004-2005, the Correctional Service of Canada maintained its Aboriginal Liaison Officer services in each institution, contributing $58,030 to Native Para-Judicial Services of Quebec for the Cree, Inuit and Naskapi. This organization is responsible for assisting and counselling Aboriginal offenders in federal penitentiaries to facilitate their safe return to the community. In addition, $30,101 went to various correctional programs tailored to the needs of Aboriginal offenders, primarily in the areas of drug addiction, family violence and sex offences.

Under sections 81 and 84 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, $123,532 was paid for the accommodation, supervision and treatment of offenders on parole in halfway houses.

The Correctional Service of Canada paid $211,663 for Cree, Inuit and Naskapi in 2004-2005.

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, Expenditures ($), 2004-2005
	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Aboriginal Policing Directorate	3,940,375	5,024,148	268,320	9,232,843
Correctional Service Canada
Native Para-judicial Services of Quebec	19,343	38,687	—	58,030
Adapted correctional programs	10,034	20,067	—	30,101
Parole-related services	41,177	82,354	—	123,531
Sub-total	70,554	141,108	—	211,662
Total	4,010,929	5,165,256	268,320	9,444,505

National Defence

Land Force Quebec Area (LFQA) is responsible for activities related to delivering Canadian Rangers and Junior Canadian Rangers programs in its area of responsibility, the province of Quebec. During 2004-2005, the Department of National Defence (DND) allocated $3,746,000 to these two programs in Quebec.

The Canadian Rangers are volunteers between the ages of 18 and 65 who provide a military presence in remote and isolated areas of Canada and, if needed, provide support to the Canadian Forces during major exercises and in response to requests for assistance. Within its area of responsibility, LFQA has 23 Ranger patrols with a complement of 724 Canadian Rangers. On the territory covered by the agreements, LQFA has 17 Canadian Ranger patrols with 509 members including 405 Inuit, 85 Cree and 19 Naskapi.

 DND also provides the Junior Canadian Rangers program, a free program of activities for young people between 12 and 18. In its area of responsibility, LQFA has 28 Junior Canadian Ranger patrols with 741 members: 398 Inuit, 70 Cree and 39 Naskapi. Camp Okpiapkik 2004 provided advanced training for young people of all ethnic backgrounds (non-Aboriginal, Inuit, Cree, Naskapi and Montagnais) who form 2 CRPG. The activity took place in Wemindji on the shores of James Bay from late June to mid-July 2004, with more than 180 young people involved.

 Canadian Heritage

The Citizens' Participation Directorate of the Department of Canadian Heritage supports a wide range of activities in Northern Quebec, particularly Aboriginal communication networks, friendship centres, protection of Aboriginal languages and cultures, support for Aboriginal organizations, and initiatives to improve conditions for Aboriginal women.

Funding was also provided for the new Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centres, which create a network of urban, multipurpose Aboriginal youth programming. The programming provides accessible, Aboriginal community-based, culturally relevant and supportive projects, programs, services and counselling to urban Aboriginal youth, and will facilitate their participation in other programs in order to improve their economic, social and personal prospects.

During 2004-2005, Canadian Heritage provided support amounting to $2,070,751 to Aboriginal communities in Northern Quebec as follows:

Canadian Heritage, Expenditures ($), 2004-2005

	Total
Northern Native Broadcast Access Program
James Bay Cree Communications Society	292,000
Taqramiut Nipingat Incorporated (TNI)	907,317
Aboriginal Representative Organizations Program
Makivik Corporation	201,645
Native Friendship Centre Program
Senneterre Native Friendship Centre Inc.*	1,114,158
Val-d'Or Native Friendship Centre Inc.*	171,237
Cree Indian Friendship Centre of Chibougamou	142,697
Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centres Senneterre Native Friendship Centre Inc.*
Senneterre Native Friendship Centre Inc.*	68,020
Val-d'Or Native Friendship Centre Inc.*	94,628
Cree Indian Friendship Centre of Chibougamou	79,049
Total	2,070,751

* The services provided by these Native Friendship Centres are not restricted exclusively to the beneficiaries of the agreements.

Canada Economic Development

The completion of a telecommunications infrastructure project for Nunavik ($184,486) was the highlight of 2004-2005. Most of the funds went to support the SADCs through the Community Futures Program, including capitalization of the Youth Strategy fund ($84,000) and the establishment of the Rural Enterprises program ($48,261) for Eeyou Economic Group. Both contributions promote local small-business development.

The Agency also supported tourism development in Nunavik by contributing to a project to create a Northern cruise ship service.

Canada Economic Development, Expenditures ($), 2004-2005
	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Idea-SME	79,241	41,226	—	120,467
Strategic Regional Initiatives	204,010	255,000	—	469,010
Community Futures program	395,455	303,803	—	699,258
Total	678,706	600,029	—	1,278,735

Industry Canada

Through Industry Canada's Aboriginal Business Canada (ABC) program, a total of $707,194 was invested during 2004-2005 to support 12 business projects in Cree, Inuit and Naskapi territory.

Of this amount, $528,113 was paid to Cree entrepreneurs and organizations for nine projects; $165,000 to Inuit organizations and entrepreneurs for two projects and $14,081 to a Naskapi organization for one project.

ABC funds were invested in a variety of industrial sectors, including tourism, although a substantial percentage was invested in the development of the region's Aboriginal economy. The projects included the establishment and expansion of Aboriginal businesses and the development of a Cree Inuit Naskapi Total range of business and marketing plans.

Industry Canada, Expenditures ($), 2004-2005
	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Aboriginal Business Canada	528,113	165,000	14,081	707,194

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) administers research and development projects in Northern Quebec through its Quebec Region.

Through the Quebec Fisheries Management Branch, the Department participates in the hunting, fishing and trapping regime, as stipulated in section 24 of the JBNQA. Through the Science Branch, it participates, jointly with INAC, Environment Canada and the CEAA, in implementing the social and environmental protection regimes, as stipulated in sections 22 and 23 of the JBNQA.

 DFO is also a co-signatory to an agreement with INAC and Transport Canada under which an annual payment of $3,000,000 is made over a 10-year period for the construction of marine infrastructure in the 14 Inuit communities in Nunavik in order to increase the capacity and safety of navigation, with a view to developing economic ties between the communities and outside regions. In 2004-2005, DFO, through INAC, contributed $1,000,000 to the Makivik Corporation under the terms of this agreement.

 Aboriginal Fisheries Division – Fisheries Management

In 2004-2005, the Department continued its implementation of the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS). Negotiation and application of the new Beluga Management Plan for Nunavik and adjacent waters (2004) continued with the 14 Nunavik municipal corporations, the Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Association of Nunavik, the Makivik Corporation, and the Kativik Regional Government. In view of the availability of new scientific data on the status of the beluga population, DFO felt the need to revise the total allowable catch (TAC) for 2004. Ungava Bay was opened on an exceptional basis to allow for a pilot project to hunt 12 belugas in July. As in the previous year, a total ban was placed on hunting in the Ungava Bay zones, (except in July) and in Eastern Hudson Bay. Areas open to hunting in 2004 were Hudson Strait, Long Island, James Bay and, in July, Ungava Bay.

The cooperation agreement with the Kativik Regional Government provided funding for the coordination of the work and the observation patrols of nine Inuit fisheries wardens and for maintaining the working relationship with a DFO-hired multidisciplinary officer in Inukjuak. This agreement also covers the seasonal hiring of renewable resource officers in each of the 14 communities in Nunavik. They are responsible for producing statistical data on the beluga catch, as well as providing the population with information on the Beluga Management Plan and supporting DFO fisheries officers on patrol.

A number of communities received the annual visit for discussions with the Inuit partners in the form of negotiation meetings and patrols.

 Science Branch

The scientific activities conducted in 2004-2005 by the Regional Science Branch in the Canadian North were a continuation of the work done in previous years. These research projects are often conducted in cooperation with the Central and Arctic Region of DFO, Inuit organizations and universities, chiefly the Nunavik Research Centre. A number of projects were carried out in the course of the year, as a follow-up to previous years' activities.

Since 2003, the Regional Science Branch has pursued a scientific program monitoring oceanographic conditions in Hudson Bay and Hudson Strait in order to better understand and track the dynamics of this ecosystem, including the influence of freshwater influxes. The initiative will also be continued and extended in the context of the federal government's International Polar Year program.

Oceans and Environment Directorate

In 2004-2005, the Regional Oceans and Environment Directorate (Oceans and Habitat Regional Directorate as of October 2004) in Northern Canada focused on activities associated with reviewing the Eastmain-1A and Rupert Diversion project and with the projects under the Nunavik Marine Infrastructures Program.

Efforts aimed at harmonizing the various processes (Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and JBNQA) continued and a representative of the Regional Oceans and Environmental Directorate was appointed to COFEX-North.

As part of Marine Infrastructures Project, the Directorate took part in evaluating the Aupualuk, Inukjuak and Tasiujaq projects, including the Fisheries Act analysis, site visits, habitat compensation agreements and the COFEX-North environmental assessment.

The Directorate also began the assessment of the project to enlarge loading dock at the Falconbridge mining facility in Deception Bay. The Directorate was involved in evaluating the Eastmain-1A and Rupert Diversion project in Cree territory. This hydroelectric power development, promoted by Hydro-Quebec and the James Bay Energy Corporation, is subject to the environmental assessment procedure of the JBNQA and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. A specific agreement for a joint Canada-Quebec-Cree review was concluded. The Directorate held technical meetings with the promoters, paid a field visit and began to analyse the promoters' impact study.

The Directorate was also involved in reviewing a two-phase (2004 and 2005) Eastmain Cree Nation project to stabilize the banks along the Eastmain River estuary. The analysis showed that Fisheries Act authorization was not required.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Quebec Region, Expenditures ($), 2004-2005
	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Northern Quebec Marine Infrastructure Agreements	—	*	—	*
Fisheries Management Branch KRG Agreement	—	510,000	—	510,000
Science Branch Program expenditures	—	183,000	—	183,000
Oceans and Environment Directorate Program expenditures	75,000	20,000	—	95,000
Total	75,000	713,000	—	788,000

* This table does not include the amount of $1,000,000 paid through INAC.

Environment Canada

In 2004-2005, Environment Canada, through its representatives on the James Bay Advisory Committee on the Environment (JBACE), the Kativik Environmental Advisory Committee (KEAC) and the Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Coordinating Committee, continued to assist in implementing the environmental protection and social environment regimes, as well as the hunting, fishing and trapping regime. For 2004-2005, Environment Canada's expenditures related to the implementation of the Agreements totalled $54,000.

Northern Ecosystem Initiative

With reference to the environmental action plan for Northern Quebec, adopted by the regional steering committee in 2002 for Northern Quebec, a multi-year investment plan was adopted by the regional steering committee and was used to fund a series of projects and activities. In 2004-2005, $200,000, including $181,000 for the following projects in Northern Quebec, was paid out to the Cree Regional Government, the Kativik Regional Government, and to the Kawawachikamach Naskapi Nation.

Wildlife and Habitat Management

Under the Canada/United States Cooperation Agreement that forms part of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Environment Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service prepared inventories of American black duck and canada geese in 2004-2005. As in previous years, the study of the reproduction and band work on the canada geese were completed as part of the joint Arctic geese plan to continue the assessment of the status of the species and the factors impacting on reproduction in this group of birds. The Canadian Wildlife Service allocated $100,000 for this work, plus a further $75,000 for inventories of migratory birds in the boreal forest.

The Makivik Corporation received $18,500 for a project on traditional ecological knowledge concerning the polar bear in Nunavuk. The Kativik Regional Government obtained $30,000 to encourage Inuit involvement in the 2004 DFO inventory of beluga in James Bay and Hudson Bay.

Environmental Protection

In December 2004 in Kuujjuaq, Environment Canada took part in disseminating the plan to restore the 18 sites of greatest concern pursuant to the inventory of abandoned mining exploration sites in Nunavik.

In autumn 2004 the results of an inventory and proposal to restore a 1969 oil and gas exploration site on Akpatok Island were presented to INAC officials in Iqaluit.

The final version of the report Shellfish Water Quality Programs in Nunavik: Field Campaign 2002, Nature and Assessment of Risks was completed. In all, $3,500 was spent on environmental protection activities.

 Canadian Meteorological Service

Environment Canada's Meteorological Service operates a network of 18 weather stations on the territory covered by the agreements, including three aerology stations and a network of three lightning stations located at LG VI, in Wemindji and Kuujjuarapik.

The Canadian Meteorological Service coordinated an intensive measuring campaign in Nunavik to identify the sources and quantify the origins of air pollutants in Arctic regions; $20,000 was allocated to the campaign.

The research project on atmospheric mercury in Kujjuarapik continued in collaboration with the ArcticNet centres of excellence network.

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

Under sections 22 and 23 of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA), the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) supports the federal administrator and provides advice and administrative support to the various committees established under the Agreement.

In 2004, marine infrastructure projects at Aupaluk and Puvirnituq, and the project to modify the existing structures in Quaqtaq were authorized under the CEAA and JBNQA processes, before the commencement of major work by the promoter. During the autumn, work began on the COFEX-N assessment of the marine infrastructure projects in Tasiujaq and Inukjuaq. These projects should be approved under the CEAA and JBNQA before the planned work start in the spring of 2005.

No projects were evaluated by the Federal Environmental and Social Impact Review Panel – South (COFEX-S), there being no mandate for a federal or local administrator.

The Agency's expenditures for April 1, 2004, to March 31, 2005, totalled $287,122; this included the expenses of the federal COMEV members and the costs related to the federal review panels (COFEX-N and COFEX-S). The Agency served as executive secretariat for both review panels 2004-2005. This amount includes the annual $245,000 federal contribution for maintaining joint funding, with the Government of Quebec, of the secretariats of the James Bay Advisory Committee on the Environment (JBACE) and the Kativik Environmental Advisory Committee (KEAC). This year, the contribution to the KEAC increased by $72,000. The Agency is continuing its efforts to make this a recurring increase.

Environment Canada, Expenditures ($), 2004-2005

	Total
Environment Canada
Committees' expenditures	54,000
Northern Ecosystems Initiative	181,000
Wildlife and habitat management	223,500
Environmental protection	3,500
Canadian Meteorological Service	20,000
Subtotal	482,000
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency	287,122
Total	769,122

Natural Resources Canada

 Canadian Forest Service

In 2004-2005, the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) of Natural Resources Canada continued implementing the First Nations Forestry Program (FNFP). The objective of this program is to improve the economic conditions of Aboriginal communities through sustainable forest development. In addition to the dimension of forest development on reserve, the program offers components focussing on the economic development of Aboriginal forestry, that is, the development of Aboriginal businesses, cooperation between communities and partnerships with the forest industry. This program is funded jointly by INAC and Natural Resources Canada.

In 2004-2005, contributions totalling $57,700 were distributed to the Cree community of Waswanipi to fund projects and activities covered by the FNFP. The community of Mistissini did not participate in the FNFP in 2004-2005.

This contribution of $57,700 was paid to the Waswanipi Mishtuk Corporation to assist in sylviculture projects on a site covering 715 hectares. The work consisted of checkerboard clear-cutting and regeneration cutting, pre-commercial thinning, site preparation, blowdown recovery and the planting of 67,000 new trees. Eight kilometres of forest road construction was also completed. The total value of the forest development work in 2004-2005 was close to $460,000.

In addition, the Waswanipi Cree model forest, the 11^th model forest in Canada, which was in its seventh year of operation, received a $490,000 contribution from the Canadian Forest Service's Model Forest Program to continue its activities, which are focused primarily on developing concrete approaches and solutions for Aboriginal forestry.

All the projects proposed by these communities under the FNFP were evaluated, where required, under the provisions of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act by the Canadian Forest Service.

Natural Resources of Canada Canadian Forest Service, Expenditures ($), 2004-2005
	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
First Nation Forestry Program	57,700	—	—	57,700
Canada's Model Forest Network	490,000	—	—	490,000
Total	547,700	—	—	547,700

Geomatics Canada

The Earth Sciences Sector of Natural Resources Canada is active in the territory covered by the JBNQA and the NEQA through its Eastern Regional Operations Centre (EROC), Legal Surveys Division, and in particular through the Quebec City Client Services Unit (CSU-Q).

During 2004-2005, CSU-Q prepared about 20 parcel plans of land interests for registration, while updating plans representing interests (registry plans) for each Cree and Naskapi community.

A more extensive cartography program was conducted on Cree territory during 2004-2005, with new 1:8000 aerial photographs having been taken for the Chisasibi, Wemindji, Eastmain, Waskaganish and Nemiscau communities. New map sheets, digitized orthophotographs and registration plans were prepared for each community.

 CSU-Q regularly provides professional advice and consultation for those with an interest in Cree and Naskapi lands, and supports local registrars and the central registry in the preparation of documents and registration of rights and interests on category 1-A lands.

CSU-Q continues its involvement in various active files including the creation of Oujé-Bougoumou, the land modification file in Mistassini and the addition of Block D to Chisasibi.

Justice Canada

The Department of Justice, through the Aboriginal Justice Directorate, in partnership with Aboriginal communities and the provinces, develops long-term community-based programming that facilitates the transfer of responsibilities for the administration of justice to Aboriginal people and encourages a reduction in crime and incarceration rates. The following Cree, Inuit and Naskapi community justice programs were funded through the Aboriginal Justice Strategy:

 The Cree Regional Government

Implementation of a justice program with the ultimate aim of coordinating and supporting the development, implementation and maintenance of community justice programs in Quebec's Cree communities.

The Whapmagoostui Council

The objective of the community justice committee is to find solutions to disputes within the community. This conflict resolution mechanism aims to enhance community participation in social control mechanisms. This program handles cases involving young offenders as well as adult offenders.

 The Council of the Mistissini Cree Nation

The Justice Committee provides a different approach to dealing with offences in the community. By referring cases to the Justice Committee from the social services, in the case of young offenders, and when prosecution is initiated, in the case of adults, it aims through the involvement of its members to provide support and alternatives to settle disputes as well as enhancing the future prospects for offenders and their victims.

The Council of the Kawawachikamach Naskapi Nation

The Naskapi Nation will continue to implement a community justice program through the Naskapi Healing Justice Committee. This committee works with the Court by making sentencing recommendations and providing advice and support to offenders and victims, using such alternative justice models as mediation, diversion and sentencing circles.

 The Makivik Corporation

The objectives of the project are to maintain continuity in the operations of the Justice Committees established earlier to enable the committees to discharge their mandate, which is to provide and engage in the promotion of mediation, alternative sentencing (diversion) and sentencing recommendations. The objectives also involve coordination with community correctional initiatives and could include assistance in reintegrating offenders into the community (dispute resolution circle).

Justice Canada, Expenditures ($), 2004-2005
	Cree	Inuit	Naskapi	Total
Aboriginal Justice Strategy	18,500	—	12,000	30,500
Native Paralegal Assistance Program	95,076	80,701	18,956	194,733
Total	113,576	80,701	30,956	225,233

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Rabies control is the CFIA's only activity in Northern Quebec, where the Mirabel District's animal health program was responsible for delivering the program. The district's veterinarians are responsible for training personnel for the region to take samples from dead specimens suspected of having contracted rabies for diagnostic analysis in a CFIA laboratory. A few specimens (25) were sent to our laboratories in 2004-2005.