MCK sends letter demanding meeting with Premier Couillard over Highway 30

12/09/2015

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK)  wishes to inform the community that a letter has been sent to Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard demanding an immediate meeting in light of serious concerns with proposed legislation that will directly impact Kahnawà:ke.

The Quebec government  introduced a major plan for economic development along the Highway 30 corridor (‘Bill 85’) into the National Assembly last Friday that would see the re-zoning of lands to allow for economic development.

The MCK is upset in the manner that it was blindsided by the announcement of Bill 85. Foremost among its concerns is the fact that two parcels of land identified in the Bill are among the lands being returned to Kahnawà:ke on the north side of Highway 30 as compensation for land used for the expansion of the highway in 2008. At no time was the MCK informed or consulted on the project. 

The Quebec government passed a decree on 15, Onerahtohkó:wa/May 2013 to formally return approximately 500 of the 700 acres promised by Quebec as compensation for the Highway 30 link to Highway 15 (the additional lands were to be identified at a later time). The return of the lands has been delayed by a lawsuit against Quebec by surrounding mayors claiming they weren’t consulted on the issue.

In the meantime, the MCK is analyzing the potential impacts of Bill 85 on Kahnawà:ke, is considering all its options, and is formulating a plan of action.
 
The MCK will continue to inform and update the community as the need arises.