Quebec agrees with need for urgent meeting on Highway 30, letter to be hand-delivered to Feds

12/14/2015

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke (MCK)  is informing the community that a meeting with Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard on issues relating to the proposed Bill 85 legislation is imminent.

�We spoke to Municipal Affairs Minister Pierre Moreau and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Geoff Kelley late Friday afternoon,� said Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton. �They both agreed that our demand to meet with the Premier was an urgent matter. The sooner we meet face-to-face the better.�
 
A date is expected to be announced shortly.

Additionally, Grand Chief Norton, along with Chiefs Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer and Clinton Phillips, will be attending a Kahnaw�:ke/Canada Relations (KCR) �main table� meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) in Ottawa. The Grand Chief will use the opportunity to hand-deliver a message to the Federal government, reminding them that they have a key role to play in the current Highway 30 issue.

The KCR process brings the MCK and Federal representatives together on an on-going basis to discuss issues related to Lands and Membership. The main table meets occasionally to gain an overview on progress and as a means of discussing new or pressing matters.

�As far as we�re concerned they have to play a leading role,� Grand Chief Norton continued. �Much of what is planned for Highway 30 is on lands within the Seigneury of Sault St. Louis, which we�ve never relinquished � plain and simple. So, as you can see, there�s plenty of work to go around for both Canada and the province.�

Chief & Council continue to meet on the matter of Bill 85, its potential effects on the Territory, and possible/potential strategies. As well, the MCK�s Legal Services team is conducting its legal analysis. The MCK has pledged to keep the community informed on all developments related to this situation.