Chiefs to travel to Quebec City to oppose Bill 85 and take position on A30 Lands

08/10/2017

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the Community that Chief & Council will be traveling to Quebec City on Tuesday, August 15th to hold a press conference concerning the proposed Bill 85 and related Autoroute 30 (A30) lands issues.

The visit to Quebec will be to present Kahnawà:ke’s position on the matter of Bill 85, as Hearings of the Parliamentary Committee responsible for the Bill are scheduled to take place in the National Assembly on the same day. The purpose of Bill 85 is to fast-track economic development along A30. Lands identified in the Bill cut through Seigneury of Sault St. Louis lands and over lands to which Kahnawà:ke claims title.

Chiefs will hold a press conference to advise the Quebec government and the general public of Kahnawà:ke’s opposition to the Bill as currently drafted; to put Quebec on notice of concerns related to the A30 land transfer to Kahnawà:ke; and to condemn any further erosion of Seigneury of Sault St. Louis lands.

“It′s not their land to make laws and we′re going there to make sure this is understood and respected," said Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton. “We must put them on notice that we are strongly opposed to any further movement on Bill 85 and the trampling on the rights and interests of the Mohawks of Kahnawà:ke.”

“There are several outstanding matters that Kahnawà:ke agreed to, to allow for the construction of A30 and we cannot allow these commitments to remain unfulfilled,” he continued. “We must hold Quebec accountable to fulfilling these commitments before proceeding with legislation to, again, further benefit the surrounding municipalities to the detriment of Kahnawà:ke’s land and economic interests in the region. It is time for this to stop and for progress that gives Kahnawà:ke economic opportunity to start.”

Chiefs will be traveling by bus to Quebec City and are welcoming local media and Community members to ride along free of charge. The bus will leave the MCK at 9am. Please confirm your attendance with Brandi Meloche by Monday, August 14th at noon at 450-632-7500 or brandi.meloche@mck.ca. The bus will return to Kahnawà:ke immediately after the proceedings.