Paving Agreement for Roads in Listuguj
Message from the Office of Chief and Council:
On April 12, 2018, Councillor Sky Metallic and the Capital & Infrastructure team met with the Department of Indigenous Service Canada (DISC). An agreement was reached between LMG and the Department of Indigenous Service Canada regarding paving the streets in Listuguj, that would allow for the paving to begin as early as this year. There is still work to be done before getting started, however the Capital and Infrastructure department progressing towards making this happen. Plans have been developed for the following streets, with others possibly being added in the near future.
• Nation Lane
• Church Crescent
• Qasgusi
• Isaac Lane
• Dedam Road
• Gitpu Crescent (Pending Caplin Drainage)
• Glitaw
• Pguman
• Milita’j
• Caplin Road (Riverside to Nation Lane)
• Martin Lane
• Old Mill Road
This is a major commitment on the part of the Capital and Infrastructure working in coordination with the Lands department to insure the proper access and permissions are in order. Work to address the rest of Caplin Road continues, involving collaboration with the province, MTQ, and the Department of Indigenous Service Canada.
In addition to the commitments made to paving roads, we have explored several options for a long-term solution to the annual flooding and drainage issues on Caplin Road, and remain hopeful that we can begin working towards that goal in the immediate future.
Chiefs and the First Nations Education Council Working Together to Improve Education in their Communities
For immediate release
First Nations Education in Quebec:
Chiefs and the First Nations Education Council Working Together to Improve Education in their Communities
Montréal, April 5, 2018 – Chiefs of First Nations communities in Quebec, in association with the First Nations Education Council (FNEC), are gathered in Montréal today to discuss important issues related to elementary and secondary education in their communities. They are convinced their children need access to quality education, and they want to draw on the knowledge of their professionals in education and collective vision to develop a funding formula that will enable their schools to provide high quality and culturally adapted education services, and give their students opportunities for higher education.
Discussions were also held on the need to maintain special education services for at-risk students in First Nations schools and the importance of meeting the actual needs of the communities. Invited to participate in this very important meeting, the Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador, Ghislain Picard, reminded those in attendance of the seriousness with which the communities are pursuing their efforts to create an education system that gives their children the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. Chief Picard stated, “Education is essential, and we are gathered here today to find solutions and courses of action that will make it possible to foresee an improvement of the education services offered in our communities.”
In devoting this day to the future of our children, we do not claim to address all current problems, but we are demonstrating our collective will to engage in a process to improve elementary and secondary education for First Nations youths in Quebec.
About the FNEC
For over 30 years, the FNEC has been working to fulfill the right of First Nations to have complete authority over their education through the implementation of an education system that has adequate resources, and that is developed and managed according to their values and cultures. Further information is available at www.cepn-fnec.com.
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Source:
Lise Bastien
Director General
418-842-7672
Seeking Elders to Facilitate Youth and Elders Gathering
The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) and the First Nations of Quebec-Labrador Youth Network (FNQLYN) are currently working together on the organization of a youth and elders gathering that will take place from July 11th to the 15th 2018, at the Centre Vacances Lac Simon, located in Saint-Léonard-de-Portneuf (http://www.vacanceslacsimon.com ), located one hour away from Quebec City.
This gathering will bring together young people and elders from all First Nations of Quebec and Labrador. The main theme will be Culture, with a particular focus placed on intergenerational transmission of knowledge and know-how.
At this point, in order to develop the programming of the gathering, we would like to request your recommendations for elders who might be interested and available to contribute to the gathering to facilitate cultural workshops with Youth. Their knowledge can be of various nature, and we are open to any suggestions, whether for techniques related to culinary preparation, for example the preparation and cooking of game meat, embroidery, legends or traditional knowledge on animals and plants.
For any information, or to provide suggestions, please contact Danny Robertson before April 15, 2018 at:
Danny Robertson
418 842-5020 Ext. 4003
Thank you for your collaboration!
Head Start Applications Now Available for September Session
Applications for the new September Session for Head Start students can now be filled out at the Head Start building, 6 B Pacific Drive, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The deadline to fill out your form is June 8th, 2018.
Please contact Tina Martin at 418-788-3041 for more information.
One-Year Extension of Existing Tripartite Agreement
The Listuguj, Quebec and Canadian governments have agreed to a one-year extension of the existing agreement on the provision of policing services while keeping with the recommendations from the Viens commission.
The one-year extension will allow for a true tri-partite negotiations table starting as early as April 2018 which will meet our current and future needs for a long-term agreement.
The Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government was able to secure funding for the Listuguj Police Department’s operations during the extension, cover the costs incurred from own source revenue along with obtaining additional monies.
Despite the increase, Chief Gray made it clear to both Governments that the discriminatory clause in our agreement forcing us to sign under duress can no longer be a future requirement. “We need a system and legislation that establishes our police department as being on par, as it should be, with others that operate in our traditional territory. The increased funding and commitment to negotiations for the long term lets us move forward without interruption and we can focus on continuing to build our police force.”
Important Update – Public Security
Memo
Date: March 26, 2018
To: Grands Chiefs, Chefs of the AFNQL
Ad Hoc Committee of First Nations Chiefs of Police
From: Ghislain Picard, Chief of the AFNQL
Re: Important Update – Public Security
I am forwarding this brief update on the Public Security file and more specifically, on policing services for the signatories of tripartite agreements.
You will recall that as part of the conclusions of the March 12th meeting convened by AFNQL, it was recommended to denounce the dishonest tactics by Canada and Quebec who claimed good faith negotiations with your representatives for the renewal of the agreements expiring in less than a week.
We took advantage of the opportunity offered by the Viens Commission to participate in the hearings held in Montreal on March 22nd, to report what we consider to be the bad faith on the part of the government parties. Our message was heard as the Commissioner issued the following day a call for clear action that our police services should be recognized as an essential service, that agreements be extended by one year with the necessary financial upgrade and that governments engage in good faith negotiations, considering the real needs of our communities.
Both Canada and Quebec reacted the very next day after our hearing before the Viens Commission. We consulted with the members of the Ad Hoc Committee on March 23rd and we called both Ministers Coiteux and Goodale cabinets to inquire about their positions. They both confirmed being ready to act on Judge Viens’ recommendation. However, I did note some resistance from the Quebec government. The following represents the elements on which there would be an agreement to continue the discussions with the government parties.
- Contrary to what the letters sent last week to most agreements holders, Quebec has indicated that the true deadline to obtain a written confirmation is March 31 rather than March 23. (This information has been shared with your Chiefs of Police);
- The implementation of the 6.10.2 Clause which allows for the renewal of tripartite agreements;
- Contrary to the correspondence sent to the communities, the renewal would take into account the most recent variable offers that were presented to you;
- We asked both cabinets that governments confirm their commitment in writing to all the signatories to the tripartite agreements. This communication will also have to confirm that they agree on a process that allows for discussions that can lead to longer-term agreements.
We will have to pay attention to the provincial budget which will be presented next March 27.
Obviously, the work must continue to ensure the renewal of the agreements to the satisfaction of the communities. We have seen proof over the last few weeks that we need to remain vigilant, but above all, we proved that governments’ parties have acted in bad faith.
Do not hesitate to give me a call for any additional information.
In closing, I must thank those who helped in presenting a convincing case before the Viens Commission. The testimonies were determining.
Discrimination in First Nations Public Safety: the AFNQL Declares an Emergency Situation
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
Discrimination in First Nations Public Safety: the AFNQL Declares an Emergency Situation
Montreal, March 22, 2018 – Following the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and during its hearing today before the Commission of inquiry on relations between Aboriginal people and certain public services in Quebec: Listening, reconciliation and progress in Montreal, the AFNQL intends to demonstrate that the treatment of First Nation public safety, which among others results in the underfunding of police forces, confirms that security in our communities does not get the same consideration as that of non-native citizens. The only conclusions in these circumstances is that there is discrimination. The AFNQL declares the urgent need to act to put an immediate end to this discrimination, to make room for full, fair and equitable essential services as those enjoyed by other citizens.
“The situation has gone on long enough and needs to be corrected without delay. How can we not react when the safety of our members is greatly compromised? That is not acceptable. We expect the Commission to take action of the unfair treatment imposed on our police forces, which are at the mercy of governments that take arbitrary measures with potentially tragic consequences in the execution of their work,” said the Chief of the AFNQL Ghislain Picard.
Just days away before the expiry of the agreements between the federal, provincial governments and First Nation governments, the AFNQL considers the situation untenable. The two governments determine alone the conditions that will govern future agreements to ensure the continuation of public security services within the communities. Are non-Indigenous police forces subject to the same conditions and are they subjected to the same pressures? No! Because public safety is an essential service anywhere else, except i First Nation communities. It should be noted that the funding of police services and the working and operating conditions of First Nation police forces are considerably inferior than those of other police forces in Quebec, including the Sûreté du Québec.
“First Nation Policing is still recognized as a program, not an essential service as they claim. If it was, we would not be in this same situation year after year. To start, we need legislated funding,” said Councillor Lloyd Alcon and AFNQL spokesperson for Public Safety.
“How can we accept such a discriminatory situation in a society like ours? Inhuman treatment related to the safety of our communities must give way to real justice and respect for the fundamental right to individual and collective security to which all citizens are entitled, regardless of who they are and where they are. In the face of such a nonsense, how can we believe in the reconciliation that the federal and provincial governments keep on boasting when really it is nothing more but smoke and mirrors? Instead of determining between themselves the rules that conduct our policing services, we invite them to sit down with us to define together the future of public safety for our Nations and to guarantee the security to which our people are entitled,” concluded Chief Picard.
Watch the live testimony of the AFNQL representatives at: https://www.cerp.gouv.qc.ca/index.php?id=53
About the AFNQL
The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador is the political organization regrouping 43 Chiefs of the First Nations in Quebec and Labrador. Follow us on Twitter @APNQL
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Source:
Alain Garon, agaron@apnql.com
Communications Officer
Cell. : 418 254-4620
Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government in Negotiations to Renew Tripartite Agreement
PUBLIC NOTICE
Currently, the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government is in negotiations with the Federal Government of Canada and the Provincial Government of Quebec to renew the Tripartite Agreement that funds the Listuguj Police Department. Under the Tripartite Agreement, Canada supplies 52% of the funding while Quebec supplies the remaining 48%.
At the moment, the negotiations for increased funding to meet the needs of our police department and to ensure a healthy and successful work environment are not being met. On average the Listuguj Police Department runs a $200,000 deficit each year due to budget constraints.
The Listuguj Police Department is unique in the fact that they hold no prejudice and do not only patrol the community of Listuguj. The nearest SQ detachment is located 20 minutes away in Matapedia, Quebec. Often, our officers are first on the seen in neighboring communities providing first responder aid and assistance.
71% of all cases brought forward to the Court House in New Carlisle are submitted by the Listuguj Police Department. Despite all the good work they do, the Listuguj Police officers are not treated equally in pay compared to their provincial and federal counterparts. An officer from the SQ or RCMP makes nearly double what an officer from the LPD is payed despite having the same amount of training, sometimes more. As a result of this wage gap, there is a high turnover rate of police officers in the LPD because other locations simply pay more.
The need for increased funding is to correct the pay gap, hire more employees as our LPD office is under-staffed, fund new recruits, and to replace old equipment. Some of the equipment currently in use is outdated and poses additional risk to our officers in terms of safety and functionality.
It appears that the two respective governments are intentionally underfunding our police force in order for us to hire individuals from outside the community, mostly fresh out of the academy, for the purpose of gaining experience working in a First Nations community police setting. To what extent is unknown but the sentiment felt is that the purpose of underfunding our police force is to create complications and agitation in the work place to a point where we can no longer sustain our police detachment and have the province step in and police our community.
This was the case in Obedjiwan, Québec where they asked for a funding increase of $600,000 but were denied. The Quebec government had to step in and have the Sûreté du Québec police the community, costing the province $100,000 per week because the community could no longer fund their police department.
This Thursday (March 22nd, 2018) Councillor Lloyd Alcon will be testifying at the Viens Commission in Montreal to the importance of having our own Police Force and the negligent disregard of the combined governments for not considering native police as an essential service and merely that of a program.
For more information contact:
Gregory Wysote, Public Relations Officer
Gregory.wysote@Listuguj.ca
(418)-788-2136 ext. 2026
