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Bosum meets new Hydro head
Grand Chief ’s first face-to-face with Sophie Brochu since her April appointment delayed by pandemic by Ben Powless
I
t took four months, but new HydroQuébec President Sophie Brochu finally met with the Cree Nation Government Grand Chief Abel Bosum August 14. For Bosum, the meeting “was an opportunity to finally sit down together, at a safe social distance, and officially meet.” The pair had talked briefly by teleconference in April, when Bosum congratulated her and invited her to meet. “Our first meeting was a very positive one,” Bosum said. “Mme Brochu is known for being fair and respectful of relationships, be it the one we have with Hydro-Québec, or, more importantly, the relationship we have with the territory, was definitely reassuring. Brochu became the first female permanent President of HydroQuébec April 2, a month into pandemic-control efforts. Previously, she worked over 30 years for energy groups such as the Société québécoise d’initiatives pétrolières (SOQUIP) and Énergir (formerly Gaz Métro). Brochu holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Université Laval
and two honourary doctorates, and for any new projects, and that Hydrois very active with the community in Québec’s position is to not pursue any projects that “do not have social Montreal, where she lives. “It’s with a great deal of humility acceptability.” “The Cree and enthusiasm Nation has that I accept made incredible the mandate strides in relaentrusted to me. tion to develAt a time when opment, it is no public service longer possible is more important than ever, for companies This was the first I’m delighted like Hydromeeting for a real to team up with Québec to uniexchange on how we laterally decide the thousands of what happens men and women can strengthen or what is introat Hydroour relationship duced in Eeyou Québec who Istchee,” Bosum are passion- Grand Chief Abel Bosum ate about their continued. work and more Still, existing projects determined than “require ongoever to innovate ing operational in order to help work, includcustomers, support their coming monitoring, munities and contribute to Québec’s refurbishment and optimization not economic recovery,” Brochu said in just for economic reasons but also a statement in April. for safety, environmental and wildlife Grand Chief Bosum confirmed protection or enhancement reasons,” that there are no current negotiations Bosum stated.
He added that the CNG has ongoing agreements, including the Rupert River Water Management Agreement, which obligates Cree participation in Hydro-Québec’s operational decisions. Bosum says this ensures that all work meets past commitments. A spokesperson for Brochu declined the Nation’s interview request but did say that Brochu is “eager to pursue Hydro-Québec’s partnership with the Cree Nation.” “This was the first meeting for a real exchange on how we can strengthen our relationship and ensure that there is greater transparency in our relationship,” Bosum said. “Mme Brochu is a very capable leader whose frankness and commitment to keep the lines of communication open I greatly appreciated. She is also clearly a very innovative person so I have no doubt she will be instrumental in finding new ways for the Cree and Hydro-Québec to work together without sacrificing our values.”
www.nationnews.ca September 25, 2020 the Nation 5
