NEWS

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

It 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 Montreal, where she lives. any projects that “do not have social

“It’s with a great deal of humility acceptability.” and enthusiasm “The Cree that I accept Nation has the mandate made incredible entrusted to me. strides in relaAt a time when tion to develpublic service opment, it is no is more impor- longer possible tant than ever, This was the first for companies I’m delighted to team up with meeting for a real like HydroQuébec to unithe thousands of exchange on how we laterally decide men and women at Hydrocan strengthen what happens or what is introQuébec who our relationship duced in Eeyou are passionate about their - Grand Chief Abel Bosum Istchee,” Bosum continued. work and more Still, existdetermined than ing projects ever to innovate “require ongoin order to help ing operational customers, sup- work, includport their com- ing 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.”