Province Reaches Agreement with Innu on Lower Churchill Development

The Newfoundland and Labrador government has reached a tentative deal with the Labrador Innu over development of the Lower Churchill hydro project.

Premier Danny Williams said today that the agreement, which must still be ratified by the Innu Nation, also allows for redress for the development of the Upper Churchill project in the 1960s.

"The Innu Rights Agreement will bring tremendous new benefits and opportunities to the Innu people of Labrador, and signals a new era of partnership and co-operation between their people and our government," Williams said in his statement.

The agreement is expected to be voted on by the Innu Nation in early 2009 paving the way for further progress on the project plan and development.

"Today, Newfoundland and Labrador is substantially closer to finally seeing this project developed and in the North American context this further positions us as a major player in the energy industry."

The tentative agreement includes an impact benefit agreement with the Innu people, something that has been a stumbling block to the project to move forward, recognizes the location for Innu lands and establishes components of the project where the Innu are assured of economic participation.

Deputy Grand Chief Peter Penashue is confident that the agreement will be ratified.

In his address to the media Chief Penashue sad, "Once it's approved we will be able to turn our focus, energy and resources to addressing the internal issues impacting our communities and building a safe, healthy and productive future for future generations."

Ed Martin, president of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, said the agreement is a "major milestone" for the development of the Lower Churchill mega-project.

"Step by step we are obtaining the certainty necessary to move forward with our project planning and further investment," he said.