Overview
- Members of the Pessamit Innu community rejected the pact by a wide margin, with about 63% voting against it on Sunday and roughly 1,287 ballots cast.
- The proposed agreement would have guaranteed $1.3 billion to settle long‑running land‑use claims and set a new framework for future Hydro‑Québec projects on Nitassinan, including a new power station, a transmission line and wind development.
- Critics inside Pessamit said the council released limited information and gave residents too little time to consider the deal, prompting calls from artists and community members to delay the referendum.
- Quebec officials and Hydro‑Québec said they respect the vote and plan to continue dialogue, and the energy minister signaled the matter may be taken up again by the next provincial government.
- The vote follows recent settlements with other Innu bands and matters to Quebec’s wider plan to expand clean power, so the outcome could reshape how the province seeks Indigenous partnership for its $200‑billion energy build‑out.