Wendake, January 11, 2023 – On behalf of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL), Chief Ghislain Picard wishes to respond to the announcement of Sophie Brochu’s resignation as CEO of Hydro Québec: “It is with some concern that I welcome the announcement of Sophie Brochu’s resignation as CEO of Hydro-Québec.
“It is with some concern that I welcome the announcement of Sophie Brochu’s resignation as CEO of Hydro-Québec. Quebec’s largest state-owned corporation must take into account the fact that its success is based on the exploitation of resources located on First Nations territories that have not been ceded or covered by treaties.”
Ms. Brochu is an important ally for First Nations and takes an approach to relations that contrasts sharply with that of her predecessors. She has recognized the importance of including First Nations in the Crown corporation’s development projects, both in terms of environmental and socio-economic impacts.
During the Grand Economic Circle of First Peoples, Ms. Brochu even stated that she wanted to “deepen and strengthen our dialogue with First Nations and the Inuit Nation in order to define our common goals and chart a course together that will lead us to achieving them.”
On behalf of the AFNQL and my colleagues, I would therefore like to thank Ms. Brochu for her work and express my hope that her successor will continue along the same path. It is in this spirit of continuity that the AFNQL hopes to see the next CEO of Hydro-Québec adopt an approach similar to that developed under Ms. Brochu’s leadership.
I therefore ask the Quebec government to take First Nations issues into account when choosing Sophie Brochu’s successor.