Recently the French writer and Nobel laureate, Le Clézio, denounced plans to dam the Romaine River in an article published in the French daily Le Monde.  The article sparked this reaction from Jean Charest, as quoted in the Gazette…

I have to ask myself if Jean Charest has ever heard of Maude Barlow, the co-author of “Blue Gold” who writes eloquently about the corporate theft of the world’s water. If he had, Charest might have thought twice before he proudly announced Quebec’s ‘blue-gold’ program of hydroelectric production (read about it in the Gazette). Then again, for all intensive purposes, isn’t that Charest’s plan?  To convert Quebec’s rivers into reservoirs for the sake of cheap aluminum… What would Barlow do?

In other news… “There was something uncomfortably Kim Jong-il-ish about the massive “Great Builder of Quebec” billboards that provincial Liberals erected in honour of Jean Charest at their general council meeting last weekend. But the boards did serve to at least clarify what the third-term premier wants future generations of Quebeckers to remember about him…” Can you believe it? Read about Charest’s legacy of white elephants in the Globe and Mail

You must have heard by now that work has begun to dam the Romaine River and you may be asking yourself, well, what does this mean for Alliance Romaine!?  It means we are doubling our efforts and taking on the challenge!  Maybe you are also worried about Jean Charest’s plans to fast-track work on the Little Mecatina, or his plans to build 8000mW of additional power on Quebec’s North-Shore…  Come find out what Alliance Romaine’s next step in the battle for our rivers will be.  Be it running a marathon, communications, advocacy, paddling, or activism, you will find exciting ways to link your interests with our efforts.  Monday’s meeting will be a social fiesta, so bring your ideas and your love for Quebec’s rivers, and get ready to make a difference!  Meeting on Monday, June 1st at 7PM, 4065 Oxford, near the Villa-Maria metro station.  For more information, email us at info@allianceromaine.org

Alliance Romaine is looking for committed runners to participate in a chain of marathons connecting the Rupert River, near James Bay, to the Romaine River, on the North Shore. The purpose of this campaign is to draw attention to the challenges facing Quebec’s wild rivers, and to press the Quebec government to halt construction of the hydroelectric complex on the Romaine.

The event will begin in early September, making publicity stops in towns and urban centres.

Participants will work in affinity groups, and should be willing to undergo a rigorous training programme, involving practise three times a week.

If you are interested, please contact Alliance Romaine at info@allianceromaine.org

We also invite interested runners to attend an upcoming slideshow presentation on the Romaine River (date to be announced), or any Alliance Romaine meeting.

Chris traveled to Québec City on behalf of Alliance Romaine and spoke to reporters at the National Assembly on thursday, April 23rd. The days events can be read on the National Assembly’s website.

(Quebec, April 23, 2009)- Alliance Romaine, a grassroots environmental group protesting against the planned dams on the Romaine River, has collected over 5500 signatures of citizens who also believe that the Romaine River should not be damned. The petition, presented today to the National Assembly by Member Amir Khadir, is a clear demonstration of the outrage of citizens from across Quebec.

Signatures were collected from large and small cities alike, including Quebec City, Victoriaville, Trois Rivieres, Kuujjuaq and Ekuanitshit.

“On top of being a hydroelectric project which is too large and disruptive to be recognized as sustainable by such organizations as US Renewable Energy Production Incentive, the BAPE report clearly stated that further study was necessary to understand the great risks posed by the project,” said Chris Scott, spokesperson for Alliance Romaine.

“Line Beauchamp, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, is scheduled to give her formal opinion of the Romaine River project by the end of April,” said Fran Bristow, spokesperson for Alliance Romaine. “Her opinion must reflect the voices of this petition- the voices standing up for conservation not for development without demand.”

Through the Obama administration’s Green energy plan, large scale hydroelectric dams, like the one planned for the Romaine River, are not considered green, and will not be eligible for any subsidies.

“As we stated in our petition, it is essential that Quebec’s political authorities support and commit to a sincere long-term vision focusing on the Earth and its people rather than over-consumption and profit,” said Mr. Scott, “Quebec currently has a surplus of electricity, the US does not need or want our electricity, and Quebec will only try export this electricity to the detriment of the natural ecosystems and the local people of the North Shore.”

“Conservation programs are the key,” added Mr. Scott, “Mme Beauchamp must recognize the significant dissonance against destroying one of the last large rivers our beautiful province has. The Romaine River project must be cancelled.”

Who Speaks for Our Rivers?  The event was a great success, thanks to all those who came out and to all the presenters.  Keep visiting this blog to find out about more exciting, upcoming events!

Chris Scott brings us information from Ekuanitshit, one of the Innu communities on the Romaine River that will be most effected by the proposed dams.  Read his article in the Mirror.

Listen to this fantastic radio show, the Current with Anna Maria Tremonti – aired on tuesday, March 24th. Discusses the Romaine River, Hydro-Québec and green-washing. Listen here!

It appears as though Mr. Charest is forgetting the proper order of events for reviewing environmental impacts of major development projects… Read more in the Globe and Mail.

Also in the Globe and Mail, Hydro Québec a slow learner on native rights.