Big Meeting on Bill 66 Tomorrow
Written by Paul Graif on 27 October 2020
An important meeting is scheduled tomorrow between representatives from the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke and the Quebec government regarding controversial Bill 66.
Ratitsénhaienhs Tonya Perron, Ross Montour and Gina Deer are scheduled to meet with the new Quebec Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs Ian Lafrenière tomorrow via video-conference. The MNA for Champlain and sponsor of Bill 66, Sonia LeBel, Quebec’s Minister Responsible for Government Administration and Chair of the Conseil du Trèsor, will also be in attendance. Ratitsénhaienhs Gina Deer:
“We have a great deal of concern around Bill 66 and there are outstanding issues that Kahnawà:ke has with Quebec and a lot of the work done on a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ has been done on the part of MCK as well as looking at relationship framework. We want to discuss how we’re going to move forward with Quebec. We haven’t had a meeting at this level since the CAQ has been elected so, for us it’s an important big step but I hope that this will be an indication of how we will go forward with the new Minister of Indigenous Affairs.”
Ian Lafrenière, who represents the Vachon riding, was named Minister on October 9, 2020, replacing Sylvie D’Amours.
On the agenda: addresses from both sides on the Quebec-Kahnawà:ke Relationship, the MCK’s priorities and issues as well as discussions on Bill 66, Quebec’s economic stimulus legislation.
