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Context

The creation of the Cree-Québec Forestry Board (CQFB) falls under the implementation, On February 7, 2002, of the Agreement concerning a new relation between le gouvernement du Québec and the Crees of Québec, known also as ''La Paix des Braves'', an historic agreement which paves the way to a new era in the relations between Québec and the Crees. This agreement, intended to formalize the common desire to harmonize management of the natural resources in the north of Québec with respect for the Cree way of life and for the development of local Cree communities, contains a large section dealing with forestry. within the framework of this agreement, a new dialogue lay the foundations for the Cree-Québec Forestry Board.

The two primary deployment mechanisms for this part of the Agreement that have been set up are the five joint working groups in communities and the Cree-Québec Forestry Board (CQFB). The board was officially created on September 15, 2003, as stipulated by the order implementing the Paix des Braves.

Cree communities Population* Number of traplines included Number of Forest Management Units Mistissini 3 023 31 4 Nemaska 626 7 2 Ouje-Bougoumou 599 13 2 Waskaganish 1 977 8 2 Waswanipi 1 511 62 9 Non-native communities Population* Chapais 1 757 Chibougamau 7 746 Lebel-sur-Quévillon 3 119 Matagami 1 791 Municipalité de Baie-James 1 326

*Institut de la statistique du Québec, July 1^st, 2006

The Municipalité de Baie-James territory corresponds to the part of the Nord-du-Québec region that is south of the 55th parallel, excluding the territories of the towns of Chibougamau, Chapais, Matagami and Lebel-sur-Quévillon and the category I lands (lands to the exclusive use of the Crees).

Priority Actions for 2008-2009

• Produce the assessment of the Chapter 3 implementation of the Agreement and produce the required recommendations
• Produce an advice on the GFMP processes and proceed with the follow-up of the GFMPs and the annual plans after their approval. Produce required advices and recommendations, if need be
• Contribute to the follow-up streaming from the review of the allowable cut on the Agreement’s territory
• Produce, if required, an advice to the parties regarding the recommended adjustments for the adapted forestry regime
• Strengthen the communications regarding the Agreement and the CQFB for the 2008-2011 period

Priority Actions for 2007-2008

• Provide advice to the Minister on the 15 GFMPs in the Territory of the Agreement for 2008-2013
• Contribute to the realization of allowable cut calculations in the Territory of the Agreement
• Provide advice to the parties on the natural disaster management approach
• Provide advice to the parties on the adjustments recommended to the adapted forestry regime
• Realize the assessment of the first five years of the implementation of Chapter 3 of the Agreement
• Build consensus with the stakeholders involved in the Agreement by improving communication and holding a forum on the issue

Priority Actions for 2006-2007

• Adjustments to the operating procedures of the Joint Working Groups (JWG)
• Preparation of the Board and JWGs for the development of the General Forest Management Plans (GFMP) and annual plans
• Contribution to the development of GFMPs in accordance with the Agreement’s modalities and spirit
• Consultation with the stakeholders involved in the development of GFMPs by improving communication and holding a Forum on the issue
• Finalisation of revisions of the management procedures for natural disasters, and integration into the Agreement

Priority Actions for 2005-2006

• Pilot Project – protection strategies for wildlife habitats
• Adjustment to the adapted forestry regime
• Evaluation and improvement of the level of readiness of the JWG to deliver their mandate
• Preparation to the development of the future GFMP and AFMP
• Development and implementation of a Reference Centre

Directives on wildlife habitats protection
As prescribed in section 59 of Schedule C-4 of the Agreement, the Cree-Québec Forestry Board was mandated to develop draft directives aimed at introducing into the forest management planning process strategies that can take into account the protection and development of wildlife habitats. Over the year, a committee worked in consultation with many stakeholders and identified priority wildlife species and forest management strategies that could protect them. At the end of the year, the Board provided to the Minister an advice concerning these draft directives.