The James Bay Advisory
Committee on the Environment (JBACE)
is composed of representatives of three
governments: Canada, Québec
and the Cree Regional Authority. It was established
for the purpose of advising these governments
concerning the adoption of policies, laws
and regulations or measures having environmental
or social consequences for the Cree Nation.
The JBACE also oversees the administration
and management of the environmental and social
protection regime established by the 1975
James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement
(JBNQA). This regime provides for a special
status and involvement for the Cree people
in the impact assessment of development projects
in the Agreement Territory.
When studying issues such as drinking water
quality, residual materials recycling, access
to the Territory or the creation of protected
areas, the JBACE always places emphasis on
the rights guaranteed to the Crees under
the JBNQA. These rights deal with a way of
life and system of land ownership driven
by hunting, fishing and trapping.
