The Superior Court’s judgment favorable to ITUM illustrates the importance of Hydro-Québec’s new approach

Reacting by press release to the judgment of the Superior Court favorable to the Innu of Uashat and Mani-Utenam, Hydro-Québec notes that the file illustrates the importance of its new approach in its relations with Indigenous communities. Hydro-Québec accepts the decision of the Superior Court concerning an agreement in principle and events dating back several years.

At the beginning of December 2024, Hydro-Québec presented its Strategy for economic reconciliation and strengthening relations with First Nations and Inuit. It aims to ensure that Hydro-Québec projects are developed in close collaboration with indigenous communities and therefore create real benefits for these communities.

In a judgment dated January 8, 2025, the Superior Court ordered Hydro-Québec to pay $5M to ITUM, plus interest and legal costs. It recognizes the bad faith of the state corporation in the implementation of an agreement in principle reached in 2014 concerning the hydroelectric complex of the Romaine River.

Read also: ITUM welcomes “a historic judgment” which condemns Hydro-Québec in the Romaine case