Hydro-Québec fined $5M for acting in institutional bad faith toward Innu community – CBC

Jan 21, 2025

Crown corporation has ‘heightened obligations toward Indigenous peoples,’ says lawyer

The Quebec Superior Court has found that Hydro-Québec acted in institutional bad faith in its dealings with the Innu First Nation of Uashat and Mani-Utenam, failing to honour an agreement reached with the community during the development of the La Romaine hydroelectric complex a decade ago.

In its Jan. 8 decision, the court ordered the Crown corporation to pay $5 million in compensation to the Innu Takuaikan Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam (ITUM) band council.

The judgment describes Hydro-Québec’s role in never-ending negotiations with the First Nation to reach a final agreement, an “abusive” out-of-court settlement and the ignorance of key Hydro-Québec executives over the corporation’s policies guiding its relations with Indigenous peoples.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/hydro-quebec-fined-institutional-bad-faith-1.7433242