Bourassa called the endeavour "the project of the century". James Bay Cree and Inuit fight the project from the beginning. Get this from a library! It was specially built to accommodate very heavy equipment (up to 500 tons). It followed typical practice of neither informing the Cree people living in the area, nor estimating the consequences of the development as far as they were concerned. In the late 1950s and beginning of 1960s, industrialization in the southern regions began to have a significant impact on the Cree, the animal populations on which they depended, and the ecosystems … Cree also maintain that the land to be used for development in the James Bay project belong to them. Only one was connected to the outside world by … High hopes for the James Bay Project. Quebec Premier announces the James Bay Hydroelectric Project. Cree fear diverting major rivers and flooding areas will greatly affect their way of life (centered around hunting, trapping and fishing). Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa announced on April 30, 1971, the James Bay Hydro Project to tap the energy of the rivers flowing into James Bay and Hudson Bay to produce electric power. The Société d'énergie de la Baie James is the company in charge of building the hydroelectric development known as the James Bay Project in northern Quebec. The James Bay Project (French: projet de la Baie-James) refers to the construction of a series of hydroelectric power stations on the La Grande River in northwestern Quebec, Canada by state-owned utility Hydro-Québec, and the diversion of neighbouring rivers into the La Grande watershed. In 1971, Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa explains the importance of the massive James Bay hydroelectric project. The James Bay Road was built starting in 1971, and took 400 days to complete. From 1950-1970 studies were made of the hydro-electric potential of the region of Quebec east of James Bay.

The Quebec government announced plans in April 1971 for a hydroelectric project in the Baie-James region of northern Quebec. It was built in the 1970s for the Hydro Quebec James Bay Project, a massive hydro-electric project. On April 30, 1971, Premier Robert Bourassa of Quebec announces plans for the “project of the century” –a $6 billion hydroelectric power project in the James Bay region -the largest such development undertaken in North America. In April 1971 Robert Bourassa announced the development of the La Gande complex, calling it "the project of the century." *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. In 1971 northern Quebec became a political battleground as the provincial government and the James Bay Cree faced off over a hydroelectric mega-project. Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa announced on April 30, 1971, the James Bay Hydro Project to tap the energy of the rivers flowing into James Bay and Hudson Bay to produce electric power. Shows why the experience of the Cree with economic development has been positive. Bourassa called the endeavour "the project of the century". Eeyou/Eenou of Eeyou Istchee were not consulted by Quebec on this proposed mega project plan. James Bay Hydro-Electric Project, (April 24, 1971-May 1, 1973) [Don Whiteside] on Amazon.com. Analyzes the nature of the changes that took place as a result of the James Bay hydroelectric project and resultant impact on the Cree Indians of the area. The road was started in 1971 and finished in only 420 days. Compares Cree society in 1971 with that society a decade later.