Charest to launch Rupert River diversion Thursday

Quebec Premier Jean Charest will officially launch construction work Thursday on the Eastmain 1-A hydroelectric dam, a potentially lucrative power plant that will divert the Rupert River in the province's north.

The $4 billion project is the most ambitious hydroelectric installation in the provincein a decade.

Charest was expected to travel to the Cree region to make the announcement in person, but his administration changed its plans at the last minute, citing "logistical" reasons.

The Rupert River, which flows across the province and dumps into James Bay, will be diverted by up to 80 per cent in some areas in order to generate large volumes of power that will translate into cheap electricity for southern clients.

The project has sparked resistance from several sides, including local Cree residents,leaders and environmentalists.

All are concerned about the long-term impact of diverting such a large body of water central to the Crees' hunting and fishing lifestyle.

Many are worried that fish in the river will become contaminated with mercury.

Both the provincial and federal government gave the project a green light and recommended the local population be warned to consume less fish from the river to offset any potential contamination.

The project was midwifed through the Paix des Braves (the Peace of the Braves) agreement, a historic deal brokered by former Quebec premier Bernard Landry and Grand Cree Chief Ted Moses, and signed in 2002 after a referendum in northern Cree communities.

The agreement ensured the Crees' autonomy and allowed Hydro-Québec to pursue its development of hydroelectric plants along the Eastmain and Rupert rivers.

The power plant's construction is expected to bring an economic windfall for surrounding communities in the Saguenay, which will benefit from years of work on the site.

The power plant should be operational by 2010, with the capacity to provide Quebec with an additional 888 megawatts of electricity.