G-1.031 - Act respecting the Cree Nation Government

Updated to 22 October 1999

This document has official status.

chapter A-6.1

Act respecting the Cree Regional Authority

DIVISION I INTERPRETATION

1. In this Act, unless the context indicates otherwise,

(a)  “band” means one of the bands within the meaning of the Indian Act (Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, chapter I-5), of Fort George, Old Factory, Rupert House, Waswanipi, Mistassini, Nemaska, Great Whale River and Eastmain, until its incorporation pursuant to section 9 of the Agreement and, thereafter, one of such corporations;

(b)  “Board of Compensation” or “Board” means the board constituted by section 55 of this Act;

(c)  “Cree community” or “community” means a collectivity composed of all the Crees enrolled or entitled to be enrolled on a community list in accordance with the Act respecting Cree, Inuit and Naskapi Native persons (chapter A-33.1);

(d)  “Council of the Cree Regional Authority” or “Council” means the council provided for in section 22;

(e)  “James Bay Regional Zone Council” means the James Bay Regional Zone Council established by the Act respecting the James Bay Regional Zone Council (chapter C-59.1);

(f)  “Agreement” means the Agreement contemplated in section 1 of the Act approving the Agreement concerning James Bay and Northern Québec (chapter C-67), and complementary Agreement No. 3 tabled before the National Assembly on 18 April 1978, as Sessional Papers, No. 114;

(g)  (paragraph repealed);

(h)  “Crees” or “James Bay Crees” means the Cree beneficiaries under the terms of the Act respecting Cree, Inuit and Naskapi Native persons;

(i)  “Minister” means the Minister responsible for the application of this Act;

(j)  “Category I lands” means the lands so designated in the Act respecting the land regime in the James Bay and New Québec territories (chapter R-13.1), or, in the meantime, under the Act respecting Cree, Inuit and Naskapi Native persons;

(k)  “Territory” has the same meaning as in the Act respecting Cree, Inuit and Naskapi Native persons;

(l)  “Cree village” means any Cree village constituted under The Cree Villages and the Naskapi Village Act (chapter V-5.1).

1978, c. 89, s. 1; 1996, c. 2, s. 16.

DIVISION II CONSTITUTION OF THE CREE REGIONAL AUTHORITY

2. A legal person is established in the public interest under the name of “Administration régionale crie”.

This legal person may also be designated by the name of “EEYOU TAPAYATACHESOO”, in Cree, and of “Cree Regional Authority” in English.

1978, c. 89, s. 2; 1999, c. 40, s. 8.

3. The Crees of each of the communities and the Cree villages constitute the Cree Regional Authority and only they can be members thereof.

1978, c. 89, s. 3; 1996, c. 2, s. 25.

4. The Cree Regional Authority is a legal person.

The Cree Regional Authority is also a non-profit association without share capital and without pecuniary gain to its members.

1978, c. 89, s. 4; 1999, c. 40, s. 8.

5. The Cree Regional Authority has its head office within Category I lands at the place determined by by-law of the Council, notice of which must be published in the Gazette officielle du Québec; in the same manner, the head office may be moved to any other place within Category I lands.

The Cree Regional Authority may also have offices and branches in Québec, outside of such lands.

1978, c. 89, s. 5.

DIVISION III OBJECTS

6. The objects of the Cree Regional Authority are:

(a)  at the request of a Cree village or of a band, to establish, administer and coordinate, on Category I lands, the services or programs established by or for that village or that band;

(b)  to give a valid consent, on behalf of the James Bay Crees, where such consent is required pursuant to the Agreement or pursuant to an Act;

(c)  to appoint the representatives of the James Bay Crees on the James Bay Regional Zone Council and, where such representation is provided for, on all other agencies, bodies and entities established pursuant to the Agreement or an Act;

(d)  through the Board of Compensation, to receive, administer, use and invest the compensation contemplated in Division VIII and the revenues arising from it;

(e)  to relieve poverty, promote the general welfare and advance the education of the James Bay Crees, promote the development and means of intervention of the Cree communities and promote civic improvements;

(f)  to assist in the undertaking and furtherance of works of charity, education, scientific, artistic or literary culture, youth training, and generally of any social welfare enterprise of the James Bay Crees;

(g)  to assist in the organization of recreational centres and public places for sports and amusements;

(h)  to grant subsidies to institutions, partnerships or legal persons devoted to the pursuit of the purposes mentioned in paragraphs f and g and to bands and Cree villages;

(i)  to entrust to non-profit institutions, bands or Cree villages, partnerships or legal persons, the organization and management, on behalf of the Cree Regional Authority, of activities or bodies mentioned in paragraph g and, for such purpose, make contracts with them and grant them the necessary funds;

(j)  to work toward the solution of the problems of the James Bay Crees and, for such purposes, to deal with all governments, public authorities and persons;

(k)  to carry out research and provide technical, professional and other assistance to the James Bay Crees;

(l)  to assist the James Bay Crees in the exercise of their rights and in the defence of their interests;

(m)  to foster, promote, protect and assist in the preservation of the way of life, the values and the traditions of the James Bay Crees.

The Cree Regional Authority also exercises the other functions vested in it by the other Acts or the Agreement.

1978, c. 89, s. 6; 1996, c. 2, s. 17; 1999, c. 40, s. 8.

DIVISION IV MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

7. Each of the individual members of the age of majority of the Cree Regional Authority has a right to vote, in person but not by proxy, at its meetings.

1978, c. 89, s. 7.

8. The annual general meeting of the members of the Cree Regional Authority must be held each summer on the day, at the hour and at the place in Québec fixed by resolution of the Council of the Cree Regional Authority.

A special general meeting may coincide with the annual general meeting.

1978, c. 89, s. 8.

9. A special general meeting of the members may be called by the Chairman of the Cree Regional Authority, by the Council or by the Board of Compensation.

The Council of the Cree Regional Authority must call a special general meeting upon the request of at least forty-five members of the age of majority of the Cree Regional Authority. This request must be in writing and must set out the objects of the proposed meeting.

A special general meeting of the members is held on the day, at the hour and at the place in Québec fixed either by the chairman of the Cree Regional Authority or by resolution of the Council, or of the Board, whichever called such meeting.

1978, c. 89, s. 9.

10. A written notice of the annual general meeting of the members shall be given or mailed to the members of the age of majority, at least fifteen days prior to the date of such meeting.

The notice of such meeting must, as well, be prominently posted in a public place in the Category I lands of each Cree community at least fifteen days prior to the date fixed for such meeting.

Such notice must specify the day, the hour and the place of the meeting. It shall indicate, as well, in general terms, any business to be considered at such meeting.

1978, c. 89, s. 10.

11. A notice of a special general meeting must be given, communicated or mailed to the members of the age of majority in such a manner and before such time as is fixed by either the chairman of the Cree Regional Authority or by resolution of the Council, or of the Board of Compensation, whichever called such meeting.

This notice must be written, except in exceptional circumstances, in which case it may be verbal.

If the notice is written, it must specify the day, the hour and the place of the meeting. It must indicate, as well, in general terms, any business to be considered at such meeting.

If the notice is verbal, it must be communicated to a member or to an employee of the council of each band or Cree village, who must post a notice of such meeting prominently in a public place within the Category I lands of each Cree community. The notice so posted must specify the day, the hour and the place of the meeting and its purpose.

1978, c. 89, s. 11; 1996, c. 2, s. 25; 1999, c. 40, s. 8.

12. The chairman of the Cree Regional Authority or, in the case of absence, refusal or incapacity to act of the chairman, the vice-chairman, shall preside at meetings of the members.

In the case of absence, refusal or incapacity to act of the chairman and of the vice-chairman, the Council shall appoint a member of the Cree Regional Authority to preside at the meeting.

1978, c. 89, s. 12.

13. At the annual general meeting or at any special general meeting, forty-five members of the age of majority constitute a quorum, provided that the majority of the communities are each represented by at least one Cree of the community.

1978, c. 89, s. 13.

14. If there is no quorum, any meeting may be adjourned to the day, the hour and the place fixed by the chairman of the meeting; the secretary shall then give a verbal notice which must be communicated in the manner provided for in the fourth paragraph of section 11.

1978, c. 89, s. 14.

15. Any decision taken during meetings of the members of the Cree Regional Authority must be taken by a majority vote.

1978, c. 89, s. 15.

16. The vote at meetings of the members of the Cree Regional Authority must be taken by a show of hands unless at least five members of the age of majority present demand a vote by secret ballot. This demand may be presented at any time during a meeting, whether or not there has already been a vote taken by a show of hands on the same question.

1978, c. 89, s. 16.

17. If, during any meeting, a vote by secret ballot must take place, it is taken in the manner provided for by by-law of the Council.

1978, c. 89, s. 17.

18. The chairman of any meeting of the members has, in the event of a tie-vote, a casting vote in addition to any other vote to which he may otherwise be entitled.

1978, c. 89, s. 18.

19. The chairman of the meeting may appoint persons to act as scrutineers at such meeting. These scrutineers, if they are voting members and if they accept to act, are not entitled to vote on any question.

1978, c. 89, s. 19.

20. The members of the Cree Regional Authority shall, at the annual general meeting:

(a)  appoint the auditors of the Cree Regional Authority in accordance with this Act;

(b)  receive and examine the financial statements of the Cree Regional Authority for the preceding fiscal year and the report of the auditors thereon;

(c)  receive and consider the report of the activities of the Council of the Cree Regional Authority and make such recommendations as they deem appropriate in regard thereto;

(d)  receive and consider the report of the activities of the Board of Compensation, the report on the investments and the report of the distributions of the compensation and make such recommendations as they may deem appropriate in that regard;

(e)  raise any question of interest to them relating to the activities of the Cree Regional Authority;

(f)  make recommendations respecting the priorities and policies of the Cree Regional Authority.

1978, c. 89, s. 20.

21. No member of the Cree Regional Authority is entitled to any remuneration for attendance at any general meetings. However, the Cree Regional Authority may defray the expenses incurred by a certain number of members chosen by the council of each Cree village to attend such meetings.

The number of members for whom such expenses may be defrayed must be equal for each Cree village.

The compensation referred to in Division VIII may be used for the purposes of this section, provided that at least one of the questions on the agenda for such meeting concerns the said compensation.

1978, c. 89, s. 21; 1996, c. 2, s. 25.

DIVISION V COUNCIL

22. The powers of the Cree Regional Authority are exercised by the Council, except in those matters declared to be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Board of Compensation or of the executive committee.

1978, c. 89, s. 22.

23. The Council is composed of the chairman and the vice-chairman of the Cree Regional Authority, and of the mayor and one representative of each of the Cree villages.

Their term of office is three years except in the case of the mayors of the Cree villages, whose terms as members of the Council of the Cree Regional Authority coincide with their terms as mayor.

1978, c. 89, s. 23; 1996, c. 2, s. 18.

24. The chairman and the vice-chairman of the Council and the representatives of the Cree villages are elected from among the members of the age of majority of such villages, by secret ballot in which such members participate.

The elections of the representatives of the Cree villages are held in every village in the manner prescribed by by-law of the council of every such village, under the supervision of the returning officer appointed in accordance with this Act.

A notice of not less than 30 days of the polling must be given by the returning officer.

1978, c. 89, s. 24; 1996, c. 2, s. 19.

25. (Repealed).

1978, c. 89, s. 25; 1984, c. 27, s. 10.

26. For the first two elections for the offices of chairman and vice-chairman, there shall be candidacies only for the office of chairman. The candidate obtaining the highest number of votes is elected chairman, and the candidate obtaining the second highest number is elected vice-chairman.

Thereafter, there shall be candidacies for the offices of chairman and vice-chairman, and the candidates who, upon the addition of the votes, have received the greatest number of votes for their respective offices, are declared elected.

1978, c. 89, s. 26.

27. In the case of vacancy in the office of chairman, he is replaced by the vice-chairman. Any vacancy in the office of vice-chairman, or in that of chairman if there is no vice-chairman, is filled by the council from among its members.

Any vacancy in the office of representative of a Cree village is filled by its council from among its members.

These replacements can only take place if there remains less than one year before the expiry of the term of the person so replaced.

If there is more than one year left in the term, elections to fill the vacant office must be held within 60 days following the vacancy. The persons so elected remain in office only until the expiry of the term of the person so replaced.

1978, c. 89, s. 27; 1996, c. 2, s. 20.

28. Any vacancy in the office of a member who sits on the council as mayor of a Cree village is filled by the person who replaces such mayor on the council of the Cree village.

1978, c. 89, s. 28; 1996, c. 2, s. 21.

29. The council appoints a secretary, a general manager, a treasurer and any other officer considered necessary.

It determines their functions and fixes their remuneration.

1978, c. 89, s. 29.

30. The council may establish, by by-law, various departments and services and determine their duties and functions.

1978, c. 89, s. 30.

31. The Council may establish permanent or special committees, and appoint, during pleasure, as many of its members as it deems necessary, to supervise the administration of the various departments and services, and carry out any other function that may, by by-law or resolution of the Council, be assigned to them.

1978, c. 89, s. 31.

32. The chairman of the Cree Regional Authority or, in the case of absence, refusal or incapacity to act of the chairman, the vice-chairman, is ex officio a member of all committees established under section 31 and has a right to vote thereon.

1978, c. 89, s. 32.

33. Every committee must render account of its activities by reports signed by its chairman, or by a majority of the members who compose it.

1978, c. 89, s. 33.

34. The vote of the absolute majority of the members of the Council is required to remove or to reduce the salary of any member of the personnel appointed by it. The returning officer may not be removed except in the manner provided for in section 51.

1978, c. 89, s. 34.

35. The Council shall meet at least every three months, in general or regular session, and hold its meetings on the days, at the hours and in the places in Québec that it fixes by resolution.

1978, c. 89, s. 35.

36. A prior written notice of not less than seven days must be given to each member of the Council with an agenda prepared by the secretary of the Cree Regional Authority, indicating the day, hour and place of such meeting.

1978, c. 89, s. 36.

37. The chairman of any sitting of the Council has a casting vote in the case of an equality of votes.

1978, c. 89, s. 37.

38. If the chairman, the vice-chairman or another member of the Council resigns, the resignation takes effect upon the date on which the secretary of the Cree Regional Authority receives a written notice to this effect, signed by the person resigning.

1978, c. 89, s. 38.

39. The chairman of the Cree Regional Authority presides at sittings of the Council.

The vice-chairman shall exercise all the powers of the chairman in the case of absence, refusal or incapacity to act of the chairman.

In the case of absence, refusal or incapacity to act of both the chairman and the vice-chairman, the Council shall appoint one of its members to preside at the sitting.

1978, c. 89, s. 39.

40. The meetings of the Council are public.

1978, c. 89, s. 40.

41. A majority of its members then in office are a quorum at sittings of the Council.

1978, c. 89, s. 41.

42. The decisions of the Council are taken by a majority vote, unless otherwise provided by this Act or by the by-laws of the Council.

1978, c. 89, s. 42.

43. Every member of the Council present at a sitting has one vote and must vote on all questions put to a vote. However, no member of the Council may take part in any deliberations nor vote on a question in which he has a personal interest, but he must disclose his interest to the meeting.

In the case of dispute, the Council decides whether the member has a personal interest in the matter, and such member shall not vote on the question of whether or not he is interested.

1978, c. 89, s. 43.

44. The Council may authorize the payment of justifiable expenses incurred by one of its members for attendance at meetings of the Council.

1978, c. 89, s. 44.

45. The Council may, by by-law, fix the amount of the remuneration of its members.

This by-law does not come into force until it has been approved by the members of the Cree Regional Authority at a special general meeting held for this purpose.

1978, c. 89, s. 45.

DIVISION VI EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

46. The executive committee exercises the powers entrusted to it by by-law of the Council, in accordance with the terms and conditions determined in the same manner.

It shall not, however, exercise any power vested in the Board of Compensation by this Act, except where expressly delegated such power by the latter.

1978, c. 89, s. 46.

47. The executive committee consists of five members, who must all be members of the Council. The chairman and the vice-chairman of the Cree Regional Authority are members ex officio of and exercise the same functions in the executive committee. The three other members, appointed during pleasure, are chosen by the Council.

At least three members of the executive committee must be members of different Cree communities.

The director general, the treasurer and the chairman of the Board of Compensation are attached to the executive committee as non-voting members.

1978, c. 89, s. 47.

48. The appointment of the members of the executive committee and their replacements are determined by by-law of the Council; the same rule applies to meetings, notices of meeting, voting and procedure.

1978, c. 89, s. 48.

49. Unless otherwise provided by by-law of the Council, and subject to sections 29 and 64, the Executive Committee appoints all the members of the personnel of the Cree Regional Authority, determines their functions and powers, and authorizes the payment of all sums due by the Cree Regional Authority in accordance with the formalities, restrictions and conditions prescribed by this Act.

1978, c. 89, s. 49.

DIVISION VII RETURNING OFFICER

50. The Council appoints a returning officer and determines his remuneration.

This appointment must be ratified at the first general or special meeting of the Cree Regional Authority following that appointment.

The returning officer shall hold no other office in the Cree Regional Authority.

1978, c. 89, s. 50.

51. The returning officer may be removed from office only by resolution of the Council, approved by at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a special general meeting of the members of the Cree Regional Authority held for this purpose.

1978, c. 89, s. 51.

52. The returning officer supervises the elections of the chairman and of the vice-chairman of the Cree Regional Authority, of the representatives of the Cree villages on the Council, and the elections of the representatives of the Cree communities to the Board of Compensation.

The returning officer may designate assistants for each community; the Council fixes their remuneration.

1978, c. 89, s. 52; 1996, c. 2, s. 25.

53. The returning officer determines, in accordance with this Act, the procedures, terms and conditions of election of the chairman and vice-chairman of the Cree Regional Authority and of the representatives of the Cree communities to the Board of Compensation.

Except for the first elections, these procedures, terms and conditions do not come into force until they have been approved at a special general meeting of the members of the Cree Regional Authority held for this purpose.

1978, c. 89, s. 53.

54. If, at any time, an election, whether for chairman or vice-chairman, representatives of Cree villages to the Council, or for representatives of Cree communities to the Board of Compensation, does not take place, or does not take place at the time fixed, the election may take place at a subsequent date, and the persons leaving office remain in office until their successors have been elected.

1978, c. 89, s. 54; 1996, c. 2, s. 25.

DIVISION VIII COMPENSATION AND THE BOARD OF COMPENSATION

§ 1 . — Establishment of the Board

55. A Board of Compensation is established, as an administrative department of the Cree Regional Authority.

1978, c. 89, s. 55.

56. The Board, in accordance with this Act, shall exercise all the rights and powers of the Cree Regional Authority relating to the portion of the compensation intended for the Cree and contemplated in Subsections 25.1 and 25.2 of the Agreement.

It shall act for the Cree Regional Authority and shall bind it in respect of all its acts relating to the said compensation and it is the medium through which the Cree Regional Authority shall receive in full ownership, administer, use, invest, transfer and distribute the compensation.

For the purposes of this Act, unless the context indicates otherwise, this compensation is that contemplated in the first paragraph of this section and includes the revenues therefrom, the interest, the fruits and other revenues derived from the compensation as well as the accretions thereto.

1978, c. 89, s. 56.

57. The number of members of the Board, as well as their term of office, is fixed by by-law of the Board.

It is composed of an equal number of representatives elected by the members of each of the Cree communities and of at least three members appointed by the Council. In any case, it shall not be less than eleven nor greater than twenty-eight, and the elected representatives must always be the majority.

The by-law provided for in the first paragraph comes into force only when it is approved at a special general meeting of the members of the Cree Regional Authority called for that purpose. It does not curtail the term of office of a member of the Board in office at the time of its coming into force.

1978, c. 89, s. 57.

58. Until 31 October 1987, the Board of Compensation shall include two representatives appointed by the Government and one representative appointed by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

The term of each of these members is two years, but they remain in office until they are replaced by the authority which appointed them.

1978, c. 89, s. 58.

59. Subject to section 58 and until a by-law is adopted under section 57, the Board is composed of twenty-two members, including sixteen members elected for two years by the Crees, at the rate of two per community, three members appointed for two years by the Council of the Cree Regional Authority and three appointed in accordance with section 58.

For the first election in each community, one of the two members is elected for a term of one year, and the other for a term of two years.

1978, c. 89, s. 59.

60. The members of the Cree communities are elected from among the members of the age of majority of these communities, by ballot in which these members participate.

The ballot is held in the manner determined by the returning officer, under his supervision. A notice of not less than thirty days of the polling must be given by the returning officer to the members of the age of majority of each of these communities.

1978, c. 89, s. 60.

61. The members of the Board who are not elected must also be of the age of majority and, if they are Crees, they must be members of the Cree Regional Authority.

1978, c. 89, s. 61.

62. No person may at the same time be a member of the Board of Compensation and of the Council of the Cree Regional Authority.

1978, c. 89, s. 62.

63. Any vacancy is filled in the manner provided for the election or the appointment of the member to be replaced, but only for the remainder of his term.

1978, c. 89, s. 63.

64. The Board of Compensation has exclusive authority to make by-laws consistent with this Act for the conduct of its affairs and for its internal management, including its personnel, and for the administration, investment and use of the compensation and the revenues therefrom.

These by-laws, unless they have been ratified in the interval at a special general meeting of the members of the Cree Regional Authority called for this purpose, have effect only until the next annual meeting of the Cree Regional Authority. If they are not ratified at this meeting, they cease, but from that date only, to be in force.

1978, c. 89, s. 64.

65. The members of the Board shall elect from among themselves a chairman and a vice-chairman of the Board for a period of two years.

1978, c. 89, s. 65.

66. Every member of the Board present at a meeting has one vote. The Cree members of the Board present must vote on all questions put to a vote.

No member of the Board may, however, take part in any deliberations nor vote on any question in which he has a personal interest, and he must divulge his interest to the meeting.

In the case of dispute, the Board shall decide if a member has a personal interest in the matter, and such member shall not vote on the question of whether or not he is interested.

1978, c. 89, s. 66.

67. Sections 35 to 39, 41, 42, 44 and 45 apply with the necessary modifications to the Board of Compensation.

1978, c. 89, s. 67.

§ 2 . — Powers and duties of the Board

68. The Board shall,

(a)  until 31 October 1997, invest directly or by the intermediary of one or several legal persons wholly owned by the Cree Regional Authority, constituted either by a special Act of Québec, or under laws of Québec of general application, at least 50% of the portion, intended for the Crees, of the compensation referred to in Subsection 25.1 of the Agreement, as and when it is received, in the investments described in the schedule;

(b)  until 31 October 1987, invest directly or by the intermediary of one or several legal persons wholly owned by the Cree Regional Authority, constituted by a special Act of Québec or under laws of Québec of general application, at least 25%, in addition to the minimum of 50% contemplated in paragraph a, of the portion, intended for the Crees, of the compensation contemplated in Subsection 25.1 of the Agreement, as and when it is received, in the investments described in the schedule.

1978, c. 89, s. 68; 1999, c. 40, s. 8.

69. The Board may

(a)  set aside or transfer to one or several holding or venture capital legal persons wholly owned by the Cree Regional Authority, constituted either by a special Act of Québec or under laws of Québec of general application, a maximum of 25% of the portion of the compensation intended for the Crees, mentioned in Subsection 25.1 of the Agreement, as and when it is received, for the following purposes:

i.  to assist in the creation, financing or development of businesses, resources, properties or industries of the Crees;

ii.  to initiate, expand and develop opportunities for the Crees to participate in the economic development of their society through the application of their skills and capital; and

iii.  to invest in the securities of any legal person owning property or carrying on business directly related to the economic or other interests of the Crees;

(b)  set aside or transfer to one or several legal persons wholly owned by the Cree Regional Authority or wholly controlled by it, constituted either by a special Act of Québec or under laws of Québec of general application or, with approval of the Government, to a non-corporate entity wholly owned or wholly controlled by it, any amount that, when added to the amount set aside or transferred in conformity with paragraph a, does not exceed 25% of the portion of the compensation intended for the Crees, mentioned in Subsection 25.1 of the Agreement, as and when it is received, and that must be used exclusively for educational, community and other charitable activities of the Crees;

(c)  subject to sections 71 and 73, conserve, administer, invest, reinvest, distribute and use as it considers appropriate:

i.  all revenues from the investment of the aforesaid compensation;

ii.  any portion of the aforesaid compensation the setting aside or transfer of which has not been effected under the terms of paragraphs a and b;

iii.  any portion, allocated to the Crees, of the compensation provided for in Section 25.2 of the Agreement; and

iv.  after the expiry of the periods referred to in paragraphs a and b of section 68, any portion of the compensation referred to therein;

(d)  if it deems it advisable, use its assets to reimburse the obligations contracted or to pay the expenses incurred, prior to 28 June 1978, by the Grand Council of the Crees (of Québec) for the general benefit of the Crees.

1978, c. 89, s. 69; 1999, c. 40, s. 8.

70. Where, in conformity with sections 68 and 69, the Board invests a portion of the compensation by the intermediary of legal persons or transfers a portion of it to companies, legal persons or other legal entities, they must invest these amounts or use them in conformity with the said sections.

1978, c. 89, s. 70; 1999, c. 40, s. 8.

71. The Board and the legal entities contemplated in sections 68 and 69 shall only use the compensation for community purposes and for other activities of general benefit to the Crees; these assets shall not be distributed except to bands or Cree villages, to be used only for the benefit of the Cree community and not for the personal benefit of any member of the Cree Regional Authority.

1978, c. 89, s. 71; 1996, c. 2, s. 25.

72. For the purposes of this Division, moneys spent for the implementation of the Agreement with respect to the Crees by the Cree Regional Authority are presumed to be moneys spent for an undertaking of general benefit to the Crees.

1978, c. 89, s. 72; 1999, c. 40, s. 8.

73. The Cree Regional Authority, and any other legal person or other legal entity contemplated in this Act, shall not distribute, in any way whatsoever, the compensation, or any other assets acquired with the compensation, to any individual as distinct from the community, pay any such person dividends, make gifts to him or otherwise benefit him by means of the compensation.

1978, c. 89, s. 73; 1999, c. 40, s. 8.

74. No transfer or distribution of the compensation shall be made by the Board of Compensation to a legal entity, in accordance with the foregoing provisions, without a detailed budgetary forecast by that agency setting forth the amounts requested and the proposed use thereof.

1978, c. 89, s. 74; 1999, c. 40, s. 8.

75. Any transfer or distribution, as well as any contract respecting the compensation must be authorized by resolution of the Board.

1978, c. 89, s. 75.

76. The Board of Compensation may, when distributing the compensation, thereby benefit the Cree Regional Authority. In such a case, the latter has the same obligations as any other agency benefiting by the compensation, as if it were a separate entity.

1978, c. 89, s. 76.

77. The compensation and the revenues therefrom, as well as the investments made therewith, must always be kept separately and apart from the other assets of the Cree Regional Authority. For this purpose, a separate fund and separate accounts shall be maintained.

The financial statements of the Cree Regional Authority shall include, with respect to the compensation, the information contemplated in Division IX.

1978, c. 89, s. 77.

78. The compensation and the revenues, as well as the investments made therewith, are only liable for debts and obligations relating directly to their investment and management. They do not form part of the common pledge in favour of the creditors at large of the Cree Regional Authority and are unseizable except for debts and obligations relating directly to the management and investment of the compensation.

1978, c. 89, s. 78.

79. The Cree Regional Authority shall annually, within the six months following the end of its first twenty fiscal years, file a copy of its financial statements with the Minister and with the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

1978, c. 89, s. 79.

DIVISION IX BOOKS, RECORDS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; APPROPRIATIONS

80. The fiscal year of the Cree Regional Authority begins on 1 April of each year.

However, the Council may, by by-law approved at a special general meeting of the members of the Cree Regional Authority called for this purpose, change the date of the beginning of the fiscal year.

For the first year, the fiscal year of the Cree Regional Authority commences on 28 June 1978, and ends on 31 March following.

1978, c. 89, s. 80.

81. The Council shall adopt each year a general balanced budget for the next fiscal year. The Council may, during the fiscal year, adopt by resolution any supplementary budget which it deems necessary.

1978, c. 89, s. 81.

82. The Council may enact by-laws dealing with the preparation of budgets, with budget appropriations and with the disposition of unexpended appropriations.

1978, c. 89, s. 82.

83. The Cree Regional Authority shall cause to be kept proper books of account and proper financial records.

These books of account and financial records shall facilitate a comparison with the budget, as well as with any supplementary budget, and shall include, at least:

(a)  all sums of money received and disbursed, and the matters in respect of which the receipts and disbursements took place;

(b)  revenues and expenditures;

(c)  assets and liabilities;

(d)  all other transactions affecting or which may affect its financial position.

These books and records are accessible to any member of the Board and of the Council who wishes to examine them.

1978, c. 89, s. 83.

84. No resolution or by-law of the Council or of the Board authorizing or recommending the expenditure of moneys from a fund has effect without a certificate from the treasurer attesting that there are available moneys for the purposes contemplated by that resolution or by-law.

1978, c. 89, s. 84.

85. Unless it involves an expenditure of less than $50,000, and subject to any preferential provisions in the Agreement relating to the Crees, every contract for the performance of work or the supply of equipment or materials or the providing of services other than professional services shall not be awarded by the Council except after a call for public tenders. The Council shall establish, by by-law, the procedures and requirements relating to the calling of tenders and awarding of contracts.

1978, c. 89, s. 85.

86. The financial statements of the Cree Regional Authority shall be drawn up in a comparative form and include, among other things:

(a)  a balance sheet;

(b)  a statement of revenues and expenditures as well as a comparison with the amounts contemplated in the budget, including the supplementary budgets;

(c)  any additional information that may be required for a fair presentation of the financial position of the Cree Regional Authority;

(d)  a list of all the investments and their respective book-values and, if applicable, their market values at the end of the fiscal year;

(e)  any investment in default as to payment of principal or interest.

1978, c. 89, s. 86.

87. Every balance sheet shall be drawn up so as to distinguish severally at least the following classes of assets and liabilities, namely:

(a)  cash;

(b)  debts owing to the Cree Regional Authority by its debtors;

(c)  debts owing to the Cree Regional Authority by its members and officers;

(d)  deferred and prepaid expenses;

(e)  movable and immovable property;

(f)  incorporeal assets;

(g)  debts owing by the Cree Regional Authority secured by mortgage or other lien upon its property;

(h)  indirect and contingent liabilities.

1978, c. 89, s. 87.

88. A copy of the financial statements, of the report of the auditors and of the annual reports of the Council and of the Board of Compensation are available to each member of the age of majority of the Cree Regional Authority upon request, and must be sent to each member of the Council and of the Board of Compensation as soon as they are completed.

1978, c. 89, s. 88.

89. The Council and the Board approve by resolution those parts of the financial statements of the Cree Regional Authority which deal with their areas of competence, and such approval is evidenced in the financial statements by the respective signatures of two duly authorized representatives of the Council and the Board.

1978, c. 89, s. 89.

DIVISION X AUDITORS

90. The Cree Regional Authority must, at each annual general meeting, appoint an auditor or auditors for the year in progress and fix their remuneration or authorize the Council to do so.

1978, c. 89, s. 90.

91. If no appointment of auditors is made at the annual general meeting, the Council appoints them. Should the Council not appoint them, the Minister, on the application of a member of the age of majority of the Cree Regional Authority, appoints them and fixes their remuneration.

1978, c. 89, s. 91.

92. The Council must fill any vacancy in the office of auditor; however, while any such vacancy continues, the auditor or auditors still in office, if any, shall continue to act.

1978, c. 89, s. 92.

93. The auditors must make a report to the members of the Cree Regional Authority on the accounts examined by them and on every balance sheet laid before the annual general meeting of the Cree Regional Authority during their term of office. This report must state:

(a)  whether or not they have obtained all the information and explanations they have required; and

(b)  whether the balance sheet referred to in the report is drawn up so as to present fairly the financial position of the Cree Regional Authority, according to the information and the explanations given to them, and as shown by the relevant books.

1978, c. 89, s. 93.

94. The auditors may require from the present or former members, officers, employees and other agents of the Council or of the Board of Compensation, such information and explanations as are necessary.

The auditors have access to the registers, documents, books, minutes, accounts and vouchers of the Cree Regional Authority and of each of its subsidiaries contemplated in sections 68 and 69.

1978, c. 89, s. 94.

95. The minutes of the meetings of the Cree Regional Authority, of the Council, of the Board of Compensation and of the executive committee, are entered in books kept for that purpose by the secretary of the Cree Regional Authority; they must be signed by the chairman and secretary of the meeting; such minutes, except those of the executive committee, are available to all the members of the Cree Regional Authority.

1978, c. 89, s. 95.

96. The minutes approved and signed in accordance with section 95 are taken as proof of their contents. The same rule applies to documents and copies emanating from the Cree Regional Authority and forming part of its records, when certified by the secretary of the Cree Regional Authority.

1978, c. 89, s. 96.

97. The Cree Regional Authority must cause to be kept by its secretary a book or books, wherein shall be kept recorded:

(a)  a copy of all the by-laws of the Cree Regional Authority;

(b)  the names of all the members of the age of majority of the Cree Regional Authority taken from the lists established for each of the communities in accordance with the Act respecting Cree, Inuit and Naskapi Native persons (chapter A-33.1);

(c)  the names, addresses and occupations of those who are or who have been either the chairman, vice-chairman, members of the Council, members of the Board of Compensation, or officers of the Cree Regional Authority, with the various dates at which each held or ceased to hold such office.

All interested parties who so wish may examine these books.

1978, c. 89, s. 97.

DIVISION XI TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

98. Until the first elections held in accordance with section 104, sections 99 to 105 apply provisionally.

1978, c. 89, s. 98.

99. The board of directors of the Grand Council of the Crees (of Québec) acts in the place and stead of the Council of the Cree Regional Authority.

1978, c. 89, s. 99.

100. The Grand Chief and the Executive Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees (of Québec) acts in the place and stead of the chairman and the vice-chairman, respectively, of the Cree Regional Authority.

1978, c. 89, s. 100.

101. The Executive of the Grand Council of the Crees (of Québec) acts in the place and stead of the executive committee of the Cree Regional Authority.

1978, c. 89, s. 101.

102. The council of each band, before 19 July 1978, shall choose two of the members of the band council to sit on the Board of Compensation. The appointment of the other members of the Board takes place in accordance with this Act, and the first chairman of the Board must be elected from among the three members appointed by the Council of the Cree Regional Authority described in section 99.

1978, c. 89, s. 102.

103. The first meeting of the Council of the Cree Regional Authority and of the Board of Compensation is called before 29 July 1978 by the chairman of the Cree Regional Authority, on the day, at the hour and at the place determined by him.

1978, c. 89, s. 103.

104. All elections provided for by this Act must be held in accordance with this Act no later than 31 December 1978. Should such elections not take place, the Government shall fix the date and procedures for the elections.

1978, c. 89, s. 104.

105. The provisions of this Act apply with the necessary modifications during the period provided for in sections 98 to 104.

1978, c. 89, s. 105.

DIVISION XII FINAL PROVISIONS

106. Before 15 August 1978, a returning officer shall be appointed by the Council. He shall not hold any other office in the Cree Regional Authority and is entitled to the remuneration fixed by the Council.

The person appointed in virtue of the first paragraph exercises his functions only for the first election of the representatives of the municipal corporations on the Council, of the chairman and vice-chairman of the Cree Regional Authority, and of the representatives of the communities on the Board of Compensation; thereafter, he is appointed in the manner provided for in section 50.

1978, c. 89, s. 106.

107. No winding-up or dissolution of the Cree Regional Authority may take place without the prior approval of the Government of the plan of distribution of the assets, after payment of the liabilities of the Cree Regional Authority, to the Cree villages, to be used for the benefit of the Cree communities and not for the personal benefit of any member of the Cree Regional Authority.

1978, c. 89, s. 107; 1996, c. 2, s. 22.

108. The Cree Regional Authority constitutes the Cree Regional Authority and the legal entity contemplated respectively by Sections 11A and 26 of the Agreement. Any reference in the Agreement to the Cree legal entity, or in any other act or document to which the Government is a party, means the Cree Regional Authority acting through the intermediary of the Board of Compensation.

1978, c. 89, s. 108.

109. The Cree Regional Authority is not entitled to the interest accrued, until 28 June 1978, on the portion of the compensation referred to in Subsection 25.1 of the Agreement and paid to the Grand Council of the Crees (of Québec).

However, the Grand Council of the Crees (of Québec) shall render account to the Cree Regional Authority for the use of the accrued interest from 31 October 1977 that it has received on behalf of the James Bay Crees and for their benefit, and shall pay to the Cree Regional Authority that part of the interest not yet spent as of 28 June 1978.

1978, c. 89, s. 109.

110. No Inuit member of the Cree Village of Chisasibi may vote in the election of the representative of that village provided for in section 23, or sit as a member in any capacity whatsoever on the Council of the Cree Regional Authority.

If an Inuit member of that village is the village’s mayor, the Cree members of the village council must designate one of their number to sit on the Council of the Cree Regional Authority in place of the mayor.

1978, c. 89, s. 110; 1996, c. 2, s. 23.

111. Section 24 of the Act respecting the Ministère des Relations internationales (chapter M‐25.1.1) and section 3.12 of the Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif (chapter M‐30) do not apply to the Cree Regional Authority nor to any of the legal persons and other legal entities contemplated by Division VIII.

1978, c. 89, s. 111; 1985, c. 30, s. 21; 1988, c. 41, s. 37; 1994, c. 15, s. 33; 1996, c. 21, s. 70; 1999, c. 40, s. 8.

112. The Government shall designate the Minister responsible for the application of this Act.

1978, c. 89, s. 112.

The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs is responsible, under the supervision of the Premier, for the application of this Act. Order in Council 873-2012 dated 20 September 2012, (2012) 144 G.O. 2 (French), 4868.

113. (Omitted).

1978, c. 89, s. 113.

114. (This section ceased to have effect on 17 April 1987).

1982, c. 21, s. 1; U. K., 1982, c. 11, Sch. B, Part I, s. 33.

SCHEDULE

(Section 68)

AUTHORIZED INVESTMENTS

1. Bonds or other evidences of indebtedness issued or guaranteed by the government of Québec, of Canada or a province of Canada, of the United States of America or of any state of that country, by the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development, by a municipality, by a school board in Canada or by the Conseil scolaire de l’île de Montréal, or by a fabrique in Québec;

2. Bonds or other evidences of indebtedness issued by a public authority having as its object the operation of a public service in Canada or any province thereof and entitled to impose a tariff for such service;

3. Bonds or other evidences of indebtedness secured by the transfer to a trustee of an undertaking by Canada or any province of Canada to pay sufficient subsidies to meet the interest and principal at their respective maturities;

4. The bonds or other evidences of indebtedness of a legal person that are fully secured by a mortgage, charge or hypothec ranking first to a trustee or to the Cree Regional Authority upon any, or upon any combination, of the following assets:

i. landed property or leaseholds;

ii. the plant or equipment of a legal person that is used in the transaction of its business; or

iii. bonds or other evidences of indebtedness, or shares of a class authorized hereunder as investments, or cash balances, if such bonds or other evidences of indebtedness, shares or cash balances are held by a trustee;

and the inclusion, as additional security under the mortgage, charge or hypothec, of any other assets not of a class authorized hereunder as investments shall not render such bonds or other evidences of indebtedness ineligible as an investment;

5. Obligations or certificates issued by a trustee to finance the purchase of transportation equipment for a legal person constituted in Canada or the United States to be used on airlines, railways or public highways, if the obligations or certificates are fully secured by:

i. an assignment of the transportation equipment to, or the ownership thereof by, the trustee, and

ii. a lease or conditional sale thereof by the trustee to the legal person;

6. The bonds or other evidences of indebtedness:

i. of a legal person if, at the date of investment, the preferred shares or the common shares of the legal person are authorized as investments by paragraph 8 or 9; or

ii. of or guaranteed by a legal person where the earnings of the legal person in a period of five years ended less than one year before the date of investment in a trust have been equal in sum total to at least ten times and in each of any four of the five years have been equal to at least one and one half times the annual interest requirements at the date of investment in a trust on all indebtedness of or guaranteed by it other than indebtedness classified as a current liability under generally accepted accounting principles in the balance sheet of the legal person; and if the legal person at the date of investment owns directly or indirectly more than 50 % of the common shares of another legal person, the earnings of the legal person during the said period of five years may be consolidated with due allowance for minority interests, if any, and in that event the interest requirements of the legal persons shall be consolidated and such consolidated earnings and consolidated interest requirements shall be deemed to be the earnings and interest requirements of the legal person; and for the purpose of this subparagraph, “earnings” means earnings available to meet interest charges on indebtedness other than indebtedness classified as a current liability under generally accepted accounting principles;

7. Guaranteed investment certificates issued by a trust company constituted as a legal person in Canada if, at the date of investment, the preferred shares or the common shares of the trust company are authorized as investments by paragraph 8 or 9 or certificates of deposit and bearer discount notes of any Canadian chartered bank or of any savings and credit union;

8. The preferred shares of a legal person if

i. the legal person has paid a dividend in each of the five years immediately preceding the date of investment at least equal to the specified annual rate upon all of its preferred shares, or

ii. the common shares of the legal person are, at the date of investment, authorized as investments by paragraph 9;

9. The fully paid common shares of a legal person that during a period of five years that ended less than one year before the date of investment has either

i. paid a dividend in each such year upon its common shares, or

ii. had earnings in each such year available for the payment of a dividend upon its common shares

of at least 4 % of the average value at which the shares were carried in the capital stock account of the legal person during the year in which the dividend was paid or in which the legal person had earnings available for the payment of dividends, as the case may be;

10. Landed property or leaseholds for the production of income in Canada, if

i. a lease of the landed property or leasehold is made to, or guaranteed by,

(a) the government of Canada or any of the provinces, or an agency of the said governments, or

(b) a legal person, the preferred shares or common shares of which are, at the date of investment, authorized as investments by paragraph 8 or 9;

ii. the lease provides for a net revenue sufficient to yield a reasonable interest return during the period of the lease and to repay at least 85 % of the amount invested in the landed property or leasehold within the period of the lease but not exceeding 30 years from the date of investment, and

iii. the total investment of the Cree Regional Authority made pursuant to this Schedule in any one parcel of landed property or in any one leasehold does not exceed 2 % of the book value of the total assets of the Cree Regional Authority managed by the Board of Compensation;

and the Cree Regional Authority may hold, maintain, improve lease, sell or otherwise convey or dispose of the landed property or leasehold;

11. Landed property or leaseholds for the production of income in Canada, if

i. the landed property or leasehold has produced, in each of the three years immediately preceding the date of investment, net revenue in an amount that, if continued in future years, would be sufficient to yield a reasonable interest return on the amount invested in the landed property or leasehold and to repay at least 85 % of that amount within the remaining economic lifetime of the improvements to the landed property or leasehold but not exceeding 40 years from the date of investment, and

ii. the total investment of the Cree Regional Authority made pursuant to this Schedule in any one parcel of landed property or in any one leasehold does not exceed 2 % of the book value of the total assets of the Cree Regional Authority managed by the Board of Compensation;

and the Cree Regional Authority may hold, maintain, improve, lease, sell or otherwise convey or dispose of the landed property or leasehold;

12. Debts secured by mortgages, charges and hypothecs, upon improved landed property or leaseholds in Canada, notwithstanding that the amount paid for such debts so secured by mortgage, charge or hypothec exceeds three-fourths of the value of the landed property or leasehold, if the loan for which the mortgage, charge or hypothec is secured is an approved loan or an insured loan under the National Housing Act (Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, chapter N-11) or any equivalent provincial legislation;

13. Debts secured by hypothec or mortgage on landed property in Canada:

i. if payment of principal and interest is guaranteed or assured by the governments of Canada or of any province of Canada or any public authority therein, or

ii. if the hypothec or mortgage ranks first and the amount of the debt is not more than 75 % of the value of the landed property securing payment thereof;

14. Where the Cree Regional Authority owns securities of a legal person and as a result of a bona fide arrangement for the reorganization or liquidation of the legal person or for the amalgamation of the legal person with another legal person, such securities are to be exchanged for bonds or other evidences of indebtedness or shares not authorized as investments by the foregoing provisions of this Schedule, the Cree Regional Authority may accept such bonds or other evidences of indebtedness or shares;

15. The total book value of the investments of the Cree Regional Authority made pursuant to this Schedule in common shares shall not exceed 50 % of the book value of the total assets of the Cree Regional Authority managed by the Board of Compensation;

16. The total book value of the investments of the Cree Regional Authority made pursuant to this Schedule in landed property or leaseholds for the production of income shall not exceed 10 % of the book value of the total assets of the Cree Regional Authority managed by the Board of Compensation;

17. The Cree Regional Authority shall not invest any of its funds managed by the Board of Compensation in bonds or other evidences of indebtedness on which payment of principal or interest is in default;

18. In order to secure total or partial payment of any amount owed to it, the Cree Regional Authority may acquire and dispose of the landed property which secures such payment, and such landed property shall not be included in the restrictions pursuant to paragraph 10, 11 or 16;

19. The Cree Regional Authority may invest its funds managed by the Board of Compensation otherwise than as authorized in the present Schedule provided that the total amount of such investment does not exceed 7 % of the book value of the total assets of the Cree Regional Authority managed by the Board of Compensation and that, in the case of investment in landed property, the total investment in landed property consisting of a single undertaking does not exceed 1 % of the book value of the total assets of the Cree Regional Authority managed by the Board of Compensation.

1978, c. 89, Schedule; 1988, c. 84, s. 542; 1996, c. 2, s. 24; 1999, c. 40, s. 8.

REPEAL SCHEDULE

In accordance with section 17 of the Act respecting the consolidation of the statutes and regulations (chapter R-3), chapter 89 of the statutes of 1978, in force on 1 June 1979, is repealed effective from the coming into force of chapter A-6.1 of the Revised Statutes.