Headlines from this weeks SPEC

May 27, 2002

First Classes in Quebec Graduate from DARE Program in Gaspé
Charlene Eden

Students at four different schools in Gaspé graduated from the DARE program last week, including Gaspé elementary. The graduations are the first to occur in the province of Quebec.
Twenty-two students at the Gaspé elementary school graduated from the program on May 14th, with Constable Ghislain Belanger, the RCMP officer who taught the program, awarding the students their graduation certificates. Gaspé RCMP sergeant Alain Giroux also took part in the ceremony, as did Constable Nancy Allair, who was integral in getting the DARE program started in Gaspé. Sergeant Jean Lemieux, Coordinator of the Drug Awareness Service in Quebec City, also came to witness the event.

Fishing Treaty Put on Hold
Charlene Eden

The proposed fishing treaty between the Micmac Nation of Gespeg and the Quebec government will not be signed this year. Richard Legendre, Minister of Wildlife and Parks, has decided to prolong the treaty’s consultation period, and to include the Society for the Greater Rivers of Gaspé in the treaty process.
David McCallum, President of the Society for the Greater Rivers of Gaspé, argues that Legendre’s decision can be attributed to public pressure, which included the Society’s formal opposition to the treaty, letters sent to the government by hundreds of concerned citizens and fishermen, and the public forum that was held in Gaspé. "The decision was made because of public pressure. There’s no question," stated McCallum.

Elections on June 1st in Listuguj: Allison Metallic faces two opponents
Gilles Gagne

LISTUGUJ - Members of the Listuguj Micmac community will vote on June 1st in order to elect a new band council. Current chief Allison Metallic will face two opponents, Scott Martin, who ran for that position two years ago, and Floyd Swasson, who tried to get elected on the council, also in 2000. Both Allison Metallic and Scott Martin are at the head of a complete team of 12 candidates. Mr. Swasson is running alone. Sixty-seven people are trying to get elected on the council. It could take quite a few hours before the results are released.
"The last time, in 2000, we had the results by 11 o'clock PM, but it will be much longer this time. First, 70 names will appear on the ballots, the double of Year 2000's number. Secondly, members of the band living off the reserve are allowed to vote, by mail in many cases. It could add up 537 more ballots to count. It took 36 hours to count the ballots in Burnt Church, New Brunswick, at their last election. Both communities are about the same size, but I think we will be quicker than that," explained election officer Michel Poirier.