$14 million towards Cree-led action on biodiversity, water, and climate

 The Gouvernement du Québec and the Cree Nation Government are announcing two new grant agreements under the Plan national de l’eau and the Plan pour une économie verte 2030 (PEV 2030). These agreements provide, respectively, $5,875,000 for water-related initiatives and $2,500,000 to support Cree leadership in the climate transition. Together with the $6 million biodiversity conservation agreement announced in 2025 under the 2030 Nature Plan, they bring total available funding under the Eeyou EcoFund to more than $14 million for Cree-led environmental action in Eeyou Istchee – James Bay. Through the Eeyou EcoFund, Cree communities, businesses, and organizations will be able to access support for water, climate and biodiversity projects. 

Funded by the Fonds Bleu under the Plan national de l’eau of the Stratégie québécoise sur l’eau, the water agreement will support projects that respond to water-related issues specific to Cree communities and organizations, including the protection, restoration, enhancement, and management of water and aquatic environments in a responsible, integrated, and sustainable manner. Under the Plan pour une économie verte 2030 (PEV 2030), the climate agreement will support community projects that strengthen Cree leadership in the climate transition, including adaptation, mitigation, capacity-building, knowledge development, and community action  

“These new agreements attest to a strong partnership between Québec and the Cree Nation Government to protect water, the climate and biodiversity. By supporting projects rooted in the realities of communities, we are taking concrete action toward responsible management of our resources and a sustainable climate transition, for the benefit of current and future generations.” — Pascale Déry, Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks 

“Québec is proud to continue this collaboration with the Cree Nation Government and Cree communities. The preservation of nature is a concern for us, which is why concrete actions to protect our water, our climate, and our biodiversity make me proud. By signing nation-to-nation agreements that protect our environment, we ensure a sustainable future and strengthen our mutual trust.” — Ian Lafrenière, Deputy Premier, Minister of Domestic Security and Minister Responsible for Relations with the First Nations and the Inuit 

“This is an important milestone for the Cree Nation. It gives our communities stronger means to protect what matters most—our lands, waters, and future—through action grounded in Cree knowledge, Cree values, and Cree leadership.”— Paul John Murdoch, Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) and Chairperson of the Cree Nation Government 

“These agreements will help support our communities with the resources to turn environmental priorities into projects. This will continue to build our capacity for the protection of Eeyou and Eenou lands and water.” — Jonathan Sutherland, Director of the Department of environment and remedial works, Cree Nation Government 

The Eeyou EcoFund is the Cree Nation Government’s environmental funding platform for Cree-led environmental action. More information is available at www.cngov.ca/ecofund.  

Olivier Kölmel 
Manager of Eco-Investments & Strategic Partnerships
Cree Nation Government
olivier.kolmel@cngov.ca 

Simon Savignac 
Communications Director
Office of the Minister of the Environment,
the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks
simon.savignac@environnement.gouv.qc.ca 
Tel.: 438 341-2255