Topics

• Hydroelectric policy decisions of the 1970s and their impact
  1. Home heating
  2. Development of energy-intensive industries
  3. Rate stability
• Early days of environmental sciences
• James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement and its socioeconomic impacts
  1. Origins
  2. Content
  3. Development of Native communities
• Transformation of the Aboriginal way of life
  1. Arrival of television - exposure to the world
  2. Arrival of non-Natives in formerly isolated northern areas
  3. Remote areas more accessible
  4. Future challenges
• Special technological challenges
  1. Remoteness of area (hard to get to)
  2. Power generation facilities far from load centres (transmission system covers very long distances)
  3. Climate (extreme winter conditions)

Speaker: Claude Demers

• Scientific communicator Claude Demers has been with Hydro-Québec since 1980. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in physical geography and has worked all over Québec and in Labrador.
• For over a decade, Claude Demers coordinated the environmental monitoring program at the La Grande complex. He has also managed projects for Hydro-Québec International and worked in the power generation planning department.

Technical information

• PowerPoint presentation at least 60 minutes long.
• Presentation includes many illustrations, photographs and maps.
• Students may ask questions during the presentation. There can also be a question period at the end.
• This conference can be given in French or English.