Sanikiluaq (May 23/05) - People in Sanikiluaq are worried a new Quebec hydro-electric project will harm the marine environment they live in.

"I am concerned that changes to the flow of water into Hudson Bay will damage the animals we depend on for food," said Peter Kattuk, MLA for the region.

Hydro Quebec wants to build a 768 megawatt generating station and divert water from the Rupert River to two new powerhouses then through their network to supply Quebec with more power.

The project is scheduled to begin 2010.

It involves the construction of four dams, a spillway on the Rupert River, 75 dikes and a network of canals among many other structures.

Hydro Quebec says it cares about the environment and does everything it can to ensure environmental impact is always taken into account.

But hunters and people of Sanikiluaq are very concerned. Hunters found a large number of Sanikiluaq sea cucumbers dead last year. No one has determined the cause.

Hunters worry dead sea cucumbers are just the beginning and that if this project goes ahead. belugas, seals, walruses, polar bears, water fowl and fish will be harmed.

The Nunavut Hudson Bay Inter-Agency, an environmental watchdog group, says Hydro Quebec did not consider the impact this new project will have on Sanikiluaq, a tiny cluster of islands off the coast of Northern Quebec in Hudson Bay.

Kattuk brought the issue of the Hydro Quebec project and environmental impact to the attention of members of the Nunavut legislative assembly on May 3.

"The voices of Nunavummiut must be heard to preserve our wildlife," said Kattuk.