Baie-James

This article is about the former municipality. For the current municipality, see Eeyou Istchee James Bay. For the bay, see James Bay.

The Baie-James (French pronunciation: [bɛ dʒɛmz]) was a former municipality in northern Quebec, Canada, which existed from 1971 to 2012. Located to the east of James Bay, Baie-James covered 297,332.84 km² (114,800.85 sq mi) of land, making it the largest incorporated municipality in Canada — only eight unorganized territories were larger.^[4] Its territory almost entirely (about 98%) covered the administrative region of Jamésie, although it contained less than five percent of the population. Essentially, it was the remainder of the Jamésie Territory's land after all of the major population centres were removed.

Baie-James
Municipality
Motto:  "A territory the size of a country"
Municipality of Baie-James, Quebec
Coordinates: 52°00′N 76°00′W[1]
Country	Canada
Province	Quebec
Region	Nord-du-Québec
RCM	None
Constituted	July 14, 1971
Dissolved	July 24, 2012
Government [2]
• Mayor	Gérald Lemoyne
• Federal riding	Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou and Abitibi—Témiscamingue
• Prov. riding	Ungava
Area [2][3]
• Total	335,818.20 km2 (129,660.13 sq mi)
• Land	297,332.84 km2 (114,800.85 sq mi)
Population  (2011)[3]
• Total	1,303
• Density	0.0/km2 (0/sq mi)
• Pop (2006–11)	6.5%
• Dwellings	701
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (EDT)
Postal code(s)	J0Y
Area code	819
Website	www.villembj.ca

On July 24, 2012, the Quebec government signed an accord with the Cree that would result in the abolition of Baie-James and the creation of a regional government known as Eeyou Istchee James Bay Territory.^[5]

The hydroelectric power plants of the La Grande Complex were all located within the municipal boundaries of Baie-James, making the municipality strategically important to Quebec's energy policy. Other important economic sectors are mining, softwood logging, forestry, and tourism.

History

The municipality was created in 1971 and was run by the board of directors of the Société de développement de la Baie James. It managed the territory of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement between the 49th and 55th parallel, with the exception of the Cree Category 1 lands and the enclaves of Chapais, Chibougamau, Lebel-sur-Quévillon and Matagami.

In December 2001, the municipal council was reformed. It became a municipality of a special type directed by the mayors of the four enclave towns, as well as the chairpersons of the local community councils of Radisson, Valcanton and Villebois. An eighth seat is reserved for a representative coming from the non-urban territory. The municipality gained additional authority and can exert certain powers as a regional county.

Under the terms of the Agreement on Governance in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay Territory of July 24, 2012, the municipality ceased to exist and was replaced by a new regional government called Eeyou Istchee James Bay Territory.^[6]

Communities in Baie-James

• Beaucanton
• Desmaraisville
• Joutel
• Miquelon
• Radisson - northernmost non-native town in Quebec.
• Val-Paradis
• Valcanton
• Villebois

Demographics

	2011
Population	1,303 (-6.5% from 2006)
Land area	297,332.84 km2 (114,800.85 sq mi)
Population density	0.0/km2 (0/sq mi)
Median age	44.8 (M: 45.6, F: 43.4)
Private dwellings	701 (total)
Median household income	$61,770

Canada census – Baie-James, Quebec community profile

Notes: Population in 1996: 1,978^[7] (-35.6% from 1991) - Population in 1991: 3,073^[7]
References: 2011^[8]

Transportation

Welcome sign along Route 109

The primary roads to and within Baie-James are:

• Route 109 - provincial highway to Matagami
• Route 113 - provincial highway from Val-d'Or to Chibougamau
• Route 393 - regional highway to Val-Paradis
• James Bay Road - road from Matagami to Radisson
• North Road
• Trans-Taiga Road - access road to hydro-electric stations of the James Bay Project

Air transportation is through the La Grande Rivière Airport near Radisson, which provides scheduled air service to Montreal and Puvirnituq.

Geography

Nearby lakes include Lake Naococane.