Vol. 6, No. 8, December 2008
2009 Calendar inside
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appy
!
olidays
People with a powerful vision
Season’s Greetings from the Director of Eastmain Projects
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he end of an important stage is already on the horizon. 2008 has been a year of major accomplishments, during which we kept up the pace set in 2007 and forged ahead with all the work related to this great project. Your contribution and efforts have been important in making it happen. Many thanks for all your hard work! The time has now come to replenish ourselves and share happy moments with family and friends. I am sure that we will be ready, in 2009, to carry on the project of the decade. Until then, I wish you a very happy Holiday Season and a New Year filled with health, joy and prosperity! Normand Béchard Director – Eastmain Projects
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Wachiya ere we are at the end of 2008 and, already, taking a quick glance at the year underway, we can observe the advancement of work on the Rupert diversion project with pride.
We can also be particularly proud of the Eenoutch/ Iyiyutch partnership that is enabling us to reach a common goal TOGETHER. However, we should not overlook the tremendous daily contribution of all the workers in every activity sector of the Rupert diversion project. We would like to sincerely thank you for your support in achieving our objectives in 2008.
In closing, we wish you all a happy Holiday Season and health and happiness with your loved ones. Above all, let us not forget the needy or to provide comfort and aid to the suffering. May 2009 continue along that path and be productive and happy. Chi N’skomitnan, George Bordeleau, Lloyd Mayappo, Johnny Saganash Section Managers - Cree Relations Rupert diversion project
Supervisor - SEBJ Public Relations Yves Barrette / Artistic Director Bionda Miotto / Editor-in-Chief Jimmy Lavoie 819 672-2200, ext. 3853, lavoie.jimmy@hydro.qc.ca Writers Véronique Gagnon-Piquès, Nathalie Girard, Karine Lemay Translator Margaret Kane Savage / Graphics Paul Salois Design / Photographer Paul Brindamour / Printer Imprimerie Lebonfon Eastmain Magazine is published by SEBJ Public Relations for the workers of the Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert project. (© SEBJ. All rights reserved.) Internet site: www.hydroquebec.com/rupert Extranet site: www.extranetsebj.ca
Eastmain Magazine is printed on chlorine- and acid-free EcoLogo certified paper, made in Québec, containing 100% post-consumer fibre, manufactured using biogas energy.
2 Eastmain Magazine, December 2008
People with a powerful vision
A very successful year
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riven by passion and the motivation to do great things, you workers are the reason for the undeniable success of this project. I would like to sincerely congratulate and thank you for having contributed to the work that was done in 2008. The year that is drawing to a close will forever be marked by the great challenges that were met with flying colours. New methods have allowed innovation to come to the fore at the jobsite—take for example the construction of the temporary dike, placed in the reservoir, which allowed us to attain our goals while maintaining the quality of our work. Once again, giant’s work has been accomplished at the Eastmain-1-A jobsite. 2009 will have its lot of new challenges for us all, with the ongoing concrete work at the powerhouse and water intake,
the installation of the powerhouse superstructure and penstock lining, and the beginning of mechanical-electrical work. May the New Year be a wellspring of vitality, achievement and joy for each and every one of you. Peace, happiness and health, Denis Groleau Site Manager, Eastmain-1-A
Mission accomplished!
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fter an exceptionally busy year, we are proud to be able to say “mission accomplished”.
Together, so far, we have carried out 83% of the work required to channel part of the Rupert River’s flow into Eastmain reservoir. More than 50 dikes have been erected, three of the four dams have been completed, the five instream flow release structures are being finalized, the 2.9-kilometre tunnel is ready and the concrete work on the Sakami canal’s weir is finished. The crews of eight tallymen and two Cree businesses have cleared nearly 4000 hectares of land. That is equivalent to 7200 American football fields. Some 60 archaeologists also conducted digs in the Rupert area this summer. The results were surprising: flakes from toolmaking, beads, pottery shards, an axe head and a scraper made from stone that is probably from southeastern Ontario.
The Rupert jobsite, which is more than 70 kilometres long from north to south, has been a beehive of activity all year. Accordingly, worker safety has been a constant concern, as it will continue to be in the coming year. 2008 has been a pivotal year for the Rupert jobsite. The structures to be built required the strength of character and skills of more than 2000 workers. I would like to praise their remarkable efforts and the quality of the work accomplished. I would also like to thank the Cree and Jamesian communities for their welcome and support throughout the year. I wish you all a very happy Holiday Season. Take advantage of this break to spend some quality time with your loved ones. I look forward to seeing you again in 2009. Peace and health to you all! Gervais Savard Site Manager – Rupert diversion project
Eastmain Magazine, December 2008 3
A bridge between jobsites 2008 has been rich in accomplishments for SEBJ’s Infrastructure and Common Services section. During this peak year, the work continued to the north and south. Accordingly, workers, equipment and facilities needed to be moved. That is why particular effort was put into improving and building new roads and new bridges, including repairs to a section of the Route du Nord, construction of the Muskeg-Eastmain road and the Acotago bridge, and the beginning of work on a 60-kilometre road that will lead to the future weirs on the Rupert River.
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uring the Holiday Season, there is nothing more enjoyable than heading home to celebrate with our loved ones. From a part of the country blessed by winter, let me wish you a Christmas full of life’s little pleasures. May your New Year be filled with happiness and serenity and may your hopes and plans become realities!
I would like to thank my team, the workers and everyone who spent time and energy on keeping the Eastmain1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert project running smoothly. Peace, health and success in 2009! Claude Daneau Section Manager Infrastructure and Common Services
Like the jobsites, the various workcamps also underwent many changes in 2008. In addition to expansions due to the growing numbers of workers, the year was marked by the opening of Sarcelle workcamp, our project’s fourth. It looks as though 2009 will be just as busy for our section, with construction continuing at Sarcelle workcamp, the opening of Oujeck workcamp, the end of work on the road to the weirs, bank stabilization, and work on the drinking water plant in Waskaganish. On the eve of a well deserved break,
Success through teamwork
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4 Eastmain Magazine, December 2008
s 2008 comes to an end, I would like to highlight the great work carried out by the contractors who participated in construction of the workcamp and the SEBJ infrastructure crew that led the work. As a team, we succeeded in providing the workers of Sarcelle workcamp with the housing and services they needed.
time. I am confident that we can manage it while enjoying our jobs and working safely.
In 2008, we also managed to mobilize capable work crews and forge significant ties that will enable us to face the coming year together. 2009 will be a pivotal year marked by the end of rock excavation at the powerhouse and diversion channel, and the beginning of concrete work at the powerhouse and water intake. With everyone’s contribution, we will get through these important stages, one at a
Take advantage of the Holiday Season to spend time with your families, and come back refreshed in 2009.
I am pleased and proud to be in charge of the Sarcelle jobsite. Keep in mind that I am open to any comments or suggestions you may have to ensure that everyone enjoys their experience here.
Laurent Busque, Eng. Site Manager – Sarcelle powerhouse