Baie-James | |
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 | |
| Motto: "A territory the size of a country" | |
 Municipality of Baie-James, Quebec | |
| Coordinates:52°00′N76°00′W / 52.000°N 76.000°W /52.000; -76.000[1] | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Nord-du-Québec |
| RCM | None |
| Constituted | July 14, 1971 |
| Dissolved | July 24, 2012 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Gérald Lemoyne |
| • Federal riding | Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou andAbitibi—Témiscamingue |
| • Prov. riding | Ungava |
| Area | |
• 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) | |
| Area code | 819 |
| Website | www |
TheBaie-James (French pronunciation:[bɛdʒɛmz]) was aformer municipality in northernQuebec, Canada, which existed from 1971 to 2012. Located to the east ofJames Bay, Baie-James covered 297,332.84 km2 (114,800.85 sq mi) of land, making it the largest incorporated municipality in Canada — only eightunorganized territories were larger.[4] Its territory almost entirely (about 98%) covered the administrative region ofJamésie, 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.
On July 24, 2012, the Quebec government signed an accord with theCree that would result in the abolition of Baie-James and the creation of a regional government known asEeyou Istchee James Bay Territory.[5]
The hydroelectric power plants of theLa Grande Complex were all located within the municipal boundaries of Baie-James, making the municipality strategically important to Quebec'senergy policy. Other important economic sectors are mining, softwood logging, forestry, and tourism.
The municipality was created in 1971 and was run by the board of directors of theSociété de développement de la Baie James. It managed the territory of theJames Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement between the 49th and 55th parallel, with the exception of theCree Category 1 lands and theenclaves ofChapais,Chibougamau,Lebel-sur-Quévillon andMatagami.
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 ofRadisson, Valcanton andVillebois. 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 aregional county.
Under the terms of theAgreement 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 calledEeyou Istchee James Bay Territory.[6]
| 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 |
The primary roads to and within Baie-James are:
Air transportation is through theLa Grande Rivière Airport near Radisson, which provides scheduled air service to Montreal andPuvirnituq.
Nearby lakes includeLake Naococane.
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| Municipalities | |
