The landholding corporations are legal entities created as non-profit associations under section
5 of the Land Regime Act, and governed by said Act, the JBNQA and the Quebec Companies
Act.
The membership of the landholding corporations is composed of the beneficiaries affiliated to
their respective communities. They are therefore ethnic bodies that serve community interests.
The internal structure of the landholding corporations is governed by By-laws duly adopted by
the members of the corporations. Thus, they can establish a Board of Directors composed of 3
to 12 members (according to the need of the communities) elected for a two (2) years term.
Among such directors, an executive committee is instituted with functions relevant to the
presidency, vice-presidency, secretarial and treasury of the organization.
The Board of directors has general administration powers, which include the power to hire staff
members, adopt by-laws, signing contracts, commit financially, etc., while bearing in mind their
general mandate, which is the pursuit of benefits for their respective communities.
Their principal duties and powers originate from the Land Regime Act and from the Act
respecting Hunting, Fishing and Trapping in the James Bay and Northern Quebec territories and
Chapter 3 of the JBNQA regarding eligibility of JBNQA beneficiaries. In addition, various
environmental laws allow landholding corporations to make representation to environmental
review boards created by the JBNQA.
They can be involved in profitable activities by incorporating subsidiary companies, even in
partnership with outside organizations, other landholding corporations or individuals.