MONTREAL – First Nations in Quebec have walked away from talks with the provincial government on a forestry bill they say would pave the way to privatizing public land. The Assembly of First Nations Quebec–Labrador says the province has not shown “genuine political will” to collaborate with Indigenous communities on the government’s forestry reform, which they say does not respect their rights. …The Quebec government tabled a bill last spring aiming to protect communities that depend on the forestry industry. The legislation would divide public forests into zones designated for conservation, multi-purpose use or forestry. …Indigenous leaders were quick to criticize the bill, saying it infringed on their rights. …In Tuesday’s open letter, assembly Chief Francis Verreault-Paul and five members of the group’s committee on forests, including Flamand, say the government has refused to engage on the zoning strategy, which they want scrapped.