Plan Nord planning applies to all areas north of the 49th parallel, an area spanning over one million square kilometers and 72% of all of Quebec. The area is inhabited by 121,000 people, 33,000 of those are Cree, Inuit, Naskapi or Innu, representing four different nations.

Despite Quebec and Labrador government promises to work with communities affected and to be socially responsible in the planning process, First Nations are raising concerns against Plan Nord. Communities are concerned large scale developments will disrupt traditional lifestyles, impact territories, cause pollution and not be based on meaningful consultation and accommodation of concerns. Development intentions in Plan Nord, has caused the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador to ask Prime Minister Stephen Harper to intervene.