(Montreal) The Minister of the Environment, Benoit Charette, has authorized a “second and final” delay for the report of the Task Force on Atmospheric Contaminants responsible for painting a portrait of the situation of air contamination in the neighborhood of Limoilou, in Quebec.
“At the request of the President, I authorize a second and final extension of the date of the tabling of the final report of the Task Force on Air Contaminants”, wrote Mr. Charette on Twitter. He indicates that the report must be tabled on January 27 and that this is the last deadline allowed.
This working group was set up in the context of the nickel saga. The Legault government had gone ahead, last spring, with the raising of the emission thresholds for nickel particles in the air. Its purpose is to facilitate the expansion of the electric battery industry, which requires nickel.
This caused controversy, particularly in the Limoilou district, which is the sector most affected in the province by nickel in the air.
The standard for nickel particles in the air has increased from 14 to 70 nanograms per cubic meter per day, five times more than the previous standard. In addition, the average annual standard is now 20 nanograms.
The request for an increase in the standard comes from mining companies, including Glencore, which has facilities in the Port of Quebec.
The Air Contaminants Task Force is mandated to identify the contaminants that pose the greatest risk to health and the environment. The experts must also recommend measures to improve air quality in the Limoilou district.
The report was originally due on 1er December 2022, but a deadline until January 16, 2023 had been granted by Mr. Charette to allow the working group “to deliver a better documented report”.