Beyond the simple anecdote of the Prime Minister’s fruit salad, it is time to face reality. The relentlessness against Northvolt is harmful not only to Quebec, but also to our economy, our development and our reputation.
Suddenly, environmental activists discovered that contaminated land in Montérégie was an environmental jewel that was an integral part of our heritage. They suddenly became aware of the crucial importance of wetlands, which they now demand to be protected against any industrial attempt.
The real motivation
Mr Fitzgibbon is right to point out that we are far from the “Garden of Eden”. Activists who have suddenly fallen in love with this contaminated land are rightly demanding transparency from the government. But let them provide tangible proof, embrace their convictions and loudly proclaim their true intention: economic decline.
This is the mission pursued by many radical left activists, who see any industrial development project as a manifestation of wild capitalism which corrupts our communities. Their ideology blinds them to the point that they are ready to sacrifice an electric battery factory project, which is nevertheless crucial to accelerating the electrification of transport and decarbonizing our economy.
Transparency
The root of the problem is thus exposed. Their concern for the environment is feigned. They don’t care about wetlands. They don’t care about trees. Their real objective is economic decline and the fight against capitalism.
That said, Northvolt is not free from criticism. It is not a risk-free investment. It’s a gamble that could pay off in the long term or end in dismal failure for all investors, including us, the taxpayers. But for once that Quebec is at the head of the pack, that it stands out for its ability to attract innovations with a future, that it manages to transform contaminated land into an electric battery factory for the Quebec of tomorrow , it’s high time we stopped banana-peeling ourselves.