A survey commissioned by Northvolt shows that citizens of the region believe that the future mega-factory is a “good project”, but that the industrial complex raises environmental issues which deserve to undergo the test of an evaluation including an examination of the Office of Public Hearings on the Environment (BAPE). The Legault government has rejected this idea on several occasions.
According to what emerges from this survey carried out by the Léger firm, 54% of respondents “say they are worried about the project from an environmental point of view”, 31% naming more precisely the “impacts” on wetlands and on the river. Richelieu. Following requests for access to information, it was possible to learn in recent weeks that the green light for the project will have “major” impacts for wildlife, since the disappearance of natural environments of “high ecological value” will cause the irreversible loss of habitats for several species, particularly threatened species.
Yes to BAPE
Unlike the Legault government, respondents from Saint-Basile-le-Grand, McMasterville, Beloeil, Saint-Hilaire, Otterburn Park and Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville are mostly of the opinion that an independent examination under the aegis of the BAPE “would have been necessary”.
Some 67% of the 500 respondents expressed their agreement with such an environmental assessment. This rate rises to 70% among respondents aged 18 to 54, as well as among citizens surveyed in the towns of McMasterville and Saint-Basile-le-Grand, where the largest industrial project in recent decades will be located. Quebec. Dozens of environmental groups, unions, doctors, citizen groups and academics have argued along similar lines in recent months.
“If they respect the rules, whether there is a BAPE or not, it does not matter,” the Minister of the Economy, Innovation and Energy maintained last week. , Pierre Fitzgibbon, saying he “piloted” the file for the government. The Legault government last year modified the rules which would have required Northvolt to comply with the environmental assessment process normally imposed on large industrial projects.
The regulatory change means that the company is instead proceeding by “request for ministerial authorization” for different stages of the project. Despite a request for access to information, it was impossible for The duty to know the details of the request which is currently being analyzed by the Quebec Ministry of the Environment for the construction of the plant. The resulting document is heavily redacted.
Questioned Monday by The duty, the office of the federal Minister of the Environment, Steven Guilbeault, reiterated that environmental issues are the responsibility of the province. “Quebec is responsible for the environmental assessment of the project. We will do the necessary processes under federal laws if necessary,” it was stated in a written response. The federal government may in fact have to issue authorizations to the promoter, in particular due to the Fisheries Act and the Species at Risk Act. A water pumping and discharge project is planned by Northvolt in the Richelieu River, a fish habitat which also includes areas essential to the survival of the copper redhorse, a species on the verge of extinction.
“Good project”
A majority of survey respondents are also concerned about the potential impact of this project on traffic problems (73%) and housing shortages (59%) in the region. These issues could have been addressed as part of a complete environmental assessment of Northvolt, including an impact study and a BAPE investigation.
Despite the environmental concerns highlighted by the survey, nearly three-quarters (72%) of respondents say they find it a rather good project, while 21% say the opposite and 7% are still undecided. . Nearly two-thirds (64%) say they have confidence that Northvolt and local elected officials will properly consult the population in the development of the project, and 62% say they have faith in Northvolt to protect the local environment.
The main reasons for having a positive perception of the Northvolt project are job creation (47%), economic development (35%), as well as the positive impact of the project on the environment, particularly in terms of electrification. transport (35%).
This telephone survey was conducted from February 2 to 8, 2024. The margin of error of a telephone survey for a sample of 500 respondents is ± 4.4%, 19 times out of 20.