Residents of Montreal East are not surprised that the CCR Refinery, which belongs to the giant Glencore, finds itself on the list of companies authorized to derogate from certain environmental standards. Most would like to see the factory comply.
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The QMI Agency spent part of Wednesday in the area where the copper and other precious metals refinery is located. Of the fifteen citizens we met, several said they were worried about the possible consequences of the plant on their health, while others weren’t overly concerned, explaining that CCR has been present in the neighborhood for decades.
The plant overlooks a residential area. Some houses are only a little more than a hundred meters from his land. The sound produced by its activities is also easily heard in the neighborhood. Many of the people we met have worked at the plant, or have relatives who have worked there.
All agree, however, that pollutant emissions are currently much less worse than they were at the beginning of the millennium and that the situation seems to have improved.
“It’s much worse than before. Twenty years ago, it was sickening. It has changed 75%, estimates Ronald Cloutier, a retiree who worked for 35 years at the plant. The emissions fell on the tanks, and even twice, I was paid for the painting.
Several people nevertheless notice that the dust linked to the releases is very present.
“I have to wash my terrace outside every day. The factory is also noisy. We cannot open the windows to sleep, there is always noise,” lamented Manon Gignac.
Stéphane Giguère, whose spouse works at the Refinery, is however not sure if these discharges are caused by the Glencore plant, or by one of the many refineries near the sector.
“We have always had a garden. The other thing that worries me is that these products can end up in our food,” he said.
A young father, Francis intends to move within two years, in particular because of the situation in the sector. “We do a follow-up every year with the doctor. I know the effects are more long-term, but I’m not noticing anything yet.”
As of press time, Glencore had yet to respond to QMI Agency’s questions, although it confirmed having received them.
“Very low” risks
The Direction régionale de santé publique (DRSP) in Montreal has studied the emissions associated with the CCR Copper Refinery on a few occasions, publishing advisories in 2018, 2020 and 2022 on atmospheric emissions in the air in the east of Montreal. .
“We mentioned in the CCR notice that the observed exceedances pose a very low risk to the population residing near the refinery. These levels are too low for us to be able to observe health effects in people living near the refinery,” explained Marianne Paquette, spokesperson for the DRSP, by email.
Screenshot, TVA Nouvelles
Nevertheless, the DRSP considers that it is “essential” to reduce emissions so that the population is not chronically exposed “to higher concentrations than those dictated by the standards”.
Polluting companies
In 2018, our Bureau of Investigation revealed that CCR exceeded the permitted standards for emissions of arsenic, a carcinogenic substance.
The Metropolitan Community of Montreal (CMM) admitted not knowing the nature of the exemptions granted to the two companies located on its territory, although it has its own regulations on discharges into the air and water, to which the companies must comply.
“[Le MELCC] may issue exemptions for other items to which our rules do not apply and over which it has full jurisdiction. The CMM therefore does not have the power to intervene,” spokesperson Julie Brunet explained by email.
Krupack packaging ensures compliance with standards
Also named in the MELCC list, Emballages Krupack, which has a cardboard factory in the LaSalle sector, ensures that it complies with all the standards in force.
“For all Kruger establishments in Quebec, we respect the standards. We do not benefit from any exemption or waiver. No worries in our case”, assured by email Jean Majeau, senior vice-president of business.