Citizens rejected the Quebec government’s proposal to limit the Horne Foundry in Rouyn-Noranda to 15 nanograms per cubic meter (ng/m3) of arsenic emissions into the air within five years, according to the results of the public consultation released on Tuesday.
Glencore’s Horne Foundry, located in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, can emit 100 nanograms of emissions per cubic meter annually, or 33 times more than the Quebec standard of 3 ng, under an agreement with the Quebec government. .
Made public, this agreement raised an outcry in the population and led the government to propose a new limit of 15 nanograms per cubic meter in the air to the company, which would have five years to comply.
According to the results of the public consultation, unveiled on Tuesday, a majority of citizens disagreed with the government proposal, to a extent of 57%. In Rouyn-Noranda itself, this percentage rises to 58%, while in the Notre-Dame district, the most affected by emissions from the Foundry, this percentage reaches 70%.
The proposal to give the company a period of 5 years to comply with this new standard was also met with opposition. In total, 61% of the Quebec population disagreed with this idea, and 76% in the Notre-Dame district.
Moreover, public confidence in Glencore’s plan to allow the Horne Smelter to reach these new emission ceilings is not assured. In total, 52% of respondents said they disagreed with the company’s plan, and 68% in the Notre-Dame district.
Many concerns also emerged from the population, ranging from the reputation and future of their city, to the health of children and whether or not the plant should be closed.
In addition, 36 institutions and organizations submitted a brief as part of the public consultation. In total, more than 175 briefs were submitted by citizens or organizations.
The citizens of Rouyn-Noranda were able to make their voices heard on this subject from September 6 to October 20.
As part of the public consultation, citizens were able to express their views through an online questionnaire, public hearings, a specific consultation with Aboriginal communities, and a written consultation. A total of 1,741 people contributed to the consultation, including 144 people from the Notre-Dame district.
Quebec will make public its final decision on the renewal of the Horne Foundry’s ministerial authorization in January 2023.