Horne Foundry | Quebec appoints a state administrator

Quebec announced Thursday the appointment of a state administrator “to coordinate government action” in the file of the Horne Foundry in Rouyn-Noranda.

Jean-Thomas Léveillé
The Press

Hélène Proteau, a senior civil servant from the “Environmental Assessments and Authorizations Sector” of the Ministry of the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change (MELCC), has been appointed to play this role; she will take office on 8 August.

M^me Proteau will thus have to “maintain links and ensure follow-up” between the Ministry, the company, the municipal administration, the citizens’ committees, Public Health and other stakeholders, indicates the MELCC, in a press release.

His appointment comes in the context of the renewal of the ministerial authorization of the Horne Foundry, the mechanism by which the company is authorized to derogate from the Environment Quality Act.

“With the appointment of a State administrator of government action, we are placing this file at the very top of the list of government priorities while promoting better interministerial coordination”, declared the Minister of the Environment and the fight against climate change, Benoit Charette, quoted in the press release.

The mayoress of Rouyn-Noranda, Diane Dallaire, with demanded such an appointment the day after her interview with Prime Minister François Legault, on July 21.

“Solid experience”

Joining the Ministry of the Environment in 1991 as a chemist-analyst in the industrial sector, Hélène Proteau “has solid experience in environmental control and an in-depth knowledge of the laws and regulations governing the authorization process”, underlines the press release from the MELCC. .

M^me Proteau will have the status of assistant deputy minister and will report to the deputy minister of the environment and the fight against climate change.

Quebec also reiterates its intention to hold a public consultation on the renewal of the ministerial authorization of the Horne Foundry.

“The form that this consultation will take will be unveiled shortly during a visit by the Minister to the region,” the press release indicates, which means that Benoit Charette will travel to Rouyn-Noranda before the October 3 election.

The Horne Foundry’s current ministerial authorization theoretically expires on November 20, but will in effect remain in effect until renewed or withdrawn by the government.