On the occasion of Thanksgiving, the citizen group Mères au front invites citizens to a large gathering in the streets of Rouyn-Noranda, to demand that Quebec impose the same environmental standards there as in the rest of the region. province.
The public is invited to join a march from 1 p.m. in the company of the standard bearers of the movement: Ève Landry, Alexandre Castonguay, Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette, Steve Gagnon, and Véronique Côté.
A march in which Laure Waridel, eco-sociologist and co-founder of Mères au front, will also take part.
In interview at Dutythe latter considers that the population of Rouyn-Noranda, and in particular children, are sacrificed by the lack of regulation and political courage of the current government.
“We are alarmed by the levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium, nickel, which are authorized by the Legault government. This has already been going on for decades: the Horne foundry pollutes and the environment is totally saturated, both in the air and in the soil,” says the environmental activist.
15 times the annual norm
In total, according to her, there are 25 authorized substances which are omnipresent in the air of Rouyn Noranda, including arsenic and lead, in proportions well above the norm.
In 2023, the average annual concentration of arsenic near the Horne plant was 45 nanograms (ng) per cubic meter (m3). Although down compared to previous years, this average remains 15 times higher than the annual standard set by the Regulation on cleaning the atmosphere (3 ng / m3).
“We have convincing data, we know for example that in certain neighborhoods, life expectancy is 7 years lower than the rest of the population of Quebec. There are far too many babies being born at low weight and with asthma problems. There are also problems of miscarriages, difficulties in having children,” explains M.me Waridel.
A question of public health
There has been no political awareness commensurate with the public health issue that arises in Rouyn-Noranda, Laure Waridel further asserts.
“It is governments that must set standards. And it should be the same standards everywhere in Quebec. This is an issue of democracy. In certain regions, under pressure from multinationals like Glencore, we allow ourselves to deviate from standards,” accuses the woman who is also co-founder of the organization Équiterre.
“The problem is that we have a government which does not listen to the advice of scientists and which prefers to protect a multinational which generates billions in profits rather than its population,” she points out.
“As soon as environmental or public health issues are in the way of economic expansion projects, we change the regulations and give exemptions. We find this unacceptable. »
Who will be next?
Laure Waridel also thinks that it is popular pressure which could influence a government concerned with polls and popular pressure.
“It is the public who can enable better listening to the government. This is why we find it important to demonstrate to be heard. What is happening in Rouyn-Noranda is unacceptable. If we accept this in one place, we can ask ourselves the question “Where will the next Rouyn Noranda be?” »