Like many, I find the federal government’s decision to authorize the Bay du Nord project disappointing and inconsistent. But it is not surprising as such, even from a government that can be described as centre-left, because the Canadian population still does not seem ready to support an energy and economic vision that would require more than to make momentary sacrifices, that is to say to profoundly change one’s life choices, both collectively and individually.
Posted at 11:00 a.m.
I am disappointed for the Canadian people. Disappointed for the younger generations who still hope for a future, just a future. Disappointed for environmentalists who have long understood the issues, but who have not yet managed to be convincing enough to really shake the neo-conservatism of our governments. Finally, disappointed also for the citizen Steven Guilbeault.
It seems important to me to remember that this is a government decision. Therefore, it was certainly the subject of lively discussions in the Council of Ministers. There is no doubt that the Minister of the Environment took the opportunity to explain, qualify and convince… with the result that we know.
His decision to enter politics involved enormous challenges, in particular that of trying to influence, to convince, to transform the political machine in order to steer it towards a real common interest. He had to learn to speak to us and no longer to I, with all the limitations that entails. It is clear that he should not be a prophet in his country, but a warrior…
Now that the decision is made, we must fight against our disappointment and not fall into excessive simplification. It is not the defeat of a man, but that of a society, ours. We must continue to explain, to fully understand the hesitations of our neighbours, to federate the population again and again and to convince them that it is still possible to change things and, finally, remember that in the environment, victory can only be collective!
* The author was a member of environmental groups for many years, manager at the Régie de l’énergie from 2007 to 2021, member of the Barreau du Québec.