Hundreds of people demonstrated on Sunday in front of the office of Prime Minister François Legault in Montreal, demanding an independent environmental assessment of the future Northvolt battery factory in Montérégie.
More than 200 people took part in the rally, organized by the Mères au front collective.
Under cloudy skies, they expressed their concerns about the environmental impacts of the future Northvolt factory, demanding an examination by the Bureau d’audiences publique sur l’environnement (BAPE).
“Why should we be on alert for an industry that should be green? Why do elected officials no longer defend us? », lamented Ariane Labonté, from Citizen Action Committee – Northvolt project.
In the crowd, children and grandparents held up signs on which slogans such as “More studies, less worries” and “No mega-factory without BAPE” were written.
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PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Protesters raised concerns about the environmental impacts of Northvolt’s future battery factory.
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PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The demonstrators are demanding an examination by the Office of Public Hearings on the Environment (BAPE) for the battery factory project.
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PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
In the crowd, children and grandparents held up signs.
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PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The demonstration took place in front of the office of Prime Minister François Legault in Montreal.
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When responsible for evaluating the environmental impact of a project, the BAPE requires the promoter to present an impact study and answer questions from the public. The organization then makes recommendations to the government.
However, Northvolt is not subject to this procedure, Quebec having raised the ceiling of compliance of the regulatory framework for factories which manufacture battery materials.
“When you think about it, is this normal? Why do we have to fight to enforce our laws? », asked Ariane Labonté.
“Why do we have a BAPE? So that the population can make themselves heard, so that we can have development projects that respect the environment,” argued Sylvie Cantin, from Mères au front Rive-Sud.
According to her, it is “inconceivable” that the project would move forward without an independent environmental assessment, citing citizens’ concerns about the destruction of wetlands.
The company has just started felling trees on the future site of the factory, located in McMasterville and Saint-Basile-le-Grand.
“François, we need to talk, because I’m a little frustrated,” said comedian Christian Vanasse, speaking to a mascot of the Prime Minister.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Christian Vanasse
“The idea is not to be against batteries, François. The idea is to evaluate the projects correctly,” he continued, eliciting laughter from the crowd.
For Stéphanie Couture, it is not the project as such that poses a problem, but the government’s lack of transparency.
“My impression is that a lot of things were done quickly. I don’t think anyone is against batteries. This is the way it was done – without consultation,” laments the young mother.