By committing to abandon hydrocarbons on the eve of COP26, the Legault government wishes to assert its role as world “leader” in climate matters, supports Minister Jonatan Julien in an interview with the To have to. Quebec, however, is still not able to quantify the impact that this promise will have on the achievement of its own targets.
A few hours before the start of the international climate conference, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources reversed his government’s decision to end oil and gas exploitation. Announced with great fanfare by Prime Minister François Legault during his opening speech, this measure “charts the way for the future,” he said.
“I am quite sure that other nations and other countries will follow us in this commitment. We will not be embarrassed to assume this leadership, ”he stressed.
In Quebec, around ten oil and gas companies have operating permits. Their claims extend over a total area of 32,000 km2. By putting an end to these activities, the Legault government wants to send out a strong message on the achievement of its climate targets. However, he is not able to say what impact his measure will have on the reduction of polluting emissions.
“Calculating contingencies is difficult. I am not in a position to do so, ”agreed Mr. Julien. By 2030, Quebec wants to have reduced its greenhouse gases by 37.5% compared to 1990.
Compensate the oil companies
The Minister of Energy is not able to fix with precision the amount that Quebec will pay to the oil companies to compensate them. One thing is certain: money will be spent.
“We have people who have engaged in a process in good faith, who have bought licenses, paid fees,” observed Mr. Julien, referring to oil and gas companies.
Thursday, at the National Assembly, the elected Caquist had strongly responded to the solidarity co-spokesperson Manon Massé, who asked him not to pay them the shadow of a penny. According to Julien, the oil companies need a minimum of “predictability”.
“We are not a republic of bananas, he hammered in an interview with The duty. What message would we send if we told those who had invested in an adventure: it’s over. “
In addition to requesting reimbursement of the value of the permits, the Quebec Energy Association is evaluating the option of demanding compensation for “lost profits” in the adventure. The organization has already calculated that the potential revenue from shale gas in the St. Lawrence Lowlands “roughly” amounts to three to five billion dollars.
Faced with these figures, Friday, Mr. Julien argued that “we should not be too jovial about the potential for remuneration.” “We are going to be fair and reasonable. It is not true, in the end, that we will be spending too much, ”he added.
In 2017, Philippe Couillard’s government chose to end exploration for hydrocarbons on Anticosti Island. Nearly $ 100 million had been disbursed in compensation.
A bill this session
To move forward, Jonatan Julien wishes to table a bill by the end of the parliamentary session. The option of a regulatory amendment was quickly ruled out. “I put the question to my lawyers, who advised me to proceed with a bill,” he said.
“Me first, if I could achieve our ends more expeditiously, I would,” continued the minister.
The bill will not provide for prohibiting the passage of oil pipelines in Quebec territory. The minister said in September that this option was “on the table”, before withdrawing his remarks a few hours later. In an interview, he reiterates that it is too early to think about it.
“Currently, we need to transport hydrocarbons,” observed Mr. Julien. Is it better to go by train, ship or pipeline? What I understand is that the pipeline is safer. “
“We understand that this is not the way of the future,” he added. But between today and the moment when we will be completely rid of the hydrocarbons, there is a period of time. “