It is usual and normal to rejoice at the arrival of an industrial project like that of Northvolt, modern, impressive in its size and its number of jobs, etc. It would therefore be inappropriate to “deny this pleasure”. On the condition that local environments do not only suffer inconveniences. This project also resembles others announced in Quebec and Ontario, with a certain overbidding.
However, it is legitimate to raise some questions about the project itself, but also, and above all, about its meaning in relation to the orientations of our political leaders. The latter regularly state that their objective is to reduce GHGs and achieve a certain level of carbon neutrality by year
Despite the interest and benefits of these projects, they contribute very little to this objective, which could benefit from some of the enormous sums devoted to the factories. Hence the following three questions.
The objective of MM. Does Legault and Fitzgibbon position Quebec in the green industry lead them down a different and desirable path, which would be that of the transition to the green economy, which would require massive financial efforts aimed at modifying the processes? and current polluting behaviors? Part of this aid would perhaps be more effective invested in real transition and process transformation projects to reduce GHG emissions.
The second fundamental question concerns the use and availability of electricity. At what price and through what possible sacrifices will we be able to reconcile the following three variables: energy efficiency gains, relatively modest so far; the natural or linear increase in needs; and the additional needs associated with a mysterious number of major projects promoted by the government? All in comparison, not to say in confrontation, with the still unknown capacity of Hydro-Québec to increase its power and that of its private partners. […]
Finally, although Quebec and Canada must to a certain extent participate in the international investment race for the new green industry, are the amounts granted judiciously established and the benefits correctly evaluated? To what extent can Quebec participate in this state capitalism?
Let independent experts enlighten us on these three questions!