The government of François Legault wants to reduce arsenic emissions from the Horne smelter in Rouyn-Noranda, but the target it intends to impose on the company is insufficient, according to a majority of Quebecers consulted this fall.
The Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks on Tuesday released its “report” of the consultations held in September and October on the future of the industrial complex located just north of of Rouyn. This contains, in particular, the results of an online questionnaire which amassed more than 1,700 responses.
We learn that more than 57% of respondents disagree with the annual average concentration limit for arsenic in the air of 15 nanograms per cubic meter (ng/m3) that Quebec has planned to require of the foundry. ” [Ils] demand in large numbers than the 3 ng/m standard3 be required […]some even wishing that it would be achieved in a shorter period than five years”, one can read in the document.
Even within the limits of Rouyn-Noranda, 58% of people are opposed to the target proposed by Quebec and by the general direction of public health. And again: 70% of respondents from the Notre-Dame district, bordered by the foundry and most directly affected by arsenic releases, say they disagree.
On average, the Horne smelter emits annually 100 ng/m3 of arsenic — a carcinogen — in the atmosphere. This is more than 33 times the Quebec standard. This summer, the Legault government undertook to table a ministerial directive this year to reduce this ceiling to 15 ng/m3 in 2027. This authorization will ultimately wait until next year.
“The Ministry is currently continuing to analyze all the necessary parameters before taking a decision regarding the renewal of the ministerial authorization. Obviously, the content of the report of the consultation is of great importance and feeds the reflection in progress”, can we read in a press release issued on Tuesday. “The people will be […] informed in a timely manner, after the holiday period, of the government decision. »
Further details will follow.