The Parti Québécois would oblige the Horne smelter to reduce its arsenic emissions to 15 ng/m3 in the year following its election, then to the Quebec standard of 3 ng/M3 in a first mandate, if it took power.
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The position of the Parti Québécois thus joins the proposal of Québec solidaire on the quantities and deadlines of arsenic emissions.
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon was in Rouyn-Noranda on Sunday morning and, for the first time, he went to the Notre-Dame residential area located at the foot of the foundry. The proximity of the huge factory and the houses was striking.
ANNABELLE BLAIS / JOURNAL DE QUEBEC / QMI AGENCY
Jean-François Vachon, the PQ candidate who lives in the city, accompanied him to give him various elements of context of the plant which was talked about all summer for its arsenic emissions which do not respect the standards. and increases the risk of cancer.
On the spot, an odor is perceptible. “I noticed it,” said Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon. There are days when you have a taste in your mouth, Jean-François told me [Vachon]. I felt it.
ANNABELLE BLAIS / JOURNAL DE QUEBEC / QMI AGENCY
The CAQ government announced last August that it would, following public health recommendations, require the smelter to limit its emissions to 15 ng/m3 by 2027. Currently, even though the standard is 3 ng/m3 /m3, the foundry has a special agreement allowing it to emit 100 ng/m3. However, the government has no timetable for reaching the Quebec standard.