Controversy Over Development of Northern Quebec
Environmentalists Cry Foul Over $80 Billion Development Plan
Northern Quebec will soon be coming into some cash.
Plan Nord, the $80 billion, 25-year plan by the Charest government to develop northern Quebec was presented to citizens in Montreal on Oct. 9.
The project concerns land that lies above the 49th parallel, which makes up a total of 72 per cent of the province. Though a lot of the plan lays out details for construction of new mines and hydroelectric dams, the province plans to reserve 50 per cent of the land included in the territory for non-industrial activities.
Members of the Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development and Parks led the consultation, which was followed by a question period.
Forest campaigner for Greenpeace Canada, Nicolas Mainville, feels that the voices of environmentalists have not been taken into account because the plan explicitly permits industrial work to be done in protected areas of the province.
“It’s a step back for Quebec,” said Mainville. “Plan Nord [is] a plan of acceleration and industrial exploitation with a nice, green veneer. Unfortunately, once you scratch the surface a little, we realize that it’s just nonsense.”
The Nation, an independent Cree newspaper and website based in Northern Quebec, reported that 38 per cent of the lands are not adequately protected as the plan stands. Mainville also asserted that the land status of the protected areas can change if the industried decide to develop further, leaving up to 88 per cent of the north up for grabs.
Greenpeace is demanding that Plan Nord be put on hold until an investigation into suspected corruption and criminal ties in the construction industry be completed.
To see the whole plan, visit: plannord.gouv.qc.ca
