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The BAPE on the pork industry in 2003 transformed into in depth the practices of this formerly very polluting industry.
First of all, the company concerned is required to submit an impact study of its project, which requires it to provide a minimum of data about the effects of its activities on the environment and on the local population. Then, as independent researchers are invited to offer their expertise, the sources of information are diversified. Finally, citizens can interview government and company experts in person and transparently express their grievances or support for the project.
These Exchanges enrich the content of possible solutions or highlight the biggest flaws in a project. Clearly, the exercise makes it possible to improve a project, for the benefit of all stakeholders.
However, beyond all these considerations, the greatest usefulness of the BAPE is certainly this: it sometimes acts as a form of relief for citizens who have concerns.
Even if the solutions proposed are not always optimal, the simple fact, for citizens, of being able to question those responsible and force them to do better can greatly contribute to increasing the degree of social acceptability of 'a project.
Certainly, holding BAPE hearings eats up time. But we can think that this delay will improve the social acceptability of the project, essential to its realization.
But Quebec shows no sign of opening. There are currently several battery sector projects in development in Quebec, which has prompted environmental groups to demand that the Legault government carry out a strategic environmental assessment of the entire sector, as permitted by law.
My colleague Thomas Gerbet asked for a reaction on this subject from the office of the Minister of the Environment, Benoit Charette, and the answer could not be clearer: Our government does not intend to request a general strategic environmental assessment of the battery sector.
History has however shown that governments which wanted going too fast have sometimes bitten their fingers.
Étienne Leblanc (View profile)Étienne LeblancFollow
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