In an interview on the show Tout un matin, Sabrina Guilbert, resident of McMasterville and spokesperson for the Citizen Action Committee, indicated that at a citizens' assembly last week, an expert explained that wetlands play an important role in flood prevention. In 2011, she pointed out, part of the land acquired by Northvolt was flooded and the large wetland acted as a sponge.
Ms. Guilbert reiterated her request for a BAPE review of the entire project to fully understand all the social, economic and environmental factors. p>
Even if the work has started, it is not too late to launch an evaluation of the BAPE, according to her, because once the factory is in works, there will be other issues to study, such as the increase in labor-related traffic, the impact on SMEs, the housing shortage, the use of Richelieu for process cooling, among others.
Ms. Guilbert also warned of the danger of setting a precedent by bypassing public consultations and environmental assessments for future large industrial projects.