CAQ defends its actions amid opposition accusations of preferential treatment in Northvolt plant project
Premier François Legault maintains that assisting businesses is part of the role of the Ministry of the Environment amid accusations from the opposition of preferential treatment and potentially offering a free ride regarding the Northvolt battery plant project in Montérégie.
La Presse reported on Friday that the government had had discussions with the company even before it was registered, and Radio-Canada revealed that civil servants had supported Northvolt in its approval process.
The biologist working at the ministry, who recommended that Northvolt be granted ministerial authorization, had several exchanges with the company to help it adjust to the requirements, which, according to the premier, is the usual way of doing things.
"The role of the Ministry of the Environment is to support companies," said Legault at a press briefing in his riding of L'Assomption on Friday. Obtaining ministerial authorization should not be "an obstacle course," he added.
"The Ministry of the Environment helps a company comply with the environmental standards we have in Quebec, which are the highest in North America, and I think it's part of its role to do that," Legault said.
But the opposition sees things differently.
"The more we learn about the Northvolt case, the more doubts are raised or the appearance of preferential treatment for the company becomes obvious, and the more demands are made for greater transparency on the part of the government," said PQ MNA Joël Arseneau during a press scrum in Quebec City.
Asked to respond to the criticisms, Premier Legault spoke of his pride in having helped Northvolt establish itself in Quebec.
"Over the past few weeks, I've heard the three opposition parties - the Liberal Party, Québec solidaire and the Parti québécois -- criticize Northvolt's investment. I'm very proud that Quebec is becoming a world leader. I'm weighing my words. A world leader in the green economy," he said.
Arseneau also raised questions about a lunch that Northvolt founder Pablo Cerruti had with Economy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon on Feb. 6, 2023, which was not declared in the lobbyist registry.
Two weeks later, a request for a change in environmental regulations was filed, favouring Northvolt by exempting it from a review process by the Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement (BAPE).
"We suspect that the company got a free pass, and without blaming or being against an industrial project of this scale in any way, we reiterate that the government's secrecy is damaging the project, damaging Northvolt and damaging the confidence we can have in a project like this," said the PQ MNA.
When asked whether the rules surrounding the BAPE review process for a company like Northvolt had been changed before or after the government's initial meetings with the Swedish company, Legault said, "The answer is simple. There were no standards for the battery industry. In fact, there weren't any for companies in what we call the green economy."
Québec solidaire (QS) MNA Christine Labrie said Fitzgibbon is managing this file "all wrong," and that many rules are being circumvented.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Feb. 16, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton dead following prison attack
Convicted B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, who preyed on women he lured from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to his rural pig farm, has died.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
DND moving 1,000 employees out of Ottawa office building due to safety concerns
The Department of National Defence is moving approximately 1,000 employees out of an office building in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood, citing safety concerns for its employees.
Baby dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to woman who was in police custody
A newborn is dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to a woman in police custody.
Biden speaks after Donald Trump's conviction in hush money case
A day after a New York jury delivered a historic guilty verdict in Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee held a press conference Friday where he spoke publicly about the conviction and his White House bid.
More counterfeit drugs seized, hot water boiler causes fire: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada recalled various items this week, including more unauthorized products, counterfeit drugs and bassinets.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.
How did Ontario's bankrupt 'Crypto King' travel the world on Scene+ points?
Newly released documents suggest Ontario’s so-called ‘Crypto King’ paid for months of world travels with $13,000 worth of Scene+ points while bankrupt – but how?
Mediterranean diet helps women live much longer, a large new study finds
Women who closely followed a Mediterranean diet lived much longer than those who did not, according to a new study that followed more than 25,000 women for 25 years.