Northvolt CEO says company is moving forward in Quebec, 'surprised' by pushback
Northvolt said it's moving forward as it presented the next steps for building its mega-battery plant on the South Shore of Montreal Wednesday.
Six months after announcing a $7 billion investment to build its battery cell plant, the company's co-founder Paolo Cerruti met with journalists Wednesday.
He said he didn't expect the pushback to the project.
"Yes, I was surprised. Being singled out as not participating in a responsible way in an environmental debate was, for us, quite shocking," he said.
Since the project was announced, environmental groups and local residents have criticized it — the site was even vandalized over the removal of trees.
"Arriving here, maybe too naive, [we] did not expect this to happen," he said.
Northvolt co-founder Paolo Cerruti (CTV News)
Now, up to 450 trucks per day will move along local roads and more trees will be cut down for a total of 14,000.
Last week, the Quebec government sanctioned the company for filling in a wetland.
Environmental groups say it's hurting threatened species like the Least bittern and argue Northvolt is not keeping the public advised.
"They are cutting trees. There are endangered species on the ground. They are filling wetlands. All of this is done behind closed doors," said Patrick Bonin of Greenpeace. "We don't have those details, so they shouldn't be surprised."
Northvolt says it needs more than a dozen permits approved to keep going forward. That comes after reports that the land in McMasterville, where part of the plant is located, still isn't zoned for industrial use.
"We're taking a risk by deploying billions of dollars upstream of the project without the certainty of having all the permits lined up at the end," said Cerruti, and "if we're taking this risk, it's because we're aware that the technology we're deploying will enable us to get all the necessary authorizations."
"The mayor of McMasterville has been public on the fact that they're doing what they're allowed to do. It's a process which takes three to six months to [sort through] so I'm pretty comfortable with the process going on right now," said Economy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon.
Part of the plant that processes recycling will be required to undergo an environmental assessment, though other facilities won't.
Greenpeace is pushing for an independent assessment, especially as a planned intake and discharge into the Richelieu River has yet to be approved.
Even with all the controversies, Northvolt said it's not second-guessing building in Quebec and said it's not going anywhere.
"Power, access to natural resources, great talent," said Cerruti. "We are committed to Quebec long term."
Construction is expected to start in the coming months and production to begin in 2026.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.