GNL Québec’s Énergie Saguenay Project Rejected on Climate Grounds

Since the start of the project’s environmental assessment, unfavourable opinions have been pouring in. For example, of all the briefs received by the BAPE, 90% were opposed to the development of the liquefaction plant in the city of Saguenay. Additionally, the Innu communities of Mashteuiatsh, Essipit and Pessamit have officially taken position against the project, namely due to its impacts on the climate and biodiversity. The environmental analysis report (in French) states that, due to a “significant social divide”, the Ministry was unable to comment on social acceptability, which was, moreover, the third condition for project authorization stipulated by the government.

Released in late March, the BAPE’s report emphasizes that any increase in maritime traffic in the Saguenay River would conflict with efforts to restore the endangered St. Lawrence beluga population.

Relieved by the announcement, GREMM Scientific Director Robert Michaud argues, “Belugas need all the help we can give them.” And, of all the threats they face, anthropogenic noise is the one over which we have the most control in the short term. Indeed, reducing underwater noise levels would have an immediate impact on the daily lives of belugas.

The scientific opinions prepared by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Parks Canada and sent to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada on June 11 made similar arguments: The Énergie Saguenay project would run counter to the efforts made in recent years for the conservation of species at risk. According to Parks Canada, “Increasing the intensity of freight traffic in the Marine Park could compromise the ability of the latter to meet its mandate of increasing the level of protection of ecosystems for current and future generations.” Parks Canada’s scientific opinion also reminds us that beluga conservation was a determining factor in the creation of the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park in 1998.

In order to quantify the impacts of increased maritime traffic in the St. Lawrence and the Saguenay, researcher Clément Chion of Université de l’Outaouais, in collaboration with GREMM, has designed a simulator to predict the effects of different scenarios and potential mitigation measures. Once it has been fine-tuned, the simulator is expected to improve the accuracy of environmental assessments for maritime development projects in the region.