Hydro-Québec is seriously considering building an imposing 315,000-volt substation on land next to Montreal’s Grande Bibliothèque, a project that has drawn the ire of Lise Bissonnette.
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“We are in the heart of the culture, we are next to UQAM, we are in the old Latin Quarter… And we decide that on such precious land, so exceptionally located, we will just do it.” [un poste électrique]…I understand the energy transition, but it is cruel,” says Ms. Bissonnette, the “mother” of the Grande Bibliothèque, which she headed from 1998 to 2009.
Lise Bissonnette Photo Wikipedia
The Berri substation, commissioned in 1968 and located just steps from the cultural facility, is reaching the end of its useful life and needs to be rebuilt, Hydro claims. Due to increased demand, the station’s capacity must be increased from 120 to 315 kilovolts, which requires larger equipment and therefore has to find a new location.
“We really don’t have many options” in this sector, says Maxence Huard-Lefebvre, spokesman for Hydro-Québec.
The brutalist Berri train station was opened in 1968. Photo Sylvain Larocque
Montreal says no
The state-owned company originally wanted to build the future train station on Voyageur Island directly opposite the Grande Bibliothèque. However, the city of Montreal, owner of part of this property, refused.
“It is our wish that this site can host a social and affordable housing project,” explains Simon Charron, political attaché to Montreal and Ville-Marie Mayor Valérie Plante.
The part of Voyageur Island belonging to the city of Montreal, where the old bus station was located. Photo Sylvain Larocque
The Bibliothèque et Archives Nationaux du Québec (BAnQ) has already reached an agreement with Hydro to sell the property at a price that the parties have declined to disclose. The funds will make it possible to partially finance the development of the Maison de la Culture et de la Musique in the Saint-Sulpice building, a project worth around $50 million that Prime Minister François Legault announced last year.
Core work
“Core drilling is planned for a period of two weeks from November 6th to check the environmental quality of the soil,” explains Claire-Hélène Lengellé, spokeswoman for BAnQ.
Wouldn’t it be possible to build the facilities underground, as was the case with the Dorchester substation behind Hydro-Québec’s headquarters in downtown Montreal?
“An underground substation is very complex,” replies Mr. Huard-Lefebvre, pointing out that the subway and several other infrastructures in this sector are already underground.
Can we expect a huge building without windows, as is the case with many substations in densely populated areas?
“We are ready to be very creative within this project,” assures Maxence Huard-Lefebvre. If the project is carried out on the site of the Grande Bibliothèque, it may involve all kinds of measures to be determined according to the wishes and aspirations of the city and the municipality. […] What can we do that is ambitious and fits well with the community? We want to have these kinds of conversations.”
Since 2020, a sculpture honoring the writer Dany Laferrière has stood in the garden of the Grande Bibliothèque. Photo Sylvain Larocque
Québec Solidaire is not against it
The constituency’s MP, solidarity activist Manon Massé, refused to speak to Le Journal about the issue.
In a response to a citizen, members of Ms. Massé’s team said they were “very concerned” about the project, but did not oppose it.
Québec Solidaire intends to use Hydro’s planned consultation to “advance various measures to mitigate the impact of the station and compensate for the loss of this space for the community,” says the communication obtained by Le Journal.
However, Réjean Gagnon, who lives in the area, believes the city should reconsider its decision to block Hydro-Québec from locating on Voyageur Island, which he says is “the less bad of the two locations.”
“Whisks don’t follow in their footsteps,” he fumes. The city talks about making green space a religion, and its boots are trampling on one of the most beautiful and peaceful green spaces in the neighborhood.”