Pierre Fitzgibbon fears that opposition to the Northvolt project in Montérégie will damage Quebec's credibility abroad by sending the wrong signal to potential investors.
• Also read: Northvolt factory: work suspended until Tuesday
Last Friday, the Swedish company paused preparatory work on the site where its future battery cell factory will be located and is waiting to see whether tree felling can continue or not.
The previous day, the Quebec Environmental Law Center (CQDE) filed a request for an injunction to stop work on the 170-hectare site.
The organization wants to know whether the government permit that allows Northvolt to cut down trees and invade a wetland is compliant, which it doubts.
Economy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon, asked about the issue on Monday morning on 98.5, lamented “the increase in hostility” towards the Swedish company. According to him, there is a risk that such resistance will deter other investors from coming to the province to carry out projects.
“I'm concerned that we are damaging Quebec's credibility outside of Quebec,” he said.
“I've had conversations and people are obviously wondering: Are we welcome in Quebec?” the minister added.
Mr Fitzgibbon also claimed that the Northvolt project was not subject to a BAPE assessment because “the regulations did not require it”, while ensuring it complied with environmental regulations.
“Northvolt, if you look at the company, they are very strict. Their values, in my opinion, are the values we want for economic development,” he argued.
The minister then agreed that one should not be a “cowboy” when issuing government approvals, saying one still needs to be “careful because the debate can often be a little simplistic”.
“But in principle, the requirements of the Ministry of Environment for Northvolt and the other factories will be respected, otherwise there will be negative measures,” he reiterated.
The Quebec Superior Court hearing to consider the CQDE's application for an injunction will take place on Tuesday.
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