The City of Blainville and the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) are not backing down in their legal fight against Quebec’s controversial Bill 93, which paves the way for the long-term burial of hazardous waste in the heart of the Grande tourbière wetland.
On March 28, in a final attempt to halt the law’s implementation, both entities filed for an injunction to suspend the bill. The Superior Court rejected that request on April 4, but the case has now moved to the Court of Appeal.
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On April 7, Blainville and the CMM sought permission to challenge the lower court’s decision. Two days later, on April 9, lawyers representing the municipalities appeared before a judge to request a stay of preparatory work already underway by the private waste management firm Stablex. While the judge’s decision is expected next week, Stablex has been temporarily restricted from cutting more than six hectares of forest on the 69.5-hectare site until a verdict is rendered.
What Bill 93 Means for Blainville
Passed by Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) lawmakers on March 27, Bill 93 allows the provincial government to expropriate land in the Grande tourbière and authorize its use by Stablex for the burial of hazardous inorganic waste. The permit would extend for the next 40 years — a move that has sparked outrage among local officials, residents, environmentalists, and even farming groups.
A Broader Strategy for Sustainable Waste Management
Beyond the courtroom, the CMM launched a broader initiative on March 26 to better understand the region’s hazardous waste management needs and develop more sustainable solutions. In response to long-standing recommendations from Quebec’s environmental review board (BAPE), the CMM’s Commission on the Environment and Ecological Transition has been tasked with producing a detailed report by December 2026.
The study will map current treatment and burial sites across Greater Montreal and assess greener technologies that could replace landfilling. Public consultations with residents, businesses, and municipalities are also planned.
Blainville has committed to playing a central role in this study, hoping its findings will pressure the Quebec government to rethink its direction and prioritize safer, more modern alternatives for handling dangerous waste.
Citizen Mobilization and Political Support
The opposition to Bill 93 has sparked a rare display of political unity and grassroots mobilization.
On April 8, Mayor Liza Poulin stood alongside Parti Québécois MNAs Joël Arseneau, Catherine Gentilcore, and Pascal Paradis at the National Assembly to present a petition signed by 29,160 people — one of the largest petitions of Quebec’s 43rd legislature. The document, spearheaded by Arseneau, denounces the law’s infringement on municipal autonomy and environmental integrity.
Poulin also highlighted that more than 5,500 protest emails have been sent by residents to Laurentides-area MNAs, ministers, and Premier François Legault. Over 100 municipal councils across Quebec have passed resolutions opposing the bill.
Environmental organizations, scientists, and the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) have all condemned the law, echoing concerns about ecological damage and democratic bypasses.
Thousands Rally Against the Law
Public opposition also spilled into the streets. On April 5, over 1,000 people gathered in a peaceful protest in Blainville, including Mayor Poulin, city councillors, and provincial representatives from opposition parties. Before the rally, elected officials held a press conference at City Hall, reiterating their call for the repeal of Bill 93.
As the legal and political fight deepens, the residents of Blainville and their elected officials remain firm: the Grande tourbière must be protected, and Quebec’s approach to hazardous waste must be brought into the 21st century.
