The issue of selling a plot of land in Blainville to the American company Stablex for the disposal of hazardous waste has sparked intense reactions from the mayors of Greater Montreal. The Legault government’s proposal to force the sale through a bill, with an expropriation cost of $17 million, has been described as “scandalous and inexplicable.”

“The State is Doing the Company a Favor”

Blainville Mayor Lisa Poulin expressed her outrage at a press conference, stating, “The government is giving itself the right to do what the law normally prohibits. It is doing a favor for the company.” Poulin was accompanied by other local leaders, including Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer and Deux-Montagnes Mayor Denis Martin.

Stablex has been operating a major inorganic industrial waste treatment center in Blainville since 1983. However, it now seeks to expand its facility onto a 70-hectare plot owned by the city, which would allow it to continue operations until 2065. The alternative would be constructing a new facility on government land, with an operational capacity only until 2040.

Ecological Disaster and Ottawa’s Potential Intervention

Mayor Poulin warned that the Montreal Metropolitan Community (CMM) might seek Ottawa’s assistance to protect the ecosystem. The requested plot lies at the heart of Grande Tourbière, an area of high ecological value.

“There is no study or analysis that justifies the concession of public land to a private company,” Poulin declared. Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer emphasized that this case should serve as a “model” for preserving the natural areas of Greater Montreal.

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante also voiced her opposition to the plan, stating that “we cannot destroy natural areas for the burial of waste imported from the United States.” Plante stressed that the economic benefits for Greater Montreal would be negligible.

The Government’s Argument: “A Necessary Decision”

On the other hand, Quebec’s Natural Resources Minister, Maïté Blanchette Vézina, defended the bill, claiming that Blainville’s alternative proposal would have greater consequences for residents, as the new facility would be just 300 meters from residential areas. “This decision is difficult but absolutely necessary,” she stated.

Blanchette Vézina argued that without the bill, many cities, businesses, and hospitals would soon run out of space for hazardous waste disposal. The minister called on opposition parties to cooperate for the swift approval of the bill to prevent a disruption in services.

Environmental Threat and Critics

Opposition leader and MP Virginie Dufour criticized the minister for her audacity in claiming to act in favor of environmental protection while “sacrificing a natural area of great ecological value.” The CMM reminded that the requested area is part of one of the few remaining wetland complexes over 500 hectares in Greater Montreal.

The targeted area includes 67 hectares, of which 9 are wetlands and 58 are forested zones. The Montreal Metropolitan Community demands the immediate withdrawal of the bill and the initiation of a meaningful dialogue with local authorities and environmental organizations.

The Unfolding Controversy

The controversy surrounding the bill to expropriate the plot in Blainville seems poised to continue with undiminished intensity. Local authorities, environmental organizations, and residents appear determined to defend their natural areas, while the Legault government insists that the decision is necessary for the safety and continuity of waste disposal services.

The outcome of this dispute will not only determine the fate of the plot in Blainville but also shape the broader framework for waste management and the protection of natural areas in Quebec.