Horne Smelter: Legault ready to ensure ‘7 years of predictability’

The Horne Smelter in Rouyn-Noranda, owned by Glencore, photographed on Saturday, October 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Stephane Blais The Canadian Press

Faced with uncertainty over jobs at the Horne Smelter in Rouyn-Noranda, the Quebec government now says it is ready, under certain conditions, to grant Glencore seven years of “regulatory predictability” to maintain jobs and promote regional economic development.

However, Quebec has set a condition that there must be social acceptability, as confirmed by the elected officials of Rouyn-Noranda.

Quebec is also asking multinational corporation Glencore to do its part by committing to maintain its investments in modernization and air quality improvement.

In a statement released Thursday, Premier François Legault, who is also the cabinet minister responsible for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region, said he was aware of the importance of the Horne Smelter to the region’s economy.

“We all have the same goal: to protect the many jobs associated with it, while ensuring the health of the population. We are prepared to take an important step by granting the company seven years of predictability, but it must move forward with its investments. Municipal officials also have a responsibility to confirm the social acceptability of the smelter’s emission standards.”

He said he is prepared to continue discussions with the parties involved.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Feb. 5, 2026.

- By Lia Lévesque