One of the major projects being fast-tracked by Ottawa is the expansion of the Port of Montreal’s facility in Contrecoeur, Que. Citizens living there worry about what it will do to their community. One of the five nation-building projects chosen by Mark Carney’s Liberal government, it would boost the port’s capacity. “It will allow many companies to be able to export in other markets and go beyond the US-Canada relationships,” said Julien Baudry of the Port of Montreal. However, in Contrecoeur, about an hour from Montreal, there is a lot of concern, as some residents worry that an expanded port will have a major impact on their city. “They’re living in a small, quiet city by the river, and they’re going to live in a very, very big industrial zone that is going to be the port of Contrecoeur,” said Vigie Port de Contrecoeur’s Helene Reeves. Others worry about added pollution from trucks and ships. “The water that we drink is pumped just a kilometre away. Are we going to pollute the St Lawrence river?” said Reeves. “We’re concerned that adding pollutants is going to be quite concerning for the health of the citizens.” On Thursday, a Quebec environmental group filed an application in Quebec Superior Court challenging the validation of Bill C-5, the law that allows these projects to be fast-tracked. “Basically with C5, if a project is to be of national interest, the government can then override the application of environmental laws,” said Genevieve Paul of the Environmental Law Centre. The Port of Montreal says it will not carry out any construction without proper authorization and permits. The port adds that the expansion will help companies access more trade markets around the world. Work on the Contrecoeur terminal could start as early as late September.
