Stablex: hundreds of protesters unite in Blainville against Bill 93

A large protest formed against the expansion of the Stablex landfill in Blainville, Que.

A large number of protesters, including several political figures, gathered on Saturday against the expansion project of Stablex.

Earlier this week, the Legault government passed Bill 93, which authorizes the expropriation of land owned by the City of Blainville for the benefit of the company.

The land is set to be used to expand a hazardous waste landfill. Stablex has stated that without this expansion, its landfill will reach full capacity within two years, leaving just enough time to complete the work.

The company warns that 600 clients, industries, and municipalities depend on the landfill.

Blainville Mayor Liza Poulin participated in the protest alongside Liberal MNA for Mille-Îles, Virginie Dufour, Québec solidaire MNA for Sherbrooke, Christine Labrie, and the newly elected Parti Québécois MNA for Terrebonne, Catherine Gentilcore.

Alexandre Warnett, President of the Environment and Ecological Transition Commission of the Montreal Metropolitan Community, was also present, along with about thirty municipal elected officials.

Several hundred protesters were at the event, according to Mayor Poulin.

“Today, we can definitely see that opposition to Bill 93 has gone beyond the boundaries of Blainville; this is truly an unprecedented mobilization,” she said in an interview The Canadian Press.

However, the protesters were divided on the expansion project proposed by the mayor.

“Blainville must stop being the toxic waste dump for the United States, Ontario, and Quebec,” read a statement from Climat Québec. The party leader, Martine Ouellette, was also present at the protest.

The site proposed by the city is located about 300 metres from a residential area, which is why both the CAQ government and Stablex rejected the idea.

A request for an injunction to suspend the effects of Bill 93 was rejected earlier this week. The mayor maintains that she will appeal the matter on Monday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 5, 2025.