Here in the Centre-du-Québec region, the Agricultural Operations Regulation, the AOR, limits the expansion of farming operations. We have water quality problems. However, although it has been proven that agriculture contributed to the pollution of the watercourses, the AOR does not cover small fruits, including cranberries.
Cranberry production is currently expanding in the Centre-du-Québec. Cranberries need two things in order to grow: water and soil with an acidic pH. Peat bog sites offered excellent growing conditions for cranberries, in particular soil acidity and water. Since peat bogs have been destroyed, however, there is no way to restore those cranberry-growing conditions. It is like building an asphalt road. There is no possible way back.
Many certificates of authorization have been granted for this crop, but the people at the Quebec Cranberry Growers Association are working with the department to develop techniques for growing cranberries outside peat bogs. They will target sandy lands. Sand has an acidic pH. They will create closed circuits in which water will circulate on the land without it being necessary to draw supplies from watercourses.
Cranberries consume more water than any other crop. A ground water study just conducted in our region shows that approximately 90% of water consumption can be attributed to cranberry production. There are still some problems, but I believe growers are starting to work in a spirit of reconciliation. They have gradually begun to leave the peat bogs. However, the damage that has been caused is irreversible.