Environment Committee on Nov. 17th, 2025

[Julien Baudry]

It all depends on how you define the word “consultation”. For us, consulting and answering questions is also an opportunity to receive feedback.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

I'm talking about a mandatory legislative consultation.

[Julien Baudry]

We complied with the 30‑day period.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Okay.

In your opinion, can the destruction of the critical habitat of an endangered species be considered a significant adverse environmental effect?

[Julie Gascon]

Since you asked, I can tell you that we'll be working on 2.34 hectares of copper redhorse foraging habitat in the St. Lawrence River, but that we'll be rebuilding much more than this.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

I know, Ms. Gascon. I'm sorry, but that wasn't my question. Please understand that I don't have much time. When I ask questions, please try to answer them.

Can the destruction of the critical habitat of an endangered species be considered a significant adverse environmental effect?

[Julien Baudry]

In our opinion, this issue falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The Montreal Port Authority doesn't have the authority to rule on this matter. We aren't the legal authority on this issue.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

I gather that, for you, the destruction of a species' critical habitat—

[Julien Baudry]

Mr. Bonin, that's not what I said. I said that the responsible organization should answer that question. Of course, we must comply with the legislation, implement measures and design a project after consulting with the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and also the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

The Species at Risk Act calls for the selection of other possible sites when species at risk are involved. In this case, the species at risk is emblematic of Quebec.

Have you considered other sites for the Île aux Bœufs compensation work, particularly sites where the work wouldn't adversely affect the critical habitat of the copper redhorse?

If so, what are these sites?

[Julie Gascon]

Before giving the floor to Ms. Loubier, I would like to say that the Contrecœur terminal has been moved as far west as possible to minimize its impact.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

I'm not talking about the terminal, but about the compensation work. Have other sites been considered for the compensation work?

[Nathalee Loubier]

Yes.

Starting in May 2022, four potential sites were assessed: Île aux Bœufs, Île aux Prunes, the eastern tip of Île Bouchard and Île Hurteau. During the feasibility study, when grass‑beds were identified in 2022 on Île aux Bœufs and Île aux Prunes, there weren't any grass‑beds where the dikes will be built.

To get back to your question, in 2022—

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

I'll stop you there.

The legislation states that, if you're requesting a compensation plan, you must first have submitted your project as part of the legal regulatory process.

Did you submit anything?

[The Chair, Liberal, Angelo Iacono]

Thank you, Mr. Bonin. Your time is up.

I want to remind all the members that witnesses need time to answer their questions. Otherwise, the interpreters have a hard time doing their job. I know that this topic involves a great deal of discussion and raises many issues. Please keep your question short so that you can get a more specific answer.

In short, keep in mind that interpretation is taking place when you speak.

Mr. Leslie, you have the floor for five minutes.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'd like to start with Ms. Gascon.

Did you approach the federal government for it to be referred to the MPO?

[Julie Gascon]

The project was referred to the MPO. No, we did not approach them.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Did the federal government approach you about it?

[Julie Gascon]

The Contrecoeur project was deemed a project of significant importance. Due to the categorization of the project, we were referred to the MPO, and we've engaged with the MPO ever since.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

When did you find out that you were being referred to the MPO, and who told you this information?

[Julien Baudry]

We were informed at the major projects office before the official announcement. It was between 24 and 48 hours before the press conference.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

You were advised just a day before there was an announcement from the federal government that, despite their not talking to you in any way and despite your not coming to them, they deemed that you would be referred to the Major Projects Office for a project that's been under way since you first applied in 2016. Is that correct?

[Julie Gascon]

Yes, that is correct.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Does it seem odd that, out of the blue, you were referred without asking to be referred?

[Julie Gascon]

There was a lot of consultation and a lot of work that was done, and this could be a question that could be asked of people much higher than me. There was a lot of discussion as to which project would be deemed to provide an essential contribution as a major project, a project of national interest.