Mr. Speaker, at the request of the member for Beauport—Limoilou, I am pleased to outline Transport Canada's efforts on the file related to the presence of dust in the Limoilou area.
First, I believe it is important to mention that we are working in close co-operation with the Quebec Port Authority, which is responsible for administering, managing and operating on a stand-alone basis the infrastructure under its responsibility. To date, Transport Canada has been pleased with the Quebec Port Authority's collaboration in the identification of the potential sources of dust emissions in the Limoilou area and in implementing measures for monitoring the types and quantities of air emissions associated with the port operations.
As part of the member for Beauport—Limoilou's area, the Quebec Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, Wildlife and Parks has determined, in a report published on April 15, the high source of concentration of nickel in the air is due to the transfer of mineral ore by Arrimage du St-Laurent, an affiliate of Arrimage du Québec. Following the tabling of the report, and to follow up on the notice of non-conformity sent by the MDDEFP, Arrimage du St-Laurent presented, during a press conference held on May 2, the corrective measures they will be putting in place to rectify the circumstance.
Besides a full review of its operations, the installation of sprinklers, the implementation of washing stations and the relocation of access routes, many other measures have also been planned by the company. The Quebec Port Authority will work in collaboration with all its lessees to limit the impact of the port activities on the community moving forward. It is co-operating in the implementation of measures put in place by Arrimage du St-Laurent.
In light of the recent developments, I am confident and satisfied with the efforts being made by the Quebec Port Authority to further the region's economic development while ensuring the quality of life of residents in the beautiful Quebec City area and the quality of the environment.
I will end by asking the member for Beauport—Limoilou to exercise caution in interpreting the data from the Direction régionale de santé publique. The member is aware that a multitude of factors must be considered when trying to determine the reasons for the health status differences between different areas within a specific region.