International Day of Action for Rivers
Yesterday's battles meet today's. On this International Day of Action for Rivers, we wanted to pay tribute to an ardent defender of our territories: biologist Jean Bédard. Still active at 85, Bédard is an inspiring man who fought against Hydro-Québec to save an exceptional territory: the Jacques-Cartier valley and river.
The struggle he waged in 1972 echoes in the news of 2024, as Hydro-Québec loudly proclaims the same refrain as 50 years ago. The context is different today: climate change and the biodiversity crisis form the backdrop to the play being staged today. Back then, it was only the beginning of an ecological awakening in Quebec. An awakening to which Jean Bédard made a major contribution.
The state-owned company citizens today, as in the past, with the same sense of urgency, imposing decisions made behind closed doors. In 1972, as in 2024, the government and Hydro-Québec have the same desire to exploit wild lands, to develop our energy at all costs, without putting the preservation of biodiversity at the heart of everything.
A tale of victory: saving the Jacques-Cartier River
In 1972, biologist Jean Bédard won a major battle to protect the Jacques-Cartier River. At the time, Hydro-Québec was planning to build a pumped-storage power station called Champigny in this valley, a few kilometers from Quebec City.
As early as 1971, the state-owned company concocted an ambitious $175 million project to develop 7 sites that could produce up to 26,000 megawatts per day, in order to make the Jacques-Cartier valley "the valley of advanced energy". At the time, the state-owned company cited an urgent need to meet electricity demand in order to push for the construction of this power plant.
Champigny would have completely submerged the natural setting of the Jacques-Cartier River, considered an ideal location for this type of power plant, with its 550-metre drop. Hydro-Québec wants to develop quickly, believing that this little-known site is not dear to anyone's heart.
Jean Bédard: the whistle-blower who brought down the Hydro-Québec project
The incredible beauty of national park and its precious Jacques-Cartier River was virtually unknown to Quebecers 51 years ago, except to a few fishermen and First Nations. At the time, the spectacular site of the Jacques-Cartier River was difficult to access, encircled on all sides by the Domptar company. Jean Bédard fought hard with the Comité pour la conservation de la Jacques-Cartier to awaken citizens, who were soon convinced of the importance of protecting the Jacques-Cartier River and its impressive valley.
The Battle of Jacques-Cartier
The media of the time seized on the affair, which caused quite a stir: the battle of Jacques-Cartier. Numerous journalists, moved by Jean Bédard's concern, helped the public to better understand the great ecological value of the area and to appreciate the beauty of this still wild river. History does not record whether Robert Bourassa's government qualified these activist journalists.
Hydro-Québec never expected such a mobilization. The battle was waged with courage and determination by a Jean Bédard who loved the region and was convinced of the inestimable richness of the great outdoors.
In the end, 46 mayors from the greater Quebec City area and even biologists hired by Hydro-Québec opposed the Champigny mega-project. It was in the wake of Jean Bédard's battle that the parc national de la Jacques-Cartier. This park and its river will be one of the first national parks to enjoy true protected status.
A magnificent, protected glacial valley
The majestic site of the Jacques-Cartier river valley is a treasure to be cherished in Quebec, protected today and visited annually by thousands of nature and outdoor enthusiasts. If the Champigny project had gone ahead, this natural jewel of Quebec would have been destroyed.
Heartfelt thanks to Jean Bédard and his accomplices for this important battle won against the Goliath of energy in Quebec.
Battles to be waged to protect rivers in 2024
Faced with talk of a possible energy shortage, Hydro-Québec's current president Michael Sabia brings back the idea of building pumped storage power stations and new dams. The same rhetoric of urgency presented by Hydro-Québec in 1972 resurfaced in the face of mounting anger among citizens' committees, scientists and environmental groups.
The vision of infinite growth has a hard rind, in a world that cries out that the limits have been reached and that we must do things differently. Like Jean Bédard, we're going to have to fight to the bitter end to ensure that the last great wild rivers are protected. It's our turn to be vigilant, and to wage fair battles for the preservation of our natural heritage, our landscapes and wild rivers. May the next Jean Bédard rise!
Explore this wonderful report by journalist Guillaume Piedboeuf.
Main photo credit: Radio-Canada / Olivia Laperrière-Roy
Yannick B. Gélinas
Yannick B. Gélinas currently works as Communications and Mobilization Manager for Fondation Rivières.
