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The Fondation Rivières submitted a brief to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, in which it makes recommendations in favor of holding a federal regional assessment on the St. Lawrence. This study aims to better understand the cumulative impacts of pollution on the river.

Quebec's rivers are at the heart of important issues – environmental, social and economic. Citizens must be involved in making decisions determining the fate of these natural arteries and they must be equipped to locally defend environmental interests, otherwise only economic interests can prevail when making political decisions. For example, in May 2001, the Quebec government announced a program to build small hydroelectric power stations. On June 29, 2001, those who would found the Fondation Rivières published the plea For Free Rivers and mobilized a multitude of groups and personalities, which led to the abandonment of the Program in November 2002.

Is a regional assessment of the St. Lawrence River necessary?

We fully support the justification of the applicants, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke, that:

  • The increase in maritime activities and related industrialization in the region has resulted in negative and cumulative effects, which interfere with its ability to exercise its rights under section 35(1) of the Constitution Act of 1982;
  • Individual project impact assessments are not effective in addressing these issues and potential effects in the region;
  • The regional assessment is necessary to understand the current state of the river, as well as the cumulative effects of existing infrastructure and potential future projects in a regional context, particularly in light of proposed and possible future developments.

Issues and concerns in the context of a regional impact assessment study

The Fondation Rivières is concerned about these issues which it considers to be priorities.

  • The impacts of climate change on the St. Lawrence, including an increase in temperature causing a drop in dissolved oxygen, as well as periods of low water that may be more intense;
  • The impacts of urban wastewater discharges, agricultural runoff and industrial discharges;
  • The loss of uses and public access to the river (including the privatization of the banks) and the protection of wetlands;
  • The expected growth of commercial navigation and the cumulative impacts of port developments (including the impacts of dredging necessary for port developments and maintenance dredging).

Photo: St. Lawrence River, Sophie Lachance

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