{"id":54238,"date":"2023-01-17T16:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-17T21:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fondationrivieres.org\/?p=54238"},"modified":"2023-04-28T10:19:12","modified_gmt":"2023-04-28T14:19:12","slug":"un-vrai-debat-energetique-simpose-au-quebec","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fondationrivieres.org\/en\/un-vrai-debat-energetique-simpose-au-quebec\/","title":{"rendered":"A real energy debate is needed in Quebec"},"content":{"rendered":"

OPEN LETTER<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messrs. Fran\u00e7ois Legault, Prime Minister, and Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of the Economy, Innovation and Energy, as leaders of the energy transition file, which you have made a priority for your government for 2023, you seem to want to finally tackle the decarbonization of Quebec's energy system. Well done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This historic turning point is long overdue: oil, gas and, to a small extent, coal generate 70 % of the territory\u2019s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions<\/a>. To decarbonize Quebec, we must therefore end our dependence on these fossil fuels. However, the fight against global warming cannot be understood in isolation. The solutions proposed must also respond to the constraints posed by other equally existential crises, namely the depletion of resources, the accelerated degradation of natural environments and the collapse of biodiversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, despite your plea for energy sobriety, you seem to take for granted that the continued increase in energy demand is inevitable, that it must mainly be responded to by massively increasing the production of renewable electricity while developing the sector. gases from renewable sources, that the planet can provide the materials necessary for this purpose at realistic costs, that the ecosystems on which the economy depends would withstand this increased pressure and that the population would accept these projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our opinion, nothing is less certain. This is why a real societal debate on Quebec's energy future is necessary, which would include the scientific community, civil society, indigenous peoples and the most vulnerable populations, who risk being penalized by the transition if they are not duly consulted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Ask for a real social debate<\/strong>!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Ask the right questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do we really need to build \u201chalf a Hydro-Qu\u00e9bec\u201d or even more, as you postulate, to perpetuate modes of production, consumption, housing and travel that fuel waste and systematically make us break down the wall of planetary boundaries? Among other things, do we really need to harness our last intact rivers to replace seven million gasoline vehicles with seven million electric vehicles? At what ecological, human and economic costs? Are there better options?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will we really squander public funds for the transition on the large-scale production of so-called \u201crenewable\u201d natural gas which will be fueled by massive removals of forest biomass, the maintenance of industrial farms such as megapig farms and the continuation of food waste?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How many species are we still willing to sacrifice by destroying natural habitats to build new dams, extract the metals needed for electrification or produce so-called \u201crenewable\u201d gas and burn it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will the population accept a boom in hydroelectric, wind, mining and other projects? With the threat of oil and gas drilling finally over, do we really want to embark on a new war of attrition between civil society and the government?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you try to sweep these thorny issues under the rug, your government risks facing a continuing series of outcries that will paralyze climate action rather than spur it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Target the best choices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As for energy sobriety, you are right to give it priority. However, your recent comments suggest that this responsibility falls primarily on households, who will have to run their dishwasher at midnight and turn down the heating when the house is empty \u2014 very logical, but very short, proposals. Indeed, the residential sector is only responsible for 18 % of the energy consumed in Quebec<\/a>, compared to 28 % for the transport sector and 48 % for industrial, commercial and institutional uses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should we understand that, according to you, families will have to increase the number of small energy saving actions at home while your government will continue to inflate the energy excess of the transport sector, by building new highway infrastructures as the third link Qu\u00e9bec-L\u00e9vis, and that of the industrial sector, by strengthening our vocation as a welcoming land for energy-intensive multinationals?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nothing condemns you to rush headlong into a policy of all-out increase in energy production or into a bill on sobriety that would not prioritize Quebec's industrial policy, transport infrastructure and to the rapid transition of buildings towards very low, if not net zero, energy consumption. In its most recent report, IPCC concludes that it would be possible to reduce global energy demand by 45 % in 2050<\/a>, compared to 2020, while ensuring decent living conditions for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the planet can divide its energy consumption almost in half, let's imagine the gains to which the energy ogre that is Quebec can aspire!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, Mr Prime Minister and Mr Minister, you can try to exploit the climate crisis to multiply energy infrastructure projects, mining extraction and industrial establishments which will not fail to run into opposition. citizen. But you can also rise above short-sighted financial calculations and open the way to informed collective choices, as consensual as possible, by launching the real social debate that is necessary. We ask you to choose the second option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signatories:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Alain Branchaud, general director, SNAP Quebec<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Marie-Soleil Gagn\u00e9, Director General, Sustainable Transportation Access<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Dominique Daigneault, president, Central Council of Metropolitan Montreal \u2013 CSN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Andr\u00e9-Yanne Parent, Director General, Climate Reality Canada<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Christian Savard, general director, Living in the City<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Fran\u00e7oise Remel, vice-president, Interprofessional Health Federation of Quebec-FIQ<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Henri Jacob, president, Action bor\u00e9ale<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. \u00c9ric Pineault, president of the scientific committee and professor, Institute of Environmental Sciences, UQAM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. \u00c9mile Boisseau-Bouvier, climate policy analyst, \u00c9quiterre<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Laure Waridel, eco-sociologist and co-instigator of Mothers at the Front<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11. Charles Bonhomme, Public Affairs Manager, David Suzuki Foundation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12. Emmanuel Rondia, Director General, Montreal Regional Environmental Council<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13. Sarah V. Doyon, general director, Trajectoire Qu\u00e9bec<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14. Christian Daigle, general president, Quebec Public and Parapublic Service Union (SFPQ)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

15. Rodrigue Turgeon, lawyer and co-spokesperson, Coalition Qu\u00e9bec Meilleure Mine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

16. Patrick Bonin, head of the Climate-Energy campaign, Greenpeace Canada<\/p>\n\n\n\n

17. Claude Vaillancourt, president, ATTAC-Qu\u00e9bec<\/p>\n\n\n\n

18. Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Boisvert, president, Montreal Climate Coalition<\/p>\n\n\n\n

19. \u00c9tienne Guertin, doctoral candidate in modeling carbon-neutral transitions, Concordia University<\/p>\n\n\n\n

20. Thibault Rehn, Coordinator, GMO Vigilance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

21. Marc Nantel, spokesperson, Regroupement Vigilance Mines de l\u2019Abititi et du T\u00e9miscamingue (REVIMAT)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

22. N L\u00e9o Beaudet, Rivi\u00e8re du Nord Landfill Alert Coalition (CAER)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

23. Andrea Levy, PhD in history, Concordia University; Ambre Fourrier, doctoral candidate in sociology, UQAM; Bastien Boucherat, doctoral candidate in geography, UdeM; Louis Marion, Philosopher, members of Pol\u00e9mos<\/p>\n\n\n\n

24. M\u00e9lanie Hubert, president, Autonomous Education Federation (FAE)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

25. Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Charlier, member of the board of directors, Les Shifters Montr\u00e9al<\/p>\n\n\n\n

26. Christiane Bernier, Trois-Rivi\u00e8res without pesticides and Biodiversity Coalition-No to Bti<\/p>\n\n\n\n

27. \u00c9ric Ferland, general director and founding member, Foire \u00c9COSPH\u00c8RE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

28. Carole Dupuis, spokesperson, UNEplan\u00e8te eco-citizen movement<\/p>\n\n\n\n

29. Jean-Pierre Finet, analyst, Grouping of environmental energy organizations (ROE\u00c9)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

30. Andr\u00e9 B\u00e9langer, general director, Fondation Rivi\u00e8res<\/p>\n\n\n\n

31. Jennifer Smith, founding member, For our children Montreal<\/p>\n\n\n\n

32. R\u00e9al Lalande, president, Action Climat Outaouais (ACO)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

33. Pierre Pag\u00e9, spokesperson, Montr\u00e9al Pour Tous<\/p>\n\n\n\n

34. Fran\u00e7ois Geoffroy, La Plan\u00e8te invites itself to Parliament<\/p>\n\n\n\n

35. Charles-Antoine Bachand, Ecological transition La P\u00eache<\/p>\n\n\n\n

36. Simon Chavarie, Workers for Climate Justice (TJC)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

37. Paul Casavant, president, TerraVie<\/p>\n\n\n\n

38. Patricia Posadas, Prosperity without Oil<\/p>\n\n\n\n

39. Jacques Rousseau, Quebec hydrocarbon vigilance group<\/p>\n\n\n\n

40. Pascal Bergeron, Green Environment Plus<\/p>\n\n\n\n

41. Jacques Benoit, co-editor of the DUC Plan, GMob (GroupMobilisation)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

42. Ir\u00e8ne Dupuis, Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly \u2013 Living environment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

43. Martin Poirier, co-spokesperson, NO to an oil spill in the St. Lawrence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

44. Patrick Provost, co-founder and ex-coordinator, Regroupement Des Universitaires<\/p>\n\n\n\n

45. Pierre Avignon, citizen committee Towards a green valley<\/p>\n\n\n\n

46. M\u00e9lanie Busby, Environmental Mobilization Ahunstsic-Cartierville<\/p>\n\n\n\n

47. Sylvie Berthiaume, Sutton Environment Solidarity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

48. Bernard Hudon, Justice and Faith Center<\/p>\n\n\n\n

49. Lucie Bergeron, Transition Capitale-Nationale<\/p>\n\n\n\n

50. Quentin Lehmann, the Ecotheque<\/p>\n\n\n\n

51. Chantal Levert, Quebec Network of Environmental Groups-RQGE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

52. Isabelle Grondin Hernandez, The time to be an activist<\/p>\n\n\n\n

53. Sylvain Lacroix, Green Environment Coalition<\/p>\n\n\n\n

54. Louise Royer, Office of Social Pastoral, Catholic Diocese of Montreal<\/p>\n\n\n\n

55. Lucie Mass\u00e9, spokesperson, Action Environnement Basses-Laurentides<\/p>\n\n\n\n

56. \u00c9milie Laurin-Dansereau, energy file manager, ACEF du Nord de Montr\u00e9al<\/p>\n\n\n\n

57. Isabelle Th\u00e9rien, Popular Convergence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

58. Mireille Asselin, The Assumption in Transition<\/p>\n\n\n\n

59. Ana\u00efs Houde, Mobilization 6600 Parc-Nature MHM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

60. Helena Arroyo, Equitas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

61. Priscilla Gareau PhD, Managing Director, The Ambioterra Group<\/p>\n\n\n\n

62. Louise Gagn\u00e9, The Forgotten People on the Bus<\/p>\n\n\n\n

63. David Roy, Fresco of biodiversity Quebec<\/p>\n\n\n\n

64. Krystel Maryl\u00e8ne Papineau, manager, Coalition Let\u2019s Take Out the Carbon Fund<\/p>\n\n\n\n

65. Yenny Vega C\u00e1rdenas, president, International Observatory for the Rights of Nature<\/p>\n\n\n\n

66. Katherine Collin, founder, Campus Biodiversity Network<\/p>\n\n\n\n

67. Fran\u00e7ois Riou, co-organizer, Technoparc Oiseaux<\/p>\n\n\n\n

68. Jacqueline Romano-Toramanian, president, AQPERE (Quebec Association for Environmental Education)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

69. Julie Lafortune, Director, Canada Research Chair in Ecological Economics, UQO<\/p>\n\n\n\n

70. V\u00e9ronique Fournier, general director, Montreal Urban Ecology Center<\/p>\n\n\n\n

71. Raymond Stone Iwaasa, President, Great Peace Organization<\/p>\n\n\n\n

72. Solange Tremblay, president, Sustainability|Communication Group<\/p>\n\n\n\n

73. Carol Saucier, Solidarit\u00e9 Gasp\u00e9sie citizen group<\/p>\n\n\n\n

74. Marie-Andr\u00e9e Gauthier, member of the coordination committee of the Quebec Coordination of the World March of Women (CQMMF)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

75. Julie Robillard, co-coordinator, Popular Education and Community Action Movement of Quebec (M\u00c9PACQ)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

76. Anne-S\u00e9verine Guitard. Diocesan Committee for Integral Ecology (DEI Committee)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

77. Louise Gratton, president, Nature Qu\u00e9bec<\/p>\n\n\n\n

78. Caroline Dufresne, coordinator, Shared Knowledge Workshops<\/p>\n\n\n\n

79. Patricia Clermont, coordinator of the Quebec Association of Physicians for the Environment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

80. Elsa Beaulieu Bastien, for the Carrefour de participation, resourcing et formation (CPRF) team<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Text published in <\/em>The duty<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo: Wind turbines and electrical wires in Saint-Magloire in Quebec, by Claude Laprise \/ Unsplash<\/a><\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Open letter \u2013 80 organizations sign a letter to Prime Minister Legault, to the Minister of the Economy, Innovation and Energy Fitzgibbon, as champions of the energy transition file to request a real societal debate on our energy future. <\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":54240,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[47,57,69],"class_list":["post-54238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-communiques","tag-energie","tag-hydroelectricite","tag-mobilisation"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fondationrivieres.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fondationrivieres.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fondationrivieres.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fondationrivieres.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fondationrivieres.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54238"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/fondationrivieres.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54238\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fondationrivieres.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/54240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fondationrivieres.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fondationrivieres.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fondationrivieres.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}