Foundry Horne | Discomfort around the support of the Rouyn-Noranda Chamber of Commerce

(Rouyn-Noranda) The support of the Rouyn-Noranda Chamber of Commerce. Meanwhile, Industry (CCIRN) at the Horne Foundry and its questioning of the jurisdiction of the public health authorities create discomfort among the city’s merchants. Similarly, Many doubt the legitimacy of the mainly supported approach by companies that benefit from the activities of the foundry.

In a recent letter sent to Prime Minister François Legault. Similarly, the CCIRN asked Quebec to support the foundry in its request foundry horne | discomfort around to relax the requirements to reduce its arsenic rejections in the air. However, In interview with The press¹Éric Beaupré. In addition, the first vice-president of the CCIRN board of directors, even questioned the impartiality of the Public Health Directorate, which documented the effects of arsenic on the local population.

City entrepreneurs have since dissociated themselves from the exit of the Chamber of Commerce. Moreover, which gives the impression of speaking in the name of all.

Wave of departures

The CCIRN directory, which has 1,200 members, includes merchants, restaurateurs and professional service providers. Meanwhile, Many have no connection with the foundry. Furthermore, The majority (71 %) also said he was “concerned” by air quality during a probe shot by light marketing in 2022.

“The position adopted publicly by the Chamber of Commerce foundry horne | discomfort around does not reflect the values of the seed. Similarly, I was not consulted. Nevertheless, I do not agree with the words [qu’elle tient] “Says Caroline Nolet, owner of a food trade located a stone’s throw from the chimneys. However, She “does not intend to renew [son] membership in the Chamber of Commerce ”at a cost of $ 117 per year.

“I think I had a feeling. ” says chiropractor Mireille Vincelette to explain her withdrawal from the Chamber of Commerce at the end of last winter. “I left [la Chambre] After discussions with CA members on CCIRN guidelines. Additionally, “she continues, citing as an example, supporting a biosurveillance study funded by the Horne foundry.

“It no longer corresponded to my values of scientific rigor. entrepreneurship and economic development respectful of the community”, continues that which is involved in the Committee Stop of Rejections and Toxic Emissions (ARET) set up following the unveiling of the results of the studies of public health which revealed that the children of the district near the Horne foundry were four times more exposed to the Arsenic than those of the right group.

Same bell sound at Éditions du Quartz. According to the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Marc-Olivier Hamelin, the withdrawal of the regrouping of business is only a matter of time since the council has been “caught in short” and foundry horne | discomfort around has not yet had the opportunity to come together to endorse the decision during this vacation period.

Mr. Hamelin recognizes. however, that long -standing affiliation to the Chamber of Commerce provided financial advantages, for example prices reduced for postal shipments.

Foundry horne | discomfort around

A Glencore representative at CA

The Chamber of Commerce said in writing that its position concerning the Horne foundry was adopted after “each member of the council [d’administration a] had the opportunity to comment on it. make her suggestions ”. The turnover then approved it at the end of deliberations.

However. Cindy Caouette, head of communications and public relations at Glencore, the company owner of the Horne Foundry, headquarters to the CCIRN board of directors. The first vice-president, Éric Beaupré, assured that the latter withdraws when decisions concern the foundry. None of the members of the Board of Directors followed up on our requests for details as to the deliberations. approval of the letter.

Moreover, the 22 signatories of the letter sent by foundry horne | discomfort around the Chamber of Commerce are all mining suppliers. In addition. only 2 of the 18 members of the CCIRN board of directors, the first vice-president, Éric Beaupré, and the president, Stéphane Brown, signed it.

No interview “The time to let the dust fall back”: it is in these. words that Eric Beaupré said that he did not want to return to dissensions in the members of the CCIRN.

The Chamber of Commerce has softened its position since the publication of the letter. reaffirming “its respect for the authorities of public health” and mentioning “that it is legitimate, in a democratic society, that citizens, workers and economic representatives can ask questions, seek to understand the decisions taken and ask for clarification”.

A public health expert on tour

In recent weeks. an expert foundry horne | discomfort around affiliated to the public health school of the University of Virginia-Western, Christopher J. Martin, came to Rouyn-Noranda at the request of the Horne foundry to defend the position of the latter. The foundry asks Quebec to give it an additional 18 -month period to reach the target of 15 ng/m^⁠3. of arsenic in the air provided for the ministerial agreement.

Like the foundry. this expert believes that this threshold is sufficient to protect the health of the population, while the standard is at 3 ng/m^⁠3.

He also met the municipal administration.

“We asked some clarification questions. But our position has not changed […]we trust our public institutions, ”said the mayor of Rouyn-Noranda, Diane Dallaire.

M^me Dallaire adds that following the public exit of the foundry. she wrote to the Prime foundry horne | discomfort around Minister in order to ask her for the “immediate revival” of the inter -ministerial committee to study these requests.

“The municipal council press the government of Quebec to act in the interest of the citizens of Rouyn-Noranda. We have officially challenged the Prime Minister of Quebec so that a rigorous. transparent and constant follow-up is insured in this file of major importance, “she says.

In the aftermath of the foundry horne | discomfort around CCIRN’s public exit in its favor. the foundry sent its request for modification of the agreement to the Ministry of the Environment, the fight against climate change, fauna and parks. This request being deemed “incomplete”. the company returned to the drawing table and sent a new one, admissible this time, which allows the ministry to “start the process of analysis in order to make a decision”.

1. Read the article “The business community does not” believe “public health”