Sign In Register SAINT-BASILE-LE-GRAND — A small seaplane crashed into the Richelieu River east of Montreal today, leaving one of the two occupants stuck inside for an extended period. The Richelieu Saint-Laurent police say officers received a call at about 11 a.m. about an overturned plane in the river near St-Basile-le-Grand. One of the two men inside the place managed to escape and swim to shore, where he was treated by medical personnel, while the second remained trapped inside the plane. Police reported later that the second occupant had eventually been extricated and taken to hospital, but his condition is unknown. It’s unclear what caused the crash, but police say they haven’t seen anything to indicate it was criminal. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is also deploying a team to investigate the crash. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2025. Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account as taxpayer-supported EV battery projects face delays stretching from Germany to Canada Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentA €5 billion (US$5.5 billion) gigafactory being built by the manufacturer in northern Germany is likely to open six to 12 months later than the targeted goal of 2026 according to people familiar with the matter Cell production at a Northvolt site in Canada expected to start in the third quarter of 2026 people familiar with the project said separately Timelines for construction and the ramping up of output are likely to be extended delaying meaningful volumes by more than a year Cathode-making and recycling initiatives that are also part of the $7 billion first phase in Quebec will be postponed further as the company reviews its ambitions asking not to be identified with plans in flux Northvolt remains committed to the German and Canadian projects and is in close dialogue with the key stakeholders The widely felt ripple effects of Northvolt’s sudden cash crunch have exposed governments far from Sweden to criticism that they didn’t properly assess the risk of committing billions to the electric-vehicle supplier’s projects While top shareholders have pledged support the company’s mission to take on more-established Chinese and Korean players is far from secure “Almost all European battery startups have overpromised and rode the hype,” said Sam Adham head of battery materials at consultancy CRU “It’s possible for Europe to reach those levels but it all boils down to technical know-how” that the region can’t currently match Politicians who threw their support behind Northvolt now find themselves on the defensive Its capacity of 60 gigawatt-hours would produce batteries powering up to 1 million EVs per year The federal and regional governments committed €902 million to the project and Chancellor Olaf Scholz attended the groundbreaking in March along with Economy Minister Robert Habeck Habeck even urged Northvolt to open a second huge factory in Germany to help with its green push Last week he said his government is in constant contact with the company Any delay at the German plant is likely to prove embarrassing for Scholz’s embattled coalition government and is pushing Sweden to do more if required German support for the project in Heide is “unwavering” and its funding commitment isn’t affected by ramp-up problems at Northvolt’s main Swedish plant a spokeswoman for the economy ministry said The cost of building Northvolt Drei has increased by €1 billion since it was announced in March 2022 and the timeline has slipped into 2026 from an original plan for late 2025 Sweden said last month it won’t grant any emergency loans to help Northvolt through its cash crunch BMW AG also won’t help fund Northvolt after canceling a €2 billion battery order earlier this year VW has said it will support Northvolt’s industrial ramp-up but hasn’t given specifics Canadian officials have pledged the equivalent of as much as $7.3 billion in loans A big part of that comes from the federal government though the first disbursements will only start once those expenses have been incurred and audited The province of Quebec has already lent out more than a third of its $1.37 billion in capital commitments to the Northvolt Six project being built near Montreal Many worry that taxpayers’ money will now be lost The liquidity crisis follows a year of disputes over whether or not Northvolt should have received a bypass of an environmental assessment process to facilitate rapid construction profitability comes through the North American market and the Quebec plant is fundamental for their future.” A substantial part of the $7.3 billion available to Northvolt is in the form of manufacturing subsidies that are dependent on battery production Those start to phase out in 2030 and expire completely at the end of 2032 This means there’s a financial incentive for Northvolt to gear up production in Canada as quickly as possible or it will lose the benefits of the deal it made Northvolt has been racing to shore up its finances which are partly weighed by an inability to access at least US$1.5 billion in loan commitments Factory performance milestones tied to some government funding are another potential roadblock to accessing cash The company said last week that it was making “significant progress” toward raising new financing while its chief executive and founder have pledged to invest more A group of key lenders has been meeting in parallel to consider the way forward 23 the company announced widespread layoffs and said it would scale back many of its projects to focus on gearing up battery output at its main factory in Sweden The company has also said it remains committed to a battery manufacturing joint venture with Volvo Car AB in Gothenburg which broke ground in March “Starting up a megafactory it will be a lot of trial and error,” said consultant Adham With assistance from Jonas Ekblom and Rafaela Lindeberg transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. 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By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy You can manage saved articles in your account We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentThe Swedish manufacturer which has raised more capital at US$15 billion than any other unlisted European start-up has been heavily delayed by problems at its factory just below the Arctic Circle as well as suffering from European carmakers slowing their plans to move to electric vehicles Northvolt said on Monday that it would pause its cathode active material production selling one site and buying instead from Chinese or Korean companies as well as seeking a buyer or partner for its energy storage business based in Gdańsk By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. has been haemorrhaging cash and said that its cost-cutting plan would “regrettably include some difficult decisions on the size of our workforce” to build three more gigafactories — in a joint venture with Volvo Cars in Sweden and in Germany and Canada — but said it would provide further details on that and the number of job cuts later “Building a battery company from scratch is a profoundly capital-intensive and challenging endeavour We have come a long way … Now it’s time to focus on the core to learn from the past and to scale up our core business to make sure that we can meet our customers’ expectations and to help Europe achieve a sustainable battery ecosystem,” said Peter Carlsson Northvolt’s co-founder and chief executive Northvolt was the first European company to produce a battery cell for EVs from a homegrown gigafactory in late 2021, but has struggled to ramp up production since then. Its gigafactory in Skellefteå has an annual capacity of 16 gigawatt hours but is producing fewer than 1GWh at present. BMW recently cancelled a US$2 billion contract with Northvolt, instead giving it to Korea’s Samsung SDI, due to the availability of supplies. Korean and Chinese groups are building battery factories in Europe, although some have been delayed because of the slow uptake of electric cars. Northvolt has also struggled to complete its current round of fundraising, one that is essential for scaling up production in Skellefteå, leading to it needing to cut investments and costs. “As difficult as this will be, focusing on what is our core business paves the way for us to build a strong long-term foundation for growth that contributes to the western ambitions to establish a homegrown battery industry,” Carlsson added. Northvolt, which launched its strategic review in July, intends to focus on cell manufacturing in Skellefteå, raising questions over the future of its recycling and materials operations. It is also debating what to do with what it heralded as a significant breakthrough in battery technology for energy storage with sodium-ion batteries, which uses no lithium, cobalt or nickel, all materials that companies have rushed to obtain. Although Northvolt is seeking buyers or partners for its energy storage business, executives said it could continue to develop the sodium-ion technology with other companies manufacturing it. We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentOpposition leaders at the Quebec legislature on Tuesday called on the Coalition Avenir Quebec government to be more transparent about its agreement with Northvolt for the $7-billion project They want to know what conditions are attached to the $710 million in public funds the province has already committed who touted the plant as the “greenest electric battery factory in the world” when he announced it one year ago you don’t advance,” he said in the national assembly “We think this is a special opportunity for Quebec.” The next issue of Posthaste will soon be in your inbox scientific director of the Trottier energy institute at Polytechnique Montreal said the Quebec government failed to communicate to the public that the Northvolt deal was inherently uncertain “I think the main issue was the fact that the government didn’t present this as what it is “The project in Quebec remains a priority,” she told reporters. “We were aware that this is a new sector. And any new sector has to live with ups and downs. And so we’ve been careful in order to make sure that the protection of the public money is there.” Earlier in the day, interim Liberal leader Marc Tanguay said the opposition party wants more details about the deal secured with Northvolt last year, including a “schedule of payments.” The Quebec government has given Northvolt a $240-million guaranteed loan to help the company buy land about 30 kilometres east of Montreal to build its plant. The government has invested a further $270 million in Swedish parent company Northvolt AB, alongside a $200-million investment from Quebec’s pension fund manager. On Tuesday, Frechette confirmed the government could inject another $300 million into the project once construction has started and private financing is in place. “We need to have a government with transparency and honesty with respect to the taxpayers’ money,” Tanguay told reporters. The Liberals are also criticizing the government for setting aside a 354-megawatt energy block for the project, which former economy minister Pierre Fitzgibbon said earlier this month could be delayed until 2028. Moshe Lander, a senior lecturer in economics at Concordia University in Montreal, said the government should provide more information about how many jobs and how much revenue the project could generate, and how it plans to make a return on its investment. “There’s almost no transparency other than just the promise that this will be great,” he said in an interview. Quebec Solidaire spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois told reporters Tuesday he supports the development of the battery supply chain in the province, but wants the government to provide “the bare minimum in terms of transparency and information” about a project that he said is in “serious difficulty.” “Mr. Legault has played poker with the money of Quebecers, and now he seems like he might be losing the game,” he said. The Parti Quebecois on Monday called for an emergency debate in the legislature on the project’s future, but the Speaker rejected the request Tuesday afternoon. Mousseau said if Quebec wants to get into the electric vehicle battery industry, it has to take some risks and find a better way of explaining the uncertainty. “If you say, ‘That’s the deal of the century, it will transform Quebec,’ I’m not sure that’s the right way to prepare people for the fact that they’re very risky investments,” he said. But Lander believes that at this point, Quebec should “cut (its) losses and run,” rather than risk more public funds on a project that might never get off the ground. “They never really had an exit strategy for how they were going to get their money back, how they were going to make a return on it,” he said. “It’s just further indication that when the government tries to bet on a horse, there is the chance that the gamble is wrong.” MontrealNewsNorthvolt says it will continue EV battery plant project near Montreal 'as planned'By The Canadian PressPublished: July 02, 2024 at 4:54PM EDT Twitter feed ©2025 BellMedia All Rights Reserved Northvolt nous a avisés qu'une révision stratégique allait avoir lieu tout en précisant que leur projet au Québec n'était aucunement remis en cause Je suis convaincu que Northvolt est un partenaire de choix qui nous permettra de fabriquer la batterie la plus verte au monde This article was published more than 6 months ago Employees work at the Northvolt facility in Vasteras the Swedish battery maker building a $7-billion factory in Quebec said on Monday it will shrink its operations in Europe and cut jobs as a slowdown in electric-vehicle demand forces the company to rethink its ambitious plans which counts Canadian pension plans among its investors said it is proceeding with its project in Saint-Basile-le-Grand with the federal and Quebec governments kicking in billions of dollars in loans and production incentives Then-Quebec minister for economy and energy Pierre Fitzgibbon said early this month that completion could be delayed by 12 to 18 months Northvolt did not confirm the length of any delay at its Quebec factory “We remain committed to our project in Quebec while taking action to strengthen our core business in Sweden,” Paolo Cerruti chief executive officer of Northvolt’s North American operations and the right pace of execution for all expansion projects is still under discussion.” Northvolt’s plant is among half a dozen major battery plants worth tens of billions of dollars announced by auto makers and others in Quebec and Ontario in the past two years as governments seek to make Canada a top supplier to the industry the company said it is responding to “a challenging macroeconomic environment.” we are having to take some tough actions for the purpose of securing the foundations of Northvolt’s operations to improve our financial stability and strengthen our operational performance,” Peter Carlsson Several major auto makers have scaled back plans to convert their products to electric power from internal combustion engines with GM and Ford among those cancelling and pushing back the rollout of some models Both of those companies have announced battery factories in Canada global EV sales fell by 900,000 units from the previous quarter to 3.4 million with China logging the largest drop and sales flatlining in the rest of the world according to the International Energy Agency sales were 30.7 per cent higher than the first quarter of 2023 The industry is now trying to gauge whether lower interest rates and the eventual introduction of more affordable products could lead to a resumption in large growth rates Northvolt is confident in a long-term move to electrification the company is putting its Northvolt Ett Upstream 1 cathode active material plant in Skellefteå It is selling another Swedish property in Borlänge that had been earmarked for cathode active material production as well Northvolt also said it would seek partners and investors for a battery plant in Gdańsk the company is moving its California-based lithium metal technology unit to Sweden The company did not say how many jobs would be cut it must now make “difficult decisions” to match the work-force size with the reduced scale of operations Besides sticking with the projects in Canada and Poland Northvolt said it is committed to those in Gothenburg and that it is in talks with stakeholders at all the locations potential revisions of these projects will be confirmed this fall,” it said the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec have also invested in the company Report an editorial error Report a technical issue Editorial code of conduct Study and track financial data on any traded entity: click to open the full quote page Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following Jeffrey is a veteran journalist who has reported on many topics from numerous locales over three decades and mergers and acquisitions as both a reporter and a columnist Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. 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For more information on our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines and our Terms and Conditions MontrealNewsConstruction of massive battery plant south of Montreal to begin soonBy Stephane GirouxPublished: January 09, 2024 at 5:31PM EST In late September, Quebec Premier François Legault announced his government had attracted the largest private manufacturing investment in the province's history, which he said would transform Quebec into a global player in the electric vehicle supply chain He lauded it as the "greenest electric battery factory in the world," but since then the $7-billion project has managed to anger many across the province — particularly environmentalists but satisfying nobody seems like a pretty mean feat to pull off," said Moshe Lander a senior lecturer in economics at Montreal's Concordia University In the rush to attract Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt's factory, the Legault government committed $2.9 billion while Ottawa chipped in $4.4 billion. And the province quietly changed environmental regulations that resulted in the project avoiding Quebec's public consultations bureau, known as the BAPE An environmental group sued; Quebecers complained that the price tag was too high at a time when Legault was crying poverty during salary negotiations with teachers and nurses; and vandals sabotaged the work site east of Montreal by driving metal bars into trees bottles filled with flammable liquid attached to detonators were found under equipment at the site a lawyer with the group that is suing Quebec — the Centre québécois du droit de l'environnement or CQDE — said the widespread opposition is explained by "the way the government allowed the project to go ahead without respecting the laws that we as a society put in place." His group sought a court injunction to protect wetlands and stop clear-cutting on the 171-hectare site which straddles two communities about 30 kilometres east of Montreal It lost that application but continues its legal fight to invalidate the environment minister's approval of preparatory work at the site Asked whether it was paradoxical that an environmental group is fighting an electric battery factory Bishai said the CQDE "has never criticized the Northvolt project." Rather his group is against the way the government pushed the factory forward "under conditions that are not democratic and sufficiently respectful of biodiversity and the population." in part because the province failed to submit the project to public hearings a process he said could have been completed in four months Legault told reporters it made him "sad" to hear people criticize Northvolt saying that "with this attitude" Quebec would have been unable to build its major hydroelectric projects So we really need to change this attitude in Quebec." which is supposed to begin manufacturing electric battery cells and producing cathode active material by 2026 is controversial because it reflects a lack of consistency with the Legault government's nationalist approach to governing Legault has limited immigration — against the wishes of the business sector He has introduced a language reform that manufacturing companies say will force some of them from the Quebec market And Legault has increased out-of-province university tuition as a way to reduce the number of English-speakers in downtown Montreal But this "Quebec first" approach hasn't extended to the Northvolt project for which a foreign company is taking over Quebec land and using its hydroelectricity without being submitted to public consultations "It's always been Quebec first at the expense of everything else to dump this (project) on Quebecers' laps and say 'fix yourselves,' I think he needs to look in the mirror first," he said a political science professor at Université de Montréal agrees there is a disconnect in Legault's messaging but she said Quebecers are far more concerned about his lack of consistency on the environment She said the BAPE "is an institution that really has a lot of legitimacy in Quebec." Sidestepping the bureau creates mistrust which extends to the government's ecological vision The government is championing the Northvolt project as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and electrify the transportation network but at the same time Legault is reviving a major highway project in the Quebec City region known as the third link "It's as if the government's environmental policy is based on technological innovation," Bherer said They think it's a form of greenwashing: we invest in this factory but we relaunch the third link." the explosives left under equipment were "rudimentary" and did not detonate "We are more determined than ever to go forward," he said This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 12 This article was published more than 1 year ago A Quebec environmental group argued in court that work on Swedish manufacturer Northvolt's future electric vehicle battery plant was allowed to begin without proper analysis of the impact on the area's biodiversity.Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press Lawyers for the Quebec Environmental Law Centre (CQDE) argued in court Wednesday that approvals given by the Quebec Minister of the Environment and the municipality of Saint-Basile-le-Grand to destroy wetlands and cut trees on the site were unreasonable and illegal The CQDE is asking for a temporary injunction to stop work for 10 days and for the Environment Ministry to re-examine its decision Collier last week already ordered Northvolt to not cut down any trees in or within 500 metres of wetlands until Wednesday’s hearing said this delay “could be fatal” to her client and argued for the injunction to be rejected on technical grounds She underscored the importance of the project which is being financed with provincial and federal funding for the transition to a green economy and its potential for creating thousands of jobs Justice Collier said after the hearings Wednesday that he would issue a decision as soon as possible Separately, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke, a First Nation community on the south shore of Montreal, announced Tuesday that it filed a lawsuit to “demand orders requiring the provincial and federal governments to engage in consultation” regarding the project. The council said in a news release that “Quebec and Canada have breached the duty to consult” when funding the project and authorizing the destruction of wetlands a spokesperson for Quebec Minister of the Environment Benoit Charette acknowledged that “discussions have taken place in recent weeks between government representatives and the community of Kahnawake on this issue,” but declined to make additional comments Neither Northvolt nor the federal government answered requests for comment on the council’s suit Quebec and Ottawa announced this past fall that billions of dollars had been earmarked to finance the Swedish battery-maker’s factory – $4.4-billion from the federal government and $2.9-billion from the province Charette authorized the company to destroy about 14 hectares of wetlands on a 170-hectare site straddling the communities of McMasterville and Saint-Basile-le-Grand Saint-Basile-le-Grand delivered a permit to cut down trees Jessica Leblanc, a lawyer representing the CQDE, said in court Wednesday that the municipality’s authorization to remove trees breached a bylaw aimed at protecting wetlands and other natural spaces in the Greater Montreal area argued that the wetlands where the municipality issued the authorization to cut down trees were exempt from the protections offered by the bylaw In its lawsuit filed with three residents of the host towns the CQDE also said the minister’s decision was unreasonable because it was not sufficiently motivated did not include conditions to compensate for the environmental losses incurred by the project and did not address the threatened and vulnerable species found on the site the minister had refused to authorize another project on the site a few months earlier because of its impact on wetlands and a bird species deemed vulnerable in Quebec by letting Northvolt prepare a conservation plan that mitigates the effects of its project to be submitted up to 36 months after the authorization was granted the minister was not exercising his legal discretionary power and was instead deferring it to a later date long after wetlands and at-risk species habitats would be destroyed countered that the company had agreed to strict conditions which the government could enforce if they were not met The minister “enjoys broad discretionary power” in authorizing such projects and followed a thorough process involving negotiations with Northvolt on appropriate mitigation measures would harm the public interest given the economic importance of the project Garon said the project was fundamentally different from the previous project a residential and commercial development submitted by a firm called MC2 that was not authorized in that Northvolt’s factory won’t impact the least bittern as much the minister’s discretionary power means he is not bound by his previous decisions Serious questions about the $9 billion Northvolt battery plant project to be located on 172 hectares of a former CIL factory site that manufactured explosives in Saint-Basile-le-Grand and McMasterville were asked the moment the project was announced last September to the fanfare of the federal and provincial governments contributing $3 billion to its construction The land is currently in the process of rewilding itself and is now home to more than 14,000 trees and key wetlands that provide crucial habitat for many species of flora and fauna would result in numerous wetlands being destroyed and most of the trees being cut down Opposition to the project continues to increase with legal challenges initiated by Centre québécois du droit de l’environnement residents of the area calling out the lack of consultation and Premier Francois Legault’s CAQ government changing the regulations to shield the project from a BAPE environmental analysis and public hearings Radio-Canada’s Thomas Gerbet prepared a hard-hitting and thorough investigative report entitled Northvolt : Québec a retiré des arguments scientifiques de son analyse / L’an dernier, le ministère de l’Environnement justifiait par la science le refus d’un projet sur le même site that was published on February 20 The report provided details about the project from its beginning communications between the provincial government and Northvolt how environmental concerns are being set aside and how the provincial government rejected a residential development project on the site several months earlier based on environmental issues This report led to many questions being asked in the National Assembly on February 21 and the opposition parties hammering away at the government. The CTV News Montreal report Premier Legault on defensive about Northvolt project includes a video report and a Canadian Press (CP) article Part of former CIL land in McMasterville – Image: Radio Canada archives The question period was intense as was the action outside the chamber Premier François Legault displayed a banana an orange and an apple on Wednesday to justify a more lenient scientific analysis of the Northvolt battery plant project in Montérégie He was reacting to a Radio-Canada report revealing that scientific justifications had disappeared in the Ministry of the Environment’s analysis of this controversial project The official Liberal opposition considers that these alterations have all the appearance of a “political order” and even evoke a “falsification of documents.” The Parti Québécois is asking the Auditor General to look into the matter while Québec solidaire (QS) wants to hear from the head of Northvolt Radio-Canada’s report reveals that the scientific references used a few months earlier in an analysis to reject a real estate project on the same site disappeared in the analysis that approved the Northvolt project “These are two totally different projects that cannot be compared,” argues the government On his way to the cabinet meeting at noon on Wednesday Legault addressed the parliamentary press with an orange an apple and a banana in his hands to illustrate his point we must not mix a real estate project with an industrial project,” he declared but we’re talking about two different projects with two different locations,” Environment Minister Benoit Charette clarified during Question Period “The first residential project involved the massive destruction of habitats of interest while the second preserves them notably through a financial contribution of $5 million and also by protecting several dozen hectares,” he added He mentioned the example of the Least Bittern would have been 66 percent destroyed by the real estate project there will be no destruction of its habitat “It’s starting to smell bad,” said Liberal MNA Monsef Derraji who sees two reports: one containing the scientific arguments the government used to say no to the developer and the other removing the scientific arguments say yes to Northvolt “Who ordered the change in these documents “It borders on falsification of documents.” “It has all the appearances of a political decision political pressure that would have been put on the Ministry of the Environment,” echoed interim Liberal leader Marc Tanguay at a press briefing it has all the appearance of a political order.” The Parti Québécois (PQ) is asking the Auditor General through the associated Sustainable Development Commissioner to examine this case of differentiated reporting The PQ wants to know “whether the Sustainable Development Act is truly being applied whether the principles of sustainable development have been taken into account the strong principle of protecting the environment and biodiversity,” explained MNA Joël Arseneau Québec solidaire (QS) called for Northvolt CEO Paolo Cerruti to appear before the National Assembly in the name of transparency Legault dodged the request but invited his opponent “I’ve never met a businessman for whom the environment and the energy transition are so important,” said Legault “He did extraordinary things in Germany he’s appreciated because he respects the environment.” Before the federal government announced it would give $1.37 billion for the project Daniel Green of the Federal Green Party railed against the project and federal funding ‘This factory will be constructed on a site along the banks of the Richelieu River The site was polluted by the CIL company for over a century this decision is being made without any environmental assessment.’ “This factory will be constructed on a site along the banks of the Richelieu River this decision is being made without any environmental assessment.” contaminated groundwater could leech into the Richelieu River The endangered Quebecois copper redhorse fish may bear the brunt of these toxic discharges the contamination will flow into the Saint Lawrence River This puts the endangered beluga whales that live there at risk.” “This decision to invest in Northvolt and accept the contaminated site came after intense lobbying efforts by Federal Minister of Innovation Champagne lucked out because the wildlife affected don’t have the right to vote!” “The contaminated site that Northvolt will inherit contains a frightening mix of pollutants: aromatic mono and polycyclic hydrocarbons Trinitro-2,4,6 toluene (also known as TNT – yes Some of these substances are carcinogenic to both humans and fish This list of pollutants on the Northvolt site came from the polluter The site likely contains other dangerous pollutants that have yet to be identified.” “The Northvolt factory will occupy 172 hectares That’s the equivalent of over 570 Canadian football fields This contaminated land is made up of sand and gravel deposits on the surface Heavy machinery used during the factory construction will move the sand and gravel This could spread the contamination towards the Richelieu River as well as into nearby agricultural and urban areas.” “The polluted Northvolt site includes over 1.8 km of the Richelieu River’s shoreline There are 49 watercourses and flow areas that cross the site At least eleven potential points for contaminated water to enter the river have been identified.” Green demanded that the project “must undergo a public environmental assessment When the federal government invests taxpayer money in infrastructure projects it must The fish in the Richelieu River and the belugas in the Saint Lawrence River are protected by federal laws on fisheries and endangered species.” Former CIL McMasterville plant – Image: Autour du Mont-St-Hilaire d’autrefois a lawyer with the Centre québécois du droit de l’environnement WM: Could you describe the wilderness area that Northvolt wants to build on and how many trees will be cut down and what type of wetlands will be eliminated How much land will be lost if the factory and associated buildings and roads are constructed Bishai: The site in question is brimming with biodiversity and this type of area has become rare in the regional county municipality of Vallée-du-Richelieu It contains 92 wetlands that provide essential functions for ecosystems and humans alike Wetlands mitigate the effects of climate change Although industrial activities took place on this site in the past years of decontamination work and revegetation have allowed this place to become a refuge for many species The preliminary work underway by Northvolt will permanently impact 138,162 square meters of wetlands The impacts of the construction and operation of the manufacturing plant remain unknown for now WM: What type of flora and fauna are found on the site Are there any threatened and endangered species Bishai: The documents of the Ministry of the Environment list an impressive diversity of birds The reports indicate that approximately twenty at-risk species may depend on these areas conclude that the work will have “major” impacts on fauna which has few potential habitats in the region ‘The site in question is brimming with biodiversity and this type of area has become rare in the regional county municipality of Vallée-du-Richelieu Wetlands mitigate the effects of climate change.’ Centre québécois du droit de l’environnement WM: How did your organization get involved Were you contacted by concerned citizens in McMasterville and Saint-Basile-le-Grand Bishai: Ever since the Northvolt project was announced last September the Quebec Environmental Law Center (QELC) has been asking for full public participation in decision-making we have publicly asked that the project be submitted to public hearings before the BAPE for a more complete assessment of its impacts our organization received many messages from citizens who are preoccupied by this project many from locals in the region in question but also from across the province Three citizens from Saint-Basile-le-Grand and McMasterville are co-plaintiffs in the litigation launched by the QELC WM: What is the basis of the legal challenge How does it fit with the provincial government exempting the project from a BAPE environmental assessment Bishai: The Quebec Environmental Law Center is asking the Court to examine the decisions of the Minister of the Environment and the City of Saint-Basile-le-Grand to allow the preliminary By carefully analyzing the documents about his project the Minister’s decisions appear unreasonable to us because they allow the destruction of wetlands that are essential to the regional biodiversity without having all of the information needed to ensure its adequate protection the compensation measure for habitat loss will be proposed by Northvolt in the 36 months following the authorization which would include a public hearing before the BAPE would enable informed decision-making after having better explained the project and having heard from the population and various experts it is responsible for protecting wetlands identified by the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal in its interim control by-law The City nevertheless permitted the destruction of wetlands that are protected by that by-law It would reveal all of the impacts of the project WM: Where does the legal case stand in terms of court actions and rulings we applied for a provisional injunction to ask that work on the site be suspended until the Court could analyze the authorization and the permit granted respectively by the Minister of the Environment and the City of Saint-Basile-le-Grand The application for a provisional injunction was refused by the Superior Court of Quebec and the company has quickly resumed the work we applied the merits of the case to examine the validity of the Minister’s authorization and the municipal tree-cutting permit hearings on this type of application are set in the following months The QELC is working hard to move this case along quickly in the interest of all concerned WM: Could you provide some details on the provincial government blocking a proposed residential development on the site due to environmental concerns the Minister refused a housing development project submitted by Quartier MC2 Inc citing the importance of biodiversity of its wetlands and habitats The Ministry’s documents then indicate that on March 21 two weeks after the refusal of Quartier MC2 Inc.’s project discussions took place within the government about another project at the same place ‘It is legitimate and logical to ask for more transparency and public participation in the presence of a project that has been qualified as “historical” and in the interest of all Quebecers Shouldn’t those same Quebecers have a chance to understand this project’s impacts and be consulted?’ WM: What is your response to the premier’s comment that Quebecers should reconsider their views on opposing megaprojects like the Northvolt plant Bishai: More and more voices are coming together to ask for something quite reasonable which is to treat this project like any other big industrial project and that means bringing it before the BAPE It is legitimate and logical to ask for more transparency and public participation in the presence of a project that has been qualified as “historical” and in the interest of all Quebecers Shouldn’t those same Quebecers have a chance to understand this project’s impacts and be consulted The energy transition and the ecological transition must be democratic and respectful of our usual way of evaluating industrial projects It is to be expected – it is reassuring – that we live in a society where citizens actively seek to exercise their rights and participate meaningfully in important decisions that impact them and their environment WM: Could you tell us more about your organization and what it does and provide some details on its actions in the past few years Have you been working with environmental groups in the greater Montreal area Bishai: As a guardian of environmental law the QELC has played an active role in Quebec for 35 years by participating in important environmental debates which shape current events It contributes to governmental consultations about various provincial and federal law reforms to ensure effective environmental protection it participated in consultations on Bill 41 about the environmental performance of buildings and on Bill 20 relating to the Blue Fund which secures the principle of transparency for data on water takings The QELC is also in touch with citizens and groups who are active in their communities through a collaboration with Future Ground Network We offer free legal information to citizens the first free environmental law database in Quebec designed for the public but another is the recent case between the citizen Marc Nantel and the Horne Foundry to improve access to environmental information in Quebec Our organization’s work is province-wide the QELC has litigated to protect the critical habitat of the Western chorus frog in La Prairie in 2015 and in Longueuil in 2021 WM: How can people help the organization in terms of donations and as volunteers Bishai: The Quebec Environmental Law Center is an entirely independent non-profit and a registered charity It relies in part on the support of generous members and individual donors to bolster its outreach and allow it to take on big cases such as the one about the public’s role in the Northvolt project acces.cqde.org The QELC also encourages citizens to share the content it disseminates to promote a broader understanding of legal issues of environmental protection Here are some media links in French and English to learn more about the issue: theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/30/indigenous-canadians-activists-northvolt-protest cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/northvolt-injunction-ev-battery-plant youtube.com tvrs.ca/actualites/dossier-northvolt-la-decision-du-juge-tres-attendue youtube.com radio-canada.ca/info/breve/8185/northvolt-injonction-cqde-environnement lenouvelliste.ca/affaires/2024/01/18/northvolt-le-centre-quebecois-du-droit-de-lenvironnement-sadresse-aux-tribunaux-pour-arreter-les-travaux Feature image: projected Northvolt plant in McMasterville, courtesy of Northvolt Well said and well researched but only the tip of the iceberg Northvolt is but one of many developments that manage to evade environmental impact studies and public consultation environmental concerns have been hot topics with authorities and business tycoons shedding crocodile tears while waiting for these 9 day issues to pass Once a new hot-topic has grabbed the attention of the fourth estate has been appropriately filed under nuisance the concerns of Canadians are being ignored dismissed by elected officials as unfounded the cut-off dates for submission are unrealistic The concerns of marginal ridings must be addressed but not at the expense of the majority or of open and transparent government MontrealNEWSNorthvolt buys land in the Monteregie for its battery factoryBy The Canadian PressPublished: November 01, 2023 at 7:06AM EDT J’accepteAller au contenu principalAller au pied de pageAide à la navigationPublicité La destination d’information de Radio-Canada dossiers en profondeur et analyses."},{"@type":"NewsArticle","articleBody":"Le ministère de l'Environnement n'a aucune idée des rejets dans l'atmosphère que produira le futur complexe industriel Les fonctionnaires ne savent pas non plus ce qui sera rejeté dans la rivière Richelieu ni les quantités d'eau qui seront prélevées pour refroidir le procédé industriel Plusieurs résidents ont posé des questions sur les prélèvements dans la rivière source d'eau potable de municipalités de la région nous n'avons pas de demande [d'autorisation] donc je n'ai pas de données à partager avec vous a répondu le directeur régional du ministère de l'Environnement en Montérégie Ce sont des préoccupations qui seront prises en compte quand on fera l’analyse de la demande son collègue directeur de l’évaluation environnementale a déclaré : Je ne suis pas en mesure de répondre à cette question La vaste majorité des citoyens qui se sont présentés au micro durant les deux séances d'information qui ont duré au total sept heures et demie mais se posaient des questions sur le manque d'information il manque tellement de réponses que je suis de plus en plus perdue et de moins en moins confiante La raison pour laquelle le ministère ignore ces détails est que l'évaluation du projet a été morcelée en plusieurs phases d'autorisation Aucune demande n'a encore été déposée par l'entreprise suédoise concernant l'exploitation des usines les prélèvements d'eau ou la gestion des matières dangereuses seule la préparation du terrain a été étudiée et approuvée avec le remblaiement de 14 hectares de milieux humides et l'abattage de milliers d'arbres L'autorisation de la construction de l'usine est actuellement à l'étude mais n'a pas encore été approuvée big picture","text":"Je ne comprends pas votre processus d'avoir autorisé un petit morceau sans même avoir une idée du big picture"}}\">Je ne comprends pas votre processus d'avoir autorisé un petit morceau sans même avoir une idée du big picture a dit avoir eu le sentiment que la première phase du projet avait été adoptée aveuglément C’est comme si on avait le [projet du] Centre Bell puis qu'on avait juste étudié la cabane à hot-dogs Admettons que l’autorisation soit refusée on fait quoi avec les milieux humides remblayés et la faune détruite a demandé un avocat de Mont-Saint-Hilaire Comment allez-vous remettre la pâte à dent dans le tube Radio-Canada révélait la semaine dernière qu'un fonctionnaire du ministère avait soulevé la même question auprès de ses supérieurs En réponse à ces préoccupations Stefanos Bitzakidis a expliqué que le ministère de l'Environnement avait l'empreinte du projet ce qui lui a permis de délivrer la première autorisation Le haut fonctionnaire a ajouté qu'il n'avait jamais vu une autorisation de destruction de milieux humides qui n'avait pas donné lieu c’est qu’il y a autant d’inconnues de votre bord que de notre bord lors de la séance d'information publique Plusieurs citoyens s'interrogent sur la division du projet en différents morceaux C’est comme ça qu’on arrive à la conclusion qu’on a trois usines différentes les projets de Métaux BlackRock et de GNL Québec avaient aussi donné lieu à une segmentation des autorisations Le ministère de l'Environnement a tenu à assurer aux citoyens qu'à chaque étape d'autorisation Northvolt doit démontrer que son projet est conforme aux lois et règlements Les rejets atmosphériques devront respecter les normes québécoises Et si un contaminant ne figure pas dans les normes actuelles un critère pour ce contaminant-là En ce qui a trait aux répercussions sur la rivière il y aura une caractérisation complète à faire pour valider l'étude de dispersion et on détermine des objectifs environnementaux de rejets qui tiennent compte du débit et de la faune un poisson protégé qui n'existe qu'au Québec L'entreprise devra aussi prouver qu'elle aura une aire d'entreposage étanche des matières dangereuses Le ministère lui imposera de remplir un registre qui montre que la disposition est correcte Il y aura des mesures de surveillance et de contrôle Quelques voix dissonantes se sont fait entendre dans l'assistance comme un citoyen qui s'inquiète que les mesures de protection de la faune imposées au projet coûtent millions par tortue","text":"100millions par tortue"}}\">100 millions par tortue Il faut avoir un juste équilibre entre une protection et une aberration où chaque moineau devient un dieu que l’on ne peut pas déplacer Ce monsieur a ensuite déployé une affiche qui indiquait : On veut Northvolt Les représentants de Northvolt n'étaient pas présents durant les séances d'information l'entreprise a fait savoir à Radio-Canada que MELCCFP ultérieurement concernant les aspects environnementaux en lien avec la phase d’exploitation de l’usine (ex etc.)","text":"des demandes d’autorisation seront soumises au MELCCFP ultérieurement concernant les aspects environnementaux en lien avec la phase d’exploitation de l’usine (ex etc.)"}}\">des demandes d’autorisation seront soumises au MELCCFP ultérieurement concernant les aspects environnementaux en lien avec la phase d’exploitation de l’usine (ex Nous adaptons la conception de l'usine afin d'être conformes aux normes environnementales en vigueur au Québec Nous avons l'intention de rendre publiques les données atmosphériques concernant le projet du Québec lorsque la conception de l'usine sera finalisée Plusieurs citoyens ont remercié les fonctionnaires pour le temps qu'ils leur ont accordé C’est courageux de votre part de vous être déplacés en s'adressant aux fonctionnaires des ministères de l'Économie de l'Environnement et des Transports qui étaient présents Certains auraient aimé faire le même exercice avec les élus responsables du dossier Les questions qu’on a relèvent du politique puis le politique s'est défilé et a envoyé des fonctionnaires Le directeur métallurgie et produits industriels au ministère de l'Économie de l'Innovation et de l'Énergie du Québec a fait une présentation pour expliquer que la méga-usine va permettre de construire ici la batterie la plus verte en Amérique du Nord qui contribuera à atteindre les objectifs d'électrification des transports Le site choisi en Montérégie est un emplacement stratégique où il y a plusieurs fabricants automobiles Le Québec possède tous les atouts pour se démarquer avec la filière batterie entre autres grâce aux minéraux du territoire québécois à la production de véhicules commerciaux électriques (autobus véhicules récréatifs) et au recyclage des batteries Les gouvernements du Québec et du Canada investissent 7 milliards de dollars dans le projet, qui est le plus gros projet manufacturier de l'histoire de la province. « Il y a autant d’inconnues de votre bord que de notre bord », a lancé une citoyenne aux fonctionnaires. Ouvrir en mode plein écranLa rive de la rivière Richelieu, à la jonction des villes de McMasterville et de Saint-Basile-le-Grand, juste à côté du site de Northvolt. Thomas GerbetPublié le 5 mars 2024 à 4 h 00 HAEÉcouter l’article | 9 minutesLa version audio de cet article est générée par la synthèse vocale une technologie basée sur l’intelligence artificielle.Des résidents déplorent le manque de connaissances du ministère de l'Environnement du Québec quant aux détails du projet de méga-usine de batteries de Northvolt alors que le feu vert aux travaux a déjà été donné Lors de deux séances d'information publiques tenues dans les derniers jours à McMasterville et à Saint-Basile-le-Grand de hauts fonctionnaires ont été incapables de répondre à certaines questions de citoyens Le ministère de l'Environnement n'a aucune idée des rejets dans l'atmosphère que produira le futur complexe industriel Les fonctionnaires ne savent pas non plus ce qui sera rejeté dans la rivière Richelieu ni les quantités d'eau qui seront prélevées pour refroidir le procédé industriel Ouvrir en mode plein écranLes séances d'information publique sur Northvolt avec des fonctionnaires du Québec ont eu lieu mercredi et jeudi soir mais le gouvernement du Québec a rendu les vidéos publiques lundi Plusieurs résidents ont posé des questions sur les prélèvements dans la rivière source d'eau potable de municipalités de la région donc je n'ai pas de données à partager avec vous a répondu le directeur régional du ministère de l'Environnement en Montérégie Ce sont des préoccupations qui seront prises en compte quand on fera l’analyse de la demande son collègue directeur de l’évaluation environnementale a déclaré : Je ne suis pas en mesure de répondre à cette question Ouvrir en mode plein écranChristine Lambert La vaste majorité des citoyens qui se sont présentés au micro durant les deux séances d'information qui ont duré au total sept heures et demie il manque tellement de réponses que je suis de plus en plus perdue et de moins en moins confiante La raison pour laquelle le ministère ignore ces détails est que l'évaluation du projet a été morcelée en plusieurs phases d'autorisation Aucune demande n'a encore été déposée par l'entreprise suédoise concernant l'exploitation des usines les prélèvements d'eau ou la gestion des matières dangereuses Ouvrir en mode plein écranLes travaux de préparation du vaste terrain du complexe industriel ont débuté le mois dernier seule la préparation du terrain a été étudiée et approuvée avec le remblaiement de 14 hectares de milieux humides et l'abattage de milliers d'arbres L'autorisation de la construction de l'usine est actuellement à l'étude big picture","text":"Je ne comprends pas votre processus d'avoir autorisé un petit morceau sans même avoir une idée du big picture"}}'>Je ne comprends pas votre processus d'avoir autorisé un petit morceau a dit avoir eu le sentiment que la première phase du projet avait été adoptée aveuglément C’est comme si on avait le [projet du] Centre Bell puis qu'on avait juste étudié la cabane à hot-dogs on fait quoi avec les milieux humides remblayés et la faune détruite Comment allez-vous remettre la pâte à dent dans le tube Stefanos Bitzakidis a expliqué que le ministère de l'Environnement avait l'empreinte du projet ce qui lui a permis de délivrer la première autorisation Le haut fonctionnaire a ajouté qu'il n'avait jamais vu une autorisation de destruction de milieux humides qui n'avait pas donné lieu Ouvrir en mode plein écranLe projet de Northvolt sera bâti sur un terrain de 171 hectares qui est un ancien site industriel où « la nature a repris ses droits » a expliqué le représentant du ministère de l'Environnement c’est qu’il y a autant d’inconnues de votre bord que de notre bord Plusieurs citoyens s'interrogent sur la division du projet en différents morceaux C’est comme ça qu’on arrive à la conclusion qu’on a trois usines différentes les projets de Métaux BlackRock et de GNL Québec avaient aussi donné lieu à une segmentation des autorisations Ouvrir en mode plein écranReprésentation de la future usine de Northvolt en Montérégie Le ministère de l'Environnement a tenu à assurer aux citoyens qu'à chaque étape d'autorisation Northvolt doit démontrer que son projet est conforme aux lois et règlements Les rejets atmosphériques devront respecter les normes québécoises En ce qui a trait aux répercussions sur la rivière il y aura une caractérisation complète à faire pour valider l'étude de dispersion et on détermine des objectifs environnementaux de rejets qui tiennent compte du débit et de la faune un poisson protégé qui n'existe qu'au Québec Ouvrir en mode plein écranStefanos Bitzakidis directeur régional du ministère de l'Environnement en Montérégie L'entreprise devra aussi prouver qu'elle aura une aire d'entreposage étanche des matières dangereuses Le ministère lui imposera de remplir un registre qui montre que la disposition est correcte Il y aura des mesures de surveillance et de contrôle comme un citoyen qui s'inquiète que les mesures de protection de la faune imposées au projet coûtent millions par tortue","text":"100millions par tortue"}}'>100 millions par tortue Il faut avoir un juste équilibre entre une protection et une aberration où chaque moineau devient un dieu que l’on ne peut pas déplacer Ce monsieur a ensuite déployé une affiche qui indiquait : On veut Northvolt Les représentants de Northvolt n'étaient pas présents durant les séances d'information l'entreprise a fait savoir à Radio-Canada que MELCCFP ultérieurement concernant les aspects environnementaux en lien avec la phase d’exploitation de l’usine (ex etc.)","text":"des demandes d’autorisation seront soumises au MELCCFP ultérieurement concernant les aspects environnementaux en lien avec la phase d’exploitation de l’usine (ex etc.)"}}'>des demandes d’autorisation seront soumises au MELCCFP ultérieurement concernant les aspects environnementaux en lien avec la phase d’exploitation de l’usine (ex Nous adaptons la conception de l'usine afin d'être conformes aux normes environnementales en vigueur au Québec Nous avons l'intention de rendre publiques les données atmosphériques concernant le projet du Québec lorsque la conception de l'usine sera finalisée Ouvrir en mode plein écranDes fonctionnaires des ministères de l'Économie de l'Environnement et des Transports répondaient aux questions des citoyens Plusieurs citoyens ont remercié les fonctionnaires pour le temps qu'ils leur ont accordé C’est courageux de votre part de vous être déplacés en s'adressant aux fonctionnaires des ministères de l'Économie de l'Environnement et des Transports qui étaient présents Certains auraient aimé faire le même exercice avec les élus responsables du dossier Les questions qu’on a relèvent du politique puis le politique s'est défilé et a envoyé des fonctionnaires Ouvrir en mode plein écranLe projet de Northvolt a été annoncé le 28 septembre 2023 Le directeur métallurgie et produits industriels au ministère de l'Économie a fait une présentation pour expliquer que la méga-usine va permettre de construire ici la batterie la plus verte en Amérique du Nord qui contribuera à atteindre les objectifs d'électrification des transports Le site choisi en Montérégie est un emplacement stratégique où il y a plusieurs fabricants automobiles Le Québec possède tous les atouts pour se démarquer avec la filière batterie entre autres grâce aux minéraux du territoire québécois à la production de véhicules commerciaux électriques (autobus véhicules récréatifs) et au recyclage des batteries Crimes et délits. Une étudiante portée disparue retrouvée morte à Ottawa. Publié hier à 17 h 36 HAE Une étudiante portée disparue retrouvée morte à OttawaLe Haut-Commissariat de l'Inde à Ottawa a identifié Vanshika Saini comme une étudiante indienne Politique provinciale. Danielle Smith promet un référendum en 2026. Publié hier à 21 h 33 HAE Danielle Smith promet un référendum en 2026La question du séparatisme pourrait y figurer Élections fédérales Canada 2025. Le candidat libéral de Windsor demande un recomptage judiciaire. Publié hier à 19 h 41 HAE Le candidat libéral de Windsor demande un recomptage judiciaireÉlections Canada a trouvé des erreurs dans les rapports des bureaux de vote locaux Célébrités. Le gala du Met en met plein la vue une fois de plus. Publié hier à 23 h 01 HAE Le gala du Met en met plein la vue une fois de plusSelon le New York Times la place au dîner coûte 75 000 dollars américains Politique fédérale. Don Davies choisi comme chef intérimaire du NPD. Publié à 0 h 50 HAE Don Davies choisi comme chef intérimaire du NPDLe parti de gauche a été réduit à seulement sept sièges lors des élections fédérales du 28 avril Chargement en coursInfolettre Info nationaleNouvelles Abonnez-vous à notre infolettre pour ne rien manquer Le ministère de l'Environnement n'a aucune idée des rejets dans l'atmosphère que produira le futur complexe industriel sans même avoir une idée du big picture"}}\\\">Je ne comprends pas votre processus d'avoir autorisé un petit morceau Radio-Canada révélait la semaine dernière qu'un fonctionnaire du ministère avait soulevé la même question auprès de ses supérieurs comme un citoyen qui s'inquiète que les mesures de protection de la faune imposées au projet coûtent millions par tortue","text":"100millions par tortue"}}\\\">100 millions par tortue etc.)"}}\\\">des demandes d’autorisation seront soumises au MELCCFP ultérieurement concernant les aspects environnementaux en lien avec la phase d’exploitation de l’usine (ex Les gouvernements du Québec et du Canada investissent 7 milliards de dollars dans le projet qui est le plus gros projet manufacturier de l'histoire de la province Thomas Gerbet investigue sur tous les sujets il a reçu le prix Judith-Jasmin pour les révélations du lanceur d'alerte Louis Robert Diplômé de l'Université de Montréal il a commencé sa carrière à Radio-Canada en 2008 comme reporter radio en Abitibi-Témiscamingue avant de passer trois ans en Ontario il a couvert l'ouragan Matthew en Haïti Le Haut-Commissariat de l'Inde à Ottawa a identifié Vanshika Saini comme une étudiante indienne La question du séparatisme pourrait y figurer Élections Canada a trouvé des erreurs dans les rapports des bureaux de vote locaux la place au dîner coûte 75 000 dollars américains Le parti de gauche a été réduit à seulement sept sièges lors des élections fédérales du 28 avril Les gouvernements du Québec et du Canada investissent 7 milliards de dollars dans le projet Des résidents déplorent le manque de connaissances du ministère de l'Environnement du Québec quant aux détails du projet de méga-usine de batteries de Northvolt Lors de deux séances d'information publiques tenues dans les derniers jours « Il y a autant d’inconnues de votre bord que de notre bord » Malgré toute l’incertitude entourant Northvolt l’Assemblée nationale doit se préparer à passer au peigne fin l’entente spéciale régissant les taxes municipales que l’entreprise insolvable doit payer à McMasterville et Saint-Basile-le-Grand qui doivent accueillir sa méga-usine de cellules de batteries Un pas de recul est nécessaire pour mieux comprendre l’affaire quelques mois avant que la jeune pousse suédoise se retrouve au cœur d’une grave crise de liquidités qui l’obligera à se protéger de ses créanciers cette dernière s’entend avec les deux municipalités sur la question des taxes municipales se résume ainsi : il permet aux villes concernées de percevoir plus de taxes auprès de Northvolt tout en profitant de plus de flexibilité le cellulier suédois gagne de la prévisibilité dans le temps en sachant combien il paiera chaque année peu importe la variation future de la valeur municipale de son complexe ou les variations du taux de taxation applicable au secteur industriel des deux villes concernées « Il n’y a aucun cadeau offert à Northvolt de la part des deux municipalités dans un entretien téléphonique avec La Presse ce sont des versements de taxe plus élevés pour les premières années par rapport à la véritable valeur foncière des terrains C’est par l’entremise d’un projet de loi privé que l’entente entre Northvolt McMasterville et Saint-Basile-le-Grand doit être officialisée la pièce législative est maintenant prête pour son prochain test : l’étude en commission parlementaire Le projet de loi privé pourrait être déposé dès la semaine prochaine ; les travaux parlementaires doivent reprendre à l’Assemblée nationale Les détails de l’entente seront alors connus Ils seront aussi scrutés par les députés à Québec le projet de loi a pour objet de sortir le compte foncier de Northvolt de l’application de la Loi sur la fiscalité municipale Cette loi crée des liens entre les taux de taxation résidentiel et non résidentiel et entre les taux de taxation des secteurs commercial et industriel La pièce législative devrait donc offrir de la latitude aux villes une baisse du taux de taxation des propriétaires résidentiels entraîne donc automatiquement une baisse du taux de taxation de Northvolt Le projet de loi privé donnerait ainsi le pouvoir aux villes de réduire les taxes résidentielles sans contrainte Pourquoi le processus s’est-il échelonné sur plus d’un an  « Je vous dirais qu’il s’est passé beaucoup de choses dans l’existence de Northvolt » en référence à la déconfiture financière de la jeune pousse Indépendamment des décisions que prendra la multinationale le projet de loi doit offrir des « revenus fixes » à McMasterville et à Saint-Basile-le-Grand jusqu’en 2027 l’incertitude règne toujours chez Northvolt l’entreprise n’a toujours pas déniché d’investisseur prêt à délier les cordons de la bourse pour lui permettre de sortir de la protection du chapitre 11 de la loi américaine sur les faillites Sur le gigantesque terrain qui chevauche Saint-Basile-le-Grand et McMasterville et qui doit accueillir la méga-usine de Northvolt la machinerie s’apprête à prendre une pause hivernale La reprise des activités de construction est prévue au printemps On devrait alors effectuer du coulage de béton L’antenne québécoise du cellulier ne fait pas partie des démarches de restructuration en cours La filiale nord-américaine dispose de 330 millions de dollars canadiens assez pour poursuivre ses activités pendant 18 mois Les fournisseurs québécois du projet continueront donc d’être payés Northvolt devra cependant convaincre des investisseurs de financer ses ambitions québécoises Click here to see Canada's most comprehensive listing of projects in conceptual and planning stages MONTREAL — A company building a major factory for electric vehicle batteries in Quebec says incendiary devices were found Monday morning at its construction site east of Montreal in what is the latest act of alleged vandalism against the project The devices consisted of bottles filled with flammable liquid with a “rudimentary” ignition system co-founder of Swedish manufacturer Northvolt who is also CEO of Northvolt North America told reporters the ignition system “allowed for a certain delay” before the bottles were supposed to catch fire but “thank God it didn’t work.” Northvolt initially called the devices “homemade bombs” in a news release but Cerruti later referred to them as “incendiary devices.” Cerruti said multiple bottles were placed under the tires of “certain elements of equipment” at the site Chantal Graveline with the Richelieu—Saint-Laurent police force confirmed that officers had discovered incendiary devices beneath a vehicle and that an investigation is underway Monday’s discovery is the latest act of alleged vandalism at the future site of Northvolt’s $7-billion factory for electric vehicle batteries Straddling two communities about 30 kilometres east of Montreal — McMasterville and Saint-Basile-le-Grand — the 170-hectare site is scheduled to open by the end of 2026 It is expected to have an initial capacity to produce about 30 gigawatt-hours of cell manufacturing a year the project has faced opposition from environmental groups and the Mohawk community who say the plant is being built on environmentally sensitive land without being subjected to a proper review police opened an investigation after individuals had laid spiked mats at the site the company said nails or metal bars had been inserted into about 100 trees An anonymous group claimed responsibility on an anarchist website saying the motive for their “sabotage” was to protest the megaproject which they said would destroy woods and wetlands and perpetuate car culture Cerruti said the site was being considered a crime scene and that the company was waiting for approval from police to reopen which he expected would happen before the end of the day He said if the objective of the vandals was to create fear among the employees of Northvolt and other companies at the site “We are more determined than ever to go forward,” he said “We have the support of the community.” TORONTO — The Canadian Mental Health Association says living with a mental healt.. — Just days after an Ontario government court bulletin was releas.. OTTAWA — It began in 1984 when the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) established Ap.. OHIO — The chief executive of Capital Power Corp — A long-delayed project promising nonstop rail service betwe.. It may not be completely smooth sailing for Quebec MONTREAL — It's unclear whether Northvolt North America's electric vehicle batte.. Avec le soutien des gouvernements du Canada et du Québec Northvolt Six sera la première usine de fabrication de batteries entièrement intégrée du pays - avec la fabrication de matière active de cathode sur place la production de batteries et le recyclage Suède – Northvolt a annoncé aujourd'hui la création d'une giga usine entièrement intégrée de batteries au lithium-ion à Saint-Basile-le-Grand et McMasterville disposera d’une capacité de production annuelle de cellules de 60 GWh avec des installations adjacentes destinées à la production de matériaux actifs de cathode et de recyclage permettant une production circulaire entièrement sur place La construction de la première phase de 30 GWh du projet devrait commencer d’ici la fin de 2023 et les premières batteries devraient être livrées en 2026 Cette première phase de fabrication de cathode de cellules et de recyclage nécessitera un investissement total de 5 milliards USD (7 milliards CAD) et emploiera jusqu'à 3 000 personnes Le projet est développé avec le soutien financer des gouvernements du Canada et du Québec et représente le plus important investissement privé de l’histoire du Québec Chef de la direction et cofondateur de Northvolt commente : « Depuis que nous avons fondé Northvolt il y a sept ans nous avons poursuivi un seul objectif : établir un nouveau modèle durable pour la fabrication de batteries nous étendons les ambitions de Northvolt au Canada » Le choix du site de 170 hectares pour Northvolt Six à McMasterville et Saint-Basile-le-Grand s’est concrétisé après un examen approfondi de sites potentiels en Amérique du Nord Il répond à une multitude de critères nécessaires pour permettre à l'entreprise de respecter son engagement en matière de production durable de batteries L'hydroélectricité québécoise garantit une production de cellules à partir d’énergie 100 % renouvelable et la région représente un emplacement idéal dans la chaîne de valeur de l'industrie automobile nord-américaine dirigera le projet en tant que chef de la direction de Northvolt en Amérique du Nord dont le siège social sera situé à Montréal Cerruti dit : « Le potentiel de Northvolt Six est énorme non seulement pour développer rapidement notre capacité à livrer des batteries durables sur le marché nord-américain mais aussi pour accélérer l'émergence du Québec en tant qu'acteur clé de la transition énergétique mondiale Avec son accès unique à une énergie 100% renouvelable et aux matières premières nous considérons le Québec comme la base d'opérations idéale pour la première giga usine de Northvolt à l’extérieur de l'Europe Nous sommes impatients de collaborer avec toutes les parties prenantes locales et la province pour faire de Northvolt Six un exemple d'investissement durable » Sweden – Northvolt today announced that it will establish a fully integrated lithium-ion battery gigafactory will host 60 GWh of annual cell manufacturing capacity with adjacent facilities for cathode active material production and battery recycling enabling fully circular production at site Construction of the first 30 GWh phase of the project is due to commence before the end of 2023 and the first operations are set to begin in 2026 This initial phase of cathode and cell manufacturing is expected to require a total investment of 5 billion USD (7 billion CAD) and employ up to 3,000 people It is developed with strong support from the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec and will represent the largest private investment in Quebec's history comments: “In the seven years since Northvolt was founded we have pursued a singular goal – to establish a new sustainable model for battery manufacturing we are expanding our ambitions by bringing Northvolt to Canada.” The selection of the 170-hectare site for Northvolt Six in McMasterville and Saint-Basile-le-Grand just outside the city of Montréal was made after an extensive review of locations in North America The site fulfils a multitude of criteria that are necessary to ensure that the company will be able to meet its commitment to sustainable battery production Quebec hydroelectricity guarantees cell production from 100 percent renewable energy and the region represents an ideal location in the North American automotive value chain Northvolt Co-Founder Paolo Cerruti will lead the project as CEO of Northvolt North America which will have its head office in Montreal Cerruti comments: “We have in Northvolt Six enormous potential not only to rapidly expand our ability to bring sustainable batteries into markets of North America but to accelerate Quebec’s emergence as a key actor in the global energy transition With its unique access to renewable power and raw materials we see this as the ideal base of operations for Northvolt’s first gigafactory outside of Europe We look forward to engagement with all local stakeholders and the province to make Northvolt Six a textbook example of sustainable investment.” Northvolt AB ⌁ Alströmergatan 20 SE-112 47, Stockholm, Sweden+46761309427hi@northvolt.com