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In a suburb north of Montreal, near a stretch of forest, sits a landfill that has served as the final destination for industrial waste from across eastern North America for more than four decades. Toxic waste, contaminated soil, and hazardous materials are treated and buried in Blainville, Quebec, at a facility run by U.S.-owned Stablex.
Now, the site is at the center of a heated dispute involving local residents, the municipality, and the provincial government. The Quebec government has introduced Bill 93, a controversial piece of legislation that would force the municipality to sell land to Stablex, allowing the company to expand its operations despite opposition from environmental groups and Blainville officials. Public hearings on the bill are currently underway.
The Debate Over Expansion
Stablex, a subsidiary of Republic Services, argues that the expansion is necessary as the facility is expected to run out of space by 2027. However, in 2023, Quebec’s environmental watchdog, the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE), described the expansion plan as “premature” and recommended against government approval. Later that year, Blainville’s mayor and city council withdrew their support for the project, prompting the Coalition Avenir Québec government to introduce Bill 93 to override municipal opposition.
The proposed expansion would create a sixth dumping site, further extending operations until 2065 instead of 2040. Stablex claims that without it, hundreds of Quebec-based companies will have no viable option for disposing of hazardous waste.
Environmental and Community Backlash
Opponents, including Mayor Liza Poulin, local residents, and environmental activists, argue that the expansion would harm the environment by fragmenting a vital ecological corridor composed of wetlands and woodlands. The Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM), representing 82 municipalities in the Montreal area, has also spoken out against Bill 93, warning that it undermines municipal autonomy and sets a dangerous precedent for future environmental decisions.
Public concern has intensified, with residents staging protests outside Stablex. Environmental groups, such as Mères au Front pour la région des Mille-Îles, are calling for an end to the importation of toxic waste from the U.S. and a reassessment of Quebec’s waste management policies.
“People are angry,” said Marie-Claude Beaulieu, a co-ordinator with the environmental group. “No one is listening to their voice.”
What Comes Next?
The hearings on Bill 93 are set to conclude on Thursday. While Stablex insists the expansion must be approved by next month to meet rising demand, Blainville and the CMM have vowed to challenge the legislation in Quebec Superior Court, setting the stage for a legal battle that could determine the future of the controversial waste site.
Source: Swifteradio.com
