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Rouyn-Noranda copper smelter is safer than people think, Legault says

"There are 600 direct jobs in Rouyn-Noranda that pay $100,000 a year," Legault said, adding it should be up to citizens to decide the plant's future.

In a speech to the Montreal chamber of commerce, Coalition Avenir Québec Leader François Legault revealed the first piece of legislation a new re-elected CAQ will table will be one slapping a freeze on most government fees.
In a speech to the Montreal chamber of commerce, Coalition Avenir Québec Leader François Legault revealed the first piece of legislation a new re-elected CAQ will table will be one slapping a freeze on most government fees. Photo by Ryan Remiorz /The Canadian Press

François Legault Wednesday downplayed potential health hazards caused by arsenic emissions at the Horne copper Smelter in Rouyn-Noranda in northwest Quebec.

One day before his election campaign caravan pulls into the region, Legault reacted to an open letter published by three local doctors who questioned the remarks Legault made about the foundry Sunday when he appeared on the Radio-Canada talk show Tout le monde en parle.

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“It depends on your definition of safety,” Legault said in a wide-ranging interview with 98.5 FM’s Paul Arcand. “I invite the people of Rouyn-Noranda to read the public health report. It’s not as dramatic as some say.”

The government has taken heat for months over the arsenic emissions at the plant. In operation since 1927, it employs around 650 people, but also has been a cause for serious concern in the region. Studies have shown that residents of the city have higher rates of lung cancer than the provincial average.

Owned by Switzerland-based Glencore, the smelter is currently allowed to emit 100 nanograms of arsenic per cubic metre of air – 33 times the province wide standard.

In the spring, Environment Minister Benoit Charette travelled to the town, announcing the 15-nanogram cap recommended by public health would be the new goal the company must reach within five years.

But with the election raging, the plant has become a political football. The riding the plant sits in, Rouyn-Noranda, voted Québec solidaire in 2018, but the CAQ is fighting to win it.

In the interview, Legault used the company’s own arguments to the effect that it is not economically viable in the short term to bring down the arsenic levels to the provincial norm, which is three nanograms.

And he attacked QS for using the issue for electoral reasons, when in reality it is up to the citizens to decide the future of the plant.

“What I am saying is there are 600 direct jobs in Rouyn-Noranda that pay $100,000 a year,” Legault said. “It’s up to the people of Rouyn-Noranda to decide (the future of the plant),” Legault said.

“It’s not up to Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois (co-spokesperson of QS) or us to decide what happens to the Horne foundry.”

Commenting on the race, Legault said he is surprised the gap between the CAQ and his four opponents is not closer. The latest Léger poll has the CAQ still way ahead and headed for a majority government, while the opposition parties battle for second place.

“It thought it would have tightened up more than this,” Legault said.

And asked about his future cabinet should he win the election, Legault said the only minister he is willing to reconfirm in office today is Health Minister Christian Dubé.

There has been widespread speculation Legault will drop Education Minister Jean-François Roberge, who has had difficulty in the education portfolio.

Later, in a speech to the Montreal chamber of commerce, Legault revealed the first piece of legislation a new re-elected CAQ will table will be one slapping a freeze on most government fees, including Hydro rates, automobile registration and driver’s permits and public subsidized child-care costs.

Legault also found himself defending his government’s new language law, Bill 96, overhauling the Charter of the French Language before business leaders, many of whom have called for Quebec to delay application of some of the measures because they say they are bad for business and could drive immigrants to Ontario.

Legault said perceptions of the bill in many cases are not founded.

“We have to make a difference between perceptions and what’s really in Bill 96 like the six months (for immigrants to learn French),” Legault said. “That’s not true. Many things have been said and even some people, in the (Montreal) Gazette have said people would not have any more access to health care in English, which is totally untrue.

“Of course we have to change the perception, but I need your help.”

pauthier@postmedia.com

twitter.com/philipauthier

  1. Molten copper is poured into moulds at the Horne smelter in Rouyn-Noranda in a 2006 file photo. Physicians have expressed concerns about arsenic emissions from the smelter.

    Tom Mulcair: Horne smelter issue opens a can of worms for Legault

  3. Glencore recently announced a $500-million investment to reduced emissions.

    Arsenic saga dividing Rouyn-Noranda residents, mayor says