Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
National

Environment Canada Suspends Montreal's Plan To Dump Raw Sewage Into St. Lawrence

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Oct, 2015 12:21 PM
  • Environment Canada Suspends Montreal's Plan To Dump Raw Sewage Into St. Lawrence
SAGUENAY, Que. — The federal government has ordered a halt to Montreal's controversial plan to dump eight billion litres of raw sewage into the St. Lawrence River until further scientific analysis can be done.
 
Infrastructure Minister Denis Lebel made the announcement on behalf of the environment minister today in Saguenay, Que.
 
He says Leona Aglukkaq has issued an interim order under the Fisheries Act to put the project on hold.
 
Montreal had planned to dump the untreated wastewater into the river between Oct. 18 and 25.
 
The city is closing an interceptor — a large sewer used to feed wastewater to treatment plants — to do maintenance work and relocate a snow chute located underneath the Bonaventure Expressway, which the city is converting into an urban boulevard.
 
Quebec's Environment Department has already signed off on the plan but in recent weeks, the plan had become fodder in  the federal election campaign.
 
Lebel says Aglukkaq has decided an "independent scientific review by a third party" is the best way to ensure the St. Lawrence River isn't subject to irreparable environmental harm.
 
Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre and the provincial government have maintained that, despite the optics, the controversial plan remains the best option available in terms of time and cost.
 
A citizen petition with 90,000 names opposed to the project was presented to Mayor Denis Coderre at a city council meeting Tuesday.

MORE National ARTICLES

Simon Fraser University Professors Receive Award For Pipeline Battle

Simon Fraser University Professors Receive Award For Pipeline Battle
The university has announced Stephen Collis and Lynne Quarmby are the 2015 recipients of SFU's Nora and Ted Sterling Prize in Support of Controversy.

Simon Fraser University Professors Receive Award For Pipeline Battle

Slain Woman Found In San Francisco Park Identified As Quebec Tourist Audrey Carey

Slain Woman Found In San Francisco Park Identified As Quebec Tourist Audrey Carey
Audrey Carey's uncle had told her family she was embarking on an adventure and decided she would go to for the first time to the United States and then make her way to Europe.

Slain Woman Found In San Francisco Park Identified As Quebec Tourist Audrey Carey

Teen Found Guilty Of Pushing Fellow High School Student To Death Under Bus

Teen Found Guilty Of Pushing Fellow High School Student To Death Under Bus
The teen, who can't be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, shoved Christopher Chafe down an embankment outside Sydney Academy last winter.

Teen Found Guilty Of Pushing Fellow High School Student To Death Under Bus

Economic Downturn May Be To Blame For Cars Left Abandoned At Edmonton Airport

Economic Downturn May Be To Blame For Cars Left Abandoned At Edmonton Airport
People leave a lot of things behind at airports, but in Edmonton it seems that a record number of travellers are abandoning their vehicles.

Economic Downturn May Be To Blame For Cars Left Abandoned At Edmonton Airport

Parole At Least 22 Years Away For John Koopmans Convicted Of Murdering Couple

Parole At Least 22 Years Away For John Koopmans Convicted Of Murdering Couple
John Koopmans, who was convicted by a jury in April of two counts of second-degree murder and a single count of attempted murder, was sentenced Tuesday in Penticton, B.C.

Parole At Least 22 Years Away For John Koopmans Convicted Of Murdering Couple

60-Year-Old John Phare Who Died Fighting Forest Fire Awarded B.C.'s First Citizenship Medal

60-Year-Old John Phare Who Died Fighting Forest Fire Awarded B.C.'s First Citizenship Medal
Premier Christy Clark said Tuesday that 60-year-old John Phare exemplifies the purpose of the new medal, which recognizes exemplary contributions to community life.

60-Year-Old John Phare Who Died Fighting Forest Fire Awarded B.C.'s First Citizenship Medal