While GNL Québec has decided to continue the federal environmental assessment of its project, The duty learned that the company as well as the company Gazoduq laid off the main part of the employees who were still in post.
According to information obtained on Tuesday, GNL Quebec and Gazoduq are virtually at a standstill, after a new wave of layoffs. This occurs while GNL Québec chose to continue the process federal environmental assessment of its liquefaction plant and marine terminal project, despite the rejection of the project by the Legault government.
The two companies, which are controlled by the same U.S. shareholders, initially responded by declining to comment on information obtained by The duty.
“Under the circumstances, the company took the cautious approach of considerably slowing down its activities and, unfortunately, also had to proceed for employment purposes”, subsequently admitted GNL Quebec. “We are supporting these employees in this transition and warmly thank them for the heart and energy they have put into building our project since 2014,” added the company in a written response.
The company Gazoduq, created to build the pipeline supposed to supply the plant with Alberta natural gas, offered a similar response: “Gazoduq has reduced its activities pending the decision of GNL Quebec and unfortunately, this has involved the departure of employees who have been allies since the very beginnings of the project. We are extremely grateful for their support and their work. It is never an easy situation. “
Gazoduq has also confirmed that its president, Louis Bergeron, left his post. GNL Quebec has however assured that its president, Tony Le Verger, is still in office.
As of Tuesday, the two entities still had a total of eight lobbyists registered in the Quebec registry. Tony Le Verger has an active mandate as a lobbyist for the Quebec registry and the federal registry. According to available information, “communications” have notably taken place with the Conservative MP for Chicoutimi – Le Fjord, Richard Martel, in recent months. Two other lobbyists had discussions with elected Conservative officials.
The duty has tried on several occasions to obtain clarification on the position of the Conservative Party with regard to the GNL Québec project. All requests went unanswered. The NDP and the Bloc Quebecers have already made known their formal opposition to the project.
the Liberal Party of Canada for his part affirmed, for the first time, his opposition to the project. “It is clear to us that it will not see the light of day. Several environmental issues, both at the provincial and federal levels, remain worrying and the government of Quebec refused the project at the end of its assessment ”, argued a spokesperson for the party, who said he was surprised at the decision to GNL Québec to continue the federal environmental assessment.
The duty revealed Monday that the promoters of the largest industrial project in Quebec history have asked the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to continue the review process. A “preliminary” report should also be published in the coming weeks. “Conditions” for the realization of the project must accompany this report.
Watch video
Reference-feedproxy.google.com