Environmental groups have revealed proposed pipeline routes by Marinvest Energy Canada in northern Quebec. The subsidiary of a Norwegian energy company plans to construct a pipeline from Ontario to Baie-Comeau for exporting natural gas from Western Canada. The two suggested routes are now public, raising concerns about potential environmental impacts and community disruption. One route passing near Lac-Saint-Jean faces criticism for its proximity to populated areas and wildlife habitats. Meanwhile, a second route aims to avoid densely populated regions.
The potential construction of a 1,000-km pipeline raises worries about deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and disruption of traditional activities like hunting and fishing. Environmental groups like Nature Québec and Action Boréale are vocal in their opposition to the project. Marinvest Energy Canada’s lobbying efforts with government officials have sparked concerns about potential public funding and fast-track approval processes under new legislative measures. Critics fear that designating the pipeline project as a national priority could bypass crucial environmental assessments.
Despite portraying itself as a sustainable energy developer, Marinvest Energy’s proposed gas export project faces backlash for its environmental and financial implications. It contradicts recommendations from international bodies advocating against new fossil fuel infrastructure. While the company aims to boost Canada’s energy security and transition, opponents argue that the project could be obsolete before operation and harm climate goals. The Quebec government’s history of rejecting similar projects adds complexity to the debate over the pipeline’s future.
