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Just over a month ago, the Legault government announced its intention to modify the standard for atmospheric nickel concentrations. The government is proposing to raise the standard from 14ng/cubic metre to 70ng/cubic metre, an increase of 500%.
The Green Party of Quebec disagrees with the government's proposal, which could have numerous effects on the health of Quebecers, causing lung inflammation, lung fibrosis and lung cancer. Nickel could also infect fish and other organisms.
Alex Tyrrell, leader of the Green Party of Quebec, said: "I support the demonstrations and citizens' initiatives against these measures, which are detrimental to the health of Quebecers. The people of Quebec are not supposed to be forced to demonstrate in order to have adequate air quality. These demonstrations are due to government incompetence and unwillingness to defend its citizens. The Quebec government is not playing its role as protector of citizens and is endangering its population by wanting to introduce this proposed law. "
The deputy leader of the Green Party of Quebec, Halimatou Bah, declared: "By implementing this measure, the Quebec government is putting the will of business ahead of the well-being of Quebecers, and that's not the image a government is supposed to project. It should put citizens before the demands of industrial lobbyists. Quebecers should have the right to live in a healthy environment in which chemical standards do not exceed Public Health recommendations."
The Green Party of Quebec would like to make it clear that we are not opposed to all industrial and commercial activity, but rather consider it necessary to ensure that it does not harm the health of Quebecers. We are just as keen to protect the environment as we are to ensure the well-being of our citizens.
Photo Credit: Daniel Barnes / Getty Images
