This week a GPQ delegation travelled to the Eagle Village First Nation in Abitibi-Témiscamingue to attend an evening organized by many groups who are concerned about the environmental consequences of a rare earth mine proposed by the Matamec company.
The real possibility of rare earths mining in Quebec is of great concern to the Green Party of Quebec.
The Matamec project (commissioned by Toyota) plans to use more than 160,000 litres of fresh water per hour, mix it with heavy metals, chemicals and radioactive atoms before releasing it into the environment without proper treatment.
Yet rare earth recycling technologies are available, effective and feasible.
One of the main uses of rare earths is in the construction of electric vehicles. The GPQ opposes any subsidy of private cars and advocates free and major expansion of public transit as a green solution.
Over the coming months and years, we will follow the rare earths issue in Quebec with interest.
