120-kV Grand-Brûlé–Saint-Sauveur Supply Line Project: Hydro-Québec maintains its commitment to public consultation

Following the requests made by the reeves in the Laurentides region, Hydro-Québec would like to confirm that it will consult the public when the regional technical committee has finished its work, in the fall of 2014. Hydro-Québec considers public consultation essential, which is why it has implemented a consultation process that goes well beyond the applicable requirements for this type of infrastructure.

Note that the regional technical committee is an advisory committee made up of specialists mandated by the municipalities and regional county municipalities (MRCs) concerned by this line project: the MRCs of Pays-d’en-Haut and Laurentides; the municipalities of Saint-Adolphe-d’Howard, Sainte-Adèle, Val-Morin, Val-David, Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Saint-Sauveur, Morin-Heights and Barkmere; the Conférence régionale des élus des Laurentides – Projet Paysages Laurentides; the Conseil régional de l’environnement des Laurentides; and Hydro-Québec.

The regional technical committee is currently working on determining the best scenario to ensure long-term electricity supply to the region. Hydro-Québec wishes to underline the collaboration of the region’s elected officials and the seriousness and rigor shown by the regional technical committee participants.

What has already been done

The construction of any new power transmission infrastructure is a significant challenge. Hydro-Québec believe it is essential to consult the concerned publics, right from the draft-design phase, to determine the best possible solution from environmental, social and technical standpoints. That is why, since June2012, aseries of local consultation sessions were held, including the following:

• Over 60 meetings with the area’s elected officials, managers and representatives
• Four open-house events with landowners and citizens
• Five regional technical committee meetings
• Seven sub-committee meetings (technical and environmental)

Through these consultations, Hydro-Québec was able to identify certain issues that will help it adapt the project. For example, the company is designing new towers for a more harmonious integration into the landscape. It is therefore false to claim that Hydro-Québec does not consult with stakeholders or take local concerns into account.

Hydro-Québec would like to invite the region’s citizens to follow the progress made by the regional technical committee. Highlights of the committee’s meetings are available on the project Web site at www.hydroquebec.com/projects/grand-brule-saint-sauveur/regional-technical-committee.html.

Growing electricity needs in the Laurentides region

Electricity needs in the MRCs of Pays-d’en-Haut and Laurentides have grown by 20% between 2004 and 2012, and continue to increase. The annual growth of electricity demand in the region is twice the Québec average.

The Grand-Brûlé–Saint-Sauveur supply line project was undertaken by Hydro-Québec to meet the current and future energy needs of the MRCs of Pays-d’en-Haut and Laurentides and to sustain economic and tourism development in the region for the next 20 years.