https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1129223/sayona-quebec-conference-institut-canadien-mines-valdor

 

Sayona Québec explains to industrymembers and denounces "media noise"

Posted on Friday October 12th, 2018

 

The most recent CIM conference in Val-d'Orhosted Sayona Quebec. Photo: Radio-Canada / Thomas Deshaies

 

Representatives of Sayona Quebecdelivered a conference Wednesday evening, in front of members of the CanadianInstitute of Mines, Metallurgy and Petroleum (ICM) section Val-d'Or. SayonaQuebec's new Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Alexis Segal, who was visiblynervous, spent a good deal of his time defending the decision to avoid the BAPEfor Project Authier. He also presented their vision of social acceptability anddenounced the "media noise".

 

A text by Thomas Deshaies

 

ICM members asked Mr. Segal how the company will go aboutdetermining if his project is socially acceptable. The Vice President was notable to answer clearly, but insisted that it was not "an exactscience".

Accordingto him, social acceptability is above all "an approach" that aims « to improve projects to increase positive impacts in communities andreduce negative impacts. »

ForAlexis Segal, citizen mobilization during previous public consultations can inno way be used to determine whether or not there is a social acceptability, asthe numerous media outlets of various groups.

 

 

« At no timeis social acceptability linked to the volume of activity on Facebook pages, orthe volume in one or two media.»

— Alexis Segal, Vice President Corporate Affairs, Sayona Quebec

 

 

More public meetings

 

Mr.Segal also attacked the media coverage. « Theproject has no impact on water Eska, it is a fact that Sayona hammered and themedia have decided not to take leave much room for unfounded fears » , a-t- he lamented.

The company also decided to stop holding public meetings opento the entire population, as it initially wanted to do. « The company does not intend to put itself in a context where noiseis made » , justified Mr. Segal.

Alexis Segal, Vice President, CorporateAffairs, Sayona Quebec Photo: Radio-Canada / Thomas Deshaies

 

 

Surprised participants

Several participants were surprised by the nature of hispresentation. « We are in an assembly that talks mainly aboutproduction, transformation and it was above all a presentation that wasoriented towards social acceptability » , said Carl Marineau.

Themajority of the members present, who agreed to share their impressions, werehowever rather favorable to the project, while understanding the concerns ofcitizens. « It is normal that people have concerns » , says the metallurgical engineer Edmond St-Jean, who believes thatan analysis by the BAPE is not essential.

 

 

On theother hand, it is certain that if the project is approved (by the Ministry ofthe Environment), it is very unlikely that any of the concerns will remain.»

— Edmond St-Jean, member of the ICM

 

 

Aminer, Guillaume Cervel, says understand the justifications of the company, butstill remains in favor of the BAPE. « I think the dialogue atthe BAPE is really a good thing, it can be long, but a mining project has animpact and it must be well understood » , he told us.

FormerICM President Marcel H. Jolicoeur hopes the project will see the light of day. « I think it's a great project, but now they're going to have to dotheir homework » , he said.

Citizen Committee

 

Theco-spokesperson of the Esker Citizen Protection Committee, Rodrigue Turgeon,who was present at the conference, was very surprised by the words of Sayona'snew spokesperson.

« Itis an arrogant tone that he adopts by saying that all those involved in themobilization make noise. This is the worst way to make a connection with thepopulation » , says Rodrigue Turgeon.

SayonaQuebec is hopeful that the government of François Legault will not submit theproject to the BAPE.