TC423 the document size is 97 pages and 22 pages. The questions...

TC423 the document size is 97 pages and 22 pages. The questions either not answered or incomplete or no valid points given to support the argument. Just attaching first question.

The analysis of the answers provided following thefirst series of questions and comments was carried out by the Department ofEnvironmental Assessment of Mining and Northern Projects and strategicenvironmental assessment in collaboration with certain administrative units ofthe Ministry of the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change as well ascertain other ministries and agencies concerned. This analysis concludes thatsome elements of the answer must be completed or specified. This documenthighlights the gaps and inaccuracies

of these elements. We remind you that it isessential that the requested information be provided so that the admissibilityof the impact study is determined. Otherwise, in accordance with Article31.3.4 of the EQA, the Minister could establish that the impact study is notadmissible and, if necessary, terminate the project analysis process.

QC2 - 1 In response to questions QC-9 and QC-10,the initiator presents an assessment of the rail transport options. In theevaluation presented, the distances considered between the project and theports of Montreal, Contrecoeur and Trois-Rivières seem to have been underestimated,which can have a double impact (round trip) on the comparison with the optionof transport by truck. The literature reports that the competitive distancebetween the shipping and receiving locations would be around 750 km. Accordingto the goods transported, the use of rail transport can become advantageousfrom 500 km, in considering other variables such as the volume transported, thesafety of the goods transported, the price of diesel and gasoline, road safety,network maintenance road, etc. In addition, the effect of road congestion inthe Montreal region does not appear to be not have been taken into account.This aspect can affect the reliability of the service, fuel consumption, laborcosts, greenhouse gas emissions ,etc. The initiator must take into account theelements mentioned above in its analysis and, if if applicable, indicatewhether the comparison between the use of rail transport and truck transport ischanged.