Report - Agence canadienne d'évaluation environnementale

Opinions of participants
A certain number of participants 1 came to bear witness to the Rabaska project’s
importance to counter the exodus of industrial construction workers witnessed in the
region, an exodus which causes insecurity in this economic sector. One worker from
this activity sector added: “I am an electrician in the Pintendre area. As a father, I am
constantly looking for work. The situation in construction is unpredictable and
uncertain. A project like Rabaska is desirable for our sector” (Mr. Mario Labrie,
DM100, p. 2). Moreover, construction workers believe that the project would offer
them a job opportunity close to home. One participant detailed the difficult social and
family situation affecting some workers when they need to leave their region because
they are without work:
Regarding my experiences of working outside of the region, let’s say that there
have been many people with whom I worked outside, who are now separated or
divorced, from communities where we, as jobsite stewards on major jobsites,
witness broken homes, and men who are 50 and 60 years old who arrive crying,
because there isn’t any work.
(Mr. Gérard De Repentigny, DT19, p. 25)
Many participants and organizations specified the project’s potential contribution in
keeping young people in the region by providing them with interesting and well-payed
jobs 2 . According to the Jeune chambre de commerce de Lévis, “the migration balance
for those between 24 and 35 is negative for this area. The Rabaska project has, in our
opinion, an undeniable appeal and retention factor to counter this phenomenon”
(DM565, p. 2). Regarding jobs in the maritime sector, the project would allow the
creation of jobs for graduates in this field. One participant specified that “graduates
leave for Finland, Denmark and other countries with a maritime past. Even our field is
dealing with a brain drain. The Rabaska project would allow Québec workers to
remain home” (Mr. Jean Lefort, DM140, p. 1).
The Rabaska project represents a “good opportunity for workers from the Chaudière-
Appalaches and the city of Québec region to show their skills and know-how”
(International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, DM46, p. 3). It was showcased as an
opportunity to develop regional expertise in the LNG field, in engineering or even in
1. Mr. Jean-Yves Bisson, DM691, p. 5; Ms. Johanne Blouin, DM222, p. 2; Lambert Somec, DM268, p. 3;
Mr. Gérard De Repentigny, DM435; Enfer design, DM452, p. 1.
2. Groupe Perspective, DM519, p. 4; Mr. François Lafontaine, DM468, p. 2; Mr. Jean Lamontagne, DM52, p. 1;
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, DM46, p. 8; Mr. Mario Bélanger, DM32; Mr. Vincent Bilodeau,
DM269; Mr. Réjean Bouchard, DM273; Mr. Jacques Beaudoin, DM334, p. 2; Mr. Dave Gaudreau, DM336;
Mr. Sylvain Bolduc, DM401; Mr. Paul André Goulet, DM496, p. 1; Mr. Sylvain Haller, DM530, p. 1; Mr. Jérémie
Belval, DM641; Ms. Martine Bouffard, DM650, p. 1; Mr. Robert Guérard, DM655; Ms. Mélanie Lapointe, DM665,
p. 1; Mr. Yvon Chateauvert, DM666, p. 1; Mr. Gérald Larose, DM681; Mr. Guy Lapointe, DM684, p. 1; Ms.
Juliann Rochette, DM695.
42 Rabaska Project – Implementation of an LNG Terminal and Related Infrastructure