Report - Agence canadienne d'évaluation environnementale

Opinions of participants
tankers was underestimated by the proponent (Mr. Sébastien Blouin, DM424, p. 14).
The Municipality of Saint-Jean-de-L’Île-d’Orléans expressed its concerns regarding
the planned waiting area for LNG tankers close to the island: “since LNG tankers
carry hazardous material, the municipality is preoccupied by the fact that this area is
located less than 900m from residences on the banks” (DM149, p. 1 and 2).
One participant also believed that a security perimeter should be planned around the
LNG tankers as their danger area moves with them, and they therefore become a risk
for populations on the banks (Mr. Denis Latrémouille, DM462, p. 2). Moreover, even if
he considered these tankers as well-built and properly maintained, “the other ships
that sail in the seaway, and with whom they will have to coexist, won’t be inspected”
(ibid., p. 57). Another participant recommended that “every person involved in
operations related to these types of ships and facilities have the opportunity to benefit
from relevant training […]. We must make sure that these people are sufficiently
prepared and equipped to deal with emergencies before the first tankers berth at the
terminal” (Mr. Mathieu Vachon, DM499, p. 1).
However, several participants believed that limited risks are part and parcel of
maritime transport. In this respect, the Québec Port Authority was of the opinion that a
safe coexistence is possible among the various types of navigation occurring in the
area (DM552, p. 16 and 17). The Canadian Maritime Union stated that the LNG
tankers are “known to be the safest and most reliable ships in the global fleet” (DM20,
p. 1). The Société de développement économique du Saint-Laurent emphasized that
the maritime approach has security advantages over other transportation methods as
it has recorded lower accidents and spills rates than rail and road transportation
(DM381, p. 5).
The Comité des utilisateurs du port de Québec stated that most factors which can
influence navigation conditions are known in advance and “perfectly managed by river
navigation specialists which are involved in the management of marine traffic close to
the city of Québec” (DM281, p. 2). Moreover, some emphasized that the legal
framework, the procedures and the security measures that frame maritime traffic are
strict (Ms. Julie Côté, DM139; Agences océaniques du Bas-Saint-Laurent ltée,
DM185; The Shipping Federation of Canada, DM442, p. 2). Others added that
maritime piloting and escorting LNG tankers with pilots who know the river’s
characteristics are excellent ways to reduce navigation-related risks in the area
(Mr. Jean-Marc Boisvert, DM136, p. 2; Mr. Michel Pouliot, DM298, p. 5 and 6;
Corporation des pilotes du Bas-Saint-Laurent, DM544, p. 10 and 11).
Rabaska Project – Implementation of an LNG Terminal and Related Infrastructure 51