Report - Agence canadienne d'évaluation environnementale

Opinions of participants
Should an accident occur, here’s what the emergency measures look like: run
fast, hide in your homes, and close your windows. Is this a responsible attitude to
have when dealing with a population? […] If effects occur on humans as quickly
as in 20 or 30 seconds, is it possible to have good reflexes in such a short period
of time?
(Ms. Louise Maranda, DM596, p. 11)
One concern also dealt with the emergency measures planned for the île d’Orléans,
as one participant was deeply concerned that an accident requiring the evacuation of
island residents had not been considered: “the fact that the proponent believes such
scenarios cannot occur is not a guarantee that they won’t” (Ms. Renée Dupuis,
DM191, p. 3 et 4). The Agences de la santé et des services sociaux de la Chaudière-
Appalaches et de la Capitale-Nationale also wondered about the capacity of the
regional community health network to act effectively should an accident affecting île
d’Orléans residents occur, as emergency services are far away and there is only one
access to the island (DM602, p. 58).
Generally speaking, a nurse from the region believed that the proponent should
simulate a major accident with many victims, in order to establish the capacity of
hospital services to correctly deal with the consequences of such an event. In her
opinion, one must always plan for the worst and prepare in advance (Ms. Isabelle
Pouliot, DM380, p. 10 and DT28, p. 45 to 47). Furthermore, there were doubts
regarding the application of the security measures planned by the proponent:
Who is going to monitor the compliance of commitments made, other than those
contained in signed agreements, i.e. during the construction phase, and
especially during the operating phase? […] Bypassing certain security standards
or not complying in full can help save a lot of money when the stakes are high.
(Mr. Jacques Clermont, DM224, p. 7 and 8)
According to another participant, “this follow-up should be performed by an
independent and especially unbiased organization (Mr. Michel Barras, DM97, p. 3).
For the Pôle Québec–Chaudière-Appalaches, la Chambre de commerce de Québec
et la Chambre de commerce de Lévis, this surveillance is the government’s
responsibility and it “mustn’t let up this required monitoring during the project’s lifetime”
(DM465, p. 34).
The Conférence régionale des élus de la Chaudière-Appalaches supported the
proponent’s intention to be part of the Comité mixte municipalité-industrie (CMMI) of
Lévis: “similar experiences with such committees have demonstrated their great
effectiveness in reassuring the population living close to sites at risk. Moreover, the
CMMI comprises experts from various sectors, which greatly reduces the risks that
are inherent in this type of operation” (DM534, p. 9). It also considered that adjacent
municipalities, including Beaumont, would benefit from taking part in CMMI. The MRC
54 Rabaska Project – Implementation of an LNG Terminal and Related Infrastructure