Traduction
The stakes related to seismic surveys
in the St. Lawrence Gulf and Estuary
BAPE PRESIDENT INTRODUCES THE COMMISSION
MANDATED TO
CONDUCT THE INQUIRY AND PUBLIC HEARING
Québec City, March
15th, 2004 – The President of the Bureau
d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement
(BAPE), Mr. André Harvey, introduced the Commission
members mandated to conduct an inquiry and public
hearing on the stakes involved in seismic surveys
in the St. Lawrence gulf and estuary. Mr. Harvey has
appointed Mr. Michel Germain as Chairperson of the
Commission, assisted by Commissioners Mr. Pierre André
and Mr. Jacques Locat.
This inquiry and public hearing mandate
entrusted to BAPE by Environment Minister Mr. Thomas
J. Mulcair, begins today March 15th, 2004 and will
conclude when the BAPE report is tabled with the Minister,
no later than August 31, 2004.
COMMISSION MEMBERS
Mr. Michel Germain
Trained as a Geomorphologist, Mr. Germain also graduated
with a Master’s Degree in Water Science from
the Institut national de la recherche scientifique.
A full-time BAPE member from 1992 to 1995 and part-time
since 2002, Mr. Germain has acted as both Chairperson
and Commissioner assessing many projects notably cogeneration
projects in Québec City and Hull, as well as
the Sainte-Marguerite 3 hydroelectric station.
A self-employed environmental consultant since 1995,
Mr. Germain has participated in many environmental
assessments and impact studies, including road projects,
telecommunications lines, hydro lines, wharf rehabilitation
and bank stabilization projects. In 2000, he participated
in the public consultations of Québec City
Port Authority related to the proposed cruise ship
terminal in Pointe-à-Carcy.
Mr. Pierre André
A biologist by trade (aquatic ecology) and currently
an associate professor of the human environment with
the Geography Department at the Université
de Montréal, Mr. André has acquired
solid expertise in the natural resources management
and environment assessment. His particular area of
interest is social construction of space, for which
he has developed expertise working on various projects,
notably in relation to climate environment and protected
space. Mr. André is also the principal author
of the book Évaluation des impacts sur
l’environnement. Processus, acteurs
et pratique pour un développement durable (1999-2003).
He works on projects and directs students for projects
in Québec, Brazil, China, and Africa. He has
also headed eco-industrial toxicology programs and
environmental studies at the Université de
Montréal (1989-1990).
Mr. Jacques Locat
A member of Québec-Océan research team
of Université Laval, Mr. Locat is also Vice-President
(North America) of the International Association of
Engineering and Environmental Geology and sits on
the Board of Directors for the Centre interdisciplinaire
sur la cartographie des Océans. As an Engineer
Geologist and full professor at Université
Laval, Mr. Locat contributes his expertise to the
European Economic Community (EEC) assessing research
programs on marine ecosystems.
His contribution to understanding the physical and
sedimentological aspects of underwater slides, have
notably led to participation in various seminars and
conferences in France, London and elsewhere. As a
member of the expert audit committee on the proposed
Ormen Lange gas development in Norway between 2002
and 2003, Mr. Locat was senior editor of the reports
of the First International Symposium on Submarine
Mass Movements and their consequences, held in
Nice in 2003.
Throughout the public consultation process, the Commission
will be supported in their efforts by analysts, communication
advisors and technical personnel.
INQUIRY AND PUBLIC HEARING
PROCESS
In the coming days the Commission will unveil the
process by which it will gather the questions, concerns
and opinions of citizens and groups. This inquiry
and public hearing mandate will proceed in two parts:
the first part will provide both the general public
and the Commission with an opportunity to develop
a more profound understanding of the issues involved
in seismic surveys and clarify the stakes involved
in the St. Lawrence gulf and estuary. The second part
of the Commission mandate will be devoted to hearing
briefs and verbal opinions presented by the participants.
The Committee’s report, publicly-released
on March 5th, 2004 by the Ministre de l’Environnement
and the Ministre des Ressources naturelles, de la
Faune et des Parcs, is now available on the BAPE website
at: www.bape.gouv.qc.ca. This report will be accessible
as of March 17, 2004 in reading rooms set up for the
purpose of this topic. The list of these reading rooms
is now available at the BAPE website.
The Commission will begin the first
part of the public hearing in April.
For further information, please contact
Ms. Danielle Dallaire, coordinator of the Commission’s
secretariat, or Ms. Marie-Ève Chamberland,
Communications Advisor at: (418) 643-7447 or 1 800
463-4732 (toll-free). The Commission can also be contacted
by e-mail at: sismiques@bape.gouv.qc.ca.
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Source: Marie-Ève Chamberland
Communications Advisor
(418) 643-7447 or 1 800 463-4732
sismiques@bape.gouv.qc.ca
