Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

The Tribunal Administrative du Québec (TAQ) has accepted to hear an appeal of a Commission de Protection des Terres Agricoles du Québec (CPTAQ) decision to reject the operation of an asphalt plant on Covey Hill.

The appeal was filed with the TAQ last December by Groupe Chenail Inc., which is behind the installation of the asphalt factory at the Carrières Ducharme quarry in Havelock. The Saint-Rémi-based company is contesting the CPTAQ’s final decision, which was issued last November, on twelve grounds.

Over 20 individuals, groups, and organizations presented arguments against the asphalt factory before the CPTAQ, including the Fédération de l’UPA de la Montérégie, which has been named in the appeal as an impleaded or third party, among others. This includes members of an ad hoc committee formed by the municipality of Havelock, who met weekly for over a year to prepare recommendations and arguments against the factory.

The mandate for the committee was set to expire in November, but it was extended after the municipal council adopted a motion during its regular meeting on September 2.

The online hearing before the TAQ is scheduled to take place on November 19. Known as a tribunal of last instance, decisions rendered by the tribunal are generally final and cannot be appealed to another court.