Wind Energy

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – On October 14, Gaspé Mayor discussed with the Minister Delegate for the Economy, Christopher Skeete, the importance of including Quebec and regional content in Hydro-Québec’s upcoming agreements for 10,000 megawatts of wind energy set to be produced by 2035. 

This follows the mayor’s earlier push at the end of September, which led to a debate in the National Assembly. However, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government refused to debate a motion from the Parti Québécois on October 10, closing the door on a formal discussion at that level. 

Despite this, Daniel Côté sees a form of openness after the discussion with Christopher Skeete who was accompanied by Gaspé Member of the National Assembly (MNA), Stéphane Sainte-Croix. “There are different possibilities that I perhaps didn’t see at the outset. There are legal mechanisms that allow the government to have a certain form of protectionism. That’s not how it’s written in the law but it gives the government a certain amount of leeway than I had initially estimated,” says the mayor. 

“But I still feel the absence of mandatory local, regional or national content. Nothing would prevent Hydro-Québec from buying blades in China. I understand that, politically, they will want to support Quebec’s purchase of Quebec components, and I understand that there is a political orientation. I am partially reassured, but I would also like people in the industry to be reassured. It’s too important to say that I’m throwing in the towel and closing the file,” he says, recalling that Quebec will never be able to compete against China, which could dump manufactured products from Asia. “If our products are good elsewhere, they should be good for Quebec. If they are competitive on the American and global markets, they should be for Quebec,” adds Mr. Côté. 

The vice-president of the Eastern Energy Alliance and mayor of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, Simon Deschênes, indicates that the organization has already had these discussions. 

“We have not taken a clear position on regional content or Quebec content. Where I have a reservation is that if I take the example of LM Wind Power, 100% of their production was exported outside Canada. By imposing Quebec content, we must ensure that we are not played tricks by other countries that our companies export to and also do good business in these countries. We must find a way through but, yes, I am in favour of Quebec content,” declares the vice-president. “Our basic mission is to promote the development of the wind energy sector in Eastern Quebec and to invest to obtain significant economic benefits for each of the communities of Gaspésie, the Magdalen Islands, Bas-Saint-Laurent and the MRCs of l’Islet and Montmagny,” recalls Mr. Deschênes. 

“It is up to Quebec companies to position themselves well with the predictability that we currently have with the development of the wind energy sector,” says Mr. Deschênes. 

Participatory budget 

Gaspé’s first participatory budget initiative, which allows citizens to submit and vote on local projects, has proven to be a success. Seventeen projects were submitted, with six qualifying and five advancing to a public vote. 

“It is a very good turnout. We are in a test year. I will admit: we were very unstructured this year and, despite everything, it is a big turnout with several projects submitted,” comments the mayor. 

Projects up for public voting include a local product sales point in Douglastown at a cost of $50,000, the development of a multi-sports field at Sandy Beach estimated at $17,000, a drinking water system at Charlie O’Brien Park via a cistern system in Haldimand that would cost $30,000, new play modules at Saint-Paul School in the Saint-Maurice-de-l’Échouerie sector at $50,000 and a pickleball court in Cap-aux-Os at an expense of $23,000. 

The town of Gaspé had budgeted $50,000 for this first edition. 

“There are projects under $50,000. It is possible that if two projects under $50,000 are ranked in the first results, we will carry out more than one,” maintains the elected official. Voting will end on November 14. 

Without officially announcing the return of the participatory budget in 2025, Daniel Côté clearly wants it to return. 

“We haven’t made a final decision at the council but, seeing the enthusiasm, I think the council will have a favourable bias for 2025,” suggests the mayor.