March 14, 2025 — Alex Tyrrell, leader of the Green Party of Quebec, and Halimatou Bah, the party’s deputy leader, are raising alarms about the Quebec government’s decision to move forward with the expansion of Stablex, a toxic waste disposal facility in Blainville, despite significant local opposition.
The controversial project, which would involve importing hazardous waste from the United States, has sparked widespread protests due to concerns about its potential environmental and health risks. Both Tyrrell and Bah have criticized the government for prioritizing corporate interests over the safety of local communities and the environment.
Tyrrell expressed his strong disapproval of the project, calling the decision to push forward with the expansion a dangerous move.
“The Stablex project is yet another example of how corporate interests are taking precedence over public health and environmental safety,” he stated. “The Quebec government’s decision to move ahead with this project, despite the overwhelming opposition from local communities, is unacceptable. It’s time for the government to put the well-being of its citizens ahead of corporate profits.”
The expansion of the Stablex facility, which would involve storing and managing large quantities of hazardous waste, raises concerns about long-term contamination in the surrounding area. The project’s critics argue that it poses a serious threat to both the local environment and public health, particularly as the waste would be imported from outside of Canada.
Halimatou Bah, speaking on the risks of the project, emphasized the need for greater transparency and accountability from the government.
“This is a blatant example of how the government is turning a blind eye to the environmental and public health concerns of its citizens,” she said. “The people of Blainville and surrounding communities have made their opposition clear, and yet the government seems intent on pushing this through without considering the long-term consequences.”
Both Tyrrell and Bah stressed that the decision to allow the expansion of Stablex underscores a broader issue of government negligence when it comes to environmental protections. They argued that Quebec’s commitment to sustainability and environmental justice is at risk if the government continues to prioritize corporate interests over the safety of its people.
“The government has an obligation to protect the environment and the health of its citizens, not to bend to the will of large corporations,” Tyrrell added. “If this project moves forward, it will send the wrong message—that profit comes before people and the planet.”
The Green Party has called for an immediate halt to the project and is urging the government to engage in meaningful dialogue with local communities and environmental experts before making any further decisions.
“We cannot afford to compromise the health of our citizens or the environment for the sake of a project that puts both at risk,” Bah concluded. “This is a critical moment for the government to prove that it is truly committed to protecting the public and ensuring a sustainable future.”
As protests against the Stablex expansion continue to grow, Tyrrell and Bah’s outspoken opposition highlights the ongoing battle between local communities and corporate interests in Quebec. The Green Party is calling on the public to join them in demanding that the government prioritize public health and environmental protection over short-term economic gains.
