Quebec To Reserve Lands From Industrial Activity

On April 17, 2012, an Act respecting natural heritage conservation and the sustainable development of the area covered by the Northern Plan (Bill 65), was tabled in the Québec National Assembly and referred to a committee for consultation. Bill 65 is part of the development project of Northern Québec involving investments of $80 billion over the next 25 years announced on May 9, 2011 by the Government of Québec (the Plan Nord). While no date has been confirmed for the adoption after first reading at this time, Bill 65 aims to reserve a portion of Northern Quebec from industrial activity.

The Plan Nord covers an area of almost 1.2 million square kilometres North of the 49th parallel, which represents 72% of the province's territory. If Bill 65 is enacted in its current form, 12% of the area covered by the Plan Nord will be reserved from industrial activity by 2015, 20% by 2020 and finally 50% by 2035. Public consultations will be held to determine which areas will be