Grenville-sur-la-Rouge - Following a mobilization that began in 2017, the citizens of Grenville-sur-la-Rouge have achieved a significant victory against the junior mining exploration company, Canada Carbon. On March 18, 2025, the Quebec Agricultural Land Protection Commission (CPTAQ or Commission) issued a decision rejecting the graphite mine development project.
As soon as the project became known to the community, it sparked strong opposition, leading to the election of a municipal council representing the interests of the citizens. The mining company sued the municipality for $96 million, for which an out-of-court settlement was reached in February 2020.
The Commission issued an initially unfavourable decision against the project in September 2021.
Despite this, the mining company submitted a new application in March 2023. The preliminary orientation issued in October 2023 rejected the project based on legal criteria. A public hearing requested by the mining company was held on December 18, 2024. In its decision of March 18, 2025, the Commission reviewed each of the points submitted by the mining company and maintained its position, refusing the project.
The Commission questioned the economic benefits anticipated by Canada Carbon, and, to the contrary, suggested that the project poses a direct threat to the operation of the St-Pierre maple forest and jobs at Camp Amy Molson. The Commission acknowledged that the lots in question are entirely wooded with maple stands and have real maple syrup production potential, contrary to what the agronomist claimed.
The André St-Pierre and Camp Amy Molson maple forests, which are ready for exploitation and located right next to the project, are directly threatened by the project. Canada Carbon offered no mitigation against the effects of vibrations and dust.
Contrary to the mining company's claims, the Commission stated that its role is not to reconcile non- agricultural uses with agriculture, but rather "to ensure the protection of agricultural land and to promote the protection and development of agricultural activities and businesses."
According to Rodrigue Turgeon, lawyer, National Program Co-Lead at MiningWatch Canada and co-spokesperson for the QMM Coalition:
"The Coalition Québec Meilleure Mine welcomes the Commission's decision to reject Canada Carbon's application. The Mining Act does not erase the CPTAQ's exclusive jurisdiction over the protection of agricultural land. Much of the credit goes to the citizens who have been defending their living environment for years against repeated attacks by the mining company, Canada Carbon, including the $96 million SLAPP lawsuit. It is time for the path of reason to follow that of justice."
Quote from Louis St-Hilaire of the Qlaim coalition:
"What an extraordinary victory for the citizens of Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, who have had to live and mobilize for eight years against the threat of a mining project that is totally incompatible with their living environment and aspirations. During these eight years, they were left to their own devices by the government and had to stand alone against a $96 million lawsuit and the company's stubbornness in imposing a project on them that the vast majority of citizens did not want. Congratulations to all of you. You are a great example for citizens in other regions of Quebec who are massively resisting the mining invader and the complicity of the Quebec government."
Jacqueline Richer, spokesperson for SOS GslR, commented:
“This is a very important victory for the citizens, who were able to speak out against this mining project, which has no place in our community. We also thank the municipality for its deep commitment to bringing the necessary experts to the CPTAQ.”
According to the provisions of the new mining law, this mining project no longer has a place in Grenville- sur-la-Rouge, on the one hand because mining titles cannot be issued on agricultural land, and on the other hand, the provisions for territories incompatible with mining activity (TIAM) make it impossible to operate this project which, from the beginning, has never had social acceptability. After an eight-year saga, the SOS GslR group is very pleased with this excellent decision from the CPTAQ, which reflects the desire of citizens to protect their agricultural territory.
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For information:
SOS-GSLR
Gilles Levert : (514)256-9987, gilles.levert@gmail.com