Lac-des-Plages, June 3, 2025 - In 2024, the Alliance des municipalités Petite-Nation Nord (Alliance) launched a major participatory initiative: three large public meetings were held to ensure that the population was aware of the mining project, its location, and its advantages and disadvantages. Nearly 1,000 citizens participated! The Alliance listened to them and today announces that it is fulfilling its promises.

A referendum to give all citizens a voice

For several months, the Alliance has been evaluating options that would give citizens a voice and gauge the social acceptability of the mining project in the Petite Nation. Based on their analysis of municipal tools and budgetary constraints, a consultative referendum is considered the best option.

Following deliberations within each municipality that is a member of the Alliance—Lac-des-Plages, St-Émile-de-Suffolk, Chénéville, Lac-Simon, and Duhamel—we are announcing that they have all decided to move forward with a consultative referendum in each municipality on the same date: Sunday, August 31, 2025.

Each municipality will communicate the details of the referendum process to its citizens.

Regional scientific solidarity to advise municipalities

Given the complexity of the mining project and the limited financial and technical resources of small municipalities, the Alliance believes that it cannot participate in the evaluation of this project without significant support.

To address this issue, the Alliance has formed a committee of experts who will advise Alliance members by drawing on their combined multidisciplinary knowledge. The members are independent in their advice and are not remunerated. The minutes of the meetings will be made public.

The Alliance thanks the community for responding to its call for help, particularly the Vallée de la Petite-Nation Chamber of Commerce; the Association des chasseurs, pêcheurs, trappeurs et archers de la Petite-Nation; the Club de motoneige les Maraudeurs; the Organisme de bassins versants des rivières Rouge, Petite Nation et Saumon; the Outaouais Regional Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development; Tourisme Outaouais; the Coop de santé du Nord de la Petite-Nation; and the Papineau RCM. Other expert organizations may join the committee.

Quotes

“We are proud to have reached these two important milestones. With regard to the referendum, it is important to give our citizens the opportunity to express their individual opinions on the mining project. They have been asking for this for several years. As for the expert committee, we admit that we are overwhelmed by the technical knowledge required and, honestly, is it acceptable to leave small municipalities without resources?" David Pharand, co-spokesperson for the Alliance of municipalities of Petite-Nation Nord.

Media contact: 

• David Pharand, 819-981-0308, info@alliancepetitenation.org