At least 200 people – more than 250, according to the organizers – were present, pans and signs in hand, to protest against the wind farm project which would extend on the MRCs of Mékinac and channels.
Unlike last week, the demonstrators were able to ask elected officials their questions, since they were sufficient number to allow the public session. It had also been moved to a room in the basement of the Town Hall to allow more people (125) to enter it.
If the wind turbines of Tes were not on the agenda, the subject has established itself, as is usually the case for more than a year, during the question period.
The demonstrators were again in number, Tuesday evening. (Matthew Max-Gessler/Le Nouvelliste)
Citizen Gaston Rivard asked elected officials if they had calculated the benefits from the population of Saint-Adelphe if the 44 wind turbines are installed there.
“These fees, they will go to people, 80 % of whom do not reside in Saint-Adelphe. And these people are largely large producers who did not wait for this money, “he said.
Mayor Paul Labranche replied that it will be necessary to wait until the Committee for the Protection of the Agricultural Territory of Quebec (CPTAQ) looks at the file before knowing the exact number of wind turbines which will be installed in Saint-Adelphe, and therefore the amount of fees.
“We listened to you when we made the interim control settlement (RCI) and we postponed the distances. It means that there are producers who would have wanted them at home, but who can no longer, because of the distances, “he added.
Several parents came accompanied by their children. (Matthew Max-Gessler/Le Nouvelliste)
Social acceptability?
Elected officials were again talling on their position concerning the wind farm. “If you are neutral, you are for,” we could hear. To which mayor Labranche replied that he was waiting for the impact study and the CPTAQ verdict to decide, before the holding of public hearings on the environment (BAPE).
Asked about the concept of social acceptability, the first magistrate questioned the petition that circulated last year against the Mauricie project.
“Some said to me:” Paul, I signed it because I was tanned to be disgusted. ” We have passed the complete list and there are 381 (signatories) which remain here. There were duplicates, some signed three times, “he said under the protests of the audience.
Unlike last week, the council had quorum. (Matthew Max-Gessler/Le Nouvelliste)
Note if he believed that the project had social acceptability in Saint-Adelphe, the first magistrate ended up responding: “no”. However, he was cut off by the citizens present when he tried to support his response.
Several citizens have said that they no longer have confidence in the municipal elected officials present.
“I will not wait for the BAPE”
Advisers Jean-Paul Lerat and Suzanne Tessier said they also wanted to wait for the CPTAQ “the stage” before deciding on the TES project. They added that they did not see the point of pronouncing themselves, believing that whatever they say, they would be lynched publicly on social networks.
“I am against the project and I will not wait for the BAPE and the CPTAQ to decide the future of our municipality,” said Romanesque advisor Pokorski.
Finally, advisor Claude Thiffault said he did not trust the two institutions in question.
“I would like the municipality to legislate on an acceptable number of wind turbines and possibly, I would like to come back to you to consult you,” he said.
“Who are your experts?”
The session took place exceptionally in the basement of the Town Hall, to welcome more citizens. (Matthew Max-Gessler/Le Nouvelliste)
The members of the Council also reproached for not attending the information meetings organized by the collective still masters with us Mekinac-des Channel. For months, he has regularly received various guests to present their point of view on various facets of the wind sector.
The last in the running, Jean-François Blain, an analyst in the energy sector, was passing through the church of Saint-Adelphe last Sunday.
“I do not introduce myself to these meetings because I find that they are biased,” replied Jean-Paul Lerat. “I look at studies that are done by scientists, with committees, things that are serious. If you want to go and see in Nicolet-Yamaska, it’s very well done. ”
The collective co-door and resident of Saint-Adelphe, Carole Neil, then asked the council on which experts he relies.
“We are working with experts from the Quebec Municipalities Federation, lawyers, people who worked in wind farms, who have an expertise in there,” replied Mayor Labranche.
