Incendiary objects were placed last weekend on the tires of certain machinery on the site of the future controversial Northvolt battery factory in Montérégie, according to the company which publicly denounced these acts on Monday.
• Read also: Northvolt: here is the list of anticipated effects of the future recycling plant
• Read also: Real estate: a young couple wins the “jackpot thanks to Northvolt”
“There was no material damage or other damage, but this is very serious. We condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” responded Paolo Cerruti, president and CEO of Northvolt North America, still in shock, at a press conference on Monday afternoon.
Paolo Cerruti, CEO of Northvolt North America, appeared shaken by the events Monday afternoon.
Photo Francis Halin
“We are waiting for the police to give the green light to start working again,” he added. Several devices were reportedly found. This green light should come in the next few hours, according to Paolo Cerruti.
Asked by The newspaperOfficer Chantal Graveline, of the Richelieu–Saint-Laurent Intermunicipal Police Board, confirmed the incident.
Targeted tool vehicle
“We had a call at 7:25 a.m. this morning to go to the Northvolt site, in Saint-Basile, for incendiary objects which were placed under a tool vehicle,” she detailed, while refusing however to ‘reveal the number.
“An investigation is underway. The forensic identification service went into the field. They seized incendiary objects,” she continued.
According to our information, the use of anti-explosive equipment was not necessary.
Photo Francis Halin
In the document first sent to the media, the company spoke of homemade bombs, then later clarified that they were rather “incendiary objects”.
The triggering devices on these objects did not work, according to the Swedish company, which sees this as a new attempt to try to slow down the controversial work on the Saint-Basile-le-Grand site.
Photo Francis Halin
“It’s a handful of irresponsible people who are violating the basic principles of civil society. The construction site is on pause,” declared Mr. Cerruti.
Photo Francis Halin
Vandalized offices
Acts of vandalism were also perpetrated in the offices of the Urban Wood Development Center (CVBU), in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, an NPO mandated by Northvolt to carry out deforestation and tree recovery work.
After the Northvolt boss’ statement, the company handed the microphone to Maxime Bourdeau of CVBU, who provided details of the acts suffered.
“We noticed on Friday evening that a window had been smashed at our premises. They used a water gun to spray everything inside with brown paint,” he denounced.
“Floor, wall, ceiling, computer, desk, chair, everything… it was like a challenge to put paint on it seems,” he added.
Maxime Bourdeau from the Urban Wood Development Center (CVBU) had his premises vandalized.
Photo Francis Halin
“I find it absolutely unacceptable that the lives of workers and all people are thus put in danger. This is inexcusable! We want Northvolt to be a success for all Quebecers. These acts are criminal,” lamented Frédéric Beauchemin, Liberal spokesperson for the economy and innovation.
In the morning, The newspaper reported certain anticipated effects of the future Northvolt recycling plant, according to a document prepared by the Swedish company for the environmental study of the project, namely a “change in air quality”, a “degradation of surface water quality” as well as an increase in ambient noise and road traffic.
-With the QMI Agency, Marc-André Gagnon and Martin Jolicoeur
