Since 2012, the 100 biggest polluters in Quebec have never emitted so many greenhouse gases, reveals an analysis by our Bureau of Investigation.

• Read also: Here are the 20 worst environmental offenders in Quebec

• Read also: The “worst-case scenario” is emerging for the McInnis cement plant, which pollutes more than ever

In 2021, the top 100 polluters discharged some 21.3 megatonnes (Mt), the highest peak in the past decade, according to data from the Department of the Environment.

The major polluters are mainly establishments such as cement factories, aluminum smelters and refineries.

In 2012, the first year for which these figures are available, the top 100 emitted some 21.1 Mt. Then, emissions decreased to 19.8 Mt in 2016. Between 2016 and 2021, the increase is l 7.5%, whereas the province should, on the contrary, reduce its GHGs to reach its target.

The shutdown of several factories due to the pandemic explains a temporary drop in emissions (19.9 Mt) in 2020

Impact important

According to our analysis, more than half of the top 100 polluters (57) have increased their emissions since 2012. This is almost the same number if we compare 2019 to 2021 (58).

The impact of the 100 biggest polluters is not negligible since they represent approximately 85% of all industrial GHGs and a quarter of those for all of Quebec.

The CAQ government promises a 54% reduction in GHGs compared to the 1990 threshold (all sectors combined). But so far, the reduction has only been 2.6%.

Financed by Quebec

Several factories in the top 100 have received significant sums from the Green Fund, now called the Electrification and Climate Change Fund.

The McInnis cement plant alone emits 1.4 Mt and is now comfortably at the top of the biggest polluters, since 2020. The plant will continue to increase its emissions by 2027 when it is at full capacity.

The Port-Daniel plant in Gaspésie, now operated by Ciment St-Marys, which belongs to Brazilian giant Votorantim, received $25,000 from the Electrification Fund in 2020-2021. The grant funded 30% of the cost of designing and installing 10 electric car charging stations at the plant.

"The remaining 70% of the project was funded by the factory," said company spokesman Christopher Mason.

The grant application was made by the former administration. However, in 2016, the former CEO Christian Gagnon had assured that the cement plant was not going to dip into this Fund. The Port-Daniel plant then multiplied green promises to promote the social acceptability of the polluting project.

Upcoming Discounts

We also find, in the top 10, Aluminerie Alouette, the 3rd biggest polluter, which emits almost 8% more GHG than in 2012. This result is explained in particular by an increase in production, but also by a method more precise analysis and calculation of GHGs, explains Julie Salesse, Environment Director at Alouette.

Since 2020, the Sept-Îles plant has received $15.7 million from the Fund through the ÉcoPerformance program (Québec Energy Transition) to convert its anode baking furnaces to liquefied natural gas, which should enable it to reduce its emissions by 18,000 tonnes of GHGs per year. The total value of the project is more than $23 million, says Marie-Claude Guimond, director of communications for the smelter. GHG reductions should start to appear partially in the balance sheet in 2022, then fully in 2023.

Previously, the company's cooking ovens ran on oil and natural gas was not, until then, present in the industries of the North Shore. “It makes Alouette a pioneer and it opens the door to different possibilities,” explains Ms. Guimond.

The company has committed to being carbon neutral by 2050.

Among the other major polluters, we find, in 10th place, Ciment Québec in Saint-Basile in the Portneuf region. It has increased its GHGs by almost 34% compared to 2012.

In April, the cement plant received $22.5 million from the Fund for a new less polluting grinding workshop. It should be operational at the beginning of 2024 and promises to reduce 66,200 tonnes of GHGs per year. Ciment Québec did not respond to our interview request.