Dear Editor,

On June 26, 2026 we, a handful of citizens living in Portage-du-Fort, formally requested that the Quebec government conduct a full environmental review of the proposed Samonix Salmon farm. Other individuals living in the Pontiac did the same.

The request was granted, and the process began with public meetings held last week. 

The BAPE (Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement) staff met with us virtually to prepare us for the public meeting to ensure that we were fully prepared to both submit our concerns and to hear responses to our questions. We felt that the preparation was thorough and open to any questions or concerns we had. The meeting was, as described, well planned and the format was formal but encouraging and inclusive. 

At the hearings themselves, we were able to present our concerns, hear a brief description of the project and the moderators were patient, professional and supportive for us, and other community members to participate. Samonix representatives and government experts were able answer questions, or defer the answers if needed and follow up. 

We were very satisfied with the process and we look forward to the next stage where the public is invited to submit written or verbal briefings about their views on the project. Public participants are encouraged to notify BAPE by Sept. 15 of their intention to speak to the committee, or may submit a report no later than Sept. 24. The second part of the public hearing happens on Sept. 29, with details to be determined.  

A report will then be prepared and made public. Then the community will be able to make good decisions for the region based on science, independent review, and adequate information. It is premature to have a position of support or opposition at this time. 

Finally, it was very troubling that, despite the preparation of the citizens, the business and the government experts, our MRC representatives appeared to be unprepared for the meeting. Despite being aware of $100,000 having been committed to the project (now expired without payment) neither official could identify any projected benefit to the community at all.  We would have expected, at the very least, a projection of tax income based on the project plans that are available, together with some vision and/or leadership in how the tradespeople during the build and staff in the future would be housed, what infrastructure will be enhanced, a cost analysis of additional infrastructure demands (road maintenance, traffic control, emergency responsiveness, health care etc). It appeared that the representatives had been given no information or plans regarding the impact of the project on the people and environment of the Pontiac. It seems that there is much work to be done by the entire MRC to catch up. We believe the lack of projections or information from the MRC is a significant gap for making any kind of decision. Sadly at this stage, the leadership and analysis of the project has fallen to the citizens.  

Respectfully submitted,

Cathy Fox and Sylvia Poetschke, Portage-du-Fort