Sodavex Mobilized to Protect the Gros Mécatina River: Legal Action Considered Against the Quebec Government
Medias
Pourvoirie Mécatina, with the support of Sodavex, is considering legal action against the Government of Quebec.
This step follows the Ministry of the Environment’s failure to respond to a letter sent in late April, requesting a reassessment of the selected route for the extension of Route 138 between Tête-à-la-Baleine and La Tabatière.
Another letter has been sent. The government will have 30 days to respond before Sodavex initiates all appropriate legal proceedings.
Our founder and lawyer, Christine Duchaine, explained the situation in an interview with La Presse.
Toward Legal Action to Defend the Environment
In light of the government’s silence, Pourvoirie Mécatina, supported by Sodavex, is now considering turning to the courts to assert its right to a full and transparent environmental review.
The legal action would aim to compel authorities to properly assess the project’s impact on the river and Atlantic salmon, in accordance with existing environmental laws.
A Serious Threat to the Gros Mécatina River
The proposed road extension spans 9.1 kilometers along the Lower North Shore, aiming to connect several remote communities.
While Pourvoirie Mécatina does not oppose the expansion of Route 138, it has serious concerns about the environmental consequences of the route that was selected.
According to the outfitter, the current alignment threatens to irreparably damage the Gros Mécatina River—one of the last entirely pristine Atlantic salmon rivers in Quebec.
In a letter to Environment Minister Benoit Charette, Christine Duchaine emphasized that the project was authorized without due consideration for the critical issues surrounding salmon conservation.
She also highlighted “significant shortcomings in the rigor of the approval process and the granting of permits,” which she warns could lead to serious environmental consequences.
A Critical Issue for the Protection of Salmon Rivers in Quebec
The Gros Mécatina River is one of the last untouched Atlantic salmon rivers in the province. Its protection is essential—not only for local biodiversity but also for Indigenous communities and outdoor recreation activities that depend on this fragile ecosystem.
Pourvoirie Mécatina insists that its efforts are not in opposition to regional development, but in support of sustainable progress that respects the environment and endangered species.