Making a stink in St-Henri

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"The idea is totally insane," says Manon Berube of the St-Henri Residents Environmental Committee. She's referring to the huge garbage transfer site the City of Montreal wants to construct 300 metres from her home. "It's too close," she says, "and other people are much closer than I am."

Locals, who say they only heard of the plan three weeks ago, fear odour, vermin, and noise arising from the site--intended to serve the entire island of Montreal. To be located on St-Remi under the sprawling Turcot interchange, the site would be operated by the company Matrec. And it would be big--up to 300,000 tonnes of waste per year, with about 215 trucks passing through each day.

"We don't say they can't put it somewhere in the area," says Berube, "but at least 900 metres from the nearest home, and somewhere with direct highway access."

Berube was one of about 30 disgruntled residents protesting the plans at last Monday's meeting of the urban development committee. Despite their raucous singing in the public gallery and council room, the committee voted in favour of the project. The plan will still have to get approved by the executive committee, and then city council. But if so, fierce resistance can be expected from the feisty residents.

"We will blockade the roads. We will get arrested. And then we will set up blockades somewhere else," Berube said "We will not give up!" :

--John Edmonds

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