Let’s talk

Our approach is rooted in these principles: encouraging dialogue, sharing our expertise, building a common vision, implementing projects tailored to needs and constantly evolving our practices.

We focus on listening, dialogue and creativity in our solutions and strive for the broadest possible consensus for our projects.
From the earliest planning stages, we consider the landscape and other territorial elements that are recognized and valued by the community to tailor the project to local realities as much as possible.
We get communities involved in projects as early as possible through a variety of consultation methods in order to develop projects that integrate the aspirations of the host setting.

In light of studies and investigations carried out, Hydro‑Québec will consult communities in various ways to determine the best project execution strategies and any necessary mitigation measures. With the information gathered, Hydro‑Québec will be able to suggest initiatives to address concerns and issues raised and to make environmental, technical and social adjustments to the project.

Public participation process

Hydro‑Québec wants to get communities involved as early on as possible through a variety of consultation methods to develop a project that incorporates the aspirations of the local communities.

Local Indigenous and non‑Indigenous communities and stakeholders, including those in Ontario, will be consulted. We will use a variety of public consultation methods to reach stakeholders and hear their concerns.

Below are the main steps involved in the public participation process that will guide our communications regarding the modernization work at the Beauharnois‑Les Cèdres hydropower complex.

Schedule

Pre-consultation

Stakeholder consultation

Project presentation

Optimized project announcement

Public consultation and government permits

Information on work

Frequently Asked Questions

What work is currently being carried out on the structures of the Beauharnois-Les Cèdres complex?

The studies and investigations ended in 2021. Hydro-Québec has begun carrying out work it deems a priority on some hydropower complex structures.

For more information on the work, refer to the Priority work section.

Why did Hydro-Québec conduct studies and investigations on the Beauharnois–Les Cèdres complex?

The structures of the Beauharnois–Les Cèdres complex are between 50 and 107 years old. Under the Dam Safety Act, Hydro-Québec, like all dam owners, is required to conduct safety inspections and studies on the structures it operates. Given the age of the complex’s components, it was clear that some work was required. The studies and investigations allowed us to determine the nature and extent of this work, which will extend the lifespan of the complex by several decades, while respecting the requirements of the Dam Safety Act.

How does Hydro-Québec plan to gather community input and questions for future projects?

Hydro-Québec will consult the host community as early as possible in the process to learn about the needs and concerns of the community and to integrate them into the project design whenever possible. 

Hydro-Québec will also work closely with community representatives to ensure that activities are carried out seamlessly. The information received from the community will allow us to propose the best possible projects from a technical, environmental and social perspective.

You can contact us through the Info-project line at 1 877 653 1139 or by email at ramrichelieu@hydro.qc.ca.

How will the Indigenous communities be consulted regarding the modernization of the Beauharnois–Les Cèdres hydropower complex? 

Hydro-Québec began consulting the Indigenous communities in 2020 and will continue the consultations in 2023 and beyond. The discussions are part of its commitments in regard to Indigenous relations, which stipulate in part that a consultation must take place at each stage of a project’s life cycle. 

The information, consultation and participation activities will be aligned with the strategy for carrying out the modernization of the Beauharnois–Les Cèdres hydropower complex and the subsequent process of obtaining regulatory approvals. 

What is your approach to social acceptability?

To stay in tune with the residents’ priorities and their expectations of Hydro-Québec, we have enhanced our social acceptability approach. We are

mobilized to better reconcile the aspirations of the community and our energy needs.

Our scalable approach provides our project teams with an optimized toolbox, and it may be summed up in three points:

We integrate more variety and flexibility into our approach and tools. Each project is unique.
We focus more on listening, dialogue and creativity in our solutions and strive for the broadest possible consensus for our projects.
We get communities involved as early on as possible to develop projects that integrate the aspirations of the local communities.