Illustration: Chloé Germain-Thérien

Environmental justice

Why are we not talking about it in Quebec?

What is environmental justice?

Some communities bear an inequitable and disproportionate burden of environmental damages and risks because they are underprivileged, racialized and Indigenous. For example, it could be overexposure to the impacts of climate change or to multiple contaminants emitted by polluting industries. What we call environmental justice is bringing these injustices to light, and having a set of measures (tools, strategies and policies) to address them.

 

Be part of the solution

justice environnementale 12 degres
In Montreal, there is less vegetation in neighbourhoods with lower socio-economic populations. Specifically, there are heat islands in 73% of neighbourhoods with the lowest socio-economic standing, compared to just 20% of Montreal neighbourhoods with the highest socio-economic status. The difference in temperature between a heat island (e.g., a parking lot) and a cool island (e.g., a park) can be up to 12°C, which causes much more health risks during heat waves.

View report highlights

The difference in temperature between a heat island and a cool island can be up to 12°C.

justice environnementale dechet
In northern Quebec villages, they do open burning of garbage, emitting toxic contaminants and smoke into the air that could reach inhabited areas. Burning garbage in the open has been recognized as a likely cause of high health risks for exposed populations. This concern was raised repeatedly by Inuit and Naskapi communities during consultations held in 2021 by the commission of inquiry of Quebec’s Bureau of Environmental Public Hearings (BAPE) on the current status and management of final waste in Quebec. BAPE’s commission of inquiry was then of the opinion that the government should make every effort to determine, in consensus with local and regional communities, alternatives to the open burning of garbage.

View full report

Communities leading the way

Meet some of the groups who are doing the groundwork to end environmental injustices across Quebec.

Through their activism and community work, they are at the forefront of the movement to shape a more equitable, climate-resilient society.

Rouyn-Noranda: Children over corporations

The City of Rouyn-Noranda is located on the shores of Osisko Lake, in the region of Abitibi-Témiscamingue. This once peaceful town has been the centre of widespread public attention since a series of revelations regarding chemical poisoning effects on the area’s children spurred a citizen movement to urge government to enact stricter health standards to protect the population.

Learn more

Achieving Environmental Justice in Montreal North

In 2009, members of the Montreal North community founded Hoodstock to ensure residents’ voices were finally heard after a Montreal Police Department officer shot and killed 18-year-old Fredy Alberto Villanueva.

Learn more

Limoilou citizens refuse to bite the dust

The citizens’ group Vigilance Port de Québec made numerous appeals to all competent administrations, forced to fight to be heard and taken seriously when it denounced the compromises to the health of the population.

Learn more

Chinatown's climate resilience against injustice

The Chinatown Working Group advocate for increased social housing, green spaces, comprehensive services for seniors and disabled people, heritage preservation and economic revitalization. In 2022, these activists achieved provincial heritage designation for two historically significant streets, and protection of the entire neighbourhood by the City of Montreal.

Learn more

Fighting for neighbours over excavators in Hochelaga

Mobilisation 6600 was created by residents of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, a neighbourhood in the east end of the Island of Montreal with a growing population of immigrants and young families.

Learn more
Illustration: Chloé Germain-Thérien

Be part of the solution!

Pollution and environmental degradation disproportionately harm vulnerable populations.

Be part of the solution