Launching ‘The Battle of Rabaska’

Last week Martin Duckworth and I launched the original French-language version of our feature doc LA BATAILLE DE RABASKA – THE BATTLE OF RABASKA, in the framework of the Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal. The film tells the story of the four-year fight by groups of citizens against a projected LNG (liquefied natural gas) import facility on the south shore of the St. Lawrence, opposite the famous Île d’Orléans. The project makes no sense because of its impact on climate change, health and safety for the population in the immediate area, and the protection of the cultural heritage of the region. But business interests and construction unions in the area backed it, and a powerful lobby intervened to push for it on all levels of government. Last October, the provincial government gave the project a green light.

The first screening of our film took place at the Museum of Civilization in Quebec City. It was an emotional event, as many of the people who participated in the struggle were there. They have felt quite abandoned both by politicians and government agencies, and really appreciated having their experience documented and shown on the big screen. Former Quebec Agriculture minister and Mayor of Lévis, Jean Garon, who is seen supporting the project in the film, surprised everyone by stating that ‘the debate never really happened,’ and that ‘the government shut everyone up.’ Other revelations followed at the Montreal premiere a few days later, with former Environment minister Thomas Mulcair (now NDP MP for my riding) stating that there had been undue government interference in the assessment process.

Although the project has received a green light, it doesn’t seem certain that it will actually be built. Rabaska has signed an agreement in principle with the Russian energy giant Gazprom, but there is no final agreement and the gas field which is supposed to supply the project is not in operation. With the economic crisis and reduced energy needs it seems even more absurd than it already was, in a province which has a huge potential for renewable energy sources.

The film, shot over four years, was produced by Yves Bisaillon and Johanne Bergeron at the ONF (National Film Board, French program). It will be in theatres in Quebec City and Montreal starting on December 5th.

Thanks to Jorge Bustos-Estefan for help with this blog.