Montréal, June 4, 2025 – The CQDE shares the concerns of many stakeholders about the significant negative impacts that Bill 97 could have on biodiversity protection and public
participation. In addition to reducing opportunities for consultation with Indigenous peoples and public participation, the proposed reform risks compromising biodiversity preservation
efforts.
“Several provisions of this bill are highly problematic, particularly those related to granting priority development zoning for forestry industries. In doing so, the government is
compromising its ability to act in the public interest,“ warns Geneviève Paul, Executive Director of the CQDE. ”This bill misses the mark and is a wasted opportunity to adopt forest management reform that would effectively address the serious and growing risks posed by climate change and biodiversity loss,” adds Ms. Paul.
The CQDE calls on the government to withdraw the bill and properly consult the general public in order to propose a reform that truly enables Québec to meet its environmental and human
rights obligations.
