Mothers take protest against Northvolt electric car battery plant to Montreal streets

Dozens of demonstrators gathered on Sherbrooke Street in downtown Montreal to voice their concerns over the construction of the Northvolt electric car battery plant.

Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the Montreal offices of Premier Francois Legault on Sunday to protest the controversial Northvolt battery plant project. Environmentalists are once again accusing Quebec of allowing environmentally destructive work to begin without proper scrutiny.

Armed with signs, a microphone and a massive sculpture of François Legault’s head, the group of mothers, grandmothers, children and their supporters assembled outside the premier’s office on Sherbrooke Street downtown to send a message.

“Hello, we want to survive. Can you please listen to your people?” said protester Raphaelle Gregoire.

Mothers at the Front and other environmental groups gathered because they’re angry Quebec gave the Swedish company the green light to begin cutting down thousands of trees to make way for the new facility.

Preparatory work on the site has been underway for weeks.

The demonstration had an impact on traffic, shutting down a part of Sherbrooke Street for about an hour.

Many of those in attendance brought their children.

“We are from McMasterville. Their school is just a kilometre away from Northvolt,” said Pierre-Olivier Caron, who was there with his two young kids.  “They’re concerned about what will happen to the field, and what Northvolt will evolve into. It’s really important to show them, explain to them, educate them about the process.”