A Battle to Protect the Landscape

Poster for the Portneuf-Lotbinière Contestension movement.

October 4, 1984. A Hydro-Québec helicopter lands in a Grondines field. The owner of the land, who was away at the time, is far from amused when she hears the news. And with good reason: panicked by the sudden arrival of the helicopter, her mare gets injured and dies just a few days later. The owner of the field was Micheline Beauchemin. This internationally renowned weaver had made Grondines her home, where she could pursue her creative work. The landscape, especially the proximity to the river, inspired much of her artwork, and Hydro-Québec’s intentions to alter it would fuel her anger. She did not hesitate to confront the Crown corporation, becoming the spokesperson for a citizens’ protest movement of unprecedented scale in the region.

Hydro-Québec towers under construction, circa 1988.

Several other property owners in Grondines and Lotbinière received an unannounced visit from Hydro-Québec employees tasked with drawing the new Radisson-Nicolet-Des Cantons power line. The citizens were faced with a plan that had been chosen without their input: the Crown corporation had signed a contract to supply New England with electricity from September 1, 1990, to August 31, 2000. The contract called for the construction of a sixth direct-current line from James Bay. The 450,000-volt high-voltage line was to span the river between Grondines and Lotbinière, which would disfigure the landscape.

An Epic Fight Against a Controversial Project

Les deux Hydro (1987) (The Two Hydro), Félix Leclerc.

There was tension in the air. Committees were formed to fight Hydro-Québec’s decision: Contestension Portneuf Lotbinière was formed in 1986[1]. Citizens were fighting to protect a priceless landscape, while Hydro-Québec argued the project would secure Quebec’s progress and prosperity. This was David fighting Goliath.

Things escalated quickly. On July 6, 1986, the village was the scene of a demonstration, with floats stretching from the church to the Deschambault municipality limit. To show how strong their outrage was, protesters burned a symbolic pylon.

On April 9, 1987, the BAPE report was unequivocal:

Hydro-Québec did not play by the rules, lacked transparency and consequently lost all credibility in this matter.

Cartoon by Robert Bourassa, Le Soleil, November 26, 1987.

In November 1987, the government backed down and agreed to the construction of a tunnel under the river. This four-kilometre tunnel was inaugurated in 1992. The temporary overhead power line had to be dismantled by December 31, 1993.

Down with the towers! (subtitles available in FR and EN) – Enjoy this video with a translated transcription