The agreement covers Alcoa’s four production facilities in Québec: the Baie-Comeau, Bécancour and Deschambault aluminum smelters, and the wire rod production plant in Bécancour.

Mr. Boisclair and Jean-Pierre Gilardeau, President of Alcoa Primary Metals – Northeast Region, signed a specific agreement that calls for a real reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of at least 200 000 tons a year on average between 2002 and 2004. The agreement runs until 2007, with a new GHG reduction target to be set later for 2005-2007.

" This is good news for the environment. The agreement with Alcoa alone covers the overall emissions forecast made in January 2002, when the framework agreement on voluntary GHG reductions was signed with the Aluminium Association of Canada," declared the Minister, who invited other major GHG emitters to follow Alcoa’s lead.

Mr. Boisclair also emphasized that negotiations similar to those recently concluded with Alcoa are under way or about to begin with major Québec businesses operating in various industrial sectors: pulp and paper, magnesium, cement factories and other aluminum plants.

The Minister took the opportunity to encourage decision makers and Quebecers in general to voice their support for ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, for our own benefit as well as that of the planet.

Text of the agreement