Montreal suspends mediation with Sanimax over east-end rendering plant odours
City asked Quebec to take over negotiations after two years of talks yielded no progress. Court ordered the plant to meet environmental standards in March.
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Montreal announced Monday it is suspending mediation with Sanimax over odour problems from the company's agri-food processing plant in Rivière-des-Prairies and has asked Quebec to take over the case.
The city withdrew from talks it began two years ago, citing lack of progress. Sanimax processes animal by-products and refuse from slaughterhouses—materials that have generated persistent odours affecting the neighbourhood. A Superior Court of Quebec decision in March 2024 ordered the plant to bring its operations into compliance with environmental code standards.
A provincial decree issued in July 2024 created a special intervention zone for three years to allow the company time to meet environmental standards. That decree is set to expire soon, prompting the city's decision to escalate.
"Given the lack of foreseeable progress and the imminent expiration of the decree's effect, representatives of the City of Montreal are suspending the City's participation in the mediation," the city said in a statement.
Montreal has asked the province to order Sanimax to immediately begin building garages for trucks carrying raw materials—a step aimed at reducing odour release. The city pledged to enforce air and water quality regulations and penalize or pursue legal action against the company as needed.
The standoff echoes July when odour from the plant was blamed for forcing the Montreal airport to suspend US-bound flights during construction work.
What penalties has Montreal already applied to Sanimax, and what legal action is the city considering if the province does not intervene?
When does the provincial decree expire, and what happens to the company's operating status if it has not met environmental standards by then?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
What does Sanimax do at its Rivière-des-Prairies plant?
Sanimax processes animal by-products and refuse from slaughterhouses, materials that have generated persistent odours affecting the neighbourhood.
What did a Quebec court order in March 2024?
A Superior Court of Quebec decision in March 2024 ordered Sanimax's plant to bring its operations into compliance with environmental code standards.
What action has Montreal asked the province to require of Sanimax?
Montreal has asked the province to order Sanimax to immediately begin building garages for trucks carrying raw materials to reduce odour release.
