The organization and its commitments

The Ministère relies on two key partners to fulfill its mission: The Bureau of Environmental Public Hearings (BAPE), which conducts inquiries and public consultations, and the Société québécoise de récupération et de recyclage (RECYC-QUÉBEC), which promotes the reclamation of residual materials.

The Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement (BAPE ) is a public hearing body whose function is to inform and consult the population on questions relating to the quality of the environment submitted to it by the Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks in order to guide government decision-making with a view to sustainable development. To that end, it carries out information and public consultation meetings, investigations and public hearings as well as environment mediation. It reports its findings and its analysis thereof to the Minister.

The Fondation de la faune du Québec (Québec Wildlife Foundation) promotes the conservation and enhancement of wildlife and its habitat. It devotes its energy, creativity and passion to ensuring the conservation of Québec’s biodiversity.

The Société québécoise de récupération et de recyclage (RECYC-QUÉBEC ) is a public corporation whose mission is to promote, develop and foster the reduction, re-use, recovery and recycling of containers, packaging, materials or products and their reclamation with the goal of conserving resources.

The Minister is responsible for the Environment Quality Act and enforcement of the environmental requirements agreed to by Québec in the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement and incorporated in Chapter II of the Act.

Five bodies have been established by and in accordance with the Agreement and Act; these are:

• the James Bay Advisory Committee on the Environment (JBACE) , which is to be consulted on any proposed laws, regulations and policies concerning environmental and social protection on the territory governed by the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and located south of the 55th parallel;
• the Evaluating Committee (EVCOM) , which is responsible for the preliminary assessment of development projects located south of the 55th parallel that are subject to the environmental and social assessment and impact study procedures;
• the Environmental and Social Impact Review Panel (COFEX) , which is responsible for reviewing development projects located south of the 55th parallel that are subject to the environmental and social assessment and impact study procedures;
• the Kativik Environmental Advisory Committee (KEAC) , which is to be consulted on any proposed laws, regulations and policies concerning environmental and social protection on the territory governed by the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement located north of the 55th parallel;
• the Kativik Environmental Quality Commission (KEQC) , which is responsible for the initial assessment and review of development projects located north of the 55th parallel that are subject to the environmental and social assessment and impact study procedures.

The Advisory Committee on Climate Change  is a permanent independent organism established under the Act mainly to ensure effective governance of the fight against climate change and to promote electrification. Its mission is to advise the Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, at the request of the Minister or on its own initiative, on climate change directions, programs, policies and strategies.