Saint-Laurent, Quebec – An attempted sabotage at a battery factory construction site in the Montérégie region was foiled earlier this month due to wet weather preventing the ignition of incendiary devices planted at the location. Northvolt, the company responsible for building the electric vehicle battery factory, confirmed the discovery of these devices under machinery at the construction site, posing a serious threat to workers.
In a recent post on the website Montréal Counter-information, an anonymous individual claimed responsibility for planting the incendiary devices at the construction site with the intention of disrupting machinery and hindering the progress of the project. The same individual provided insight into why the devices failed to ignite, emphasizing the impact of weather conditions on the effectiveness of such sabotage attempts.
The Richelieu—Saint−Laurent regional police are currently conducting an investigation into the attempted sabotage. The individual behind the post criticized the Quebec government for allegedly neglecting regulations designed to protect the environment and turning a blind eye to Northvolt’s alleged violations of laws and codes.
Furthermore, the post raised concerns about the planned future lithium mines in northern Quebec and the potential repercussions of mineral extraction on Indigenous communities residing in the area. This incident is not the first act of sabotage at the site, as previous occurrences involved vandalism and deliberate damage to equipment.
In late February, authorities launched an investigation after individuals placed strips of nails on the site, resulting in damage to a vehicle. Additionally, earlier incidents involved the placement of nails and iron bars in trees slated for removal by the Swedish company, prompting another claim of responsibility by saboteurs on the Counter-information website.
The Montréal Counter-information website, known for providing a platform for local anarchists to share their beliefs and actions, continues to be a source of information regarding these acts of sabotage. Authorities are working diligently to address these security concerns and ensure the safety of workers and the integrity of the construction site.