Bill 597: An Act to amend the Environment Quality Act to establish a right of citizen initiative in environmental matters and reinforce the powers and independence of the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement

Businesses planning or operating projects that require environmental authorization from Quebec's Minister of the Environment face the most direct exposure — think mining, energy, infrastructure, industrial development, or large-scale construction. If enough citizens sign a petition targeting a specific project, the BAPE could be compelled to hold a public hearing or targeted consultation, adding time and uncertainty to project timelines. The bill also requires project proponents to produce a report quantifying greenhouse gas emissions and describing reduction measures, which means developers and their environmental consultants will need to budget for that additional work. Larger projects with national or regional footprints — like pipelines, quarries, or industrial facilities — are more likely to attract the 15,000–40,000 signatures needed to trigger a review, making this most consequential for medium to large operators rather than solo tradespeople or small local businesses.