Hundreds protest TransCanada pipeline port in Cacouna

Hundreds of people opposing TransCanada's pipeline projectwere out in Cacouna, Que. on Saturdayfor a march against the construction of anoil shipping port.

Environmentalactivistsfrom Montreal, Quebec City, Sherbrooke and Rimouskiwent to the town on the banks of the St. Lawrence Riverto send a message to the Government of Quebec that they do not want seismic testing to continue.

The groups say they are concerned that the drilling threatensendangered species in the area, such as beluga whales.

A Superior Court injunction earlier this month prevented that drilling work from continuing, but the injunction expires on October 16.

• TransCanada work on St. Lawrence port suspended by Quebec court order

"We are going to try even more to postpone again with any way possible to push back the date whenTransCanadawill be able to go back and drill," said SimonCt, the spokesmanforMouvementStopOloduc, anti-pipeline group based inKamouraska.

Ctsaidthat if the suspension is pushedeven further, TransCanada will not be able to present theirproject to the National Energy Board for another year.

He said the protestisthe biggest demonstration on the Lower St. Lawrence region,since the anti-tuition fee hike demonstrations more than twoyears ago.

Quebec's environment ministry has askedTransCanada to build the port using construction methods thatdo no affect the beluga population and other wildlife.

Friday, the ministry demanded the company take further measures to reduce noise at the work site. It also told the company to further restrict boat traffic in the port, to limit potential disturbance to the belugas.

• David Heurtel casts doubt on TransCanada port at Cacouna

TransCanada says it is complying with the province's demands and expects to resume seismic testing next Thursday, after the temporary injunction expires.