GRAND FORUM FESTIVITIES
The Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA Canada) has announced the date and time of its annual Quebec Grand Forum (Grand Forum du Quebec): the event will be held on December 15, 2022, running from 12:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The theme for this year’s event is “Je suis AIA” (I am AIA).
Information on the specific presentations being held this year have yet to be released. However, AIA Canada has stated that they are scheduling two general presentation, three expert small-group sessions, and an expert entertainer/speaker presenting on the Magic of Success (LA Magie du succès). “It is certain that we are all looking forward to getting together”, says Réjean Lortie, head organizer of the event.
The event is being held at the Saint-Hyacinthe Convention Centre at 1325 Daniel-Johnson Street West. Following presentations, evening events will include a cocktail reception, dinner, and the opportunity to have fun at a local casino. Over 400 participants are expected to attend this year’s event.
BATTERY BOSSES
The Government of Quebec has enacted a regulation making it possible to subject extended producer responsibility (EPR) to several products which until now were found often in landfills.
The province had initially considered including electric vehicle batteries in its list of EPR-enabled products, though reconsidered given industry feedback. “In light of the many comments received from stakeholders in the transportation electrification sector, electric vehicle batteries have been removed from the products covered by this update to the Regulations,” wrote the provincial government in its release. “In order to ensure optimal care of the batteries available for recovery, the government and industry will instead set up a voluntary recovery program next spring.
“Discussions on the terms of this program are underway and should lead to an agreement by the end of the year,” said the provincial government. The new EPR regulation amendments consider the recovery and reclamation of products by businesses and sets both minimum recovery rates and requirements in terms of recovery and recycling of certain products in the Quebec market. Some products affected by the rules include pharmaceutical items, agricultural plastics and single-fill propane cylinders.
