Quebec auditor general criticizes battery sector planning

Quebec’s auditor general says the province handled its batterysector investments with weak planning and limited risk analysis, according to a report released Wednesday. The review found that the CAQ government and agencies including Investissement Québec and the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy approved about $2.2 billion in financial assistance for 11 companies without clear objectives, timelines, or targets. The report says four companies later filed for creditor protection, while two others suspended or abandoned their projects. Auditor general Christine Roy said losses tied to the reviewed files total about $375.2 million so far, with most of the losses linked to Northvolt and Lion. Premier Christine Fréchette said she had already stopped further public funding for those two projects, while current minister Bernard Drainville said the government will work with the auditor general to improve risk management.