Quebec approves temporary expansion of Terrebonne landfill

Quebec has approved a temporary vertical expansion of the Terrebonne landfill, the province’s largest waste site north of Montreal, as it nears full capacity. The measure allows operator Complexe Enviro Connexions to accept an additional 1.2 million tonnes of waste over 12 months starting in October 2026, without increasing the site’s footprint. The province said the emergency order was needed because the landfill could reach its limit in less than a year and turning waste away would create major problems for the Montreal area. The landfill handles about 30 per cent of Montreal’s waste and also includes a sorting centre, composting facility and biomethane plant. The temporary approval comes while a separate review is still underway for a proposed permanent expansion that could extend the site’s lifespan until 2043. Critics say the emergency approach shows Quebec has not adequately planned for waste disposal, while the city of Montreal remains below its wastereduction targets.