Quebec’s public health authority announced on Thursday that it will no longer issue public criticism of the regulatory relaxations granted to Horne Foundry. The agency also declined to release its own assessment of the changes, marking a shift from its earlier stance of voicing concern over the modifications.
The decision follows a recent move by the Fréchette provincial government to ease rules that affect the operation of Horne Foundry. Those regulatory adjustments have been a point of contention, with the health agency previously expressing reservations about potential impacts on community health and safety.
By opting to withhold its opinion, the public health body signals a departure from its prior practice of publicly commenting on the matter. No formal explanation was provided for the change in approach, and the agency did not publish any written analysis or statement regarding the revised regulations.
Observers note that the timing coincides with the government’s broader effort to streamline industrial regulations in the province. While the health authority’s silence does not indicate endorsement, it does remove a public avenue for scrutiny that had been available during earlier discussions of the policy shift. The outcome leaves the public without a direct health‑focused perspective on the implications of the relaxed rules for Horne Foundry.