L'accès aux ressources énergétiques au Québec : entre soutien et régulation publique du gaz de schiste, un arbitrage éclaté

Abstract

The energy rush is making its way on territories. However, several factors determine access and exploitation of energetic resources. In addition to the fluctuating world market prices, governmental action is also of influence. This paper takes a deeper look at this particular factor, through Quebec's experience on shale gas development. We will show how the State plays simultaneously on two fronts, the support for the gas industry on one side and the supervision of its activity on the other, which ends up in a fragmented and little coordinated regulation. Similarly, the agricultural land use regulation appears weakly decisive to contain the demands of the industry. But to understand the capacity of public instruments to regulate this new energy sector, it is important to properly locate these public tools within their institutional and historical context. It is this perspective of political economy which is proposed in this article.