Distillerie des Cantons-de-l'Est inc. Wins Its Case Before the Commission de Protection du Territoire Agricole du Québec

Martin McNicoll, representing Distillerie des Cantons-de-l'Est Inc. and owner of a vast piece of land located in Canton de Potton, went before the Commission de protection du territoire agricole du Québec (CPTAQ) to obtain confirmation that the distillery producing, among other things, a Québec whisky made from organically grown barley that it intended to establish on the premises constituted an agricultural activity that did not require authorization from the CPTAQ.

The municipality of Canton de Potton supported the project in July 2022, seeing the favourable potential economic benefits for the region. In addition to growing rye and barley, these Potton lands will also produce plum trees. Visitors will get to taste the products on-site and learn about the processing of the brewery products.

According to McNicoll, "His project no longer needed authorization for non-agricultural use, as it now meets the definition of agricultural activity under the Act". The CPTAQ ruled in favour of Distillerie des Cantons-de-l'Est Inc. and also granted permission for the company to cut maple trees to allow the construction of the building.

BCF is proud to have acted on behalf of the landowner and thus contributed to the first step towards the successful outcome of this project in this case led by our municipal law partner Isabelle Landry.

To view the judgment, click here.

To read an article on the Potton whisky distillery project, click here.