Quebec puts an end to plans to drill for oil on Anticosti Island

After years of protests, uncertainty and political wrangling, the Quebec government has officially put an end to plans of drilling for oil and gas onAnticostiIsland.

Premier Philippe Couillardhasissued a ministerial order banning drilling on the island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The government is also compensating three oil and gas companies a total of $41 million dollars for cancelling their permits.

Corridor Resources, Saint-Aubin E&P and Junex have all reached agreements buta fourth company, Petrolia, has not.

The companies had signed agreements with the previous Parti Qubecois government in 2014, but the Liberal governmentdecided the following year not to go ahead with the plan.

Local leaders, First Nations and environmental groups have alsobeen resisting the project and welcomed the decision.

Anticosti Mayor John Pineaultsaid the ministerial order puts an end to a long two-year battleagainstdrilling for oil and gas.

"It's a victory for island residents, but more importantly it's a huge victory for all of Quebec," he said.

• How Anticosti became the centre of a debate over oil and gas exploration