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SAGUENAY, Que. – The federal government has ordered a halt to Montreal’s controversial plan to dump eight billion litres of raw sewage into the Saint-Lawrence River until further scientific analysis can be done.

Infrastructure Minister Denis Lebel made the announcement on behalf of the environment minister today in Saguenay, Que.

READ MORE: Mayor Coderre in support of dumping sewage into Saint-Lawrence River

He said Leona Aglukkaq has issued an interim order under the Fisheries Act to put the project on hold.

Last week my office learned of Montreal's plan to dump billions of litres of raw sewage into the St. Lawrence. 1/2 — Leona Aglukkaq (@leonaaglukkaq) October 7, 2015

This plan is concerning and we have done the responsible thing by exploring options to prevent it while we get more information. 2/2 — Leona Aglukkaq (@leonaaglukkaq) October 7, 2015

Montreal had planned to dump the untreated wastewater into the river between Oct. 18 and 25.

READ MORE: Documents show Environment Canada knew about Montreal raw-sewage plan in 2014

The city is closing an interceptor – a large sewer used to feed wastewater to treatment plants – to do maintenance work and relocate a snow chute located underneath the Bonaventure Expressway, which the city is converting into an urban boulevard.

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Quebec’s Environment Department has already signed off on the plan but in recent weeks, the plan had become fodder in the federal election campaign.

WATCH: Montreal to dump raw sewage into Saint-Lawrence