The City of Dorval, the City of Montreal, and the Borough of Saint-Laurent Are Joining Forces to Protect the Green Spaces Around the Airport
The City of Dorval, the City of Montreal, and the borough of Saint-Laurent are joining forces to call for the preservation of federally-owned natural lands to the south and west of the Technoparc, in order to consolidate and expand the parc-nature des Sources. As Aéroports de Montréal (ADM) plans to develop a new project in that area, protecting these 167.2 hectares could create one of the largest national urban nature park on the Island of Montreal, eventually totaling an area comparable to that of Mount Royal Park.
“Protecting biodiversity is an issue that we deeply care about, and the destruction of such a precious environmental area would be disastrous. We invite federal representatives to recognize the richness of this ecological gem in our backyard and to preserve this natural land to create a park that all citizens would be proud of!”
Marc Doret, Mayor of the City of Dorval
“These natural environments are among the most biodiverse on the Island of Montreal. Our administration has taken strong action over the past three years to ensure their preservation: protection of municipal land, acquisition of lots threatened by development and expansion of the boundaries of the parc-nature des Sources. Our position is clear: these federal lands must be protected. By working together, we are convinced that we can reconcile the needs of ADM, an important economic partner, while ensuring the protection of this green lung.”
Alex Norris, Associate Advisor for large parks on the executive committee of the City of Montreal
“On the eve of the elections, I call on federal representatives to create an important green legacy for future generations by preserving an ecologically rich area in the heart of an vibrant metropolis renowned for its innovative spirit. In addition to taking concrete action against global warming, the creation of Montreal's largest urban nature park near the Technoparc would send a magnificent message that economic prosperity can go hand in hand with the protection of biodiversity. That's the sustainable development we stand for in Saint-Laurent!”
Alan DeSousa, Mayor of Saint-Laurent
“The federal government committed to creating a National Urban Parks (NUP) program as early as 2020, a project that received a $130 million contribution following a 2021 meeting between Parks Canada and the mayors of the country's major cities. Unfortunately, Montreal is not on Parks Canada's list of projected NUPs. This is an omission that must be urgently corrected. Montreal is a city that has undeniably contributed to Canada's history, notably as the cradle of French in North America. It is also home to the United Nations Secretariat on Biological Diversity. The federal lands surrounding the Montreal airport harbour an inestimable wealth of biodiversity, which, when added to the surrounding municipal lands, make an ideal site for a Montreal NUP. This project has the broad support of the Greater Montreal community, and it's high time it became a reality.”
Clifford Lincoln, former Quebec Minister of the Environment and Member of Parliament
Details
This site, one of the island's last large unprotected green spaces, is home to an inestimable wealth of biodiversity, including over 200 species of birds, several of which are threatened or endangered, such as the Least Bittern.
The areas zoned as “green spaces” include lots 3, 4, and 5 on the Saint-Laurent side, as well as lot 20 attached to Dorval, which is under federal control and leased to ADM. This 121-hectare area, corresponding to the former Dorval golf course, remains open to commercial development, and ADM plans to set up a decarbonation plant on that location.
However, the land is also home to an area of great ecological value known as the “Monarch Field”, as it is visited annually by hundreds of these butterflies, which are essential pollinators for maintaining biodiversity. Located in an inactive area since 2012, the “Monarch Field” includes three contiguous habitats: a meadow in its central western part, wetlands on either side of the meadow, and a forest in the eastern part of the site.
Some twenty communities and cities, as well as the Montreal agglomeration council, have passed resolutions in support of the park creation project in this area. The Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal has also taken two recent initiatives in this regard: prohibiting all construction or activity in terrestrial and wetland environments of metropolitan interest (RCI 2022-96) and including the Dorval golf course among the sectors with potential for conversion to green space or natural environment (RCI 2022-97).
It is therefore essential to avoid any development that would jeopardize this formidable ecological potential.
