Policy Respecting the Protection and Enhancement of the Natural Environment: Office de consultation publique de Montréal Commission Finds General Agreement from Meeting Participants

Montréal, June 11, 2004 – The Office de consultation publique de Montréal made public today the report of the Commission that sat in April and May to hear citizens and groups on the preliminary draft policy. The Commission was chaired by Mr. Yves G. Archambault, who was assisted by Me Hélène Lauzon. Six meetings were held, over the course of which the Commission found that the preliminary draft policy was eagerly awaited and widely supported with respect to its main principles. The citizens' questions, however, focused primarily on implementation of the preliminary draft and sustainability of the project. The Commission believes that one way to allay consultation participants' concerns regarding implementation would be to ensure the document's entrenchment in the Urban Plan and future major policies, such as those respecting trees, heritage or green and blue spaces. Furthermore, it finds that a real comprehensive policy on the issue of green and blue spaces is needed to complement the present policy.

Citizens' groups had questions about the ecoterritories, and about specific areas to be covered by the policy. They believe that the Meadowbrook golf course and the Petit-Saint-Pierre stream running through it, as well as all the islands surrounding the Island of Montréal, should be considered ecoterritories. The Commission recommends that the City make them ecoterritories. The Commission also shares the concerns of organizations dedicated to the protection of Angell Woods and confirms the need for urgent action in this matter.

Moreover, to reduce current pressures on certain areas targeted by the policy, the Commission recognizes the necessity of imposing a moratorium on all development projects in the ecoterritories' natural spaces and buffer zones.

The Commission notes the willingness of all meeting participants to collaborate on the project, amply demonstrated in the consultations through their active and constructive participation. The Commission would like the City to follow-up as soon as possible on this preliminary draft policy that is eagerly awaited by the population.

The mission of the Office de consultation publique de Montréal is to hold public consultations on Montréal territory, on all projects designated by City Council or the Executive Committee and at the request of one or the other. The Office has adopted credible, transparent and effective consultation procedures, upon completion of which it presents, in a report, the opinions expressed by citizens who attended the public meetings.

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Jean-François Viau
President of the Office de consultation publique de Montréal
Tel.: (514) 872-3568
Cell.: (514) 886-1515