At the end of September, the Montreal Metropolitan Commission (CMM) council ratified an amendment to the interim control by-law (RCI) 2022-97 in order to include three additional sectors in the Greater Montreal region with the potential for conversion into green space or a natural environment.
PHOTO: Facebook, Golf Dorval
These three sectors are Club de Golf Boucherville, Golf Dorval, and Golf Ste-Rose in Laval, all located within the urban perimeter. Together, they represent the equivalent of 190 hectares, bringing to 474 hectares the surface area of spaces protected by this by-law that already includes six golf courses.
"In 2021, the City of Dorval decided to make of Golf Dorval something more than just a golf course and turned it into a public urban green space that could be used throughout the year for seasonal activities deemed important to the well-being of our residents. The many acres of land and wetlands covered by the RCI represents an incredible living biosphere, including 216 species of birds, 265 species of plants, and numerous wildlife such as foxes, raccoons, and coyotes. We welcome this RCI because it supports and solidifies our decision. In addition, it provides an opportunity to better plan the future recreational development of this large area, one of the last of its kind in our municipality," expressed Marc Doret, Mayor of Dorval.
PHOTO: Facebook, Golf Dorval
The RCI aims at promoting the conservation and renaturalization of green spaces in the metropolitan region, where there are no longer enough entirely natural spaces to meet the protection targets now required to address climate change and ensure a viable future for tomorrow's generations. The by-law came into effect on August 25, 2010, following approval by the Quebec government, and is part of the revision work of the PMAD (Metropolitan Development Plan), led by a special commission in order to ensure sustainable development of the region until 2041. The revised version will be tabled by June 2025.
An action that requires the participation of the next government
To achieve the CMM's objectives, and those of the government, in terms of protection and enhancement of wildlife and plant species, habitats, and biodiversity, this action requires significant investments. This is why the CMM wishes to add a new axis to the Green and Blue Infrastructure program and is asking the next Quebec government to contribute $100 million to help municipalities carry out their projects.
"The Greater Montreal population is calling for more green space, even more so since the pandemic. However, the region is highly urbanized, and increasing the surface area of natural environments can no longer be based solely on acquisitions but must also integrate ecological restoration. We hope that the next Quebec government will partner with the CMM to address this issue and support the municipalities in the creation of projects that better meet local needs," said Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montreal and President of the Montreal Metropolitan Commission (CMM).
SOURCE: City of Dorval
