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Boisbriand, October 13, 2011 – Equiterre presented a brief at a North Shore hearing on the MMC's proposed Metropolitan Land Use and Development Plan (PMAD), expressing concern that the plan, which is expected to come into effect in January 2012, does not do enough to (1) promote public transit and (2) protect farmland on the outskirts of our city.
The group would like to see the municipalities give public transit a bigger role in their development plans. The region’s population is expected to grow by more than half a million people by 2031. The plan stipulates that new housing would be concentrated in high density neighbourhoods, with 40% located in transit-oriented developments (TODs). But Equiterre asks if 40% is enough.
“Making sure that new houses have easy access to public transit and bike paths is crucial to reducing our dependence on automobiles and fossil fuels. This is the way to reduce GHG emissions in the transportation sector, which was responsible for more than 43% of the province’s emissions in 2008.” To reduce traffic congestion and improve quality of life, Equiterre is recommending that at least 60% of new housing have easy access to public transit.
Equiterre also joins many other community groups in calling for a 20-year moratorium on the rezoning of MCC farmland. “There are many issues here: autonomy, food sovereignty, protection and development of farmland on the periphery of our cities,” explains Steven Guilbeault. “Almost half of the population of Quebec lives in the Montreal metropolitan area. They must be able to access fresh, locally grown food.”
Equiterre points out that protecting farmland involves providing support for the next generation of farmers. We must take measures to prevent rezoning, such as the creation of trusts to facilitate the purchase or rental of land. FIRA, an investment fund for young farmers, could be a resource on this issue.
The plan must go beyond simple questions of urban versus suburban. What we’re really deciding here is how we are going to feed our children and future generations,” says Steven Guilbeault.
The plan is intended to establish guidelines until 2031 for residential, industrial and commercial development for the 82 municipalities that form the Montreal metropolitan area.
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Source
Émilie Vallières
Equiterre
Media relations officer
(514) 605-2000
