{"id":10250,"date":"2023-03-13T16:34:40","date_gmt":"2023-03-13T20:34:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.parc-mille-iles.qc.ca\/?post_type=communiques&p=10250"},"modified":"2024-06-24T16:58:00","modified_gmt":"2024-06-24T20:58:00","slug":"towards-the-creation-of-a-metropolitan-conservation-park-along-the-riviere-des-mille-iles","status":"publish","type":"communiques","link":"https:\/\/www.parc-mille-iles.qc.ca\/en\/press-releases\/towards-the-creation-of-a-metropolitan-conservation-park-along-the-riviere-des-mille-iles\/","title":{"rendered":"Towards the creation of a metropolitan conservation park along the Rivi\u00e8re des Mille \u00celes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Laval, March 13, 2023 – Ten municipalities in the northern crown have joined forces to preserve an exceptional green space for their citizens and protect their drinking water.<\/strong> In a joint declaration<\/a>, the ten mayors of Laval, Rosem\u00e8re, Deux-Montagnes, Boisbriand, Mascouche, Terrebonne, Sainte-Th\u00e9r\u00e8se, Saint-Eustache, Lorraine and Bois-des-Filion have pledged to take all necessary steps to obtain official status for the 42 kilometers of natural environment bordering the Rivi\u00e8re des Mille \u00celes, by 2024. The park will be comprised of a large mosaic of protected areas, including the Rivi\u00e8re-des-Mille-\u00celes wildlife refuge, whose expansion is currently under study. Elected officials would like to see the area become a metropolitan conservation park. The Quebec government has given this park creation project a favourable reception.<\/p>\r\n

“The Rivi\u00e8re des Mille \u00celes is an area rich in biodiversity. It includes numerous islands and riverbank lands representing a variety of natural environments, harboring a wide diversity of wildlife habitats. Nearly a hundred of these species are in a precarious situation, notably due to the impact of human activities on their habitats. The Quebec government is particularly pleased with the creation of the regional concertation table. It will provide a forum for local partners to discuss and collaborate on the Rivi\u00e8re-des-Mille-\u00celes wildlife refuge expansion project.” (Translation)<\/p>\r\n

– Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

“The Rivi\u00e8re des Mille-\u00celes is a priceless natural treasure for Laval, and I’m proud that our government is playing a leading role in protecting this exceptional area. The creation of the Table de concertation du parc de la Rivi\u00e8re-des-Mille-\u00celes demonstrates that, more than ever, we are listening to the people of Laval. I would also like to underline the mobilization of the municipalities involved, without whom this promising project for the region would not have been possible.” (Translation)<\/p>\r\n

– Christopher Skeete, Minister for the Economy, Minister responsible for the Fight against Racism and Minister responsible for the Laval region<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

“The nature tourism potential of the Mille \u00celes River is considerable for the metropolitan region. Today’s announcement opens up enormous opportunities for the Laval and North Shore regions to showcase the river to outdoor enthusiasts from near and far. Our government will continue to stand by the riverside municipalities and our partners to develop a range of nature-friendly tourism activities.”<\/p>\r\n

– Caroline Proulx, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Lanaudi\u00e8re region<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

A decisive step towards achieving the 30% metropolitan target<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n

More than ever, the municipalities of the northern crown are taking strong action to preserve a jewel of biodiversity that is unique in Quebec. The desired creation of a metropolitan conservation park along the Rivi\u00e8re des Mille \u00celes could potentially cover 5,000 hectares of territory. The future Rivi\u00e8re-des-Mille-\u00celes Metropolitan Conservation Park would be the largest protected area in the Greater Montreal region. It would make a direct contribution to the Communaut\u00e9 m\u00e9tropolitaine de Montr\u00e9al’s goal of protecting 30% of its territory by 2030. The ten mayors have pledged to create the Table de concertation r\u00e9gionale de la rivi\u00e8re des Mille \u00celes to ensure sustainable funding for the park and work towards formalizing its status. The Table de concertation will bring together all the riverside municipalities that signed the joint declaration, and will be chaired by \u00c9co-Nature. The Quebec government and the Communaut\u00e9 m\u00e9tropolitaine de Montr\u00e9al are committed to working jointly with the Table.<\/p>\r\n

“The creation of the Table de concertation is an important milestone in the process of creating the Rivi\u00e8re-des-Mille-\u00celes Metropolitan Conservation Park, an essential link in our future network of metropolitan parks. We salute this initiative by the mayors, which will promote both the accessibility and protection of this biodiversity-rich environment, as well as the achievement of our objectives, and we offer them our full support in bringing this project to fruition.” (Translation)<\/p>\r\n

– Massimo Iezzoni, General Director, Communaut\u00e9 m\u00e9tropolitaine de Montr\u00e9al<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Quotes from the declaration’s contributors<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n

“This is one of our most ambitious election commitments, and it’s taking shape today. In Laval, it’s not only a priority to protect natural environments, but we also want to enhance them so that citizens can enjoy them to the full. I’m proud of the collaborative work that has gone into connecting these spaces and developing them.” (Translation)
\r\n– St\u00e9phane Boyer, Mayor of Ville de Laval and member of the CMM Executive Committee<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

“For over 20 years, the Ville de Rosem\u00e8re has supported \u00c9co-Nature’s mission to protect, conserve and enhance the Rivi\u00e8re des Mille \u00celes and its tributaries through concrete action. The jewel that is the Rivi\u00e8re des Mille \u00celes is already part of the very DNA of the people of Rosem\u00e8re, and we are proud to continue in this direction to ensure the sustainability of these magnificent and fragile ecosystems that are the river and its banks, to the great delight of the citizens of all the towns along its shores”.
\r\n– \u00c9ric Westram, Mayor of the City of Rosem\u00e8re and Prefect of the Th\u00e9r\u00e8se-De Blainville RCM<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

“The City of Boisbriand has been a proud contributor for many years to the strategy of establishing the wildlife refuge and creating the Rivi\u00e8re-des-Mille-\u00celes park. Access to the river’s banks, water quality and the protection of these resources are at the heart of our concerns. We share the same values as all our neighbors along this waterway when it comes to these priceless yet fragile assets. We applaud these initiatives, which year after year enrich this natural heritage that benefits all our citizens.
\r\n– Christine Beaudette, Mayor of the City of Boisbriand<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

“The creation of the Rivi\u00e8re-des-Mille-\u00celes Metropolitan Conservation Park and its management by \u00c9co-Nature will ensure the protection and enhancement of the Rivi\u00e8re-des-Mille-\u00celes for present and future generations. The water quality of this river is of great importance to Th\u00e9r\u00e9siens and Th\u00e9r\u00e9siennes, as it is their source of drinking water.” (Translation)
\r\n– Christian Charron, Mayor of Sainte-Th\u00e9r\u00e8se<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

“The joint declaration signed today by all the partners involved in this regional initiative confirms everyone’s commitment to the importance of showcasing this natural jewel, which stands out from the Laurentian tourism product. In a context of enhancement of natural environments throughout the CMM, the project announced today will be a superb opportunity for our citizens to discover the hidden treasures of the Rivi\u00e8re des Mille \u00celes.” (Translation)
\r\n– Pierre Charron, Mayor of Saint-Eustache and Prefect of the Deux-Montagnes MRC<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

“As mayors, we have a decisive role to play in protecting our biodiversity. The creation of the Parc de la Rivi\u00e8re-des-Mille-\u00celes as a metropolitan conservation park illustrates our determination to preserve and enhance our green spaces and natural environments. This project is also a legacy for future generations, who will be able to enjoy this oasis of nature!” (Translation)
\r\n– Mathieu Traversy, Mayor of Terrebonne<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

“Les Filionoises et Filionois care deeply about our shared jewel, the Rivi\u00e8re des Mille \u00celes. And in Bois-des-Filion, we are pleased to be among the co-signatories of this declaration, which provides moral support for this project to enhance a magnificent natural environment while maintaining the unique character of Bois-des-Filion.” (Translation)
\r\n– Gilles Blanchette, Mayor of Bois-des-Filion<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

“By participating in the creation of the Parc de la Rivi\u00e8re-des-Mille-\u00celes, one of the largest protected wildlife areas in the region, Lorraine is taking concrete action to preserve this ecosystem and its biodiversity. Prized by the local population as a place for recreation and relaxation, and an important source of drinking water, this natural environment contributes to the well-being of our citizens. Protecting it is our responsibility, a duty for future generations.” (Translation)
\r\n– Jean Comtois, Mayor of Lorraine<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

“I am delighted by this partnership, which will enable us to offer our residents even greener and more dynamic living environments, while strengthening our respective recreational and tourism offerings. What’s more, the project is in perfect harmony with the development of Parc du Centenaire in Deux-Montagnes, where increasing public access to the water and naturalizing the riverbank are among the main objectives.” (Translation)
\r\n– Denis Martin, Mayor of Deux-Montagnes<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

“Much more than just a watercourse, the Rivi\u00e8re des Mille \u00celes is the source of a vast ecosystem that performs essential ecological functions and contributes to biodiversity. In this respect, it was only natural that Mascouche should add its voice to those of other municipalities working together to ensure its protection and enhancement. The creation of the Parc de la Rivi\u00e8re-des-Mille-\u00celes will be an important legacy for future generations.” (Translation)
\r\n– Guillaume Tremblay, Mayor of Mascouche and Prefect of Les Moulins RCM<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

“For nearly 40 years, \u00c9co-Nature has been working tirelessly to protect the Rivi\u00e8re des Mille-\u00celes as a collective asset, not only for human benefit, but also for the benefit of the lush flora and fauna found on the territory. The outpouring of solidarity towards this jewel for which we are collectively responsible warms our hearts. It is with great enthusiasm that we embark on this new era in the governance of the Table de concertation de la rivi\u00e8re des Mille \u00celes.” (Translation)
\r\n– Christine M\u00e9tayer, Executive Director, \u00c9co-Nature | Parc de la Rivi\u00e8re-des-Mille-\u00celes<\/strong><\/p>\r\n