Open letter from MARE co-signed by 31 groups and published by Le Devoir

In December 2023 (see below), MARE had sent to the Territorial Planning Commission as well as to ministers France-Élaine Duranceau, Minister responsible for Housing, Andree Laforest, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, of the fight against climate change, Wildlife and Parks, a comment about the article 37.2 Bill 31 (ACT AMENDING VARIOUS LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS RELATING TO HOUSING).

This amendment authorizes municipalities to ignore urban planning rules for five years to accelerate housing projects. They will thus be able to bypass the public consultation stages prior to the realization of projects..

That is why, the MARE, supported by 31 groups, signed the 9 February 2024 a open letter requesting that the article 37.2 be removed from the bill 31.

This open letter was also published in Le Devoir. This bill could be adopted within a few days. Hopefully our request will be heard. It is essential for the protection of Quebec’s natural environments !

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Comment from MARE to the Regional Planning Commission : PL31

A MARE committee was formed with the aim of clarifying our position regarding the’article 37.2 you PL31 ACT AMENDING VARIOUS LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS RELATING TO HOUSING.

A press release was written, then transmitted the 5 December 2023 to theLand Planning Commission as well as ministersFrance-Élaine Duranceau, Minister responsible for Housing, Andree Laforest, Minister of Municipal Affairs andBenoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, of the fight against climate change, Wildlife and Parks.

Here is an excerpt from this letter: “The amendment 37.2 authorizes municipalities to ignore their urban planning rules to accelerate the start of housing projects. Municipalities will thus be able to bypass certain stages of approval of a project. Despite strong protests from experts and the opposition, the amendment 37.2 was adopted by parliamentary committee. “

We quickly understand the risk that this amendment can pose to natural environments and biodiversity.This is why we oppose this article 37.2 and ask the government to remove it from the law 31 for the following reasons:

– L’article 37.2 goes against theNational policy on architecture and land use planning (PNAAT) presented in June 2022 following in-depth reflection and a large-scale public consultation.

– According to some municipal experts, nothing justifies axing rules that have been carefully considered to ensure the cohesion of urban communities for present and future generations.

– L’article 37.2 is very vague regarding environmental protection.

– Other solutions to the housing crisis exist, as reported by Christian YaccariniICI, president and CEO of the Angus Development Corporation and member of the Montréal Chantier Affordable working group.

– L’article 37.2 offers no provision to guarantee the construction of a sufficient number of social housing, affordable or reserved for students in order to adequately respond to the current crisis.

You can read the full press releaseICI.

We are now planning further action on this for the start of 2024.

Be on time !

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