Let's save the earth in Faubert (Chateauguay)
| When it comes to the protection of natural environments in southern Quebec, unfortunately we often have the impression of playing in the same film over and over again. This time, Faubert is talking about the Earth, in Chateauguay, a former agricultural land which now represents the largest remaining green space in Châteauguay and the only green space in the neighborhood. We find, on this ground of 28 hectares, wooded areas and wetlands. And, guess what ? A developer wants to do residential development there. The City says that citizens will be able to participate in the development of the Special Urban Plan (PPU), but warns that there will be residential development in this area one way or another. Valleyfield and Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-LacBEC (Woodlands and ecology Châteauguay), However, for several months we have been asking the city of Châteauguay to carry out a characterization study of its entire territory before continuing blind residential development.. This application, for the moment, has still not been accepted by the council. We therefore continue to destroy the remaining natural environments without even knowing their importance and their wealth.. It is “business as usual !” And Quebec’s commitment, during the COP 15 held in Montreal in December 2022 to protect 30 % of the territory here 2030 and restore 30 % degraded ecosystems ? We'll think about that later… This is why MARE decided to support the citizen group “Let's save the earth in Faubert”. It is only through citizen pressure that we can really manage to change our old ways of doing things in order to place the protection of ecosystems at the heart of priorities.. This group has also filed, the 13 last may, a petition of more than 3700 names in order to request the protection of woodlands and wetlands on the land in Faubert. It is still time, if you wish it, to add your name to this petition. |
MARE present during the public consultation
Last May, MARE gave its support to the Châteauguay citizen group “Let's save the Earth in Faubert“. a former agricultural land which now represents the largest remaining green space in Châteauguay and the only green space in the neighborhood. We find, on this ground of 28 hectares, wooded areas and wetlands.
The City invites citizens to participate in the development of the Special Urban Plan (PPU), but warns that there will be residential development in this area one way or another.
Valleyfield and Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-LacBEC (Woodlands and ecology Châteauguay), However, for several months we have been asking the city of Châteauguay to carry out a characterization study of its entire territory in order to stop indiscriminate residential development..
This is why MARE was present at the public consultation of the 20 June, in order to submit a document.
Here are excerpts :
“Why is MARE concerned about the residential development of former agricultural land left abandoned? ? Should environmental movements always oppose any new development?, whether residential or industrial, without taking into account the housing crisis and the needs of our economy ?
Actually, what MARE asks of elected officials at all levels of government, it is to take into account scientific advice and to stop wanting to carry out economic development in an isolated manner without taking into account the reality of the environmental crises that we nevertheless face..
MARE is therefore participating in the citizen consultation on the development of Terre Faubert to ask the city of Châteauguay to adapt the organization of its territory's planning in order to take into account the climate and biodiversity crises and to intensify its efforts to protect and restore natural environments. The recommendations that we propose to the city of Châteauguay are in harmony with those issued by groups of experts (IPCC, Group of experts on adaptation to climate change (GEA) mandated by the government of Quebec to make recommendations) as well as with the new OGAT(Government guidelines for land use planning) which were published in May 2024 and will come into force in December this year.
Our three recommendations are as follows: :
1) Characterize all of its natural and semi-natural environments in order to establish an effective conservation and development strategy.
2) Establish a conservation target representative of different types of ecosystems of at least 30 % of the territory and a restoration plan for 30 % degraded ecosystems.
3) Aim for zero land artificialization, and therefore stop the loss of natural environments and agricultural land.”
Manif for the earth to Faubert in photos and destruction of the farm 🙁
Around forty people answered the call ofonLet's be the land to Faubert, Woodlands and ecology Châteauguay (BEC), Sos forêt fernand-seguin etIn Chateauguay, what city do we want ?, and gathered the 22 September 2024 In order to request the protection of the land from Faubert and the buildings testifying to the agricultural past of this land. For more details on land in Faubert, Click here.
Bravo to Tou.te.s for this beautiful mobilization.
Unfortunately, This rally does not seem to have convinced, for the moment, Châteauguay's elected officials to modify their approach in this file. Indeed, the next day, The machinery was on the scene to destroy the farm buildings. The Ministry of Culture and Communications had however recognized their heritage interest, Even if they did not meet the criteria allowing a classification as a cultural heritage.
The pond will continue to support citizen groups asking for the protection of the land from Faubert, The largest green space remaining in Châteauguay.
Open letter in the press
TheBEC (Woodlands and ecology Châteauguay), In Chateauguay, what city do we want ? as well asSOS Forest Fernand Follow, 3 citizen groups, signed in the press of 11 November, with the support of several co -signers including the pond, an open letter : “Real estate project in Châteauguay : A perfect example of what should no longer be done! “
We make an effective summary of the many inconsistencies surrounding the PPU (Special urban planning project) which endangers the earth to Faubert, The largest green space remaining in Châteauguay.
The demand is clear : “The city of Châteauguay must move from speech to acts and preach by example. It must prioritize the construction of new homes (with a significant number of social housing) in the already existing sectors and near public transport, andprotect all natural and agricultural backgrounds now from its territory, Including on earth to Faubert.“
The beak in the superior court to protect the land to Faubert
Woodlands and ecology Châteauguay (the beak), Active member of the Mare natural environments protection network, Now has gone to the next step to protectLand to Faubert : An action in the superior courtyard.
Here are extracts from the press release from 19 December 2024.
“Wooded and ecology - Châteauguay (BEC), An Environmental Obsbl of Châteauguay, and two citizens, Contested in the Superior Court of Quebec the validity of the municipal regulations adopted for the realization of the particular town planning plan (PPU) For the earth to Faubert.
The beak and the citizens ask "the court to declare and judge any regulations zero and to issue the appropriate injunctions with regard to the defendant", and to stop any act,
license or authorization by the City concerningThe development project which would not be "in accordance with the law on the quality of the environment (LEQ) and regulationsmunicipal in force, Adopted by respecting the law on development and town planning (LAU).
Citizens believe that to immediately dismiss the process of the overall development plan (PAE) to which the proprietary promoter was submitted to promote the PPU processsaved the right of citizens to decide by referendum process.“
Lettre ouverte du MARE en appui au BEC publiée dans le Devoir
Vendredi le 14 mars 2025, Le Devoir publiait une lettre ouverte du MARE (Protéger nos espaces verts, c’est travailler pour l’avenir de Châteauguay) en appui à la courageuse lutte du BEC (Woodlands and ecology Châteauguay) pour la protection de la Terre à Faubert.
Près d’une 40aine de groupes ont cosigné cette lettre, démontrant tout l’appui que le BEC a dans ce dossier.
Voici quelques extraits :
“Quand un projet menace les milieux humides, forests, les réserves d’eau et une terre pouvant accroître l’autonomie alimentaire, sans réelles consultations publiques, il est du devoir des citoyennes et citoyens d’exiger de la transparence et une meilleure planification.
C’est ce qu’a fait le groupe citoyen BEC (Woodlands and ecology Châteauguay) en demandant courageusement au système de justice de se pencher sur le dossier de la terre à Faubert. Si des citoyens ont décidé d’entamer ce processus judiciaire difficile, alors qu’ils auraient préféré la voie de la collaboration, c’est parce que le processus démocratique ne semble pas avoir fonctionné comme il aurait dû. C’est pourquoi les groupes signataires de cette lettre appuient le BEC dans cette démarche pour le bien collectif des citoyens de Châteauguay.
Exiger de véritables consultations publiques basées sur des études solides, ce n’est pas aller contre la Ville — c’est remplir notre rôle de citoyens engagés.“
