CRE de Laval publishes today a press release (in French) whose purpose is to review the discussions regarding the protection of Barbe stream's woodland, for which several interpretations of the Law were heard.
Not only could the Minister have used its discretionary power to prevent the issuance of a ministerial authorization, but the City of Laval does not have to abide by the decisions of the Ministry of Environment and Fight Against Climate Change. If the City is constrained by anything, it is by its own zoning and regulation.
We reiterate our call on the City of Laval to demonstrate courage in this matter and to honour its very clear commitments that appear in its land use plan and interim control bylaw.
Of course, the threat of prosecution is still present and the recent decision by the Supreme court compromises our means to act, but we remain confident that such an initiative will inspire bold reforms of the Law by revealing the pleiad of barriers faced by municipalities. Let's not give up because of short-term decisions based on the fear of penalty; instead, let's position our city in the future, keeping the future generations in mind.
Press release (in French)
October 3, 2022 - Le jugement de la Cour suprême n’empêche pas Laval de protéger le boisé du ruisseau Barbe
