Essential to the environment - City of Beaconsfield calls on province to legislate wetlands protection

BEACONSFIELD, QC, May 27, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Beaconsfield's Council is calling on the Quebec government to adopt legislation specifically aimed at protecting the province's wetlands, which play a crucial role in the preservation of the environment and sustainable development.

"Wetlands are well known for their critical role in water purification, their capacity to absorb flood water, and the natural habitat they provide for several threatened species. In Beaconsfield, we are fortunate to have some of the most important wetland areas on Montréal Island. It is our duty to ensure that they continue to exist in the future. This is not just an issue of sustainable development, but also of creating a legacy for current and future generations," explained Mayor Georges Bourelle when he presented the resolution to the City Council.

The City Council notes that it has now been almost 10 years since the government, through its ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change (MDDELCC), committed to adopting legislation for the protection of wetlands.

Since then, the policies enacted by Quebec have failed to protect the wetlands, and, indeed, even allow wetland destruction in exchange for financial compensation.

"Everyone agrees that climate change presents a threat, and that we need to act to protect our planet. Even the smallest effort counts. In Beaconsfield, we believe that every action carried out, every effort made and every step taken to increase awareness of the importance of protecting our wetlands is crucial, and this is true throughout all of Quebec" said Mr. Bourelle.

Provincial legislation to protect wetlands would ensure higher water quality in the Lake of Two Mountains, mainly because the lake is fed by the Rivière à l'Orme, which flows in part from Angell Woods. The Angell Woods wetlands are an essential element in the process of purifying the river water.

This legislation would also impact the initiatives being taken to preserve Angell Woods, one of the largest private forests on Montréal Island. Wetlands comprise roughly 17.6 hectares of the Woods.

Mayor Bourelle's administration has officially committed to protecting Angell Woods in its entirety. In the past few weeks, the City of Montréal has also made it a priority.

SOURCE: City of Beaconsfield

Office of the Mayor, 514 428-4410