Green Coalition thanks Medicom:
Monarch fields spared
Thank you Medicom group for deciding not to build on Montreal’s Monarch fields!
Montréal, January 12, 2022
The Green Coalition of Montreal would like to thank the Medicom Group, for taking the very wise decision not to build its Meltech Innovation Canada project on the Monarch butterfly fields on federal lands north of Montreal’s airport. The environmental community wants to thank you!
This announcement became public through Aéroports de Montréal (ADM) on January 11, 2022 in its capacity as the institution charged with the consultation under the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada: “Faced with various options for the location of its non-woven fabric plant, Meltech Innovation Canada chose not to select the site on Chemin de l’Aviation at YUL Montréal-Trudeau International Airport for its project.”
Medicom Group has done the right thing environmentally, because the initially proposed building site was an integral part of an essential wetland ecosystem in the City of Dorval and the borough of Saint-Laurent, north of Montréal-Trudeau International Airport.
This 215-hectare ecosystem, the size of Mount Royal Park, is the last of its kind on Montreal Island and must be preserved.
Green Coalition, along other major environmental groups, will continue to work vigorously to preserve this wetland ecosystem.
Meltech Innovation Canada’s decision reflects a growing public determination of Montrealers to save natural spaces on the island, especially ecologically essential wetlands.
Governments know that our situation is urgent. And the message of the Green Coalition is clear: the time to act is now!
Reacting to the news, the Honourable Clifford Lincoln, former Environment Minister of Quebec, exclaimed, “It’s wonderful! By sparing the Monarch fields from its Meltech construction project, Medicom has become a Champion of the Environment. The benefits for our environment from this decision are going to be huge – just huge!”
For more information:
David Fletcher: fletcherdavid@me.com – 438 526-7684
Patrick Barnard: pbarnard@videotron.ca – 514 463-0573
Feature image: Monarch on Milkweed, Chris F from Pexels
Read other articles about the Monarch Fields
The Green Coalition – representing more than 80 citizens groups dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Environment. Founded in 1988.
The Medicom Group has indeed made a wise decision. Let’s not forget however that the habitat in question still belongs to the Federal Government, and is leased to the ADM (aeroport de Montreal).
Though I’m pleased with the way things have turned out, I suspect that the ADM are actively seeking other tenants or buyers for that property. That said, it would be prudent to monitor developments closely.
In the interim, pressure should be directed towards the Federal Government to honor their commitments regarding species at risk, their habitats, and ask them to designate this area as a perminent protected habitat.
Kudos and thanks to the Green Coalition, the Hon. Clifford Lincoln, other environmental groups and the many individuals who played a part in this wonderful result – but most of all to the Green Coalition who never gave up the battle to preserve this very special piece of land. Good things can happen when the determined fight for what is so clearly right.
Medicom, thank you. Montreal Airport and Federal Govt, please get on board and keep this area safe in perpetuity.
Wonderful! A reprieve for endangered Monarchs. I hope this victory inspires
others, be they groups or individuals, to soldier on and not give up! May the
spirit of the Monarchs soar!