Environment Canada opened “a file” after carrying out an inspection of the fallow land that was recently mowed down by Aéroports de Montréal (ADM), without having obtained authorization from the federal government, which is the owner. This green environment is considered an important habitat for the monarch butterfly, but also for dozens of bird species.
The duty was able to observe, on Wednesday, that a good part of the vegetation of this wasteland has indeed been razed recently, with the help of machinery which has left tire marks in various places, in particular in an area which was possibly a temporary wetland.
Even though thousands of milkweed plants would have been cut at the same time at the end of June, several regrowth were clearly visible, and this, almost everywhere on this land nicknamed “the monarch field”. You should know that this is the only plant on which the caterpillars of monarch butterflies feed, a species on the list of species at risk in Canada.
It was the organization Technoparc Oiseaux, which campaigns for the protection of the sector, which alerted Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) after noting the mowing on this land rented by ADM from Transport Canada.
The federal ministry then dispatched an inspector to the site, where dead birds were found in particular. The cutting took place during the nesting period of several species, some of which nest on the ground or in thickets. “It is certain that there were nests”, underlines François Rioux, of Technoparc Oiseaux, who knows very well the sector and the species which frequent it.
In light of what was found by the inspector, ECCC decided to open “a file”, according to what the department confirmed to the To have to. “It would be inappropriate to provide more information at this time, so as not to impede the progress of the file,” it was added in the response provided by email after repeated requests over a period of time. ‘one week.
The inspection was carried out under the “Convention Act 1994 concerning migratory birds “, clarified ECCC. It strictly prohibits “harming migratory birds and disturbing or destroying their nests or eggs anywhere in Canada”. The “monarch field” serves as a habitat, nesting site or passageway for more than 150 species of birds, including several migratory species protected by this law.
No authorization
ADM did not request or receive permission before mowing the vegetation on this land, ECCC said. In any event, “the regulations do not provide authorization or permits for activities, such as those outlined here, that may inadvertently kill or harm migratory birds, or destroy or disturb their nests or their eggs.
In a written response, ADM said Wednesday that it has “a duty to maintain its facilities”, in particular for “its green spaces”. She therefore proceeded to cut to mow the “ragweed” on the land in question. According to the company, no authorization was required to carry out these activities.
“Remember that there is no ‘monarch field’ at this precise location. The land in question is wasteland, zoned industrial, where a golf course was once located. No sensitive species, sensitive habitat or protected area is present in this sector,” ADM argued. However, the list of bird species observed in the sector includes species at risk.
Does Aéroports de Montréal intend to carry out a development project in this green space? “If ADM decided to proceed, it would be done in collaboration with a partner for whom the contribution to economic development is worth as much as harmonious cohabitation with the environment,” it was argued.
New Democrat MP Alexandre Boulerice, who met with ADM this week, believes that the cuts made have been very “damaging” for the species that use this habitat, which is part of green spaces that have suffered a very strong decline on the island. of Montreal in recent years. According to him, there is indeed a desire for industrial development on the site.
According to Technoparc Oiseaux, the Trudeau government should therefore move forward with the protection of this sector, especially in a context where Montreal is to host the United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (COP15) later this year. The objective of this international meeting is to set benchmarks to substantially increase the protection of natural environments and the species that live there.