Federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson has just asked his counterpart Benoit Charette to intervene to protect the chorus frog in Longueuil, has learned The duty. Street extension work authorized by the Legault government is destroying one of the last habitats of this endangered species.
In a rare gesture, Minister Wilkinson sent a letter to Minister Charette this week asking him to take action. According to what can be read in this document, obtained by The duty, Ottawa asks the government of Quebec to “put in place measures for the protection and conservation of the species, in particular in Longueuil in the short term, and in general in Quebec in the long term”.
It must be said that the City of Longueuil has decided to extend Boulevard Béliveau, a road project that destroys an “essential” habitat of the Chorus Frog which is protected under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), which is the responsibility of the federal government. In this context, Minister Jonathan Wilkinson has an obligation to recommend that the Trudeau government adopt a decree to protect this habitat, if it judges that Quebec is not doing what is necessary to protect this species.
Minister Wilkinson has yet to make such a recommendation, his office confirmed via email. In the letter sent to Benoit Charette, however, he urges the Legault government to act. “The taking of concrete measures by the Government of Quebec could make it possible to avoid a situation in which I would be required to exercise my responsibilities under the Species at Risk Act. Failing to do so, I will have to respond to other possible requests for intervention, ”he wrote.
“I invite you to let me know of your intentions as soon as possible in order to ensure the long-term viability of the Western Chorus Frog and thus promote its recovery in Quebec,” added Minister Wilkinson. “I know that the protection of this species is important to you. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this important topic, ”he concludes.
“Worrisome situation”
The federal Minister of the Environment also recalls that the species is currently in a “worrying situation” in Quebec, while more than 90% of its habitat has been destroyed over the years, mainly due to sprawl. urban. “As has been pointed out several times since 2016, the Western Chorus Frog is a species very sensitive to habitat destruction. I am concerned about the possible repercussions of urban development projects on the sustainability of the species, ”reads the minister’s letter, which was also sent to the mayoress of Longueuil, Sylvie Parent, and the Minister of Forests, from Wildlife and Parks, Pierre Dufour.
Interviewed at To have to During the election campaign, Minister Steven Guilbeault accused the Legault government of being lax in protecting endangered species, while promising that a future Trudeau government would enforce federal laws that protect these species. He had also clearly mentioned the Liberals’ desire to stop the project to extend Boulevard Béliveau.
Faced with the lack of concrete action on the part of the federal government, the Center québécois du droit de l’environnement (CQDE) and the Société pour la nature et les parcs (SNAP Québec) announced last week their intention to launch an action in justice if Minister Wilkinson does not recommend the issuance of an emergency decree to stop work in Longueuil, which will be completed over the next few days.
Does Minister Benoit Charette intend to intervene to protect the chorus frog in Longueuil, as Minister Jonathan Wilkinson is requesting? “We confirm that we have received the letter from the federal government. At present, we are analyzing its content and we will respond to it in due course, ”the cabinet minister said in a written response on Friday.
Habitat destruction
The new asphalt road, which will extend into a residential area of Longueuil, will destroy one of the last habitats of the chorus frog in Quebec, concludes a scientific opinion written by experts from the Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parks (MFFP) obtained under the Access to Information Act.
The document, which the MFFP initially refused to send us despite repeated requests, is unequivocal: “The project has significant potential impacts that may either lead to permanent habitat loss or even present high risks of mortality that may have significant consequences on the maintenance of the population. “
According to the opinion of biologists, this new section of street will destroy “a nerve crossing point” and “breeding habitats” of the species which are “particularly active”, at the heart of a site designated as ” critical habitat ”. In addition, work started with heavy machinery will create a “significant barrier” for amphibians and kill chorus frogs, which is also prohibited by SARA.
However, the government did not take this scientific advice from the MFFP into account before authorizing the work in Longueuil. The project for the extension of the boulevard was first submitted to the Ministry of the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change (MELCC) “in order to obtain an authorization for the extension of the water and sewer networks”, explained the MFFP. In this context, wildlife issues had to be taken into account “through a wildlife advisory” submitted by the MFFP to the MELCC. This review has been produced. This is the document that was obtained under the Access to Information Act.
However, the City of Longueuil subsequently withdrew the request for authorization to submit a declaration of compliance under the provisions of the Regulation respecting the regulation of activities based on their impact on the environment (REAFIE), which falls under of the MELCC. In this context, no wildlife advice is requested or taken into account. It is up to the developer, namely the Ville de Longueuil, to ensure that the regulatory requirements prescribed by REAFIE are respected.
The spokesperson for the City of Longueuil, Hans Brouillette, refused to answer the questions of the To have to concerning the progress of the extension of Boulevard Béliveau. “Your request has been received, but I will not respond to it. You convinced me after two months that your approach is not journalistic, ”he replied, by email.