In recent years, extreme weather events have threatened our communities. The housing crisis is worsening and pushing many households into precariousness, even homelessness. And, as if that were not enough, our public transport services (when they exist) are seriously lacking in resources, which reinforces the dependence of our fellow citizens on individual automobiles.
As mayors, on the front line on the ground, we make a clear observation: Quebec is going through a triple crisis — climate crisis, housing crisis and mobility crisis. These crises threaten the economic prosperity of our regions, the health and well-being of our citizens as well as the sustainability of our ecosystems.
The recent announcement by the Government of Quebec regarding an investment of $500 million over five years to help our communities increase their climate resilience and accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is encouraging. However, additional measures will be required to support, starting now and throughout Quebec, the implementation of projects that will allow us to simultaneously address the three crises we are facing.
Faced with this reality, we must roll up our sleeves and put in place sustainable solutions, not only to adapt our communities to future shocks, but above all to prevent these shocks. The keystone of this reflection lies in a better way of planning our territory. For example, urban densification allows cities to offer more housing to citizens, facilitate the development of public transportation services, promote active transportation, reduce the destruction of natural environments, all by developing neighborhoods on a scale human in which it is good to live.
However, despite the stated desire of many stakeholders, the recent adoption of a national policy and the ongoing reform of the Quebec planning framework, it is clear that practices are improving too slowly. We believe it is essential to put in place financial levers to promote sustainable regional development.
In this context, 44 municipal elected officials, united by the Call of Mayors in Action (AMMA), are urging the government to raise its ambitions and invest in regional planning. We advocate the adoption of an approach focused on sustainability that integrates climate, housing and mobility imperatives, while preserving and improving the quality of life of our fellow citizens.
Invest in the future
The cities and neighborhoods that we develop today are intended to last over time. By joining forces and working hand in hand with the government of Quebec, developers and the population, we will be able to build resilient and adapted communities capable of meeting the challenges imposed by the triple crisis of housing, climate and mobility. It is a duty towards present and future generations.
We, mayors from 13 regions of Quebec, call on the government to invest massively in order to support the realization of sustainable urban planning and development projects in all regions of Quebec. We are there, on the ground, ready to establish sustainable land use planning. To make this shift a reality, we need adequate tools and appropriate resources. For several years, many players have been calling for an envelope of at least $100 million per year. These investments will catalyze our actions, accelerate the implementation of crucial measures and guarantee a viable future for our fellow citizens.
Together, let us be the architects of a more resilient, greener and more prosperous future for Quebec.
* Also signed this letter: Lucie Allard, mayor of Bécancour; Évelyne Beaudin, mayor of Sherbrooke; Pierre-Luc Bellerose, mayor of Joliette; Julie Boivin, mayor of Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines; Andrée Bouchard, mayor of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu; Marc Bourcier, mayor of Saint-Jérôme; Julie Bourdon, mayor of Granby; Frédéric Broué, mayor of Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts; Sylvain Casavant, mayor of Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu; Geneviève Dubois, mayor of Nicolet; Julie Dufour, mayor of Saguenay; Nicolas Dufour, mayor of Repentigny; Pierre Fortier, mayor of Plessisville; Paul Germain, mayor of Prévost; Yves Gingras, mayor of Saint-Agapit; David Gomes, Mayor of Cantley; Marc-André Guertin, mayor of Mont-Saint-Hilaire; Philippe Guilbert, mayor of Trois-Pistoles; Alexandra Labbé, mayor of Chambly; Guillaume Lamoureux, mayor of La Pêche; Mathieu Lapointe, mayor of Carleton-sur-Mer; Mario Lemay, mayor of Sainte-Julie; Miguel Lemieux, mayor of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield; Bruno Marchand, mayor of Quebec; Sébastien Marcil, mayor of Saint-Roch-de-L’Achigan; Denis Miousse, mayor of Sept-Îles; Vincent More, mayor of Notre-Dame-du-Portage; Jonathan Moreau, mayor of Saint-Apollinaire; Jean Morency, mayor of Normandin; Philippe Pagé, mayor of Saint-Camille; Denis Paquin, mayor of Sainte-Angèle-de-Monnoir; Nathalie Pelletier, mayor of Magog; Isabelle Perreault, mayor of Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez; Valérie Plante, mayor of Montreal; Jacques Poulin, mayor of Fossambault-sur-le-Lac; Nathalie Ross, mayor of Bergeronnes; Simon Roy, mayor of Ayer’s Cliff; Mélanie Royer-Couture, mayor of Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges; Mathieu Traversy, mayor of Terrebonne; Guillaume Tremblay, mayor of Mascouche; Véronique Venne, mayor of Sainte-Marie-Salomé; Mélanie Villeneuve, mayor of Otterburn Park.