Montreal-Trudeau airport: “the disturbing discretion” of public consultations

Major sites are planned on the fields of Montreal-Trudeau airport in the coming months and the coming years, and groups of citizens deplore “the disturbing discretion” in which public consultations relate to this expansion are made. They also fear the impact that projects could have on environments with high ecological value and endangered species north of the airport.

The work planned at Montreal-Trudeau airport and its surroundings in the coming years are estimated at $ 10 billion.

This work includes a new satellite pier which will be built north of the current terminal and which can accommodate up to 24 additional planes.

In a decision published on July 30, the airport authorities have determined that this project is not likely to cause negative effects on the environment.

However, Katherine Collin, president of Technoparc Birds, who has campaigned for years to protect the biodiversity of land located north of the airport, deplores A lack of transparency, a lack of adequate consultation and a lack of understanding of the urgency of the climate situation and the biodiversity crisis.

A sector with high ecological value

Part of the sector north of the airport, straddling the city of Dorval and the arrondissement of Saint-Laurent, is made up of wasteland, marshes, ponds and wooded where, in urban areas, foxes, coyotes and even beavers.

More than 222 bird species have also been listed in this very popular ornithologists sector. There is also the monarchwhich contains thousands of asclepiad plants essential for the reproduction of monarch butterflies, an endangered species.

In the Greater Montreal, the rhythm of urbanization has also been five times more important than that of the protection of natural environments from 1985 to 2015, note environmentalists.

Unfortunatelyunderlined the environmentalist, in the decision published on July 30, It is not written precisely where the new satellite pier will be built ”and what will be its extent. SO it’s worryingcar natural environments and water and humid environments are distributed throughout the sectorshe said.

Indeed, the decision rendered on July 30 does not indicate the precise place where the pier can accommodate up to 24 planes will be built.

In an exchange of email with the Canadian press, the Montreal Airports Relations Advisor (ADM), Eric Forest, said that the pier will be built on the old landing track 10-28 in an anthropogenic environment, unnatural, and not posing no environmental stake.

If the construction of the pier does not pose no risk to the environment, Why is there a whole litany of measures to mix negative impacts on the environment in the decision -making?wondered Katherine Collin.

The construction of a satellite pier on the Yul site is not likely to cause significant negative effects on the environment by applying the mitigation measures provided for in the project.

Dozens of mitigation measures are listed in the opinion published on July 30, in particular, Avoid work (clearing, vegetation control) during the nesting period (mid-April to the end of August) et Do not damage the sectors where a few asclepia plants have been observedor Check the presence of specific status species and apply the regulations in force.

ADM also account for moving fish, if necessary, Install waterproof recovery bins under the small hydrocarbon devices or Use biodegradable oils for equipment less than 30 meters from a river, Provide hydrocarbon recovery kits accessible in all work sectors et Apply the emergency procedure In the event of an incident.

These mitigation measures are preventive, because in the long term, the work will not have an impact on the watercourse.

Despite the explanations of the spokesperson forADMfor the president of Technoparc Birds The project remains very vague et The long list of mitigation measures seems a template for future projects.

A decarbonation center in the field of monarchs field

One of the greatest concerns of the group of citizens it represents, is that the master plan ofADM is very clear, he wishes to develop, develop and raze the vast majority of natural environments and green spaces that are on state land, [c’est-à-dire qui appartiennent à l’État].

Airport land, and sectors with high ecological value located to the north of the latter, belong to the federal government, which rents them to Aéroports de Montréal.

In its master plan Horizon 2023-2043a 148 -page document, ADM indicate planning the construction a division and support center for airport operations in the aviation path sector pour Increase yul capacities in sustainable energy supply.

On the maps published in the master plan ofADMthe aviation path sector corresponds to part of the sector with high ecological value which includes the field of monarchs.

We have lots of questions and also lots of concerns.

We know that there are projects to develop the entire field of monarchs et We also know that it is expected that the work is making a foray into a part of the forest which has been designated as an exceptional forest ecosystemsaid Ms. Collin, referring to all the shores of the Bertrand stream between the upstream of the river and the Bois-de-Liesse park.

Evaluation: groups denounce a conflict of interest

Among the concerns that the projects ofADMCitizen groups have cited the fact that Eroports de Montréal is responsible for assessing the environmental impact of its own projects.

In our opinion, there are challenges of democracy, transparency and there is no serious impact assessment.

In an email exchange with the Canadian press, Stéphane Perrault, spokesperson for the Canada Impact Evaluation Agency, explained that the agency The mandate is to examine the major designated projects as pipelines, ports, mines, etc.

However, Satellite pierly, parking projects on several levels and landing areas that are offered at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport are not designated projects.

In the case of projects carried out at the airport, it is the airport itself which acts as that federal authority.

As a federal authority, ADM has the duty to display a Opinion, which informs the public of the project and must provide for a period of public consultation and also display A decision of decision, which indicates whether the project can move forward and describes the mitigation measures aimed at reducing negative effects.

The opinion of intention on the Satellite Jetté project was published on the website of the Impact Evaluation Agency of Canada on June 27 and invited the public to formulate comments until July 27, 2025.

Do you know a lot of people who get up a beautiful summer morning and who will consult the projects on the website of the Canada Impact Evaluation Agency?reacted the activist of mothers to the front by denouncing The disturbing discretion in which public consultations are made.

Mothers at the Front Montreal also calls into question the short time, between the end of public consultations on the project, on July 27, and the publication of the decision -making, July 30.

It gives them two days to write that, it seems to me can, it was written in advance.

Also, this evaluation on the pier is just on the impact of the work and it does not take into account the impact of adding 28 planes. What will be the impact of air traffic and pollution?

The major works of the airport should not be evaluated piece by piece, without overall vision. Citizens, municipalities and scientists must be fully informed, consulted and heardadded the activist.

In response to the various criticisms, the spokesman Eric Forest said that Déroports de Montréal respects at all times the deadlines prescribed for the periods of consultation and complies with all the provisions of the Impact Evaluation Act implemented by the Canadian Government. Moreover, All projects are published in the Canadian Impact Evaluation Register, in accordance with the Impact Evaluation Act.

Citizens who want to participate in consultations can access information relating to the consultation process by the website ofADMvia the page dedicated to relations with the community (new window) Or directly by the register, said Forest.

ADM also argues that From 2023, for a period of 18 monthsthe airport management has led A vast consultation process on its 2023-2043 master plan in Yul, including meetings with 43 organizations from the Montreal community as well as a survey to which 2250 participants of the general public responded and that This was filed with the Minister of Transport of Canada in December 2024, and approved in the spring of 2025.