The Agglomeration of Longueuil: a major transformation

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1 The Agglomeration of Longueuil: a major transformation We recently submitted to the elected officials of all the agglomeration s cities a very concrete proposal for a reform of the Agglomeration of Longueuil, which is described in a document titled Un champ de compétences, une fiscalité et une gouvernance simplifiés pour l Agglomeration of Longueuil. The proposal s main points are summarized below. This initiative is aimed at making the Agglomeration of Longueuil a development lever that will benefit all citizens. This proposal presents a concept and lets each city assess whether they are prepared to commit to implementing this transformation project by May 31, The project is the result of three months of planning by the elected officials and general managers of the cities of Boucherville, Brossard and Longueuil. The sharing of responsibilities suggests returning, to the linked cities, activities that are non-essential to the agglomeration s function. Nearly a third of the agglomeration s budget would thus be returned to the local level. Taxation would also be completely reviewed so that the linked cities are the only ones to tax their citizens. The agglomeration s activities would be financed through a system of assessed contributions by the linked cities. Citizens would then receive a single tax notice. As chairman of the Agglomeration of Longueuil, I am looking forward to our partners quick adoption of this reform. Each municipal council will have to provide its feedback on the document by the end of the year, and we hope that it will be implemented as of As it was tabled, the agglomeration s operating budget for 2007 already provides for the implementation of some of the proposed measures to launch the reform process. Our aim is to have it adopted by December 21 at the latest. Just as my colleagues from the linked cities, I want the agglomeration s structure to be simplified in terms of its governance, its jurisdiction, and its taxation. The agglomeration must become an instrument of development for our region, a tool that will help us make Longueuil and the South Shore a success. As the festive season is now with us, I wish you all the very best for the holidays and beyond. May this season be for you an opportunity to enjoy good times with family and friends, to relax and to share. May 2007 be an exceptional year for you, in health, happiness and prosperity. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Summary of the reform s main commitments Jurisdiction Starting in 2007 Only one water meter reading in Brossard, carried out by Brossard. Starting on May 31, 2007 Confirm that the agglomeration no longer has jurisdiction over the territory s industrial parks. Starting in 2008 No new administrative structures. Return, to the linked cities, jurisdiction over and property of arterial roads, supralocal water and sewer lines, and collective facilities. Establish a new delegation agreement between the agglomeration council and the central city s council for general administration, as well as professional and technical support for a period of 20 years. Taxation Starting in 2007 Finance the contribution to the RTL from local taxes. Abolish the equalization of maintenance costs for the arterial network and supralocal water and sewer lines. Abolish the equalization of operating costs for collective facilities. Starting in 2008 A single tax notice will be issued by the linked cities for all services (local and agglomeration). Governance Prepare a draft revision of the Charter of Longueuil and other legislative amendments for May 31, 2007, towards implementation in 2008.

2 Regular City Council meetings January 16 and February 20, 7:00 p.m. Regular Agglomeration Council meetings January 18 and February 22, 4:00 p.m.

3 Municipal News The agglomeration s three commissions are up and running The members of the three commissions of the Agglomeration Council started their work in October and November with the review of the agglomeration s budget. Commission members are selected among the elected officials of the municipal councils of Longueuil and of the reconstituted cities, and appointed by the Agglomeration Council. The chairs and vice-chairs are appointed on an alternating basis, on January 1 and July 1. The following is a list of commission members as of January 1, Budget, Finance and Administration Commission This commission reviews all financial issues associated with an agglomeration responsibility, such as the preparation of the budget and of the three-year capital expenditures program. Reynald Gagné, chair and councillor, Ville de Boucherville Robert Charland, vice-chair and councillor, Ville de Longueuil Nicole Béliveau, councillor, Ville de Longueuil Simon Crochetière, councillor, Ville de Longueuil Stéphane Desjardins, councillor, Ville de Longueuil Bertrand Girard, councillor, Ville de Longueuil Gilles Grégoire, councillor, Ville de Longueuil Denis Arpin, councillor, Ville de Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville Sean Finn, mayor, Ville de Saint-Lambert Serge Séguin, councillor, Ville de Brossard Public Security Commission This commission is responsible for public security, emergency preparedness, and fire safety, which are all under the jurisdiction of the Agglomeration of Longueuil. Bruno Goulet, chair and councillor, Ville de Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville Michel Desjardins, vice-chair and councillor, Ville de Longueuil Gilbert Côté, councillor, Ville de Longueuil Simon Crochetière, councillor, Ville de Longueuil Robert Gladu, councillor, Ville de Longueuil Jacques E. Poitras, councillor, Ville de Longueuil Claudette Tessier, councillor, Ville de Longueuil Richard Lalancette, councillor, Ville de Boucherville Philippe Brunet, councillor, Ville de Saint-Lambert Pierre O Donoughue, councillor, Ville de Brossard Environment and Development Commission This commission deals with the agglomeration s planning and development, major infrastructures, environment, and public transit. Johane Fontaine-Deshaies, chair and councillor, Ville de Longueuil Gilbert Lizotte, vice-chair and councillor, Ville de Brossard Normand Caisse, councillor, Ville de Longueuil Mireille Carrière, councillor, Ville de Longueuil Michel Desjardins, councillor, Ville de Longueuil Gilles Grégoire, councillor, Ville de Longueuil Roger Roy, councillor, Ville de Longueuil

4 Francine Guidi, councillor, Ville de Boucherville Nicole Girard, councillor, Ville de Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville Claude Trudeau, councillor, Ville de Saint-Lambert For a schedule of city and agglomeration council meetings, or for additional information, please visit Longueuil s website (longueuil.ca).

5 Longueuil hosts the UMQ s Montérégie regional caucus As part of his 2006 tour, the president of the Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ) and mayor of Sherbrooke, Mr. Jean Perrault, visited Longueuil on November 8 where he met with the regional caucus of the Montérégie and local representatives of various areas of activity. In addition to issues relating to the creation of a fiscal and financial partnership, to the fiscal imbalance, and to Québec s energy strategy, municipal councillors discussed several other issues of particular concern, including: school taxes; the risk coverage plan; waste management; the metropolitan equipment deficit; the light rail project. The mayor of Longueuil and chairman of the Agglomeration Council, Mr. Claude Gladu, was pleased to welcome to city hall, last November 7, Mr. Jean Perrault, president of the Union des municipalités du Québec, as part of his 2006 tour. The meeting was attended by nearly 100 elected officials from the Montérégie. As municipalities, we face considerable challenges. Our responsibilities are constantly increasing, but revenue is not growing proportionally. It is therefore essential that municipalities obtain increased support from government or that they secure new sources of revenue, as current revenue levels are insufficient. In this spirit, I support the UMQ s chairman, Mr. Perrault, who has committed to defending our actions and ensuring a better future for Québec s municipalities by addressing, among others, the fiscal imbalance issue, said Longueuil s mayor, Mr. Claude Gladu, at the meeting s opening ceremony. Mr. Jean Perrault, mayor of Sherbrooke and chairman of the UMQ, at the press conference marking the meeting of the Montérégie s regional caucus. Under the theme The future, it s a matter of choice!, this biennial tour continued throughout Québec until mid- November. The tour was conducted in an atmosphere of cooperation, exchange of ideas, and dialogue. It was an ideal opportunity for the UMQ s president to remind its members of the importance of thinking together, identifying a number of common challenges, and mobilizing to meet these challenges. It was also a unique opportunity to hear out municipal councillors who, within our municipal administrations, are the closest to our citizens.

6 Info-travaux 2006 work comes to a conclusion The Jacques-Cartier bridge s ramp is reopened Ville de Longueuil has just completed the first phase of the revitalization of Place Charles-Le Moyne undertaken in March of this year. This major project is the largest in the region. It is part of a sustainable development program aimed at improving accessibility to the area, improving public transit, and promoting mixed developments. The revitalization of Place Charles-Le Moyne, which represents a global investment of nearly $40 million, will be completed in Work completed in 2006 redeployment and construction of parking lots P1, P2, and short-term P, providing a total of more than 1,300 spaces; development of the car and taxi drop-off area, near parking lot P1 and the terminal; widening of Saint-Charles West to three traffic lanes, including one lane reserved for public transit; reconfiguration of the Jacques-Cartier bridge s access ramp. Reopening of the Jacques-Cartier bridge s access ramp As announced in the fall of 2005, the access ramp to Jacques-Cartier bridge from Saint-Charles West was maintained. Its reconfiguration and reconstruction are completed and the ramp is now open to traffic. Safe waiting areas at the drop-off The car and taxi drop-off area is now permanently located near the new parking lots and bus terminal. The site was planned with the following in mind: improved traffic fluidity; improved accessibility to the area; tranquility for the neighbourhood of 100 Place Charles-Le Moyne; increased safety for pedestrians and users; development of approximately twenty parking spaces reserved for taxis; development of a waiting area for up to 50 cars. The recent reconfiguration of traffic in a clockwise direction allows motorists to easily pick up and drop off passengers near the median, in addition to improving traffic fluidity at the short-term parking lot s exit. The development of a park, the installation of bicycle supports, the construction of shelters in the waiting area near the drop-off, the development of an esplanade and the construction of a new bicycle trail are all projects tentatively scheduled for Place Charles-Le Moyne opens its doors The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) has completed the restoration of the metro s arch. The building s main doors, located at the former traffic circle, are now reopened.

7 Ville de Longueuil is pursuing the development of the former traffic circle, accessible through Place Charles-Le Moyne. The circle will have a single lane and will include spaces for persons with reduced mobility, as well as short-term parking spaces equipped with meters. This project will be completed in the spring of 2007 with the addition of curbs, sidewalks and grassed areas. Sherbrooke University is also continuing construction of its Longueuil campus at the corner of Saint- Charles West and Place Charles-Le Moyne, next to the metro s building. The project is scheduled for completion by Ville de Longueuil thanks you for your collaboration and your patience during construction work. Info-travaux hotline The development concept for the Saint-Hubert/Longueuil commuter train station is moving along The city s and the agglomeration s councils have just given their agreement-in-principle to Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) project for the first phase of a permanent commuter train station located at the limits of the boroughs of Saint-Hubert and Vieux-Longueuil, along Chemin de Chambly, Patrick Street and Route 116. Construction is scheduled for Once completed, the AMT s project will include platforms straddling the existing overpass on Chemin de Chambly, two incentive parking lots on either side of Chemin de Chambly, a refurbished central mall, and reserved bus lanes on both sides of Chemin de Chambly. To facilitate access to the parking areas adjacent to the platforms, three traffic lanes will be developed on Patrick Street, and the traffic signals at the intersection with Chemin de Chambly will be adapted. In Longueuil, we encourage public transit since it is part of a sustainable development objective, in addition to providing benefits for our citizens. Located in the heart of Longueuil and its agglomeration, the new station will drive the development concept chosen for this part of the territory, a concept based on an increased residential density, multifunctional uses, and a more user-friendly layout for public transit services, explained Mr. Claude Gladu, mayor of Longueuil and chairman of the Agglomeration Council. The permanent station project was carefully planned through several work sessions between Ville de Longueuil, the AMT, Transport Québec (MTQ), the Canadian National (CN), and the Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL). Infrastructure work associated with the project (platforms, incentive parking, and reserved lanes) will be carried out by the AMT, while the reconfiguration of Patrick Street, central malls and traffic signals along Chemin de Chambly will be under the responsibility of Ville de Longueuil.

8 Social housing Over 740 new affordable housing units since 2005 Longueuil can be proud of its achievements on the affordable housing front. Since 2005, the city has supported a dozen or so projects that have provided over 740 new affordable dwellings for low-income families and seniors on its territory. The city has authorized over $10 million in social housing investments, including $5 million in 2006 for three major projects that provided 344 new housing units. These projects, with an aggregate cost of over $70 million, were made possible with the support of the Société d habitation du Québec (SHQ) and its AccèsLogis and Affordable Housing subsidy programs, Ville de Longueuil s financial contribution, i.e. 15% of the construction costs of each project, and the determined participation of our partners, including the Office municipal d habitation de Longueuil (OMHL), non-profit organizations, and cooperatives that greatly contributed to making these projects a reality. The situation is now very encouraging in Longueuil, explained Manon D. Hénault, member of the Executive Committee responsible for affordable housing and community development, and municipal councillor for the borough of Vieux-Longueuil. Since 2004, over 15 social housing projects were completed, providing 841 new housing units. This is the result of a close collaboration between all partners, i.e. the SHQ, the OMHL, and Ville de Longueuil. Studying new opportunities and formulas to provide a greater number of citizens with affordable housing, and favouring renovation projects since Longueuil s real estate assets are ageing, are among the directions that will guide our work in the coming months, concluded Ms. Hénault. Did you know that All 2005 projects received the SHQ s final approval for subsidies under the AccèsLogis and Affordable Housing programs, including the 2006 projects which were also adopted by the Agglomeration Council. Project costs are reimbursed from the social housing fund of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) to which Ville de Longueuil contributes. To meet the demand, the OMHL has over 3,000 housing units, i.e. close to 2,400 controlled-rent housing units and 600 apartments leased to private owners in Longueuil. In addition to the above, over 1,200 coop apartments contribute to the available social housing within the Agglomeration of Longueuil. There are over 60 coops in Longueuil. For more information, please visit the OMHL s website at Municipal councillors Robert Gladu and Nicole Lafontaine (borough of Vieux-Longueuil) are respectively chair and vice-chair of the OMHL s board of directors.

9 As the Québec government s main advisor on housing issues, the SHQ develops and implements housing policies and programs. Ville de Longueuil participates as agent or partner in several of these housing assistance programs. The OMHL has two service offices on the territory of Longueuil: Borough of Saint-Hubert 5905 Chemin de Chambly Borough of Vieux-Longueuil 445 Labonté Street For additional information, please visit the following websites:

10 Longueuil s 350 th Celebrations Over 90 events will highlight the city s 350 th anniversary Ville de Longueuil was founded by Charles Le Moyne in The celebrations that will mark its 350 th anniversary in 2007 will entertain and delight all Longueuil citizens, and provide an opportunity to rediscover our origins. Claude Gladu, mayor of Longueuil and chairman of the Celebrations organizing committee The festivities will reflect Longueuil citizens who are proud of their past and of their roots, and will also reflect our entire community which has become, over the years, modern, active and open to the world, and which now includes the boroughs of Greenfield Park, Saint-Hubert and Vieux-Longueuil. Thanks to the participation of numerous organizations, associations, professional artists, and our partners in the region, the organizing committee has prepared an outstanding program with many special events. Ville de Longueuil is therefore pleased to invite all citizens to take part in the numerous activities scheduled to celebrate our 350 th anniversary. The budget for the 350 th Celebrations is estimated at over $2 million. Several financial partners have joined us to make this event a huge success, including our main partner, les Caisses Desjardins de Longueuil, and major partners Bell and Groupe Berger. M. Claude Gladu, mayor of Longueuil, and Charles Le Moyne, incarnated by Sylvain Massé, officially launched Longueuil s 350 th anniversary celebrations program. Messrs. René-Jean Deschênes and Alain Boutin of Desjardins, sign with Mr. Claude Gladu, mayor of Longueuil, the memorandum of understanding between Desjardins, our main partner, and the 350 th Celebrations organizing committee. They are surrounded by Desjardins representatives and by Charles Le Moyne. Mr. Sylvain Massé, professional actor and resident of Longueuil, was very pleased to accept to incarnate the city s founder, Charles Le Moyne, throughout All the costumes worn by Charles Le Moyne were created by renowned costume designer and resident of Longueuil, Ms. Francesca Chamberland. Ms. Chamberland has worked on several films, including Mademoiselle C, Le Dernier tunnel, Nez rouge, Le Survenant, Aurore, Idole instantanée, Maurice Richard and Bon Cop Bad Cop, as well as on TV series such as Le Négociateur and Smash.

11 A City in Action The Fête du livre et de la lecture de Longueuil to begin on February 1 Gilles Gauthier, spokesperson New in 2007 First Youth Book Fair in Longueuil From February 14 to 17 Activities scheduled for the Fête du livre et de la lecture de Longueuil February 1 to 17, 2007 Throughout the event, young folks are invited to attend the various activities organized for the event at each of Longueuil s borough libraries. Quiz: Discovering Longueuil The quiz focuses on discovery as part of Longueuil s 350 th Celebrations From February 1 to 17 in all municipal libraries Pyjama story time 3 to 5 years With the participation of a number of municipal councillors Thursday, February 8 6:00 p.m. at the Greenfield Park Library (in English) 7:00 p.m. at the Greenfield Park Library (in French) 7:00 p.m. at the Municipal Library (Centre Cousineau) 7:00 p.m. at Georges-Dor Library Show: Cybèle et la Fée des saisons 2 to 8 years Theatre for children (45 minutes) Living in the Land of Fairies since her wonderful encounter with Cybèle, Rose-Lise will become the Season Fairy. Saturday, February 10 10:30 a.m. at the Greenfield Park Library 1:30 p.m. at the Georges-Dor Library Sunday, February 11 1:30 p.m. at the Saint-Hubert Library (Centre Cousineau)

12 Youth Book Fair February 14 to 17 Free The youth book fair is inviting young readers to browse, to meet authors and illustrators, to attend workshop on books and reading, or simply to hang around in a universe of books. The youth book fair will be organized in the tradition of book fairs, but adapted to younger readers, with animation sessions, book signing, and literary awards. Location Théâtre de la Ville Jean-Louis-Millette room 180 De Gentilly East, Longueuil Schedule Wednesday, February 14, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday, February 15, 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, February 16, 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, February 17, 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Fête du livre et de la lecture de Longueuil once again offers you an original program to discover literature and take part in various activities around books and reading. The detailed program and passes will be available as of January in all Longueuil libraries , ext. 2149

13 Early count: over $160,000 Thank you very much! The city was proud to be associated with this highly successful event which surpassed its initial objective of $150,000. On December 7, is was a veritable wave of solidarity and generosity that swept through the Agglomeration of Longueuil. On behalf of all council members of the Agglomeration Council, I sincerely thank all the citizens of the agglomeration s linked cities who so generously contributed to making this event a success. The donations will be distributed to the 40 organizations of the Grande guignolée des médias de l Agglomération de Longueuil that work throughout the year to help our less fortunate citizens, said the Agglomeration s chairman, Mr. Claude Gladu. The honorary chairman of the Grande guignolée des médias de l Agglomération de Longueuil and president of the Chambre de commerce et d industrie de la Rive-Sud (CCIRS), Mr. Jean-Robert Lessard, one of the event s spokespersons, Mr. Marc Angers, and the coordinators of the Grande guignolée des médias de l Agglomération de Longueuil, Mr. Jean-Marie Girard and Ms. Mary Claire MacLeod, encouraged the volunteers working at the event s CCIRS drop-off point located at the intersection of Chemin de Chambly and Saint-Charles Street, on December 7. Mr. Edgar Fruitier, also a spokesperson for the event, was unfortunately absent for the photo. And this is not the end of it since the following drop-off points remain open until December 24 to receive cash donations: Caisses populaires de l Agglomération de Longueuil, Banque Laurentienne, HBC Group, Groupe Jean- Coutu, and Rôtisseries St-Hubert. A Guatemalan delegation warmly welcomed in Longueuil The delegation, which included the mayors of San Cristobal and San Benito, municipal employees, and corporate leaders, came from Central America to learn from Ville de Longueuil s expertise in water and wastewater treatment. Accompanied by Mr. Roger Roy, deputy mayor and municipal councillor for Saint-Hubert, the visitors were guided on a tour of the Centre d épuration Rive-Sud (CERS) and the Le Royer plant to learn more about total wastewater treatment. Representatives from the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and from the SNC-Lavalin engineering group, also took part in the tour. Delighted by the warm welcome, the delegation s members were also very impressed by the modern facilities and equipment of Longueuil s treatment and purification plants. The city s representatives presented the state-ofthe-art technologies and advanced methods used in the plants. The delegation s members highly appreciated their visit and said that they will make a point of visiting again soon. On behalf of the mayor of Longueuil, Mr. Roger Roy welcomed the Guatemalan delegation visiting Longueuil, accompanied by representatives from the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and from the SNC-Lavalin engineering group. Les Amies de Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys: 20 years of dedication

14 As part of a dinner honouring the organization s 20th anniversary, Mr. Michel Desjardins, deputy mayor of Longueuil and municipal councillor for Vieux-Longueuil, and Ms. Mireille Carrière, municipal councillor for Greenfield Park, underscored the contribution of Les Amies de Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys to the community. Thirty guests were in attendance for this event. Established in the 80s, this community organization based in the borough of Greenfield Park is a dynamic group that regularly holds various activities for our seniors to take them out of their isolation and allow them to enjoy each other s company. Mr. Desjardins and Ms. Carrière thanked the volunteers for their sustained work throughout the years and their constant concern for the well-being of our seniors. Céline Desrosiers, Thérèse Lapointe, Michel Desjardins, acting as deputy mayor for the event, Rose- Aline Lagacé, and Mireille Carrière, municipal councillor for Greenfield Park and member of Longueuil s Executive Committee. Opération Nez Rouge 2006 A smart way of preventing accidents! Opération Nez Rouge will run until December 31 and will cover the entire territory of Longueuil and the agglomeration s three linked cities, i.e. Boucherville, Brossard, and Saint-Lambert. The objective of Opération Nez Rouge is to prevent the devastating effects of driving while impaired by providing a volunteer driver program. For more information or to avail yourself of the organization s services, please call or visit its website at

15 Services to residents Jean-Pierre Lacombe appointed director of the Fire Service Jean-Pierre Lacombe, director Fire Service Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacombe succeeds Mr. Gilles La Madeleine as director of Longueuil s Fire Service. His appointment, approved by the Agglomeration Council on November 23, will end on May 1, Mr. Lacombe has been with Longueuil s Fire Service for nearly 30 years. More recently, he was deputy director of rescue planning. Mr. Lacombe has proven over and over again that he has all the qualities required to fill this position both in terms of administration and operations. The expertise he has acquired through his involvement in several major projects, such as the risk coverage plan and the implementation of the prevention section for Longueuil s territory, is a great asset to the city. I have no doubt that he will take on this new challenge very skilfully, said the mayor and chairman of the Agglomeration of Longueuil, Mr. Claude Gladu. As part of his new responsibilities, Mr. Lacombe will complete the transition and ensure the cohesion of Longueuil s Fire Service. Reorganization of Longueuil s Police Service The review of the Police Service s governance structure and support activities has begun: Eight management positions abolished Marc St-Laurent appointed acting director This reorganization is part of a resource optimization and budget reduction process for the Police Service. It will provide yearly recurring savings of $1.2 million in salaries, benefits and uniform allowances which are already considered in the Police Services 2007 budget forecast. The eight police officers, including director Richard Bélanger, will take advantage of an early retirement package, with their retirement becoming effective on January 1, The total amount of the packages is $1.1 million. Longueuil s Police Service is the third largest municipal police force in Québec, responsible for security of all the agglomeration s linked cities. Mr. Richard Bélanger was director since 2002, and was the main architect of the unification of the agglomeration s seven police departments and the implementation of level 3 services. The Police Service s current deputy director, Mr. Marc St-Laurent, will become acting director. The deputy director s position is among those abolished.

16 Environment Recycling and waste disposal: Longueuil is going green Recycling, the recovery of green waste, and waste disposal on the territory of the Agglomeration of Longueuil have been entrusted to RCI Environnement Inc. for the next seven years at least, which is the projected time it will take to implement more ecological solutions in accordance with the waste management plan currently being developed. This decision of the Agglomeration Council, unanimously approved last October, was made after a tender call process. It was motivated by the resolve to protect the agglomeration against foreseeable cost increases associated with waste disposal and the processing of recyclables, and by the urgency of finding sites for the City of Saint-Lambert and the borough of Vieux-Longueuil whose current contracts will end on December 31, The contracts of the other boroughs and agglomeration cities will also expire in the coming years. Act 75 gives the Agglomeration of Longueuil jurisdiction over recycling, the recovery of green waste, and final waste disposal. The costs of these services are already reflected in the agglomeration s 2006 operating budget. For 2007, the budget is estimated at $9.1 million. Development of Boisé Du Tremblay Longueuil signs an agreement with the Agence forestière de la Montérégie Thanks to this agreement, Ville de Longueuil will acquire a better understanding of the natural environment of Boisé Du Tremblay in order to take the necessary measures to preserve it and enhance it. The citizens of Longueuil can thus be assured that the project will comply with environmental standards in an sustainable and global development perspective. Claude Gladu, Mayor of Longueuil Following an agreement between Ville de Longueuil and the Agence forestière, the firm of Urgel Delisle et associés was commissioned to carry out a characterization study of Boisé Du Tremblay. The study included: vegetation and wildlife inventory; analysis of the environment s carrying capacity; characterization of the western chorus frog; development of this natural jewel for public access. The study area covers only part of Boisé Du Tremblay. The final report is scheduled to be issued in mid-january The natural sites protection and development policy has increased by two and a half times the protected areas of Boisé Du Tremblay, from 13 million to 34.3 million square feet, which represents nearly 320 hectares, an area 50% larger that Mount-Royal Park. The part of Boisé Du Tremblay addressed by this feasibility study covers 60 hectares. Management of Part II of the Forest Resources Development Program was entrusted to the Agence forestière de la Montérégie. The funds that Ville de Longueuil received from the Agence were provided by the ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec. This development project clearly demonstrates Ville de Longueuil s commitment to protecting and developing woodlands and wetlands, and its resolve to continue the initiatives it has undertaken. The project is also part of the territory s integrated planning process and is aligned with the policy respecting the protection and development of natural sites that the city adopted in July Public information session

17 Ville de Longueuil s land-use planning and sustainable development commission held a public information session on December 13 to present the development concept adapted for the area delineated by Roberval Boulevard East, Boisé Du Tremblay, the permanent agricultural zone, Viger Street, the R-100 street, Vauquelin Boulevard, and Campeau Street. For information, please visit the city s website at longueuil.ca.