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An innovative agreement between CDPQ Infra, the UPA and the CMM to promote the use of agricultural land

CDPQ Infra, a subsidiary of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, announced today a partnership with the Union des producteurs agricoles du Québec (UPA) and the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM). This partnership will enable the creation of an agricultural land trust and, eventually, a metropolitan agricultural park, to promote the use of agricultural land and its activities, thereby helping to limit urban sprawl around the Réseau électrique métropolitain's (REM) future South Shore terminal station.

This initiative is a first between a project promoter, the UPA and the CMM. It demonstrates CDPQ Infra's commitment to finding innovative solutions that meet the needs expressed during project consultations and continue to improve the REM project.

"Through this agreement, we are laying the groundwork for a unique initiative to promote the use of agricultural land located around the South Shore terminal station. This initiative aims not only to protect this land but also to help curb urban sprawl by boosting agricultural activity in this sector. The agreement demonstrates that by teaming with quality partners, the REM advances ideas and initiatives that benefit Greater Montréal. We will continue to improve the project right up until the first trains are in operation," said Macky Tall, President and Chief Executive Officer of CDPQ Infra.

"The creation of an agricultural land trust, in connection with the potential implementation of a metropolitan agricultural park, is a remarkable way to address this important question in a project of great public interest. Last year, we expressed our concerns regarding urbanization and urban sprawl, but today's announcement substantially limits this possibility, which is good news," added Marcel Groleau, President of UPA.

"Today's agreement is a first for Greater Montréal, agricultural producers in the region, and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. The purpose of this agreement is to promote the cultivation of agricultural land located around the future South Shore terminal station of the Réseau électrique métropolitain. The creation of a trust and a potential metropolitan agricultural park confirms the long-term agricultural mission of this land. Initiatives like these enable us to achieve the metropolitan objective of increasing the area of cultivated land by 6% in the region," said Denis Coderre, President of the CMM and Mayor of Montréal.

Principles of the agricultural land trust

During the REM project consultation process, CDPQ Infra and the UPA discussed ways to limit the potential impact of the South Shore terminal station on urban sprawl. This concern was expressed particularly by the City of Brossard and the agglomeration of Longueuil. Furthermore, an agricultural trust concept was advanced by Équiterre, Vivre en ville, the Regroupement national des conseils régionaux de l'environnement du Québec and the David Suzuki Foundation. Based on this idea, CDPQ Infra and UPA management worked together towards the agreement announced today.

The land trust, supported by CDPQ Infra, will be created in partnership with the UPA. Following the required government authorization for the South Shore terminal station to be built on agricultural land, this trust will ensure that the acquired land is cultivated. This trust will therefore protect the acquired land and ensure its long-term agricultural focus. It will serve as an innovative tool for conserving and enhancing South Shore agricultural land.

The land trust could also encourage the use of metropolitan woodlands around the terminal, by becoming a recreational-tourism destination (pedestrian links, walking trails) easily accessible through the REM.

The CMM will work with CDPQ Infra and the UPA to agree on a plan to implement a metropolitan agricultural park, in accordance with the Plan métropolitain d'aménagement et de développement, whose objective is to increase the area of cultivated land by 6%.

Source: CNW


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