JOHSUA ALLAN
The 1019 Report

A new charter proposing to bring municipalities bordering the Lake of Two Mountains together to protect both the lake and the surrounding ecosystem received Hudson’s stamp of approval earlier this month. The municipal council voted unanimously to add the town to the charter’s list of supporters during the Sept. 3 council meeting.

The unveiling of the charter comes as the Quebec government last month pledged to implement an “action plan” to address complaints of illegal dumping in the Mohawk community of Kanesatake along the north shore of the lake.

Environment Quebec officials have started taking soil samples in the Kanesatake area where trucks have been dumping potentially contaminated soil reportedly for years. Pollution in the area could be affecting fish habitat, government officials claim.

Hudson is committed to environmental protection, but cannot act alone, Sofia Fuga, an environmental technician for the municipality, told The 1019 Report in an email.

“The charter is a wonderful opportunity for all regional stakeholders to come together and work towards the common goal of protecting the lake and its tributaries,” she wrote.

Hudson Mayor Chloe Hutchison shared this sentiment, saying at the Sept. 3 meeting: “This is really the first step for the different (municipalities) to engage and to commit to wanting (to protect) the health of our rivers and our public waters. I think it’s a wonderful initiative.”

Since 2022, the Regroupement national des conseils régionaux de l’environnement du Québec (RNCREQ) has been drafting The Lake of Two Mountains Charter of Commitment.

The charter states that its goal is to “invite all involved organizations, from one shore to the other, to unite and act in response to the need to protect this valuable and natural fresh water reservoir.”

The charter requires all municipalities that signs the charter to agree to collaborate to raise awareness about best practices in protecting the lake and the surrounding ecosystems, as well as participate in future ecologically-focused events and projects.

“It’s really to get us all together so that we can share ideas and plans and access grants,” said Hudson councillor Mark Gray, who presides over the town’s environment committee.

The RNCREQ has been seeking endorsements on the charter from organizations focused on environmental protection as well as from municipalities bordering the Lake of Two Mountains and the Ottawa River. The Regional Environmental Council of Montreal declined to provide numbers of signatures and other details on support for the charter