By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

The federal government recently gave St. Laurent $7.3 million in funding to help reduce the effects of any future flooding, following two downpours last year in quick succession that especially affected borough residents and area traffic.

The announcement that came from the federal Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, was announced by then-Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault, St. Laurent MP Emmanuella Lambropoulos and St. Laurent Mayor Alan DeSousa; and is being funded through the federal Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.

The funding, says the announcement, “will be used to build water retention structures in Bois Franc Park and the Midtown project, as well as to continue the development of the St. Laurent biodiversity corridor. This innovative project aims to increase the stormwater network’s capacity and reduce overflows into the Rivière des Prairies during heavy rainfalls. Additionally, it integrates nature into urban environments to mitigate the effects of heat waves while enriching local biodiversity.”

More specific aspects of the project include:

• The expansion and modernization of the permanent Noroît reservoir and its surrounding areas through phytotechnology (the use of plants to solve scientific and engineering problems), which will increase its capacity while using natural solutions for water management.

• The addition of a retention basin in Midtown Park, providing an alternative to direct stormwater runoff by promoting natural infiltration, thereby reducing pressure on the drainage system. These ecological measures play a key role in flood risk reduction and contribute to sustainable water conservation.

• The extension of the St. Laurent biodiversity corridor, which aims to facilitate species movement, enhance ecosystem resilience, and help mitigate urban heat islands, making public spaces more comfortable for residents. This corridor is designed to create ecological connectivity between Montreal’s natural areas, parks, and green spaces.

Guilbeault stated that in the federal government’s efforts against climate change, “nature is our greatest ally, as this innovative project proves through its use of phytotechnology and its consideration of biodiversity in design. The St. Laurent biodiversity corridor is a concrete example of how we can protect Canada and build more resilient, sustainable communities for generations to come.”

Lambropoulos said the biodiversity corridor “presents a forward-thinking solution by integrating natural water management methods and enhancing our water retention infrastructure. As climate change intensifies, investing in sustainable, tangible solutions is essential to building resilience in our communities.”

DeSousa said that with climate change and last year’s floods, “it is crucial to adapt our safety mechanisms to protect our residents, their properties, and their living environment.

“That is the goal of the three developments in this project, which will also help limit damage to the environment and infrastructure during heavy rainfall. I sincerely thank the Government of Canada. This funding comes at the right time, as St. Laurent enters the second half of its 2021-2030 Climate Emergency Plan, which aims to prepare for climate change and protect biodiversity. This project will also support biodiversity growth by expanding the St. Laurent biodiversity corridor in a very tangible way.” n