MINUTES - PUBLIC - ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE COMMITTEE

6. Status Report – Invasive Species Management

The results of the entomological study and possible solutions to prevent the expansion of the European fire ant population in the city of Gatineau were presented. The history of the file, the impact of the species' presence, and recommendations aimed at controlling its population were discussed.

Benoit Delage left the meeting at 3:53 p.m. Quorum was maintained. Benoit Delage joined the meeting virtually at 3:56 p.m.

A discussion period followed, focusing on the following elements:

• It was specified that the recommendations could also be implemented in other sectors affected by the infestation.
• It could be relevant to plan a public health awareness campaign to better publicize this issue.
• Is it possible to accelerate the deployment of solutions? The implementation of various measures requires certain delays related to the planning and execution of work. The time required for the authorization process with the ministère de l’Environnement must also be considered.
• Being located in the south of the province, the city of Gatineau is often among the first affected by this type of issue in Quebec. The example of the emerald ash borer was cited. Measures taken in other jurisdictions can serve as inspiration for solutions to be put forward. Several cities in the province are in contact to share their knowledge on this issue.
• Could a targeted awareness campaign for the affected sectors be done quickly? The department will evaluate what is possible to do within the programs already in progress.
• Although several elements must be considered in the management of invasive species, the central element must remain the quality of life of citizens.

Break from 4:12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

CELCC-2024-02 The Environment and Climate Change Commission recommends requesting that municipal services conduct a targeted awareness campaign for the sectors affected by the European fire ant infestation starting in the summer of 2024.

Proposed by Daniel Dezainde Seconded by Inès Bosse-Thompson Adopted

Ariane Hamel and Anik Des Marais returned from the break at 4:35 p.m.

7. Biodiversity Charter and 2024-2028 Action Plan

A presentation was made to obtain the support of the CELCC for the proposed biodiversity action plan. The public consultation process and its results were presented. The process for developing the action plan was detailed, and its key measures were presented.

A discussion period followed, focusing on the following elements:

• It was specified that a request for additional resources will be made to the municipal council in connection with the implementation of the action plan.
• This plan is consistent with a set of municipal planning tools.
• Knowledge acquisition will be prioritized in order to implement the other proposed measures.
• The adoption of a Biodiversity Charter remains in the City's intentions. Legal validations are currently being processed. The Charter is a commitment by the City that is not enforceable against citizens. It is the implementation of new bylaws, stemming from the Charter, that will have a more direct impact.
• Some members raised that regarding the 30% protected territory target, including territories that are not under municipal jurisdiction (e.g., parc de la Gatineau), it might be relevant to establish a goal that excludes this type of property. It was replied that the territory must be characterized in order to prioritize the sectors to be protected. Subsequently, protection measures, particularly regulatory ones, may be proposed.
• Ecological corridors do not end at municipal boundaries and must be planned at the regional level. Habitat connectivity is paramount, and it would be advantageous to define the concept of ecological corridors more clearly.
• The Department mentioned that steps are underway with Indigenous communities aimed at protecting territories at the regional level.
• The CREDDO will share its team's comments by email. There is still work to be done.
• The importance of preserving biodiversity, which is a major global issue, was reiterated.
• The public consultation process led to certain adjustments aimed at increasing the involvement of citizens and organizations in knowledge acquisition measures.
• A decision-making tool integrating biodiversity protection and the "climate test" is being developed.
• It was specified that Gatineau's context is different from that of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal, which recently adopted a plan for the protection of natural environments at the regional level.
• Determining the right balance between citizen use and nature protection is a challenge. Promoting access to nature is a guiding principle while respecting the carrying capacity of the environments. The City is working in collaboration with the CCN (National Capital Commission) on this issue.
• It is perceived that there are few measures proposed in relation to community resilience (e.g., flooding). It was replied that green infrastructure will reduce certain impacts and that measures provided for in other planning tools (e.g., the climate plan focuses more on this element) must also be considered.
• It was proposed to define the concept of biodiversity within the action plan itself.
• The protection of existing natural environments should be prioritized over the restoration of degraded environments.
• It is desired that the full version of the action plan be presented to the members of the Commission, including information on the resources required for its implementation. The Department specified that the Commission's mandate is defined and that certain components fall under the municipal council. It was noted that the timelines are tight for the budget review.
• A complete preliminary version could be shared with members on a confidential basis in August for comment. The terms will be specified in the coming weeks by email.
• It was proposed that sub-committees be created when files of this nature are presented to the Commission. This would allow for guidance to be obtained.

Inès Bosse-Thompson left the meeting at 5:51 p.m. Quorum was maintained.