Original article

In the last issue of “The Pointe-Claire Record,” David Johnston wrote a piece under the headline “Just the Facts: An Update on Mu1 & Mu2.” In our view, it was not just facts and favoured the destruction of the invaluable Fairview Forest (Mu2). We are pleased and grateful to offer readers a different vision, some missing facts, and real policy options. 

Imagine a forest. Red-shouldered hawks fly in and out, nest in the treetops above wetlands, soar over the nearby streets and homes, and minding their young that are learning to fly. Fox kits play with their siblings within the safety of their dens and below the forest canopy of 100+- year-old trees. Rare flora grows like nowhere else in the area. Imagine a stand of hemlocks that houses owls and woodpeckers. Imagine a meadow once used by the municipality, then left fallow for decades, now a precious refuge for the Dekay's Brownsnake, officially recognized by Quebec as “threatened.” Think of rare migratory birds resting and, feeding in the fields and trees. This is Fairview Forest.

Now, imagine being allowed to experience this magic and it being preserved for all future generations to come. Even better, imagine this treasure being within a short walking distance of many thousands of both new and existing residents right here in Pointe-Claire. This is the urban plan people want and asked for in public consultations. These very residents would otherwise be trapped in a giant, concrete heat island. 

As citizens committed to protecting Fairview Forest (FF), we know what a miracle it is that this natural space still exists. We also know how extraordinary and unique it is, a fact that numerous experts and biologists have confirmed. We cannot speak for Cadillac Fairview (CF) as Mr. Johnston has, but the last we heard, at last December’s consultation for the PMAD (Plan Métropolitain d’Aménagement et de Développement), CF still wants to raze the majority of the forest to build condo towers, offices, and commercial space. They have owned this natural space since 2013, but since then much has changed socially, environmentally, and policy-wise. Laws and urban planners now say we should be building where concrete already exists, like on Mu1, the parking lot of Fairview Shopping Centre, and saving the little bit of natural greenspace that still survives, such as Fairview Forest. This is good planning from a health, environment, and livability perspective. 

In our own presentation at the PMAD consultation, we emphasized the historical presence of Fairview Forest in numerous important ecological maps, most notably in the Atlas des bois de Montréal, published in 2002 by what was once the Communauté Urbaine de Montréal and Environnement Québec. In this document, FF appears in no fewer than four important maps: “Peuplements rares,” “Peuplements matures et centenaires,” “Peuplements qui contient des espèces floristiques et / ou fauniques rares,” and “Peuplements d’intérêt écologique.” CF is also well aware of the fact that it was recommended by the CMM that greenspaces be excluded from TOD (Transit- Oriented Ddevelopment) zones. This was noted by the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs, whose report to CF had been obtained by our group through an access to information request, years ago.

In his piece, Mr. Johnston mentions that we shouldn’t be concerned about the loss of Dekay’s Brownsnakes in FF because some exist in other places, namely Ontario, Vermont, and New York. We must first correct Mr. Johnston’s statement that the snakes are only “at risk,” and listed as “susceptible to being designated as vulnerable or threatened.” The status was, in fact, changed to “threatened” a few years ago, as mentioned earlier. Furthermore, the situation surrounding the importance of the Brownsnake requires a little biodiversity lesson. The Brownsnake only exists in Quebec in the Montreal metropolitan area, a sector that has been under extreme pressure from development. Who knows how many habitats have been lost up to now?. Finally, ecosystems exist as a whole. No single entity exists separate from another; rather, they exist symbiotically. The Brownsnake population in FF is the most important of all the sites studied prior to the building of the REM. Its population is well-established and has an important role to play in mitigating the existence of invasive snail species (snails being their favourite meal) and in being a food source for other creatures of the forest. Therefore, the snake population that exists within FF is no less important than any other site and is essential, in and of itself. To say that fauna is disposable in one location because there are some, thousands of kilometres away, is a very dangerous argument with regard to a species’ survival.

Recently, provincial and regional laws and policies were modified specifically to make the protection of natural areas easier for municipalities. The government of Quebec and the Communauté Métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) have both made changes to existing by-laws and laws, giving Pointe-Claire the power to save Fairview Forest. Quebec passed Bill 39,  facilitating cities in their acquisition of ecologically important areas. The CMM’s revised Metropolitan Land Use and Development Plan prioritizes the preservation of specific natural spaces, including FF. They’ve made it possible to acquire ecologically valuable land at little cost and have even frozen development on FF specifically so that Pointe-Claire’s administration can do the right thing. For almost four years, there had been little action on the part of our elected officials to make use of the tools available to them. City councillors have argued, fought, and dragged their feet. Finally, we see some movement in the direction citizens have overwhelmingly asked for. We expect our administration to continue to move forward and use the laws and opportunities at hand. Imagine the achievement! 

In the near future, instead of a sea of concrete, we would prefer to imagine nature guides helping residents from all over the West Island discover the 35 rare and endangered species documented in Fairview Forest. This space can become part of our natural heritage. We can and must be environmentally responsible. We can give our citizens nature nestled right in their community. It’s a no-brainer. Councillors should make a commitment that is not “build, baby, build,” acting against important environmental realities, or stalling, nor promoting fear with overexaggerated costs. The tools exist to make this happen. Studies can be done, civic and natural values given substantiation, planning enacted, by-laws passed, and on and on. We don’t need more “Well, maybe… if this…,” only to regret this inaction later. Citizens need to know by way of the most clear, indefatigable commitment, where our elected officials stand.

We appreciate that some councillors have reached out and are receptive, and we look forward to working with them to create a “central” natural space for Pointe-Claire's future downtown. The administration as a whole can achieve this accomplishment of a lifetime. They need only the will to act together to protect Fairview Forest in perpetuity.

Geneviève Lussier and Ralph Stocek are board members of Save Fairview Forest. Their annual general meeting will be held on March 26,th 2025 at 7pm in the sanctuary of Cedar Park United Church. To reserve your spot, please register by clicking here. They can be reached via their website at https://sauvonslaforetfairview.org/ and by email at info@sauvonslaforetfairview.org.