Concrete action for sustainable development

Ahuntsic-Cartierville is the first borough to obtain such a plan in Montreal, in continuity with the strategic plan of sustainable development of the Montreal community, adopted by the city of Montreal in 2005. Beaudoin wishes that her district become the ‘green’ district of the city and a true model for other areas.

"It is a new vision which I propose to you in order to improve the common good,” said Beaudoin, in front of 100 people brought together Sunday at a location on Chabanel Street. “Each gesture counts, each action benefits everyone. Sustainable development is in fashion and requires an unprecedented effort by everyone in society."

As of this year, and until 2027, several actions will be put in place. A coordinator in sustainable development will soon be named and a committee will be formed in order to organize forums with citizens and community organizations, to evaluate various projects suggested by the community.

The borough council, helped by citizens, wishes to: set up a ‘charter of responsible purchase,’ plant trees in cooperation with schools in the district, extend the bicycle track in Beauséjour Park and set up a team dedicated to cleanliness and the apply the regulations on ‘engine idling.’

According to Beaudoin and her team, true sustainable development is defined as much by economic as that of social and environmental expansion.

“We cannot decide for the population what is good for them,” she said. “What we want is to propose the direction, which will be applied during the next 20 years and could be modified regularly, according to what the citizens request."

Plan 7-27 originated following several telephone surveys, aimed at taking the pulse of citizens in the borough on the question of sustainable development. Several studies on the state of the road network, urban planning, the management of water or sports grounds had also already been carried out.

As of June 2007, five other plans will be produced concerning traffic, real estate management, family and social and economic development, in order to manage to cover all aspects related to sustainable development.