The federal government is investing $7,348,000 in this project through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) and the City of Montreal’s contribution is expected to amount to approximately $11,000,000.

This financial assistance will be used to build water retention structures in Parc du Bois-Franc and the Midtown project, as well as to continue the development of the Saint-Laurent biodiversity corridor.

This innovative project has been announced by the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Emmanuella Lambropoulos, Member of Parliament for Saint-Laurent, and in the presence of Vana Nazarian, City councillor for the district of Côte-de-Liesse in Saint-Laurent and of Aref Salem, City councillor for the district of Norman-McLaren in Saint-Laurent and Head of the official opposition at the City of Montreal. 

It 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. 

The project includes three key components: 

• Expansion and modernization of the permanent Noroît reservoir and its surrounding areas through phytotechnology, which will increase its capacity while using natural solutions for water management.
• Addition of a retention basin in Parc Midtown, 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.
• Extension of the Saint-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.

Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund in brief

• Since 2018, the federal government has committed over $3.8 billion to the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.
• Making adaptation investments now will have major economy-wide benefits later. Every dollar that is invested in adapting and preparing for climate-related disasters can return as much as $13 to $15 in benefits.
• To date, over $2.92 billion has been announced for more than 110 infrastructure projects that help communities better prepare for, and withstand, the potential impacts of natural disasters, prevent infrastructure failures, and help keep Canadians safe.

Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy

• On November 24^th, 2022, the federal government released Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy: Building Resilient Communities and a Strong Economy.It commits $1.6 billion in new federal funding to help address both immediate and future climate risks to Canadian communities.
• As part of the Adaptation Action Plan, released alongside the National Adaptation Strategy, the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund received an additional $489.1 million in funding.

Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure

• As part of the National Adaptation Strategy and Government of Canada Adaptation Action Plan, the federal government has launched the Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure (CTHI) initiative.
• The Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure will support the development of integrated climate-related tools, resources and services for communities through:
  • A Climate Help Desk to provide direct support to address infrastructure and climate-related inquiries;
  • A Roster of Climate and Infrastructure Experts to provide access to expert advice to strengthen climate-related considerations of public infrastructure and housing projects; and
  • The Climate Tools and Resources that are widely available and accessible through the ClimateInsight.ca Platform.

Associated Links

• Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund
• Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy
• Strengthened Climate Plan
• Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure
• Housing and Infrastructure Project Map
• Saint-Laurent Biodiversity Corridor (May 31st 2021 News Release)
• Saint-Laurent Biodiversity Corridor (February 19th 2020 News Release)
• Saint-Laurent Biodiversity Corridor (May 22nd 2019 News Release)