From now on, transparent glass on exterior railings is prohibited. Moreover, new evaluation criteria have been introduced in order to design buildings and landscaping in such a way as to protect birds in the vicinity of the borough's natural environments.

In addition, Saint-Laurent will soon be launching an information campaign focusing on single-family, two-family and multiplex residential buildings, which are not covered by the bylaw amendment. The campaign will be followed, in 2025, by a public awareness campaign. The objective will be to encourage the public to act responsibly, not only to minimize the risks of collisions for birds, but also to promote their well-being.

Collisions with glass: high bird mortality

According to a federal estimate recalled last March by La Presse newspaper, up to 42 million birds die in Canada every year after colliding with buildings. Collisions with a glass surface are in fact one of the main reasons for human-caused mortality in birds, due to the transparency or reflectivity of glass.

Buildings concerned

By amending zoning bylaw RCA08-08-0001, Saint-Laurent is aiming to reduce these collision risks and ensure the protection of birds.

Some types of buildings with more than 50% glass surfaces or windows on the exterior walls will require special treatment for new construction, extensions or exterior modifications. This is the case of the following categories: 

• Multi-family dwellings (h4)
• Multi-family service dwellings (h5)
• Multi-bedroom dwellings (h6)
• Industrial (I), retail (C) or service (S) buildings
• Buildings in a park or green space

New requirements

As a result, 90% of the glass panes on these buildings, including greenhouses and railings, located less than 16 m from the ground or less than 4 m from the green roof level, must now be subject to the special treatment detailed in the bylaw. Such measures help reduce the reflectivity of the glass surface, and, consequently, the risk of bird collisions.

Increased protection near natural environments

Saint- Laurent's Administration is adding an extra level of control for properties that include or are adjacent to a natural environment, since these are likely to be home to a greater number of birds. Existing Site Planning and Architectural Integration Programs (SPAIPs) have therefore been modified and a new SPAIP has been added for properties adjacent to natural environments in order to design buildings and landscaping that minimize the risks of bird collisions. Requirements are intended, in particular, to prevent or reduce the reflection of woodlands and ponds in the glass surfaces of buildings.

Specific materials for railings 

Lastly, only opaque, frosted or fritted glass or glass incorporating visual markers may now be used as railings on buildings or structures throughout Saint-Laurent territory.

These new measures are in line with the third objective of Saint-Laurent's 2021-2030 Climate Emergency Plan, which aims to protect biodiversity in order to increase resilience to climate hazards.

With these innovative bird protection measures, we are proud to be the first in Montréal to adopt such rules intended to save the lives of thousands of birds. As a sustainable municipal territory, Saint-Laurent has made biodiversity a core concern in its decisions, as illustrated by its Biodiversity Corridor and the fact that in 2019, it became the first municipality in Québec to obtain "Bee-Friendly City" certification. Today, in the face of adaptations to climate change and the mass extinction of species, protecting birds and encouraging the consolidation of their habitats is of the utmost importance. So I invite Saint-Laurent residents to follow our next campaign, to help protect the birds.