Protecting the environment was also part of the MPA’s DNA in 2019, through initiatives to protect wildlife, natural areas and air quality alike.
National Wildlife Area
In 2019, a cooperation agreement was signed between the MPA and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to create a National Wildlife Area on the Boucherville Islands under MPA management, namely the Jacques, Tourte Blanche, Dufault, Haut-fond à Bleury, Lafontaine, Montbrun, Petite-Île and Îlot de la Baronnie islands and the Tailhandier tidal flats. This nature protection effort is consistent with the program to create spawning grounds and improve fish habitats that was implemented over 12 years ago.
Greening plan
To deliver on its commitment announced in 2018 to plant 2,000 trees within five years, the Port of Montreal planted close to 300 trees on Port territory. This brought the total number of trees planted by the end of 2019 to 759.
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Both the shore power and liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelling systems installed in 2017 were used in 2019, making it possible to reduce air pollutants emitted by vessels. In all, 1,349 tonnes of GHGs were avoided because the Veendam and eight wintering vessels were electrically connected dockside, while approximately 12,000 tonnes of GHGs were avoided through the 42 LNG fuelling systems provided to five vessels. It should be noted that the number of LNG fuelling operations increased from 4 in 2017 to 42 in 2019, for a total of 72.
Wildlife protection projects
As in 2018, the MPA financially contributed to the Fonds d’action Saint-Laurent (FASL) in 2019. This registered charity is dedicated to providing financial support for projects that promote the conservation of the ecosystems and biodiversity of the St. Lawrence River and its Gulf. The MPA selected four projects, to:
- Preserve Purple Martin colonies — Thailhandier flats (in collaboration with the Jacques-Cartier industrial port zone (ZIP) Committee)
- Produce a wetland restoration and conservation plan— Pointe-aux-Trembles sector (in collaboration with the Jacques-Cartier ZIP Committee)
- Control common water reeds at the Lavaltrie marsh (in collaboration with the Des Seigneuries ZIP Committee)
- Develop the Important Bird Area (IBA) in the Îles de Contrecoeur National Wildlife Area (in collaboration with the Des Seigneuries ZIP Committee).