Expected for almost two years, the Quebec Nature Plan came to fruition on Monday. The Legault government revealed the details of this framework policy, financed to the tune of nearly a billion dollars, the objective of which is to increase the protection of biodiversity.
The Nature Plan is Quebec’s game plan to achieve its target of protecting 30% of the territory by 2030. In December 2022, on the occasion of COP15, the government adopted the flagship objective enshrined in the Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework, adopted by more than 190 countries. He then announced the creation of this Nature Plan, with a budget of 650 million dollars over seven years.
On Monday, Quebec Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, Benoit Charette, indicated that this plan would require the mobilization of a total of 922 million dollars – essentially, sums already “confirmed during the last two budgets” or resulting from measures from other ministries, he explained.
The Legault government is planning $466.9 million to increase the surface area of protected areas in southern Quebec, $360 million to improve the population’s access to natural environments and $95.7 million to mobilize
organizations and Quebecers for the protection of the territory.
Quebec hopes that these investments will lead to the expansion of five national parks in the Société des establishments de plein air du Québec (Sépaq) network, namely Îles-de-Boucherville Park, Bic Park, Plaisance Park, Mont Orford Park and Mont Saint-Bruno Park, indicated Minister Barette’s press secretary, Mélina Jalbert. However, the areas that could be acquired through these projects have not been revealed.
According to the minister’s office, the amounts devoted to the Nature Plan could also contribute to the creation of three new parks which are already the subject of discussions: the Dunes-de-Tadoussac national park (6.8 km2), which obtained the approval of the BAPE in September; Nibiischii Park (11,848 km2), made up of two wildlife reserves in Nord-du-Québec which would come under the aegis of the Sépaq; and the Côte-de-Charlevoix national park (61.9 km2).
As of March 31, 2024, the province’s network of protected areas covered more than 255,000 km2. Approximately 17% of terrestrial and freshwater areas and 10% of marine and coastal environments in Quebec benefit from protected status. These proportions have not increased since 2020.
This latest project, however, is the origin of a dispute between the Huron-Wendat Nation and Quebec. The community criticizes the government for having left it out of discussions even though the site of the future park is on the ancestral territory it claims.
On Monday, Grand Chef Rémy Vincent said very surprised
to be informed at the same time as everyone
of the publication of the 2030 Nature Plan, for which the First Nation was consulted.
The government, for its part, indicates that community involvement is one of the pillars on which its biodiversity protection strategy is based. The Nature Plan is consistent with respect for Indigenous rights, the agreements concluded between the Government of Quebec and the First Nations and the Inuit, and the constitutional obligation to consult them
we can read there.
The report by Elisa Serret
Act in the south of the province
Since COP15 was held in Montreal, the Quebec government has been in a hurry to adopt a national strategy on biodiversity.
Protect 30% of land and oceans, this is only one of the objectives; there are others in the global context
underlines Alice-Anne Simard, general director of Nature Québec, who recalls that targets also concern the remaining 70% of the territory which is not protected
.
For the moment, most of the areas designated protected are in the north of the province. However, the needs are more acute in southern Quebec, where urban sprawl and development have occurred to the detriment of natural environments. It is in these regions, whose territory is essentially held by private interests, that we identify nearly half of the province’s species at risk.
On these lands which have no protection status, how can we improve practices – whether in terms of agriculture, consumption, forestry, fishing – to live in harmony with nature and reverse the current trend of destruction of biodiversity?
asked Ms. Simard in an interview with Radio-Canada, before Minister Charette’s announcement.
In addition to increasing protected areas, the 2030 Nature Plan includes targets to make forestry practices more sustainable, reduce the risks associated with the use of pesticides in agriculture and prevent the proliferation of invasive exotic species.
Delighted to see Quebec adopt a strategic plan to protect biodiversity, Alain Branchaud, general director of SNAP Quebec, believes that it is particularly relevant that biodiversity conservation efforts are based on access to nature and its benefits for communities, particularly on physical and mental health
.
Mr. Branchaud nevertheless notes the absence of an accountability mechanism. We would like [la tenue] an annual meeting to adjust the action plan [2024-2028]
he explains.
With the collaboration of Elisa Serret
