They may not have been the most talked-about events of the past year, but we recently saw two very important announcements concerning the future of land in Quebec.
The land, or territory, of Quebec encompasses our nature, our biodiversity, our resources, our agriculture, our food, and our mobility - but also our vulnerability to climate change. That's why we've paid particular attention to two very important documents:
- The Groupe d’experts en adaptation aux changements climatiques [(GEA), an expert panel on climate change adaptation] has put forward 20 recommendations and 90 potential courses of action to enable Quebec to adapt to the challenges presented by the impacts of climate change.
- The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing released the government’s new directions in land use planning (OGAT). Simply put, if the way we design our cities, communities and regions were a board game, these guidelines would be the rule book.
Adaptation: experts hold the keys
First, it is becoming increasingly urgent that the issue of adaptation be addressed. At Équiterre, we have weighed in on the debate regarding the importance of this issue in the context of international climate negotiations. We also triggered reflection on the current situation in Quebec, and reacted to the tabling of the federal strategy on adaptation.
So, what can we learn from the GEA report?
1. Biodiversity ranks number one on the list of experts' priorities
It's worth noting that the GEA places the protection and restoration of biodiversity at the top of the report's recommendations. In doing so, it is encouraging the government to think in terms of planetary limits and ecosystems. We welcome this recommendation, which aligns with Équiterre's recommendations on energy, mobility and consumption.
2. Building back better after disasters
By focusing on the need to better rebuild following natural disasters, the GEA lays the foundations for the systematic integration of an adaptation analysis grid for all government projects, which should have an impact on the houses and residential and commercial buildings we build, as well as mobility, biodiversity, etc. This is especially true, since this principle is coupled with the need to better protect the most vulnerable populations, and to plan adaptation interventions by taking public health into account.
3. More highly-sustainable buildings and infrastructure
Inevitably, it will be necessary to change our practices and regulations to ensure we build physical and natural infrastructure and buildings that enhance resilience. In addition, we strongly agree with the GEA's analysis that we need to minimize our use of energy and water resources.
4. Economic sectors need to be prepared
It is critically important that economic sectors and jobs adapt. We need to prepare for the jobs of tomorrow, increase the resilience of supply chains and reduce the risks to sectors that depend on vulnerable natural resources, such as agricultural land.
5. Learning better self-management
In this section, the GEA report highlights the need for the province to set an example, specifically in terms of implementing the government's new land use planning guidelines. There is also a need to better measure and monitor progress (or lack thereof) in adaptation, and to provide stakeholders with the technical and financial resources they need in order to fully implement their plans.
The GEA report explores the full range of solutions for making Quebec's communities and economic sectors more resilient. By placing nature at the very centre of adaptation strategies, the GEA has stressed the importance of Quebec's biodiversity in political decisions on land use and future development.
The report also highlights the importance of coordination between the government and local stakeholders, such as Indigenous peoples and municipal leaders, but it fails to mention any cooperation with the federal government, which will be critical if we are to succeed in adapting our country. For example, the Quebec Construction Code needs to be updated to harmonize it with the federal Building Code.
Heading in the right direction
Then, in terms of land use planning, our work on mobility and on agriculture is intrinsically linked to the new policy directions. That's why we submitted a series of recommendations during the public consultations on this key issue.
What is our assessment of the new policy directions?
1. Communities ready to absorb shocks
Community resilience, adaptation and safety is the primary thrust of these new directions in land use planning (OGAT), a sign that the government understands the seriousness of adapting the land to the challenges of climate change. The challenge is to progress from planning to implementation.
2. Protecting nature and the land
Like the GEA report, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs considers the conservation of ecosystems and natural environments, including agricultural soil, to be at the heart of its new policy directions. The challenge here remains moving from direction to prioritization in policy choices and investments. This is something that must still be done in a number of areas.
3. A Quebec that ‘walks the walk’
There's a clear desire to create the right conditions for the development of sustainable mobility in Quebec, and for this mobility to be considered in conjunction with our development, rather than as something disconnected and separate from the rest, as is currently the case.
4. Making intelligent use of Quebec's land potential
Whether you want to live here or pay a visit, Quebec's natural environment offers a wealth of opportunities that the new policy directions are intended to capitalize on. However, making full use of Quebec's potential also means maximizing its resources and energy potential. The great challenge lies in policy direction #7, which is designed to ensure harmonious coexistence on the land, particularly between the mining industry and other sectors.
With these new directions, we've taken a major step forward in terms of land use planning. Most of the guidelines are headed in the right direction, although we still hope for a harmonious coexistence of uses, which means important choices will have to be made.
Making sure money follows is key. The means to implement these policy directions must be made available to communities. Given the government's negative response to requests from municipalities to fund adaptation and public transit, we're still a long way away from realizing these objectives.
That's why the success of these recommendations will be determined by whether the government itself respects and prioritizes them. We call it leading by example.
In summary: when it comes to both adaptation and land use planning, the means and resources available to implement any recommendations will make the difference between successfully executed planning or a nice little document gathering dust on a shelf (or on the Ministry of Municipal Affairs' server).
