No. H212/05For release November 3, 2005
OTTAWA - Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre today announced that a special
piece of legislation to assist in the completion of Highway 30 in Quebec has
received Royal Assent. This legislation will allow the Government of Quebec to
take the next steps required to obtain the Government of Canada's authorization
for the construction of bridges over the St. Lawrence River and the Beauharnois
Canal.
"This legislation is extremely important in helping to move this project
forward for completion by 2009, as scheduled," said Mr. Lapierre. "The
Government of Canada remains committed to making this project a reality for the
Greater Montreal Area, particularly for residents in the Montérégie and Suroît
areas."
"I am very pleased that this piece of legislation has received Royal Assent,"
said Mr. Jacques Saada, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada
for the Regions of Quebec. "This is yet another concrete step towards the
completion of Highway 30."
The Highway 30 project involves the construction of a new 42-kilometre
four-lane western segment between Châteauguay and Vaudreuil-Dorion, which will
include a seven-kilometre highway connection. The western segment requires the
construction of two major bridges, one across the St. Lawrence River and one
over the Beauharnois Canal. The Government of Quebec will oversee the
construction and will retain ownership of the western segment, including the two
bridges.
Normally, the Navigable Waters Protection Act provides the Minister of
Transport with the authority to approve structures built or placed in, on, over,
under, through, or across any navigable water. However, the Act does not apply
to any bridges over the St. Lawrence River or the Beauharnois Canal. Today's
special Act of Parliament provides the Minister with the required authority to
approve the two proposed bridges, subject to certain conditions. The Act is
similar to other pieces of legislation prepared in the past for the construction
of bridges across the St. Lawrence River.
In order for the Government of Quebec to construct and maintain the proposed
bridges, it must submit plans, specifications and the location of the proposed
bridges for study and approval by the governor-in-council before the work
begins. Under the new legislation, the Government of Quebec is also required to
submit to the governor-in-council, for approval, any substantial changes to the
plans, specifications, or locations of the bridges.
In addition, the legislation gives the Government of Canada the right to
review components of the Highway 30 project that could have an impact on
navigation, shipping, or any other aspect under federal jurisdiction. The
legislation provides the Government of Canada with the authority to make
regulations with respect to the two proposed bridges, including provisions
relating to navigation. For example, the Government of Canada could require a
minimum height and width for the bridges in order to ensure the safe passage of
vessels.
An environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act
is currently underway to identify possible environmental impacts, suggest
mitigation measures and anticipate any significant negative environmental
effects that could arise despite adherence to the suggested mitigation measures.
Based on the results of this environmental assessment, the responsible
government departments will exercise their obligations and allow all or only
certain parts of the construction to proceed.
The special legislation was introduced in the Senate on May 12, 2005. It has
since received approval by the Senate and the House of Commons. Royal Assent
brings the legislation into force today.
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Contacts:
Irène Marcheterre
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
Marie-Josée Dubois
Communications
Transport Canada
(613) 993-0055
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca.
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