Despite the strong opposition to its activities, the company Ray-Mont Logistiques began Wednesday morning work on its site near boulevard de l’Assomption, in the borough of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve in Montreal.
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According to the company, the City of Montreal would have advised it that it could not extend the period of validity of the authorizations issued for the development of the sector, unless work and operations begin “immediately”.
“This situation therefore forces Ray-Mont Logistiques to begin certain works and operations on its site, as required by the regulations”, justified the company by press release.
She explains that she voluntarily agreed to suspend her work, in June 2021, to participate in a consultation process with the City and the citizens of the borough, and that since the publication of the report of this Thematic Working Group, she continues her work. to integrate the courses of action proposed, such as the greening of the land and the creation of a vegetated buffer zone.
However, this was not enough to obtain an extension of the validity period of the authorizations issued by the City. A letter sent by the lawyers of the City of Montreal, and which QMI was able to consult, seems to confirm these facts.
“The company is therefore obliged to begin work and operations immediately in order to ensure the preservation of its rights, recognized by the Court of Appeal of Quebec”, indicated the company, in its Press release.
Ray-Mont Logistiques, which specializes in the transhipment of goods between ships and trains, acquired the land in 2016, with the aim of building an “intermodal logistics platform” there. However, the borough refused to grant a permit, triggering lengthy legal proceedings.
In January 2021, the Court of Appeal ruled in favor of the company, requiring that it be issued a building permit.
Subsequently, it again turned to the courts, in order to demand compensation of $ 373 million to compensate for the losses due to delays in obtaining permits.
“The company got [suite à sa victoire en Cour] the authorizations to go ahead with its project, which was to begin before April 3, 2022 so that the company does not lose its acquired rights. This is what the company did this morning,” explained Alia Hassan-Cournol, city councilor in the borough of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, through a written statement.
She maintains that her party is determined to protect the green spaces of the sector, and that it discusses in a “proactive” way with the other levels of government to do so.
“We always have the opportunity to improve this project and that is what we intend to do, with you and the other levels of government and the other partners concerned,” she concluded.
On the side of the official opposition, it is estimated that the Plante administration is not “credible” in this file.
“It asks the promoter to start the work even though the steps have not been completed with regard to the mitigation measures. By doing this, it adds confusion to the file for citizens and puts itself at risk in the face of the $300 million lawsuit that is underway,” said Julien Hénault-Ratelle, party spokesperson in matters of economic development.
“For us, it’s like an attack. He still has no projects, he still hasn’t made his request to the Department of the Environment, he still hasn’t submitted anything, and now he’s coming to shove containers in our faces. For us, it’s arrogance without name, “said Anaïs Houde, spokesperson for Mobilization 6600 Parc-Nature MHM.
The organization has been opposed to the Ray-Mont Logistiques project since its inception. He has also carried out several actions and demonstrations to denounce him in recent months.
For Ms. Houde, this willingness of the company to move forward is disrespectful for the community and the residents who live nearby. She accuses the company of showing “bad faith”, by positioning itself as a victim.
Reference-www.tvanouvelles.ca