Question Period Note: Lachine Canal National Historic Site Asset Renewal and Snow Removal

Lachine Canal National Historic Site Asset Renewal and Snow Removal

• In managing national parks, Parks Canada maintains or restores ecological integrity, and provides Canadians with opportunities to discover and enjoy these treasured places. Parks Canada is responsible for preserving the historic importance of the Lachine Canal, protecting the natural environment along its length, and offering visitors the chance to explore this historic waterway.
• Parks Canada maintains the Lachine Canal pathway from April 15 to November 15. Although the Canal is not cleared of snow, outdoor enthusiasts use the canal corridor for winter activities, such as cross-country skiing.
• In response to interest in keeping the pathway clear of snow during the winter, a joint feasibility study was conducted by the City of Montreal and Parks Canada as part of a pilot snow removal project over a one-kilometre section of the pathway.
• Parks Canada continues to evaluate options to remove snow from the pathway for use by winter cyclists and a decision regarding snow removal will made shortly.

• The 14.5-km long Lachine Canal pathway is one of the busiest in Montreal and allows workers and cyclists to cross the city daily from east to west in a fast and safe manner during the operational season from April 15 to November 15.
• Coalition Velo Montréal bike Coalition and the Association pour la mobilité active du Canal-de-Lachine (Lachine Canal active transportation association) have been lobbying Parks Canada for several years to clear the multi-use pathway of snow in the winter. This proposal was supported by elected municipal councillors and Liberal candidate Steven Guilbeault during the 2019 federal election.
• Since the pathway is not currently maintained in the winter, a joint feasibility study was conducted by the City of Montreal and Parks Canada as part of a pilot snow removal project—over a section of approximately one kilometre—to assess its current structure and the possibility of snow removal for year-round use.
• In mid-February 2019, the preliminary results of the report revealed that snow removal along the pathway was a considerable challenge, since the current pathway is not technically usable all year round:
o It does not have a drainage system, which causes water and ice to accumulate on the surface and poses risks to public safety;
o Since snow acts as an insulator for the pathway, its removal would cause premature degradation and could affect summer usage.
• The preliminary findings of the study are that, for snow removal to be allowed, the entire pathway needs to be rebuilt, which would require the removal of large volumes of contaminated soil from the Canal's industrial history. The cost of rebuilding the pathway is estimated by Parks Canada engineers at approximately $30 million. In addition:
o The creation of adequate ditches and drainage systems would result in a significant change in the appearance and accessibility of the site.
o The pathway is based on a complex system of dikes. Snow removal could significantly compromise the structure of these retaining structures, posing flooding and safety risks. This would also mean the pathway would be rebuilt at a higher level, which would have a significant impact on the historical integrity of the site.
• Parks Canada is considering the possibility of implementing a winter activity program to support four-season programming as an alternative that is more feasible and protects the historical integrity of the Lachine Canal NHS. For example, Parks Canada is already working with the City of Montreal, which maintains a winter trail designed to provide outdoor enthusiasts with opportunities for activities such as snowshoeing, winter walking and oversized wheeled bicycles.

Question Period notes as provided by the Department to the Minister’s Office