Question Period Note: Shoreline Infrastructure – Varennes, Verchères and Contrecoeur

Shoreline Infrastructure – Varennes, Verchères and Contrecoeur

My department is aware of the concerns brought forward by property owners in Varennes, Vercheres and Contrecoeur along the St. Lawrence River.

While protecting structures against shore erosion does not fall under the purview of my department’s mandate, the Government of Canada supports initiatives aimed at preventing shoreline erosion. For example, we are working closely with the commercial shipping industry on the St. Lawrence River to monitor and promote voluntary speed-reductions for vessels operating in erosion-sensitive zones.

If pressed
The Attorney General of Canada was served with a notice of application to certify a class action on January 29, 2020. The Superior Court of Quebec authorized the class action on August 17, 2021. The Canadian Coast Guard has received the judgment from the Superior Court of Quebec and will take the necessary time to review this decision.

• Shoreline protection structures were built under a former Government of Canada program that aimed to protect the shoreline from erosion. The program was originally administered by Public Works, Transport Canada and finally the Canadian Coast Guard (Coast Guard), until it was abolished in 1997 under Program Review. It was determined that erosion was not a core safety mandate for Coast Guard.
• There were approximately 2,700 structures built under the program with 2,450 structures built along the St. Lawrence River.
• The structures were built for the sole benefit of the land owners and property owners, who are responsible for the associated upkeep and ongoing maintenance.
• The Government of Canada has received numerous public inquiries and increasing media attention including formal petitions, requests for information from the Library of Parliament and written letters from politicians, municipalities and members of the public.
• The Government of Canada supports initiatives that prevent shoreline erosion. For example, the St. Lawrence Action Plan (SLAP), a joint initiative between the Governments of Canada and Quebec, monitors voluntary speed reduction measures in four erosion-sensitive zones between Sorel and Montréal. SLAP works with the commercial shipping industry to promote the voluntary speed reductions and monitors compliance through monthly reports created by Transport Canada.
• Shoreline erosion is not uniquely caused by passing ships. It is a complex phenomenon caused by many natural factors including ice, waves caused by wind, currents and tides.

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