OCPM urges Montreal to reassess controversial container yard expansion before approving

Montreal's public consultation commission is recommending the city postpone approving exemptions for a controversial container yard project slated for the city's east end and conduct a complete reassessment of the plan.

But the city says that's easier said than done.

The Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) was tasked with examining Ray-Mont Logistics' plan to turn 22,300 square metres of unused land into a transportation hub where goods will be sent via rail and road to the nearby Port of Montreal. But to do that, some zoning changes are required. 

A public consultation was called, leading to the OCPM's report, published Thursday, but that's not enough to stall the project, according to Sophie Mauzerolle, who is responsible for transportation on Montreal's executive committee.

She said the city alone does not have the power to unilaterally suspend an out-of-court settlement with the company. Suspension must be done in collaboration with Ray-Mont, she said.

"Our goal is to quickly sit down with the company and the various partners identified in the recommendations to address them for the benefit of the local residents," Mauzerolle said. 

"Our goal is to close this chapter for lasting peace and quiet for the people of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve."

A local group, calling itself Mobilisation 6600 Parc-Nature MHM, has been taking a stand against the project, organizing protests and voicing strong opposition to the expansion.

The group is accusing the company of destroying two wooded areas and causing the neighbourhood to suffer from daily noise. On its Facebook page, the community group celebrated the OCPM's recommendations, and praised its members for participating in the consultation.

"We're quite satisfied about the report," group member Cassandre Charbonneau-Jobin told CBC News. "It shows that our fight that has been going on for nine years is completely legitimate."

In 2022, Quebec's Environment Ministry, after a temporary stop-work order, gave the first phase of the project the green light with some conditions, like limitations on working hours and number of containers that can move through the site annually. Ray-Mont asked for the case to be reexamined and the ministry is now reviewing that request.

"The modification request is being analyzed to ensure that such a change in operating hours will not result in noise emissions likely to harm human life, health, well-being or comfort," said Environment Ministry spokesperson Robert Maranda in an email.

During the consultation, some organizations highlighted the positive economic benefits of the project, but the vast majority of participants, many of whom were local residents, voiced opposition to a project they say will impact their quality of life, the release says.

The OCPM concluded that a complete reassessment should be conducted with key players, including the Ministry of Transport and Canadian National Railway.