Projet Montreal mayoral candidate Luc Rabouin unveils climate platform

Projet Montréal leader and mayoral candidate Luc Rabouin unveiled his environmental platform Friday.

“We will accelerate our investment in preparing our neighbourhoods to face the effect of climate change,” Rabouin said at a press conference. He was joined by the mayoral candidate of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough and several other candidates from areas affected by the impacts of climate change.

Rabouin promised to double annual investments in infrastructure – from $15 million to $30 million per year, which would double the number of rainwater retention facilities, expanding their use beyond parks.

“Heat island effects flooding, so we will invest more in our sponge parks, sponge sidewalks, sponge street. We need to develop more infrastructure that are able to absorb the rain and not directing it in our [sewer] system. So we are doing that and also we will help people that are affected to secure their own home,” he said.

Projet Montreal said they would implement a new $5 million program to support residential building owners in high-risk areas in renovating their buildings to protect against flooding.

They would also plant more trees and ensure that a green space is within a 15-minute walk for all Montrealers.