The health and quality of life of Montreal's East End residents will be improved thanks to a joint investment by the federal government and the City of Montreal of up to $67 million to support the extensive planting of trees and shrubs.
Announced by the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, the Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada and the Mayor of Montreal Valérie Plante, this funding will reduce heat islands in Montreal's East End and improve the community's resilience to climate change, while ensuring the health and safety of residents in times of extreme heat.
Now more than ever, communities need help adapting to the increasingly intense and frequent weather events caused by climate change. Reducing the impact of natural disasters such as extreme heat, erosion, flooding, and wildfires is critical to keeping Canadian families safe, protecting local businesses, and supporting a strong economy and the middle class.
More specifically, today's funding will make it possible to plant 230,000 trees and 57,000 shrubs in Montreal's East End. This project will strengthen the existing natural infrastructure in the area and provide better access to natural environments.
Making adaptation investments now will have major economy-wide benefits later. Every dollar that is invested in adapting and preparing for climate-related disasters can return as much as $13 to $15 in benefits.
