At its regular meeting on September 16, Brossard’s city council adopted a resolution asking the federal government to cede to the city part of the land making up Parc Léon-Gravel, currently under the responsibility of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC).
An exceptional site to preserve and enhance
Parc Léon-Gravel occupies a unique place in the brossardois landscape. Located on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, it is distinguished by its rich biodiversity, remarkable views and recreational tourism potential. The site has been used by citizens for over forty years, but remains largely the property of the federal government, which limits development work.
A clear desire to ensure access to the river
“The St. Lawrence is a jewel in Brossard’s identity, and Parc Léon-Gravel is our gateway to this majestic river. We reiterate our desire to enhance it to make it an exceptional showcase, accessible to the entire community,” said Brossard Mayor Doreen Assaad.
The resolution calls on Canada’s Transport Minister to accelerate the process of divesting federal lands, so that the city can realize its vision of sustainable, civic-minded development. A copy of this resolution will be forwarded to the Minister of Transport, to the Member of Parliament for Brossard-Saint-Lambert and to the SLSMC administration.
Strong public support
On September 6, the Town held the Rêvons avec Léon participatory event, which brought together over 300 people to express their vision for the future of the park. The consultation showed strong popular support for improving the site and providing better access to the river.
Background and next steps
Since 1982, the City has leased two federal lots within the park, while a third lot already belongs to the City. Official steps have been underway since 2016 to enable the transfer of ownership to the municipality. The city thus reaffirms its commitment to working with the federal authorities to bring this process to a swift conclusion, in the interests of its citizens.
