"I don't think we fully appreciate yet the importance or the effects that this Mount Royal Summit will have on the mountain. I am very proud of what we have achieved today and I am sure that the efforts of Les Amis and our partners will bring concrete results," explained Peter Howlett, President of Les Amis de la montagne.

Héritage Montréal's president, Louise Dussault-Letocha, added, "It is more important than ever that we put into place procedures that will allow us to protect our mountain, and the Minister of Culture and Communications and the Mayor of Montréal made an announcement early in the week inviting us to do just that. Héritage Montréal is proud to work with Les Amis de la montagne, and the two groups will continue to work in partnership for the benefit of the mountain."

THE TERRITORY
The definition of the territory comprising Mount Royal has been problematic because the boundaries were originally drawn up by each of the surrounding cities based on their own criteria and how they intended to manage their own sections of the mountain under their individual master plans and urban planning rules. The boundaries were based on a wide variety of criteria, interests, and opportunities, and the type of concerted vision necessary for proper protection and planning was never developed.

"The mountain's boundaries have always been haphazard and incomplete, leaving out certain groupings, properties, buildings, wooded areas, and other sections with specific histories, topographies, and ecosystems. We are thrilled that Summit participants have accepted our proposal to define a territory bounded by Décarie Blvd., Sherbrooke St., Saint-Urbain St., and Van Horne Ave.," said Nathalie Zinger, President, Centre de la montagne.

A SPECIAL STATUS FOR MOUNT ROYAL
Individual parts of the mountain currently have different statuses and therefore come under the jurisdiction of different authorities, each independent of the other, which is far from ideal for proper protection of the mountain. "When we realize that certain heritage properties and sites of great value are not specifically protected because they're located outside the formal boundaries of the protected area, we understand how important the question of status truly is," said the president of Les Amis de la montagne.

"The proposal that we adopted today is straightforward but very significant. It involves defining a new, special status encompassing the entire mountain, adapted to its complexity, and aiming for management that is local and attuned to actual needs," explained Mr. Howlett.

CLOSING THE LOOP
Once the territory was defined and the new status agreed upon, it was vital to draw up a set of management tools specifically adapted to Mount Royal. The role of the various public bodies had to be defined and a permanent commission had to be created to bring all of the public, private, and interested partners together in a common vision, as well as encourage joint action and consistency in policies, programs, and plans for the conservation, development, and management of Mount Royal.

A MOUNT ROYAL CHARTER
One of the highlights of the Summit was the presentation of a Charter setting out basic principles to ensure quality in all undertakings and guarantee respect for the value of this symbol of our collective heritage. The Mount Royal Summit thus marks the beginning of a new social contract between Montrealers and their mountain - a contract that will allow future generations to enjoy this exceptional site for years to come.

"One of the things that touched me most today was the fact that everyone in attendance truly wanted to act quickly to protect, preserve, and enhance the mountain. Rest assured that Les Amis, our partners, and all those who have the mountain at heart will attend the borough summits, the sectoral summit and, of course, the Montreal Summit in June. We are definitely on the right track and we will make the public and our elected representatives aware of the problems and resolutions that were agreed upon today and ensure constructive follow-up," concluded Peter Howlett of Les Amis de la montagne.

Photos: Andrew Dobrowolskyj