The Falaise St-Jacques is an eco-territory designated by Montreal. The Ministère de Transports du Québec (MTQ) recently cut down many trees, despite the officially recognized ecological importance of the area.

For more information:

• Forgotten forest – The Link
• Environmentalists raising red flags – Global News
• Sauvons la Falaise St-Jacques – Pimento Report
• Portion of escarpment bulldozed – Global News
• Les travaux déboisement – Journal Métro 
• Protect the Falaise – Pimento #95 
• Massive tree cutting – Montreal Times
• Let’s protect falaise – Montreal Gazette
• falaise – blog 
• Montreal Greenway – Pimento Report video

Stay updated by following Sauvons la Falaise  on Facebook.

2015
In January, the Agglomeration of Montreal adopts a new Urban Plan designating the Lachine portion of Meadowbrook, “Espace vert ou récréation”, with the result that the whole of Meadowbrook is now preserved as a green space.  Meadowbrook was the space most frequently mentioned by citizens and groups during the public consultations.

2014
Following public consultations, the Office de Consultation Publique de Montréal (OCPM) adopts the Labrecque Commission recommendation, that Meadowbrook be preserved and made into a nature park connected by a green corridor to the St. Jacques escarpment.

2013  April

• After being forced to by the Quebec Lobbying Commission, Groupe Pacific finally discloses its secret lobbying campaign in operation since May 1, 2007.
• Les Amis du Parc Meadowbrook unveils a Master Plan for Meadowbrook – an Urban Nature Heritage Park accessible to all.

          September

• Groupe Pacific, seeing its plans being rejected by the City, sues Montreal in an attempt to force it to expropriate the Lachine part of Meadowbrook for $44 Million, plus over $800,000 in “damages” (judgment pending).
• Both of Montreal’s Agglomeration and Municipal Councils unanimously adopt the FCM-RAC’s 300–meter safety setbacks from rail yards, including those surrounding Meadowbrook, and mandate the inclusion of the setbacks in their new Urban Plans. The objections of AMT and CP Rail to residential development on Meadowbrook are also presented to the Councils.

2011
The AMT announces plans for a Lachine maintenance centre in CP’s Sortin Yards at a cost of $120 million, with federal and provincial funding.

2010
On October 25, the City of Montréal rejects Groupe Pacific’s residential development plan.

2009
In June, the Labrecque Commission of the Montreal Agglomeration, after public hearings, recommends preserving Meadowbrook and making it a nature park and connecting by a green corridor to the St. Jacques escarpment.

2008
Groupe Pacific proposes a “green” Petite Rivière residential development on Lachine’s portion of Meadowbrook.

2007
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Railway Association of Canada (FCM-RAC) adopt guidelines and best practices on setbacks (300 m) between new residential developments and rail yards.

2006
Groupe Pacific acquires the land for $3 million and hires Suzanne Deschamps, former Director General of the Société d’Habitation et de Développement de Montréal (SHDM), to lobby her former colleagues at the City of Montréal.

2004
Following public consultations, the Office de Consultation Publique de Montréal (OCPM) recommends that Meadowbrook and the Petite Rivière Saint-Pierre be added to the list of Montréal eco-territories.

2000
The City of Côte Saint-Luc changes zoning on its portion of Meadowbrook (31 hectares) from residential to recreational/commercial (golf).

1989
Les Amis du Parc Meadowbrook is established to fight a proposed residential development by Canadian Pacific and Marathon Realty on the golf course, which acts as a buffer zone between the rail yards and residential areas.

1949
The land becomes a public golf course which is still operating almost 65 years later.

1917
Canadian Pacific acquires the land and builds recreational facilities for its employees.