The Government of Canada concludes an important chapter concerning surplus land in the former Mirabel airport reserve

Press Release

From: Transport Canada

April 15, 2019 Mirabel, Quebec Transport Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to furthering important socio-economic objectives that contribute to the growth and development of communities across Canada.

Today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, announced that it is restarting the process to sell surplus lands from the former Mirabel airport reserve that began in 2008. The purpose of that announcement was the sale of 748 acres to the previous owners expropriated in 1969 or to their estates.

The lands are located in the unleased sector of the Mirabel airport reserve and remained vacant after the owners were expropriated in 1969. The lands were initially part of the Sales Program of 11,000 acres of land at Mirabel, announced on December 18, 2006, and launched in December 2008. This program ended on March 31, 2013, after being extended for two consecutive periods of one year each.

The Government of Canada supports the process that began several years ago. It held consultations with several stakeholders before making a final decision. Recognizing the importance of economic development in this region, the Government of Canada is open to having discussions both with the City of Mirabel and Indigenous groups. These discussions will seek to identify potential future surplus lands in the region and discuss their potential use.

Quotes

“This initiative shows the Government of Canada’s commitment to support farmers and the development of rural communities. This sale will help entrepreneurship in the Mirabel region to pursue its agricultural activities for future generations and to support the economy and social development in Canada.”

The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport

Quick facts

• In 2011, the unleased sector was excluded from the Sales Program of 11,000 acres of land at Mirabel in 2011, as these parcels were not accessible by public road. Before being able to sell this land, Transport Canada needed to open it up. The complexity and duration of this process drove the decision to remove this land from the program and to sell it after the program expiration date.
• On May 10, 2016, Transport Canada and the City of Mirabel signed a bill of sale for an old road bed at Mirabel in order to open up the unleased sector.
• The sector consists of forested land, encumbered by easements for the operation of the airport and for the protection of a wetland site, still owned by Transport Canada.

Contacts

Delphine Denis
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
613-991-0700
delphine.denis@tc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
media@tc.gc.ca

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