Technoparc Montreal Explained

Technoparc Montréal
Foundation:1987
Location:Montréal, QC

Technoparc Montréal is a hightech industrial park in Montréal. The Neomed institute is located in the Technoparc and hosts many small and medium-sized pharmaceutical research companies.

History

The park was established in 1987 as Technoparc Saint-Laurent, renamed Technoparc Montréal in 2008. It includes the Place Innovation building, an Astra Pharma research laboratory, the Neomed Institute, and the Éco-campus Hubert Reeves. In 2015, Green Cross Biotherapeutics, ABB and 4Degrées all announced plans for real estate projects in the park. REM began infrastructure work for a station in the Éco-campus Hubert Reeves in 2016.

Ecology

Technoparc Montréal is integrated into an ecological reserve known as the Coulée verte du ruisseau Bertrand.[1] The reserve is a habitat for various native animal species, so development must be carefully planned in order to avoid environmental damage.[2] The Éco-campus Hubert Reeves is the center of these attempts to create usable space for clean technology, nanotechnology and sustainable development companies in an environmentally-friendly manner.[3]

Concerns were raised when REM began construction, as the station that was intended to provide public transport for park workers resulted in the destruction of a green heron nesting site according to TechnoparcOiseaux.[4]

Governance

Technoparc Montréal is a non-profit organization funded largely by an annual contribution of $2.6 million from the city of Montréal. As a publicly funded enterprise, it is subject to strict scrutiny by the government. In 2015 questions were raised concerning the governing board and CEO after Montréal's auditor general released a report citing lack of oversight and conflicts of interest.[5] This resulted in the city disbanding the non-profit organization that had run the park and governing it directly.[6]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ville de Montréal - Réseau des grands parcs - Coulée verte du Ruisseau Bertrand. 2020-12-20. ville.montreal.qc.ca. fr-ca.
  2. News: Tiny, at-risk heron threatened by Technoparc, activists say CBC News. en-US. CBC. 2020-12-20.
  3. Web site: Eco-campus Hubert Reeves. 2020-12-20. Technoparc Montréal. en-US.
  4. News: Environmental groups ask court to stop REM construction at Saint-Laurent Technoparc CBC News. en-US. CBC. 2020-12-20.
  5. News: Technoparc management slammed by Montreal Auditor General CBC News. en-US. CBC. 2020-12-20.
  6. Web site: Citing 'serious concerns,' city to disband Technoparc Montréal. 2020-12-20. montrealgazette. en-CA.