The federal government should inject funds in the municipalities or RCMs in Canada that are development models of local services. That would be the first thing to do. We should stop developing cities the way we are. Services are far away. People have to drive to get where they need to go. Our cities are built around the automobile. That is useful in some way, but we can make local service models.
We spoke about six storeys. I think buildings should never be higher than four storeys because they are less expensive to air-condition, and we would be respecting the tree canopy and the height of trees that offer different and mild climatic cover. Also, in the northern countries, trees cut the wind in winter. It also decreases energy use.
I am looking at cities like Montreal, which I know very well, or Toronto. I'm looking at Ottawa, which I think is quite a beautiful city. When we open the streets to rebuild infrastructures, why do we always make very wide streets and boulevards? Why not bring it back down to a more human scale?
Take for example Saint-Denis Street in Montreal, which is 14 km long. Take away one lane of traffic and put in some greenery. When you go to redo the storm sewers, you will use much less expensive pipes. You will save some money. You will be able to plant trees and better manage rain and precipitation. There will be a percolation of water in the ground, a decrease in greenhouse gases and, as a result, a drop in climate change. The temperature will be milder in the winter and in the summer. The natural environments are there to be integrated.
If the Government of Canada wanted to do something, it should fund projects that truly are green and well adapted to society and to city dwellers in Canada.