Quebec Orders Restoration of Wetlands at Unauthorized Golf Course
- Austin, Quebec – The government of Quebec has ordered the restoration of farmland and wetlands in the Eastern Townships after determining that a golf course was constructed illegally...
- The Commission de protection des terres agricoles du Québec (CPTAQ) previously determined that the project damaged both farmland and a maple grove.
- An inspection conducted on July 31, 2025, revealed that roughly 2.4 hectares of forested peatland had been almost entirely cleared and excavated to create an artificial lake.
Austin, Quebec – The government of Quebec has ordered the restoration of farmland and wetlands in the Eastern Townships after determining that a golf course was constructed illegally on protected agricultural land. The case centers on Glenn Chamandy, CEO of the multinational clothing company Gildan, and his wife, Amel Murad, who commissioned the private course without obtaining necessary permits.
The Commission de protection des terres agricoles du Québec (CPTAQ) previously determined that the project damaged both farmland and a maple grove. The latest escalation, announced by the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP), involves a significant wetland area adjacent to Lake Memphremagog, a crucial drinking water source for approximately 185,000 people.
An inspection conducted on , revealed that roughly 2.4 hectares of forested peatland had been almost entirely cleared and excavated to create an artificial lake. According to the MELCCFP, a portion of a stream feeding Lake Memphremagog was also impacted, diverted and connected to the newly created lake. These actions were undertaken without ministerial authorization, violating Article 22 of Quebec’s Environmental Quality Act (LQE).
The ministry issued a notice of non-compliance in , requesting the landowners submit a restoration plan. The plan submitted in , however, was deemed inadequate by the government, failing to restore the area to its original condition or a comparable state.
“Given the severity of the impacts and the continued non-compliance, the ministry considered other measures available to correct the situation,” the government stated. The MELCCFP has signaled its intention to issue a formal order – preliminary notice number 764 – compelling Chamandy and Murad to restore the wetlands and aquatic environments on their property to their pre-construction state, or a comparable condition.
Chamandy and Murad have been given to submit written observations to Minister Benoit Charette. The Minister will then decide whether to issue the order, taking into account any feedback received. The potential order would be issued under Article 114 of the LQE.
The case has drawn criticism from local conservation groups. Memphremagog Conservation (MCI) has been particularly vocal, denouncing the clear-cutting, wetland destruction, and illegal drainage. The organization is calling for “exemplary sanctions” to deter similar violations in the future, emphasizing the vulnerability of Lake Memphremagog as a drinking water source.
The unauthorized construction highlights ongoing tensions between private development and Quebec’s strict regulations protecting agricultural land. The CPTAQ was established to preserve farmland and ensure its sustainable use, recognizing the importance of local food production and the preservation of rural landscapes. The province has a long-standing policy of protecting its agricultural base, and unauthorized conversions of farmland are rare, particularly on this scale.
The incident also raises questions about enforcement of environmental regulations and the potential for wealthy individuals to circumvent established procedures. The MELCCFP’s decision to pursue a formal restoration order signals a commitment to upholding these regulations, but the ultimate outcome will depend on the Minister’s decision following the review of the landowners’ observations.
The situation is being closely watched by environmental groups and agricultural advocates across Quebec, who see it as a test case for the province’s commitment to land conservation. The potential financial and logistical challenges of restoring a substantial wetland area are significant, and the case could set a precedent for future enforcement actions.
While the focus remains on the restoration of the affected land, the broader implications of the case extend to the ongoing debate about balancing economic development with environmental protection in Quebec’s rural regions. The outcome will likely influence future development proposals and the scrutiny applied to projects impacting sensitive ecosystems.