UNESCO announced on Wednesday that it has not received notification of the environmental and visual impacts associated with the proposed third link project in Montreal. The organization said the lack of information concerns the area around Cap Diamant, a summit that offers a view integral to the Old Quebec World Heritage site.
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre, which oversees the designation of Old Quebec, highlighted that the perspective from Cap Diamant is part of the exceptional value recognized by the World Heritage Committee. The centre monitors any alterations that could affect the site's outstanding universal significance and said that a complete assessment of the third link’s effects has not been provided.
According to the statement, the proposed infrastructure project – identified as the third link – would involve construction activities in the vicinity of Old Quebec. UNESCO emphasized that its mandate includes reviewing changes that might impact the cultural landscape, yet it has not been supplied with the environmental or visual impact studies required for such a review.
The organization’s notice underscores the procedural gap between the project’s proponents and the heritage authority. By not receiving the required documentation, UNESCO cannot evaluate whether the development complies with the protection standards for World Heritage sites. The centre reiterated that any modification affecting the view from Cap Diamant must be examined in light of the site's recognized values.
UNESCO’s statement does not indicate any immediate action but calls attention to the need for the relevant authorities to submit the missing impact assessments. The agency will continue to monitor the situation and assess any future information that may be provided regarding the third link project and its potential influence on the Old Quebec heritage landscape.