Local Journalism Initiative

William Crooks
From left to right: Claude Carrière, president of Jouvence’s board of directors; Gilles Bélanger, Minister of Cybersecurity and Digital Affairs and MNA for Orford; Annie Cloutier, director of tourism and social economy financing at Investissement Québec; and Martin Lavoie, general director of Jouvence, hold up an image of the future auberge in front of the building it will replace.

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

The Centre de villégiature Jouvence, a long-standing social economy business nestled in Mont-Orford National Park, is receiving a major boost to its infrastructure with a new $18 million revitalization project, supported by more than $12 million in government funding.

At a press conference held June 17 at La Petite Auberge de Jouvence, Minister of Cybersecurity and Digital Affairs and MNA for Orford Gilles Bélanger announced the funding on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism. “Jouvence is essential to our region,” Bélanger said. “This project is about more than a new building—it’s about securing the future of an institution that touches the lives of thousands each year.”

The investment includes $5 million from the Programme d’aide à la relance de l’industrie touristique (PARIT) and over $7 million in loans, largely through Investissement Québec. According to the official release, the new building will be built to LEED certification standards and will feature 42 rooms, a dining room with 90 seats, and flexible spaces for meetings, congresses, and retreats.

Jouvence’s Director General Martin Lavoie described the project as the organization’s new “navire amiral”—its flagship facility. “We are not just building a structure. We are building a future that is greener, more resilient, and more human,” he said, noting that the work will begin immediately with demolition next week. The new auberge is expected to open in the summer of 2026.

In a follow-up interview, Jouvence’s Assistant Director General Hugo Veilleux highlighted how the new auberge will allow the centre to expand its offering. “We’ve seen a growing demand from corporate groups, universities, and unions looking for a peaceful place to meet,” he said. “This project will help us meet that demand while supporting our core mission.”

The revenue generated from the upgraded facility will help fund renovations across the rest of the 110-room site, ensuring Jouvence can continue welcoming school groups, families, and individuals year-round. “We’re open all year, but people don’t always realize that,” Veilleux added. “Come September, the prices drop and the experience is just as magical.”

Founded over five decades ago, Jouvence offers all-inclusive nature stays with lodging, meals, and outdoor activities. The new construction is part of a long-term vision to modernize while staying true to its community-based roots.

The project is also supported by the Caisse d’économie solidaire Desjardins and Tourisme Cantons-de-l’Est. “Jouvence will remain a place of connection—with nature, with oneself, and with others,” said Tourisme Cantons-de-l’Est Director General Isabelle Charlebois.

With work already underway and an official inauguration expected in 2026, Lavoie thanked all those who brought the project to life: “This is our answer to the challenges of today and tomorrow.”

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Mélanie Letendre Jauniaux at the SSHRC Storytellers Challenge event, where she was recognized for her work on trauma-informed education

Bishop’s grad student honoured for trauma awareness work

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Mélanie Letendre Jauniaux, a psychology master’s student at Bishop’s University, has received national recognition for her community-based research and powerful communication skills. Jauniaux was awarded the Engagement Prize at this year’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Storytellers Challenge—an honour voted on by her fellow finalists.

“The SSHRC Storytellers Contest is a federally funded competition where you have to tell the story of your research and why it matters—in three minutes—to a multidisciplinary or lay audience,” Jauniaux explained in a June 16 conversation. “It’s a great way to practice scientific communication.”

Jauniaux’s work centres around trauma-informed education. A former youth protection worker, she returned to school shortly before the pandemic, completing a BA in psychology and a certificate in knowledge mobilization before moving on to her current master’s research.

Her passion for the topic is deeply personal. “I’m a trauma survivor,” she shared. “Learning the science of trauma helped me realize I wasn’t alone.”

Trauma, she said, is now broadly defined as an event that overwhelms a person’s capacity to cope and can change the brain and body. But healing is possible. “We can rewire, we can reconnect, and we can heal,” she said.

Her master’s project involves the creation and evaluation of a half-day trauma-awareness training program delivered in partnership with local organizations. “It provides participants with basic knowledge about the science of trauma, how to become more trauma-informed, and how to apply this understanding in real-world contexts,” she explained. “Participants say it’s helped them understand their own experiences and those of people around them, and some have even changed their workplace practices.”

For example, Jauniaux described how a professor might misinterpret a student’s seemingly extreme reaction to a minor incident. “They might think the student is being disrespectful, when in reality, the student could be re-experiencing a traumatic event,” she said. “The science shows that traumatic memories can be encoded in survival mode and re-experienced as though they’re happening in the present.”

She emphasized that trauma is not limited to PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). “It exists on a continuum,” she explained, “from adversity and stress to more severe trauma. It can come from childhood experiences, systemic injustice, or long-term exposure to microaggressions.”

So far, her training has been offered free of charge and shaped collaboratively with participants. “I’ve developed versions for Bishop’s and [other organizations]. Each one looks a little different, because we adapt it based on feedback,” she said.

Her ultimate goal is to make trauma education more accessible and impactful. “Research doesn’t make sense unless you’re doing it with community,” she said. “This isn’t just my work—it was built with the people around me.”

As she nears the end of her degree, Jauniaux is looking ahead to the next stage of her academic journey. “I’m finishing my master’s this summer and planning to pursue a PhD in psychology,” she said. “I want to keep building on this work.”

Reflecting on her SSHRC win, Jauniaux said she was honoured to be selected by her peers. “It’s a privilege to be able to share my story—and theirs. I shouldn’t be the only one in the spotlight.”

By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative

The Eastern Townships School Board (ETSB) is scrambling to adjust to drastic new budget cuts imposed by the provincial government, according to Chair Mike Murray. The cuts are part of a $510 million reduction to education spending across Quebec, announced last week with little notice and no room for negotiation.

In an interview with The Record, Murray described the situation as “impossible” and said the ETSB has already suspended all hiring for the upcoming school year. “We have obligations under all of our collective agreements to maintain those jobs we can,” he said. “What we have to try and do is find the kind of deep cuts… and so far it’s going to be very difficult to cut enough.”

The board estimates it must cut 5 to 5.5 per cent of its total budget—roughly $6.5 million—mostly from the small portion not tied up in salaries. That leaves student services and programming vulnerable. “Everything parascolaire, every kind of extra activity that students are able to enjoy now, [may] have to go,” Murray said. “Outings, clubs, sports—these things are at serious risk.”

Murray also noted that essential support services are on the chopping block. “Especially aides and classroom aides that were to help students—particularly disadvantaged students… not necessarily handicapped but those that need extra coaching.” Professional development for staff is another likely casualty, he added.

The cuts come on the heels of another $200 million slashed earlier this school year, prompting a sharp rebuke from the Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA). In a June 13 press release, QESBA President Joe Ortona called the move “a direct assault on the viability of our public education system.” He said the decision allows for only 24 hours of consultation and prohibits boards from using any accumulated surplus to soften the blow.

“Our answer is a clear and resounding NO, full stop,” Ortona said. “This financial crisis was not created by school boards, and we will not allow our school system’s integrity to be sacrificed to solve this government’s deficit.”

Murray echoed the sentiment, calling the cuts “wholly political.” He pointed to last year’s collective agreement negotiations, when the Treasury Board sidelined experienced negotiators and agreed to what he described as “very large salary increases.” The financial implications, he said, were not fully understood by the government, and have now ballooned into a budgetary crisis.

The government has framed the cuts as a necessary “budgetary effort,” Murray said. Directors General of school boards were summoned last Thursday to a midday meeting and presented with fixed budget reduction targets. “Don’t argue, it’s not up for negotiation,” was the message, according to Murray. Any feedback had to be submitted within 24 hours.

Despite appeals sent to the education minister outlining the severity of the situation, Murray said he doesn’t expect any change of course. “This is all Treasury Board trying to manage their budget,” he said. “And I’m not minimizing the problem the Treasury Board has.”

Internally, the ETSB is holding daily meetings of its resource allocation committee and has already convened a large management meeting involving principals and centre directors. “We’re working through 4,000 or 5,000 item budget[s], trying to find economies somewhere,” Murray said. A special council meeting will likely be required in July to finalize the budget.

Murray urged concerned parents to act. “Yes, contact your MNA and tell them it’s idiocy,” he said. “Whether they’re government side or opposition side, they have a voice in the National Assembly.”

The QESBA has likewise called on all education partners, parents, and community members to stand united against the cuts. “The future of our children and the strength of our democratic institutions depend on a robust, equitable, and properly funded public education system,” Ortona said.

The ETSB’s next council meeting is expected to provide more concrete details on how the cuts will play out locally. Until then, Murray said, “we will continue to be working very hard on this until certainly next week.”

William Crooks
Kerwins Saint-Jean speaks at his official campaign launch in Lennoxville on June 16, backed by supporters from Sherbrooke Citoyen

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

At a midday press conference held in Lennoxville’s Square Queen on Monday, June 16, Sherbrooke Citoyen leader and mayoral candidate Raïs Kibonge officially introduced Kerwins Saint-Jean as the party’s candidate for the Lennoxville district in the upcoming municipal election set for November.

Saint-Jean, a long-time community advocate and organizer, announced his candidacy with visible emotion, pledging to bring his experience and deep connection to Lennoxville to municipal politics. “I’m ready to give back to Sherbrooke,” he told the crowd. “Lennoxville is a unique and vibrant part of Sherbrooke—bilingual, diverse, and closely knit. I want to help it thrive with listening, respect, and determination.”

Saint-Jean emphasized three priorities in his campaign: supporting the local business sector, protecting the Ascot-Lennox woodland, and improving public transit. He spoke of strengthening the commercial corridor along Queen Street, where he hopes to “support current storeowners and encourage the development of new ventures.” He also called for increased bus service on evenings and weekends and expressed support for a universal transit pass for Bishop’s and Champlain students.

The former Cougars football player and Champlain College alumnus noted how Lennoxville shaped his early life. “It’s where I experienced my first real challenges, my first real victories,” he said. “It’s the view, the spirit, the people—it’s my home.”

Following his remarks, Saint-Jean responded to reporters’ questions, explaining that he chose to run with Sherbrooke Citoyen because of the party’s alignment with his values. “Inclusion and the environment—it’s really the reason why I love Sherbrooke and don’t want to leave,” he said. “This is the right move.”

When asked about the importance of bilingual status in Lennoxville, Kibonge stepped in to reaffirm the party’s commitment. “Lennoxville is a particularly special place that needs that, deserves that,” he said. “People here need to make sure that they can understand what’s going on… Rest assured, that’s definitely one of our priorities.” Kibonge added that the party supported retaining Lennoxville’s bilingual designation in 2023 and would continue to uphold that position. “For us, diversity is not just something to talk about—it’s something to live.”

Kibonge praised Saint-Jean’s record of engagement and leadership. “Kerwins embodies the kind of leadership Sherbrooke needs: proactive, innovative, and unifying,” he said. “His achievements show a real commitment to inclusion, youth, and community development.”

A related press release adds that Saint-Jean first gained broad recognition in 2020 when he co-organized the Black Lives Matter demonstration in Sherbrooke, which drew over 3,000 people. In 2024, he co-led the Grand Innovation Lab, an entrepreneurial forum bringing together young Black leaders from across Quebec. He currently works as a project coordinator at the Socio-Economic Summit for the Development of Black Youth.

His community work has included involvement with Actions Interculturelles, the Fédération des communautés culturelles de l’Estrie, Black Estrie, and the Haitian Community of the Eastern Townships, where he served as president. He was awarded the Youth Recognition–Nelson Mandela and the King Charles III Coronation Medal, presented by then-Revenue Minister Élisabeth Brière.

Asked what has most prepared him to enter municipal politics, Saint-Jean pointed to his grassroots experience. “Community, pure and simple,” he said. “I’ve worked with people from many backgrounds with a common mission—helping one’s neighbour. Politics is really the place to do that in a local, tangible way.”

He concluded the event by thanking his new political team and promising a campaign rooted in dialogue and action. “I promise you an attentive ear, a constant presence, and sincere energy put to the service of what we are building together,” he said.

William Crooks
Residents, staff, and supporters of Grace Village Retirement Community gather outside on June 13 before setting off on their awareness walk, each wearing a purple ribbon in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Grace village marks elder abuse awareness day

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Residents, staff, and community members gathered at Grace Village Retirement Community on June 13 to raise awareness about elder abuse by participating in a walk near the property in honour of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

“I don’t know if people really understand what elder abuse is,” said Grace Village Executive Director Brigitte Lambert. “It’s not necessarily just physical—it can be emotional, psychological, financial. It can be neglect.”

This was the second year the walk has been held at Grace Village. Lambert said on location that it’s important to keep building momentum around the issue. “We do this walk to say: we see you, we hear you, you matter, and you deserve respect.”

Lambert said elder abuse is often misunderstood and unreported. “It’s a very silent abuse,” she explained. “When you’re older, when you’re dependent on the other person, it’s scary. It’s shameful. You don’t know who to turn to.”

The walk was held in advance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, recognized annually on June 15. Participants wore purple ribbons—symbolic of the cause—as they walked the grounds together.

According to a February 2025 update from the Public Health Agency of Canada, between four and ten per cent of older adults in the country experience some form of abuse, though only one in five incidents comes to the attention of someone who can help.

Lambert noted that recognizing elder abuse requires attentiveness and training. “If you have a resident that’s usually very outgoing and very friendly and talkative, and then all of a sudden becomes withdrawn, you kind of go, ‘Okay, there’s a change.’”

She added that financial abuse is also a concern. “Sometimes a resident starts saying, ‘I don’t have any more money to go to the hairdresser.’ That could be a sign.”

At Grace Village, Lambert said, “We train our staff to recognize signs, but we also educate our residents and families to say, ‘If you see something, say something.’”

She emphasized the importance of community-wide action. “There’s not enough education around it. We need to keep doing things like this walk.”

Lambert said organizing the walk is a way to “bring people together and start a conversation.” She said she hopes others will follow suit. “If we all do one little thing, it makes a difference.”

William Crooks
From left to right: Jacques Simard, landowner and initiator of the FUSA project; René-Claude Tremblay, organizer of the nature wellness day; Christian Legault, trustee involved in the creation of the FUSA; Étienne Doyon, citizen engaged in the project; and Christine Labrie, MNA for Sherbrooke, stand together on June 13 near the Saint-François River after announcing the successful fundraising campaign to establish the FUSA Jacques Simard.

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

A grassroots initiative to protect 80 acres of farmland near the Saint-François River in Sherbrooke received a major boost on Friday, as local MNA Christine Labrie announced a $7,000 donation that brings the fundraising total over the threshold needed to create a social utility agroecological trust (FUSA) on the property.

The announcement was made June 13 at a press conference held on the site, just outside Lennoxville, in the presence of project organizers and supporters. Labrie, MNA for Sherbrooke, said the donation represents part of her ongoing commitment to reinvest the salary increase Quebec MNAs voted themselves in 2023.

“I made a commitment a few years ago, when we got a 30 per cent raise, to give it back to the community,” she said during the event. “This year, I chose to support the creation of a trust on this farmland here by the river. It’s a citizen-led project that’s been in the works for years and is finally coming to life.”

According to the official press release issued by Labrie’s office, the donation helped the project organizers reach their fundraising goal of $33,363. The FUSA Jacques Simard will protect the land in perpetuity and make it accessible for future generations of farmers and for community events.

Étienne Doyon, one of the citizens leading the effort, explained that the 80-acre plot includes about 1.2 kilometres of riverfront and roughly 20 acres of arable land that has been farmed organically in recent years. “We launched the fundraising campaign this spring, and nearly 200 people contributed,” he said. “Christine’s donation helped us cross the finish line.”

The trust is expected to be formally established later this summer or by early fall. Doyon added that any funds raised beyond the initial goal will be used to install electrical and water access, deer fencing, and a small community tent. “The idea is not just to protect the farmland, but to create a place that’s open to the community—where people can celebrate, connect to nature, and participate in events,” he said during the press conference.

Jacques Simard, the current landowner, has been working with community members for some time to find a way to transfer stewardship of the land in a way that guarantees long-term public benefit. Doyon described the project as the culmination of those efforts: “The dream is a protected agricultural space that’s also a hub for community life.”

One of the first such events will be held this weekend. On Sunday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., a nature-based wellness day will take place on the land, led by René-Claude Tremblay and a team of facilitators. “We’ll have singing, movement, forest bathing, artistic exploration, and poetry,” Tremblay said. “It’s a chance to connect with the land and support the FUSA at the same time.”

Tremblay noted that all proceeds from the day will go directly to the trust, and that participants can still make donations until June 20 and receive a tax receipt. “People can come to walk the land, relax as a family, or just take it in,” she said.

This is not Labrie’s first time using her salary increase for environmental causes. Last year, she donated $18,000 to the Association pour le Boisé Ascot-Lennox to help establish a similar trust aimed at protecting forested areas in Sherbrooke.

Additional details about the FUSA Jacques Simard and the upcoming wellness event are available on Facebook under “Ressourcement en nature en soutien à la FUSA de Jacques Simard,” or by contacting Tremblay via her website, lesalondyoga.com.

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From left to right: Marie-Andrée Lafrance, Thomas Dandurand, Léonie Gamache (Gleaning Project Coordinator), Aileen Collier, and Sarah Richard stand together as members of the CéSAM executive committee. Missing from the photo: Karine Beaupré and Lisane Boisclair.

By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative

A new initiative to recover unused crops and fight food waste is taking root in the Memphrémagog region this summer. Launched by the Comité sécurité alimentaire Memphrémagog (CéSAM), the “Seconde Récolte Memphré” gleaning project seeks to collect surplus fruits and vegetables left behind in fields and redistribute them to local residents, volunteers, and food banks.

“This project is environmental, social, and deeply human,” said Léonie Gamache, the new project coordinator hired by CéSAM to lead the initiative. “It helps recover valuable food, supports food security, and strengthens relationships between citizens and local producers.”

Gleaning—an age-old practice of recovering leftover crops post-harvest—takes on a structured and community-focused form in this pilot program. Speaking with The Record, Gamache explained that the idea is to “make sure that we don’t waste any food directly in the field.” With nearly 400 local producers in the region, she noted, the potential impact is significant.

“There was already another project in the area that was slowing down, but the committee really wanted to implement something sustainable because they saw a big need,” she said. “This is a brand-new idea with a structure around it.”

The model is simple but effective: when farmers anticipate having crops they cannot harvest—due to time, labour shortages, or because the produce is slightly blemished or overly abundant—they can contact the project team. Volunteers are then gathered and dispatched to harvest the surplus produce. The bounty is divided evenly: one-third goes to the farmer, one-third to the volunteers, and one-third to the Memphrémagog Food Bank.

“It’s just going out and harvesting in the field—saving food that’s not going to be sold,” Gamache said. “Sometimes the farmers don’t have enough employees to go out there, or the fruit and vegetables are a bit ugly, but still perfectly good to eat or to transform into sauces or preserves.”

While the project is still in its infancy—no field outings have taken place yet this season—Gamache said she expects the effort to recover “many kilos” of produce by the end of the summer. The focus will be on crops that tend to be overproduced or particularly abundant.

“Things like zucchinis, cucumbers, and strawberries—those are often the ones left behind because they produce so much,” she said. “It really depends on the crop and what the farmer grows. We’re not likely to see things like garlic, which are high-value and usually all picked.”

CéSAM is actively seeking both farmers willing to participate and volunteers interested in helping out. Information and sign-up forms are available at www.cepop.ca/glanage, and the site offers an English translation option. “We’re super available,” said Gamache. “There’s a contact email, phone number, and online form—whatever works best for people.”

To raise awareness about the initiative, CéSAM will also have an information booth at the Intercultural Summer Market in Magog on July 3, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 350 Saint-David Street.

Founded in 2013, CéSAM is a collaborative network that brings together various organizations committed to improving food security in the MRC de Memphrémagog. The committee works to ensure all residents have access to healthy food and takes coordinated action based on local needs.

Gamache said she hopes to return at the end of the season with photos and data showing the success of this summer’s pilot. “We’re really just launching,” she said. “But the response already shows people are excited to get involved.”

William Crooks
From left to right: Patrick Clowery, President of the Intermunicipal Board of the Massawippi Regional Park; Jacques Demers, Mayor of Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley and Warden of the MRC de Memphrémagog; Lyne Desnoyers, Project Manager – Landscapes and Agriculture, MRC de Memphrémagog; Abelle L’Écuyer-Legault, General Manager and Clerk-Treasurer of Ayer’s Cliff; Sonia Tremblay, General Manager and Secretary-Treasurer of the Intermunicipal Board of the Massawippi Regional Park; Simon Roy, Mayor of Ayer’s Cliff; Pierre Côté, Mayor of Hatley; and Ève Rainville, Co-owner of Domaine Bergeville, stand outside the winery on June 10 following the launch of the Circuit Massawippi.

Circuit Massawippi invites residents and tourists to explore lakeside riches

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

A new initiative launched June 10 at Domaine Bergeville in Hatley Township is inviting locals and visitors alike to rediscover the natural and cultural heritage surrounding Lake Massawippi. Dubbed the “Circuit Massawippi,” the 65-kilometre agrotourism route weaves through the municipalities of Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, the Township and Village of Hatley, North Hatley, and Ayer’s Cliff.

Developed by the Intermunicipal Board of the Massawippi Regional Park in collaboration with the MRC de Memphrémagog and landscape committees from the five lakeside municipalities, the project includes a detailed bilingual map that highlights scenic roads, artisanal producers, panoramic viewpoints, and key local stops.

“This is a beautiful project that showcases Lake Massawippi, nestled in the splendour of the Appalachians,” said Patrick Clowery, President of the Park Board and municipal councillor in Hatley Township, during the official launch. “It stems from a shared desire to showcase our beautiful region and its exceptional producers and landscapes.”

The project also includes a companion real-life escape game, “Légende du Massawippi,” designed to add an interactive element to the experience. Both initiatives emerged from earlier public interest sparked by a similar map created for Lake Memphrémagog in 2022. According to Lyne Desnoyers, Project Manager for Landscapes and Agriculture at the MRC, feedback from local stakeholders played a crucial role. “Some merchants from around Lake Massawippi reached out to us, saying they wanted their own map. The idea took off from there.”

On one side, the map outlines a 65-kilometre loop featuring suggested scenic detours. The other side spotlights the five participating municipalities, describing key points of interest, including beaches, parks, and rest areas. The route is designed for travel by car, bike, or motorcycle.

“This map allows us to visit the region differently,” said Sonia Tremblay, Director General of the Intermunicipal Park Board. “It’s a great invitation to discover beautiful landscapes, passionate artisans, and welcoming people.”

According to a related press release, the Circuit Massawippi is a “Signature Innovation” project supported through Quebec’s Fonds régions et ruralité, under the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. In addition to promoting tourism and economic development, the initiative supports the MRC’s broader strategy to increase public access to the region’s most iconic landscapes and to strengthen local collaboration.

Jacques Demers, Mayor of Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley and Warden of the MRC de Memphrémagog, praised the project’s local focus. “The hat I’m wearing today is that of a citizen,” he said. “Let’s use this for ourselves first. Then the tourists will follow. This kind of collective project benefits everyone.”

The launch event was hosted at Domaine Bergeville, one of the stops featured on the new circuit. “We’ve been established here for more than 16 years,” co-owner Ève Rainville told guests. “We only make sparkling wine using the traditional method because we believe the terroir here is perfect for it.” She noted the shop at the vineyard would be open from Wednesday to Sunday until mid-October and invited visitors to stop by for tastings and guided tours.

Other dignitaries in attendance included Simon Roy, Mayor of Ayer’s Cliff; Pierre Côté, Mayor of Hatley; Abelle L’Écuyer-Legault, General Manager and Clerk-Treasurer of Ayer’s Cliff; and Sonia Tremblay, also acting as Secretary-Treasurer of the Park Board.

The new maps are now available at tourism offices, local businesses, and online at www.lacmassawippi.ca under the “Circuit Massawippi” tab. According to Desnoyers, merchants across the region have already received their promotional materials, ready to welcome curious travellers.

“This kind of collaboration is so appreciated,” she said. “It’s a real celebration of what makes this territory unique.”

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Residents of Hatley Township will no longer have free access to North Hatley’s municipal beach this summer, following the end of a long-standing recreational agreement between the two municipalities. The move, formalized by Hatley Township council in October 2024, has sparked concern among residents as the summer season begins.

According to a statement from the municipality posted to Facebook, “the municipality has recently ceased to offer free access to the municipal beach to residents of Hatley Township.” Those wishing to visit North Hatley’s beach must now pay the full non-resident fee.

Mayor Vincent Fontaine confirmed in an interview that the Township decided not to renew the agreement because “there wasn’t really any sharing” between the two municipalities in terms of services. “We didn’t have activities there and they were still charging us,” Fontaine explained. He also pointed out that the beach in question is not a public beach, but “a private beach,” and that “under the laws of the country, we have to pay.”

Fontaine emphasized that while Hatley Township residents will now be required to pay non-resident rates, the Township is working on a plan to reimburse the difference. “What we’re going to do is pass a resolution next week,” he said. “Residents will pay the surcharge, and we will reimburse them for the difference between the resident and non-resident fee.” He gave the example that if the regular price for residents is $25 and the non-resident fee is $50, Hatley Township would reimburse the $25 difference.

Hatley Township Councillor Pat Clowery, speaking with The Record at an unrelated event, echoed this, saying that the plan is to either fully or partially reimburse residents. He encouraged them to keep their receipts, as the program will be applied retroactively once the resolution is passed. Retroactive reimbursement was also nominally confirmed by Mayor Fontaine.

Fontaine stressed that the plan has not yet been officially adopted. “I can’t tell you it’s official yet because I haven’t signed it,” he said, asking that it not be reported as finalized. A decision is expected at the next council meeting.

In the meantime, the Township is recommending that residents visit Ayer’s Cliff Beach, which remains free to access. Fontaine noted that this beach is managed collectively by four municipalities and “has always been free.”

An unsigned email response from the Municipality of North Hatley clarified that it had no role in Hatley Township’s decision to terminate the agreement. “North Hatley had no part in the Canton de Hatley’s decision to not resign the agreement,” the statement reads. “North Hatley is in no way against renewed negotiations… however council have received no requests from the Canton de Hatley at this time.”

With the agreement dissolved, North Hatley is now solely responsible for the operating costs of the beach. As a result, fees for non-residents have been instituted for the 2025 season. An individual season pass costs $125 (plus tax), and a family pass (maximum five people) costs $300 (plus tax). Ten-entry booklets are also available at $45 for children and $90 for adults.

Fontaine expressed frustration that North Hatley continues to act independently. “They’ve always wanted to stay independent… just for North Hatley people to go to the beach,” he said. He also criticized past arrangements where the Township received invoices for activities that only benefited North Hatley residents. “It wasn’t normal.”

A link to the minutes of the October 2024 Hatley Township council meeting confirms the resolution to withdraw from the agreement. In its Facebook message, the Township encouraged residents to stay tuned for updates: “We invite you to remain on the lookout for municipal communications to find out the consequences of this file.”

Residents seeking clarification or wishing to express concerns are encouraged to attend a public hearing on July 8, when Hatley Township council is expected to address the issue further.

William Crooks
Stanstead council members, led by Mayor Jody Stone, addressed a full agenda on June 9, including infrastructure upgrades, zoning adjustments, and heritage promotion initiatives

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Stanstead’s municipal council tackled a wide range of issues during its regular June 9 meeting, from delayed web updates and development fees to a cross-border trash dispute and local zoning frustrations. Presided over by Mayor Jody Stone, the meeting drew about seven residents, including a concerned neighbour from Derby Line, Vermont.

A large portion of the meeting focused on concerns brought forward during the question period. Frank Davis, a Derby Line resident, raised the issue of an unsightly accumulation of garbage at the entrance to the customs station on the Canadian side of Caswell Avenue. Although the trash is in Stanstead, Davis said he believed it originated from American tenants trying to avoid private garbage pickup fees across the border.

“Frankly, it doesn’t look good,” Davis said, offering to help clean it up himself. “If I hear positive things on your side, [I’ll] bring it to the trustees of Derby Line and the town of Derby.”

Mayor Stone responded with historical context and acknowledged the difficulty of the situation. Because the building straddles the border, its Canadian side receives municipal trash pickup, which residents from the U.S. side have allegedly abused. “We are somewhat obliged, if not completely obliged, to offer the service to that particular building,” he said. Stanstead has already taken steps to manually clean the area but is considering fines or service changes. “We just want to make sure it’s clean,” said Stone. “That’s all we want.”

Another lengthy exchange involved a request to waive or refund a parkland fee paid during a property subdivision. A local resident was surprised to learn he owed the fee, which is typically 5 per cent of the land value. Mayor Stone explained that while council agreed the charge discouraged housing development, “we’re not sure if we’re legally allowed” to issue a refund for past projects. The town is awaiting legal advice on both the reimbursement and regulatory changes to abolish the fee going forward.

One resident raised concerns about a property line dispute related to fencing and zoning limits. The issue involved old infrastructure, possibly dating to the 1940s, and a lack of clear boundary markers. Town officials confirmed they were investigating but noted they lacked an in-house surveyor and wanted to avoid overstepping legal boundaries.

A separate resident asked why council minutes and agendas were not regularly posted online. Town staff admitted the website had fallen behind and said they were working on updating the necessary documents.

There was also a question about an amendment to firearms regulations. Stone explained that the original bylaw had prohibited residents from crossing the street with an unloaded, uncased hunting firearm. The new language would allow that under reasonable and safe conditions.

In regular business, council passed multiple resolutions. Among them:

• The hiring of part-time municipal inspector, a former inspector for Coaticook and Sherbrooke, to help clear the backlog of permit applications.
• The renewal of a summer contract with a municipal employee to handle park and building maintenance.
• Approval of a $42,811 backup pump purchase for the Rock Island wastewater treatment plant, deemed essential for emergency preparedness.
• Adoption of a bylaw change clarifying rules around the carrying of firearms in public.
• Acceptance of an $809 software migration cost as part of a portal upgrade used by notaries, agents, and legal staff.
• A motion to authorize the potential sale of properties for unpaid taxes, though council noted that most major debts had already been resolved and that payment arrangements were encouraged.

Council also approved participation in the Balado Découverte platform, a digital heritage and tourism initiative, through a $7,500 grant application and a conditional $11,611 contract. The initial rollout will include a walking tour of 24 historic sites across Stanstead with accompanying photos, text, and audio guides.

Other approved motions included support for minor zoning variances and the appointment of Greg Duncan to the town’s Urbanism Consultative Committee.

Mayor Stone closed the meeting by updating residents on several ongoing initiatives. He reported steady progress on the town’s website updates, staff recruitment, and legal consultations. He also noted that construction of the new firehall had officially begun, and public works crews had finished sweeping roads and were preparing for summer asphalt repairs and dirt road upgrades, including applications for infrastructure grants. “We budget $100,000 a year [for paving],” he said, adding that he hoped to increase that amount without overly burdening taxpayers.

In his closing remarks, Stone also mentioned a recent trip to the National Assembly, where he raised the issue of the local SAQ (Société des alcools du Québec) being at risk of closure. He said the building was considered too large for current use and could be shut down, but he is lobbying for a solution. “We want to keep our SAQ,” he said, noting the town’s efforts to explore options with the provincial government.

The mayor also praised the upcoming launch of the day camp and encouraged families to register. “We have a lot of history, and people are fascinated by the story of Stanstead,” he said, referring to the upcoming podcast-style walking tour. “It deserves to be heard and seen.”

The next regular council meeting is scheduled for July.