By Joel Goldenberg
The Association of Suburban Municipalities, representing the demerged cities on the island of Montreal, announced last Wednesday they will systematically oppose any island-wide agglomeration expenditure or financial measure it deems to be inequitable, unless there is a clear benefit for one or more cities.
The decision comes in light of what the ASM says is the failure of the agglomeration “to reach a new agreement on the sharing of expenses” with demerged cities.
“The mayors of the ASM must now take a firm position,” the organization’s statement says. The decision was made unanimously by the member-Mayors and announced to the agglomeration Jan. 25 by ASM spokesperson and Senneville Mayor Julie Brisebois.
The decision is “in line with the opposition already expressed last December regarding the adoption of the Agglomeration’s 2024 budget,” says the ASM statement. “Therefore, the mayors of the ASM unanimously expressed their opposition to nine objects of expenditure deemed inequitable, representing more than $63 million. For the Mayors, the situation is all the more unacceptable considering that, in the fall of 2023, the City of Montreal itself acknowledged, through its Executive Committee Chair, that the current expense distribution system and the resulting municipal shares had reached their limits.”
ASM president and Montreal West Mayor Beny Masella said “the decision to systematically oppose any expenditure or financial measure reflects the determination of the elected officials of the ASM to defend the interests of their fellow citizens and to promote fair financial management within the Agglomeration.
“For several years, we have been advocating for a review of the expense distribution system to ensure a fair outcome for all municipalities of the agglomeration. Status quo is no longer an option!”
The ASM statement also pointed out that “although the 15 demerged municipalities represent only 12 percent of the total population of the Island of Montreal and only 18 percent of the fiscal capacity as established according to the rules enacted by the Government of Quebec in 2023, they will be responsible for 38 percent of the total increase in the agglomeration’s expenses in 2024.
“The citizens of the demerged municipalities involved pay an average of 65 percent more than the citizens of the city of Montreal, while receiving considerably fewer services, particularly in terms of police presence and public transit.”
Masella said the member-Mayors of the ASM “reiterate their will to find a solution to put an end to this unacceptable situation that maintains two classes of citizens on the Island of Montreal.
“They remain open to dialogue and negotiation, and maintain the hope that the City of Montreal will take the necessary measures needed to reach a fair solution that serves the interests of all citizens of the agglomeration.” n