By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The latest report from Léger, presented on Nov. 5, offers a comprehensive look at how residents across Sherbrooke’s boroughs, including Lennoxville, perceive municipal services and quality of life. The survey, conducted from June to mid-July, gathered input from 3,690 residents, reflecting a broad cross-section of community perspectives. For Lennoxville residents, specific trends and priorities emerged, painting a detailed picture of both satisfaction and challenges within the borough.
High satisfaction in safety and essential services
Lennoxville residents voiced notable satisfaction in several key areas of municipal services, with security standing out as a major point of approval. An impressive 97 per cent expressed satisfaction with fire protection services, aligning closely with responses across Sherbrooke. When it comes to feeling secure in their neighborhoods, Lennoxville residents reported feeling safer than the city average, a sentiment echoed across boroughs like Jacques-Cartier and Rock Forest. However, satisfaction with police services was somewhat lower at 80 per cent, indicating potential concerns or areas for enhancement in policing efforts specific to Lennoxville.
Another high point was the satisfaction with Lennoxville’s waste management and recycling initiatives. Residents gave an 82 per cent approval rating for ecocentre services, showing confidence in the city’s ability to handle waste responsibly. These scores reflect a community that appreciates structured, reliable waste and recycling services. While overall waste management is positively viewed, some residents indicated that ongoing attention to spring and summer street maintenance would be welcome, a priority across the city.
Public amenities and recreational offerings see strong support
Lennoxville residents expressed strong support for cultural and recreational amenities, including libraries, parks, and community programs. The survey showed that 84 per cent of Lennoxville respondents were satisfied with library facilities, which were praised for accessibility and upkeep, reinforcing the library’s role as a valuable community hub. Satisfaction with parks and green spaces also ranked highly, as residents noted the importance of well-maintained outdoor areas for fostering a sense of community and supporting active lifestyles.
Participation in local cultural events, however, received more tempered approval. With an 80 per cent satisfaction rate for cultural events, Lennoxville residents reflected a desire for more diverse or engaging events. This may signal interest in seeing a broader range of community-driven or culturally varied activities, which could align with the city’s strategic goals for increasing community engagement through local events.
Communication and civic engagement: opportunities for improvement
Communication emerged as an area where residents are looking for enhanced connection with municipal governance. Lennoxville respondents rated their satisfaction with the city’s communication efforts at 6.5 out of 10, below the overall Sherbrooke average. Many residents preferred email newsletters and social media as primary channels for city updates, indicating a shift toward digital communication preferences. The upcoming neighborhood fairs in early 2025, organized as part of the “Sherbrooke au service de ses quartiers” initiative, aim to bridge this communication gap by offering a direct platform for residents to express views and interact with city representatives.
Civic participation also resonated strongly with Lennoxville residents, particularly among property owners, who identified infrastructure projects impacting tax bills as their primary motivator for public involvement. Such interest in the implications of tax-related projects on personal property highlights a proactive approach to local governance, as residents appear motivated to advocate for fiscal responsibility and accountability within municipal management.
The report indicates some language-related findings specific to Sherbrooke residents. Among the respondents, the primary language breakdown was as follows: 86 per cent spoke French, 10 per cent English, and 3 per cent another language. This linguistic diversity may impact communication preferences and satisfaction, as seen in the communication channels section.
Additionally, language differences may influence community engagement, as the city noted the importance of making information accessible across both official languages. This aspect is particularly relevant for bilingual or multilingual areas like Lennoxville, where residents may seek content in English more frequently compared to other boroughs.
Looking ahead: Aligning priorities with community needs
The city’s approach to handling community needs, including priorities for environmental stewardship and infrastructure maintenance, resonated well with Lennoxville residents. The Léger survey pinpointed the protection of natural spaces and investments in infrastructure as top priorities for respondents citywide, including Lennoxville. This aligns with the strategic goals set out in Sherbrooke’s 2024-2030 plan, which prioritizes sustainable urban development and encourages residents to voice their opinions on environmental and infrastructure matters.
Upcoming initiatives, like the planned neighborhood fairs and targeted questionnaires for local organizations, are expected to foster deeper community engagement. Sherbrooke Mayor Évelyne Beaudin highlighted in a related release the importance of “opening a dialogue” with residents to better understand their needs, while council executive Fernanda Luz emphasized collaboration between the city and its neighborhoods to create “proactive and thriving communities.”
As these outreach efforts unfold, Lennoxville residents are well-positioned to shape discussions around the borough’s future, from enhancing recreational amenities to refining waste management practices and communication strategies. Through initiatives like these, the city hopes to build on the insights gained from the Léger survey, ensuring that all boroughs, including Lennoxville, have a voice in the evolving landscape of Sherbrooke’s municipal planning.