Published October 31, 2024

Photo courtesy
Jacques Demers, President of the Fédération québécoise des municipalités, discussed the new law allowing smaller municipalities to reduce council sizes, emphasizing it as an optional tool to ease recruitment challenges

Smaller councils, bigger questions

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

In an attempt to address governance challenges in Quebec’s smallest communities, a new law now permits municipalities with fewer than 2,000 residents to reduce their councils from six members to four. This option, brought to light during recent municipal discussions, has been met with both support and hesitation across various regions. Fédération québécoise des municipalités (FMQ) President Jacques Demers explained in an Oct. 30 interview that the change aims to provide an option, not an obligation, for smaller towns struggling to fill council positions.

“We put it in there to allow municipalities that want to do it, to have the option,” Demers said, noting that no municipality is required to reduce its council. “It’s really just a tool that was given.”

An optional tool for small communities

The law, which grants towns this flexibility until Dec. 31, 2024, was driven largely by recruitment issues. Demers observed that some smaller municipalities have faced recurring difficulties in attracting new council members, often leaving council seats empty for lack of willing candidates. He attributed this challenge partly to the unique demands of small-town governance.

“In places with 300 or 400 people, council members interact much more closely with the citizens than in a town with a population of 5,000 or 10,000,” he said. This increased proximity brings added responsibilities, which, coupled with limited financial compensation—often less than $1,000 annually—can make the role less attractive.

Demers also pointed out that several towns are considering their options carefully, especially since this decision is not reversible. “I think even among those who initially requested it, some will ultimately decide not to use it,” he noted. “It’s an opportunity, but it remains to be seen which municipalities will take advantage.”

Barnston West council retains six members

Barnston West, a municipality of approximately 500 residents, is one such community weighing the decision carefully. During a conversation on the same day, Councillor Ziv Przytyk shared insights into why the town has opted to retain its six-member council. “We didn’t choose to reduce the size of our council,” Przytyk affirmed, highlighting that despite the recruitment challenges, they believe maintaining six members is beneficial.

With four council members, he suggested, decision-making can become more streamlined but at the cost of decreased representation. “It’s less representation,” he remarked, adding that while smaller councils might ease operations in some towns, Barnston West’s needs were best served by keeping the original six seats.

Przytyk highlighted a significant limitation in the new law: once a council opts for a reduction, it cannot revert to six members in future elections. “Once you go to four, you can’t go back,” he emphasized. This permanence influenced Barnston West’s decision, as community leaders want to preserve a larger representative base to address future needs and ensure a broader diversity of voices in council decisions. He added that maintaining a six-member council helps prevent potential issues like collusion.

Implications for governance

Another factor influencing municipalities’ decisions is the potential impact on council voting dynamics. Demers explained that reducing council size also shifts the requirements for achieving a majority vote. With a five-member council, three votes are needed to pass a resolution; in a four-member structure, however, a split vote could hinder decision-making.

In addition, for certain critical decisions, a pure majority may not be enough if only a few council members are present. “If we’re down to only four around the table, then the vote is only valid if all four have agreed,” Demers said, indicating that the decision to reduce council size could inadvertently create procedural challenges in municipalities accustomed to a more populated council table.

Weighing costs and community values

While cost savings are often cited as a reason for restructuring governance, Demers clarified that for the smallest municipalities, financial considerations rarely drive this decision. “For these small municipalities, if you look at the salary, it’s sometimes not even $1,000 per year,” he explained. Instead, recruitment pressures and the logistical challenges of sustaining an engaged council are the primary motivators for considering downsizing.

Some municipalities with larger populations also experience high levels of civic engagement and are unlikely to consider reducing council size. “In places where there are plenty of candidates, I’d be very surprised if anyone would think about bringing this in,” Demers said, noting that it is mainly the municipalities with persistent recruitment issues that are exploring the option.

Flexibility and autonomy at the local level

The introduction of this law aligns with broader efforts to provide Quebec’s municipalities with the flexibility needed to address local governance challenges effectively. Demers emphasized that the FMQ’s role is to advocate for resources and solutions that respect each town’s autonomy while recognizing the unique realities of smaller communities.

Looking ahead, the real impact of this legislative change will only become clear after the Dec. 31 deadline. At present, the FMQ and local leaders across Quebec are watching closely to see if any towns decide to implement the reduced council size. In the meantime, communities like Barnston West demonstrate that for some, maintaining a larger council is essential to meeting the diverse needs of their residents.

Reflecting on the future of municipal governance

As Quebec municipalities navigate these governance changes, discussions around council structure have spotlighted the evolving role of local government in rural communities. Demers acknowledged the unique position of small councils, where the proximity between officials and constituents is greater, requiring adaptability and responsiveness that larger cities may not experience in the same way.

For now, the debate on council size underscores the balancing act faced by many of Quebec’s municipalities: upholding effective representation while addressing recruitment challenges and resource limitations. Whether towns choose to reduce their councils or maintain existing structures, this legislative change allows each municipality to assess its unique needs and priorities, highlighting the FMQ’s broader goal of empowering local governance across the province.

Scroll to Top