Baie-D’Urfé

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

In a bold stance against the provincial liquor corporation’s recent decisions, Baie-D’Urfé Mayor Heidi Ektvedt has joined forces with six other Quebec mayors to demand immediate government intervention in the wake of announced SAQ store closures.

“The closure of a SAQ outlet without any prior consultation with local stakeholders is unworthy of a crown corporation,” Ektvedt stated at a joint press conference. According to municipal sources, the sudden announcement of the Baie D’Urfé SAQ closure has sent shock waves through the local business community, with concerns mounting about the impact on neighbouring establishments.

The controversy comes as the SAQ moves forward with its restructuring plan, which includes shutting several locations while opening 34 boutique locations in supermarkets. For Baie-D’Urfé’s business district, the closure represents more than just the loss of a liquor store, it’s seen as a direct threat to the area’s commercial vitality.

“This hurts,” Ektvedt emphasized, addressing the gathered media. The mayor’s concerns reflect a broader anxiety about the erosion of local commercial infrastructure and its potential domino effect on surrounding businesses.

The coalition of mayors is calling for two immediate actions: the cancellation of recently announced closures and the implementation of a moratorium on future SAQ outlet closures until a comprehensive territorial responsibility policy can be established.

At the March 21 press conference at Baie-D’Urfé town hall, Mayor Heidi Ektvedt was joined by Montreal Sud-Ouest Borough Mayor Benoit Dorais and Stanstead Mayor Jody Stone. The coalition they lead also includes Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand, Gatineau Mayor France Bélisle, Saguenay Mayor Julie Dufour, and Victoriaville Mayor Antoine Tardif. These seven municipal leaders represent communities across Quebec facing SAQ closures, with Ektvedt emerging as the coalition’s primary spokesperson in their fight against the crown corporation’s restructuring plans.

The mayors argue that the SAQ’s position as a monopoly holder in alcohol distribution comes with special responsibilities to Quebec’s communities. Their concern is particularly acute given that many municipalities are currently investing significant resources in revitalizing their commercial districts. In response to these developments, a petition has been launched online, allowing residents of the affected communities to voice their support for the mayors’ demands. Local business owners and residents are encouraged to sign the petition and make their voices heard on this crucial issue affecting the community’s future.

For Baie-D’Urfé residents, the next nearest SAQ location would require significant travel, potentially driving business away from the local commercial sector. This situation has prompted Mayor Ektvedt and her colleagues to demand that the provincial government recognize its responsibility in maintaining the vitality of local communities through its crown corporations. n