council meeting

Parc-Extension Borough Council Meeting Highlights Housing Concerns, Winter Pedestrianization, and Bike Path Disputes 

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By Dylan Adams Lemaçon, LJI Reporter

The first borough council meeting of the year in Parc-Extension saw residents voicing concerns over housing, traffic safety, and bike path implementations, while the council introduced initiatives to enhance community life. 

Borough Mayor Laurence Lavigne Lalonde, alongside councilors Mary Deros, Josué Corvil, Martine Musau Muele, and Sylvain Ouellet, greeted attendees and wished them happy New Year and quickly moved through the agenda.  

Celebrating Perseverance and Cultural Heritage  

The council donned green ribbons in honor of School Perseverance Day, with Mayor Lavigne Lalonde applauding local youth for their dedication, stating, “Bravo to all the kids who persevere!”. The council also took a moment to recognize Black History Month as an important time for the community.  

New Initiatives for Villeray  

The borough announced its first winter pedestrianization project, closing Rue Villeray between Rue St-Denis and Avenue Henri-Julien near Parc Jarry. Additionally, a new library is officially in the works for Villeray, with an architectural contest underway to design the facility. 

Public Concerns: Housing, Traffic, and Safety 

Housing Crisis and Rent Increases

As the public question period got off to a start, resident Wedley Jean Charles raised concerns about the recent 6% rent increase authorized by the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL). He questioned the impact of this hike, to which Mayor Lavigne Lalonde responded, calling the increase “concerning” and acknowledging the ongoing housing crisis. She noted that while the council provides support, these decisions fall under provincial jurisdiction, urging residents to contact their provincial deputies.  

Traffic Safety on 15th Avenue  

Resident Guillaume Leclerc, representing residents of 15th Avenue, pressed for long-promised traffic calming measures, including a stop sign and speed bumps. Despite city approval, Leclerc expressed frustration over the delays, volunteering a group of locals to help install the speed bumps. Councilor Sylvain Ouellet sympathized, sharing his own struggles with municipal red tape, which delayed a traffic light installation for six years. The mayor assured that a plan would be revisited in the spring.  

Bike Path Dispute and Legal Tensions

As the question period continued, Marc Perez, president of the Coalition for Democracy in Montreal, accused the council of bypassing proper consultation for a new bike path, labeling it as dangerous. In response, Mayor Lavigne Lalonde inquired about his intent to sue the city. Perez confirmed the lawsuit plans, prompting the mayor to decline further discussion on the topic, stating, “I’m not gonna have an argument while you are suing me”  

Addressing Trade Concerns and Community Safety  

Resident Alain Antoine Courchaine questioned the potential local impact of U.S.-Canada trade tensions. While unable to provide a detailed response, the mayor noted that preparatory measures are in place.  

Katiana François requested a stop sign for a dangerous intersection in St-Michel. However, the mayor explained that legal restrictions prevent additional signage near traffic lights, though alternative safety measures would be explored.  

Participatory Budgeting and Online Engagement  

In an online question, Xavier Jacob inquired about adopting a participatory budget for the borough. Mayor Lavigne Lalonde acknowledged discussions on the topic, affirming the value of community involvement in project-specific funding, while maintaining traditional budgeting methods for broader fiscal planning.  

The meeting concluded with the approval of various agenda items, underscoring the council’s ongoing efforts to address community concerns while advancing new initiatives for 2025.  

The next borough council meeting is scheduled for March 11, 2025.

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Frustration Grows Among Rosemère Citizens Over Council Decisions

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By Dylan Adams Lemaçon LJI Reporter

Tensions ran high at Rosemère’s latest municipal council meeting as frustrated citizens voiced their concerns over a range of issues, from rising commercial taxes to the ongoing $276 million lawsuit related to the former golf course. Mayor Eric Westram and the council faced repeated criticism, with many residents expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of transparency and clarity in the town’s decision-making.  

A Confusing Start to the Meeting

Mayor Westram opened the meeting by acknowledging School Perseverance Day, with council members wearing green to mark the occasion. However, the tone quickly shifted during the first question period, as residents wasted no time addressing their grievances.  

Richard Fee was the first to step up, asking about an evaluation related to his property. He wanted to know what the Urban Planning Advisory Committee (CCU) had recommended to the council regarding his home. The response was that he would need to submit a formal access-to-information request to find out—an answer that didn’t sit well with him or others in attendance.  

“It’s a little strange that we pay the CCU for evaluations on our homes but then we don’t have direct access to the information gained from those evaluations once the CCU was done with their work,” Fee said, voicing his frustration.  

Sophie Cardinal, a familiar face from previous meetings, immediately chimed in, questioning why a homeowner needed to go through a formal request to obtain information about their own property.  

Concerns Over the Golf Course Lawsuit and City Spending

Cardinal returned to the microphone later to demand answers about the ongoing lawsuit regarding the golf course land, a topic that has remained a major point of contention in Rosemère. She wanted to know what legal fees the town was expecting to pay as they prepared their defense.  

The mayor responded that the council is aware of the situation’s gravity and is prioritizing it accordingly. However, his response did little to ease concerns.  

“It’s gonna be us that pays for that,” Cardinal said, exasperated over the potential financial burden on taxpayers if the town loses the case.  

Another citizen shifted the conversation toward commercial tax increases, highlighting how some small businesses in town are seeing hikes as high as 15%. This resident, who had also spoken at the previous meeting about a long-standing sign on his property that the city ordered him to remove, challenged the mayor’s attempt to compare Rosemère’s tax rates to those of nearby cities.  

“I own buildings in those cities, and it’s nowhere near the same rise in taxes,” he said, dismissing the mayor’s argument outright.  

By this point, it was clear that tensions between the citizens and the council were only growing. Many in attendance felt the town’s financial priorities were inconsistent and lacked clear justification.  

Calls for Change and Leadership Criticism

During the second question period, frustrations boiled over as resident Daniel Robinson stepped up and called for drastic action. He accused the council of being ineffective, constantly divided, and incapable of making clear decisions.  

“You guys never get along! How can anything get done when you can’t agree on anything?” Robinson exclaimed.  

He went further, suggesting that the town needed an early election to establish stronger leadership.  

“We are paying for decisions which you guys can’t even agree on!” he said.  

His criticism resonated with others, particularly regarding investments in infrastructure such as bike paths. Some residents argued that the existing paths are barely used and questioned why additional millions were being allocated to new ones.  

As tensions escalated, multiple citizens voiced their frustrations—even from their seats, despite not being at the microphone. The meeting veered close to chaos before resident Louise Allard stepped up, urging everyone to keep the discussion respectful.  

A Growing Divide

By the time the meeting wrapped up, the atmosphere remained tense. Many citizens left with the sense that their concerns had not been adequately addressed. The disconnect between the town’s decision-makers and its residents seems to be widening, with no clear resolution in sight.  

With municipal elections still months away, it seems as if many of the people of Rosemère are growing increasingly impatient, demanding leadership that listens—and more importantly, responds—with transparency and action.

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Rosemère City Council Kicks Off 2025 with Updates on Urban Planning, Citizen Honors, and Legal Battles

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By Dylan Adams Lemaçon, LJI Reporter

The Rosemère City Council gathered for its first meeting of the year on January 20, 2025, at 7:30 PM. Mayor Eric Westram began the session with a light comment about the return of colder winters after a few unseasonably warm years, setting the tone for a productive evening.  

New Online Platform for Urban Planning Appointments  

“We’re kicking off the year with some excellent news,” announced Mayor Westram as he introduced GOrendezvous, a new online platform designed to streamline appointment scheduling with the urban planning, finance and other town clerk departments. The system is expected to launch in the coming days, promising improved accessibility and efficiency for residents.  

Honoring Rosemère’s Exceptional Citizens  

The mayor also announced that the city will recognize outstanding citizens and organizations during a special event in May 2025. Residents are encouraged to submit nominations by February 15, ensuring the community’s unsung heroes receive the recognition they deserve.  

Questions from the Public  

The meeting’s first question period saw a few spirited exchanges.  

One resident, who did not provide her name, raised concerns about point 5.1.4 of the agenda, which referred to the expansion of a commercial parking lot. Council clarified that the project involves the enlargement of the building itself, with a redesigned parking layout to follow.  

She also brought up waste management, suggesting the city reduce garbage pickup to once a month during the winter to save costs and reduce environmental impact. She noted there would be less odor in colder months, making the change viable. While Mayor Westram agreed with the suggestion’s logic, he reminded her of the backlash when a similar approach was attempted three to four years ago. Still, he acknowledged the need for internal council discussions to revisit the idea.  

Sophie Cardinal, another resident, sought clarification on point 11.8, which addressed plans for climate change adaptation. Mayor Westram emphasized the importance of investing in infrastructure to handle extreme weather, citing last summer’s sewer flooding as a wake-up call. “We need to be conscious of strong precipitation that will become more current than in the past—and we must look at our infrastructures and what must be done at that level,” he explained. Cardinal expressed frustration about repeated evaluations of her waterfront property without prior notice.  

Another attendee asked if Rosemère planned to develop smaller housing projects, potentially utilizing the local golf course. Mayor Westram responded that while most of the city’s territory is already built, some rental housing projects are under review.  

Ongoing Legal Dispute over Golf Course Development  

The mayor took the opportunity to address a high-profile legal battle involving the former golf course. In 2023, the city rejected a proposed residential development from Immobilier Quartier Melrose, prompting a $278 million lawsuit from the developers.  

“There will be a decision to be made by the council eventually of what is to become of that land,” said Mayor Westram, noting that the city remains divided on the issue. So far, the legal defense has cost Rosemère approximately $1 million in fees.  

A resident asked for further updates on the lawsuit. The mayor admitted that the city was at a standstill, defending itself in court while deliberating on the land’s future.  

Agenda Items Approved Without Objection  

Following public discussions, the council proceeded with the order of the day. All points were approved without significant debate, allowing the meeting to progress efficiently. Council members continue to acknowledge the challenges and opportunities ahead in 2025. Mayor Westram’s remarks emphasized the city’s focus on community engagement and infrastructure improvements, setting a hopeful tone for the year ahead. 

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Deux-Montagnes Holds First Municipal Council Meeting of 2025: Key Discussions on Waste Management, Property Evaluations, and Upcoming Infrastructure Projects

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By Dylan Adams Lemaçon, LJI Reporter

The first municipal council meeting of the year was held on January 16, 2025, at the city hall building on Chemin d’Oka. The meeting, attended by over a dozen local residents, was presided over by Mayor Denis Martin and the members of the municipal council. As the town moves into 2025, the council addressed several issues on the agenda while providing updates on ongoing projects.

The session began with Mayor Martin wishing the public a happy new year, marking the start of the first meeting of the year. The council swiftly proceeded to review the order of the day, which included the adoption of new municipal regulations. The mayor mentioned that all the proposed resolutions were being approved without any significant objections so far.

Some of the notable discussions involved updates regarding the REM (Réseau express métropolitain), a major transportation project. The mayor also spoke about the inconveniences caused by delays in the distribution of waste collection calendars, which were affected by the strike at Canada Post. Mayor Martin explained that the city has also partnered with a new waste management company, which may have contributed to some of the slight inconveniences. Mayor Martin acknowledged the issue and apologized while stating that it should all be sorted out soon enough.

The topic of property evaluations was also brought up, with the mayor emphasizing that the municipal council has no authority to intervene in property evaluation matters, despite the ongoing discussions about increased property values and their impact on taxes.

During the public question period, a couple concerns were raised by residents. Andrew Brown, a local, inquired about the future of the Roger-Lemoine Boisé area that is at risk of being damaged by a potential new parking lot . He wanted to know what is happening to this forested sector. In response, the mayor expressed his commitment to protecting the area and explained that there were previous parking agreements in place before the REM project came to fruition. Now they are negotiating with REM for additional parking spaces which would not affect the forest area .

Another question from Brown concerned a new housing development behind his property. He joked about how a new number of people would now be able to look down and have a great view of his property due to the new project. The mayor directed him to the appropriate municipal departments for more information on the development and its impact on the surrounding area.

Brown also asked about a potential project with EXO, related to the introduction of electric buses in the area. The mayor clarified that the project is still under consideration, with ongoing discussions about the availability of garages for charging the buses.

Another resident, Nicholas Proulx, raised concerns about the ice rink in the town, asking for more maintenance to ensure the rink remains usable. He mentioned that he often travels to Rosemère to use their rink due to the lack of consistent availability in Deux-Montagnes. The mayor acknowledged the issue and explained that the town is in the process of building a proper cement foundation to support an ice rink. However, as the project is estimated to cost nearly one million dollars, it is still under serious discussion.

As the meeting concluded, Mayor Martin and the council members expressed their ongoing commitment to improving services, while navigating the challenges of property evaluations, transportation infrastructure, and recreational facilities. 

The next town hall session will be scheduled for February 13, 2025, where further updates on infrastructure projects and community concerns are expected to be discussed.

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Rosemère Town Council November Meeting Highlights Local Projects, Finance, and Community Recognition

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Dylan Adams Lemaçon, LJI Reporter

The Rosemère City Council gathered for its regular monthly meeting on November 11, 2024, at the Town Hall, where Mayor Eric Westram and council members reviewed a full agenda, covering urban planning, finance, public works, and community projects. The meeting opened on a reflective note, with Mayor Westram honoring the significance of Remembrance Day.

A Moment for Remembrance and Community Spirit

Opening the session, Mayor Westram delivered remarks commemorating Remembrance Day, urging attendees to honor the past while looking toward the future. “It’s not only a time to commemorate the past but also a call to the future,” he stated. This was followed by a solemn moment of silence in memory of those who served and sacrificed.

The mayor also highlighted Rosemère’s recent win of the Gardien de l’eau 2024 award this past week at the Flamb’Eau Gala which took place in Saint-Joseph-du-Lac. The prize, symbolized by a drop-shaped trophy, recognizes the town’s excellence in water conservation efforts, reflecting the council’s ongoing commitment to sustainable resource management.

Zoning, Development, and a Question of Housing

After Mayor Westram’s remarks, the meeting turned to the order of the day, with discussions on various urban planning items. A notable part of the question period centered around a resident’s inquiry regarding housing development. The resident, who has repeatedly applied to build mini homes on land that she bought, voiced frustration over the city’s refusals. She expressed that smaller homes were more appropriate for the location, situated near a school bus parking lot, but noted that the city continued to push for a single larger home.

City Council has previously upheld zoning preferences in areas like these, favoring single-family homes on larger lots, though the resident argued that demand for smaller housing units is present. Despite her consultation with professionals who confirmed her rights to pursue the project, the council remained firm on its stance for this property.

Urban and Financial Approvals

Throughout the session, council members presented and approved a series of plans, bylaws, and budget allocations that had been set in advance. Council member Stéphanie Nantel led approvals for signage on several local business properties along Boulevard Labelle, including Chez Ferg and Dormez Vous. Councillor René Villeneuve reviewed regulatory updates and bylaws, ensuring alignment with Rosemere’s broader urban and financial strategies.

Villeneuve also outlined the council’s financial authorizations. All financial points were approved, including a $6.77 million bond issue and the adoption of the 2025 budget for the Régie intermunicipale de police Thérèse-De Blainville, which provides policing services to Rosemere and surrounding communities.

Public Works and Development Projects Move Forward

Councillor Philip Panet-Raymond took the floor to discuss updates on infrastructure and public works, with several projects approved unanimously. Noteworthy points included the upcoming refurbishment of streets, pump station improvements, and the renewal of recycling contracts to enhance waste management services.

Panet-Raymond’s approvals also included a sustainable water use report, highlighting Rosemère’s progress in water-saving initiatives, a fitting follow-up to the Gardien de l’eau award.

Community Services: Support for the Local Library

Councillor Roseanna Cirino presented the council’s agenda on community services, with approvals for November sponsorships and donations. Among the items was an authorization for the Rosemère Library to sell deaccessioned books to residents for $2 each, encouraging local readership and extending the life of old books.

A Quiet Meeting

As the council wrapped up its agenda, only a small handful of residents remained in attendance, and just one had posed a question during the entirety of the meeting. Despite the light public participation, the council concluded its work with a series of important approvals aimed at balancing development, fiscal responsibility, and environmental stewardship for the town of Rosemere.

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