deux montagnes

Deux-Montagnes council closes mandate with REM update, new regulations and farewell to councillor Mendes

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By Dylan Adams Lemaçon LJI Reporter

The municipal council of Deux-Montagnes held its final meeting of the mandate on Thursday, October 2, drawing more than 20 citizens to town hall on chemin d’Oka. The evening mixed routine agenda items with concerns from residents, updates on infrastructure and a moment of recognition for a departing councillor.

Mayor Denis Martin began the session by once again addressing the long-awaited arrival of the REM commuter train. He joked that he had now been told for the “sixth time” that service was coming soon, but added this time the assurances seem more serious. “They seem very serious about starting November,” Martin told the crowd, striking a cautiously optimistic note.

Council quickly moved through the adoption of several agenda items, including confirming the 2026 schedule of council meetings. Starting next year, meetings will be held on the second Thursday of each month, with a new 7 p.m. start time instead of the usual 7:30 p.m. The mayor also shared encouraging news on the city’s financial position, saying Deux-Montagnes is currently in surplus and expressing hope it will remain that way through year’s end.

Fraud was also amongst one of the talking points for the council. Some citizens in Deux-Montagnes had been sold fake bus and grocery cards, prompting the city to step in with support. 

In the question period, residents raised a variety of concerns. Former councillor Martin Bigras took the floor, expressing unease about a building near his business that was the site of a shooting in late September. Citing years of problems in the area, he worried the incident could hurt nearby businesses, including his own.

Other concerns were more local in nature. A resident warned that pickleball courts situated next to a baseball field posed a safety risk, noting that a friend had been struck by a ball. Mayor Martin responded that protective nets were supposed to be installed already and assured those present that they should be going up shortly.

The meeting closed on a more personal note. With municipal elections looming, Mayor Martin said he was proud of the work accomplished with his current team and expressed his hope for re-election. He offered a special thank you to councillor Michel Mendes, who will not be seeking another mandate. Recalling the early basement meetings where their political movement first took shape, Martin presented Mendes with a gift and warm words of appreciation.

The applause that followed marked both an ending and a transition, as Deux-Montagnes looks ahead to the next chapter in its municipal life

Furthermore, two sets of regulatory changes were adopted during the evening. One amends the tariff bylaw, setting new rental fees for community spaces such as the Salle Annette-Savoie and the Salle des Vétérans, as well as introducing a rate for hosting children’s parties in the arena’s off-ice room — $325 for residents and $400 for non-residents. The bylaw also revises rental costs based on duration of use, with longer events now facing higher fees. A second amendment updates the internal rules governing how council meetings are conducted, ensuring the city’s regulations align with provincial law.

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Deux-Montagnes Council Meeting: Swift Approvals and Minimal Debate

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By Dylan Adams Lemaçon LJI Reporter

The latest Deux-Montagnes municipal council meeting was a relatively uneventful session, marked by swift approvals of agenda items and an absence of formal citizen questions during the designated question period. However, the discussion briefly stalled due to concerns over tax increases related to the REM project and an unexpected modification to the agenda.  

Tax Increases Due to REM Project

Mayor Denis Martin opened the meeting by addressing the financial burden imposed on Deux-Montagnes due to the REM (Réseau express métropolitain) project. He noted that the city has been hit particularly hard by tax increases stemming from the project, a point of ongoing frustration for residents and city officials alike.  

The Mayor stated that the council is in intense discussions to find a way to appease these increases. 

Following this, the council moved swiftly through the agenda, approving financial aid distributions to various organizations, renewing partnerships, and greenlighting several urban planning and public works projects.  

Uninterrupted Approvals Raise Questions

By the time the meeting reached halfway through the order of the day, every item had been approved without much discussion. A newcomer to the meeting voiced his concerns, questioning why decisions were being made so quickly without debate. As he continued speaking over the proceedings, Mayor Martin reminded him that there was a designated question period at the end of the session.  

Shortly after, an unusual moment occurred when the mayor and the city clerk briefly left the room. Upon their return, they explained that an agenda item had been mistakenly omitted. The necessary modification was made and swiftly approved.  

A Silent Question Period

When the meeting reached the question period, not a single citizen formally addressed the council. The only disruption came from a man named Miguel, who made frustrated comments from his seat. His words were difficult to understand, prompting Mayor Martin to assure him that they could discuss his concerns privately after the meeting.  

Conclusion

With all agenda items approved and no formal citizen participation in the question period, the meeting wrapped up in an efficient, uneventful, manner. While the tax increases related to the REM project remain a pressing issue, the lack of public engagement suggests either growing frustration or resignation among residents. The next council meeting may reveal whether this trend continues or if citizens begin voicing their concerns more actively.

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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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Deux-Montagnes City Council Meeting Tackles Housing Projects, Transparency, and Public Concerns  

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Dylan Adams Lemaçon, LJI Reporter

The Deux-Montagnes municipal council meeting drew numerous citizens to the Town Hall on Thursday evening, as key issues such as housing projects, municipal transparency, and flood preparedness dominated discussions.  

Housing Projects Stir Citizen Concerns  

The most heated topic of the evening revolved around new apartment and condo developments, particularly on 15th Avenue. Citizens expressed surprise and frustration over the size and scope of the project, with several saying they were not adequately informed.  

Mayor Denis Martin acknowledged the challenges of unanimous agreement on urbanization projects, stating, “There will never be unanimous agreement for projects like these.” He highlighted that the council had reduced the amount of land originally intended for the developments after negotiations with the provincial government. Still, some residents were not appeased.  Council members reassured residents that a traffic study was underway and suggested the future REM line would help alleviate potential traffic issues caused by the influx of new residents.

One resident, Mr. Turgeon, criticized the lack of consultation, saying the project details were not clear and the city’s website lacked sufficient information. He emphasized the need for transparency and proposed broadcasting council meetings online to ensure broader access for citizens.  

Calls for Greater Transparency

Residents voiced recurring demands for improved communication between the council and the public. Beyond the housing projects, several attendees pressed for the filming and online posting of council meetings. They pointed out that while this was standard practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, the initiative was discontinued.  

The mayor acknowledged these concerns, stating that the city’s website needed improvement to provide better access to municipal rules and meeting details.

REM and Municipal Taxes

The council provided an update on the REM commuter rail line, now scheduled to reach Deux-Montagnes by fall 2025. Testing has already begun. Mayor Martin also noted that municipal taxes have risen due to the REM project, something that the council and locals already expected.

Flood Preparedness and Environmental Concerns

Flood preparedness was another topic raised during the question period, with citizens inquiring about support for potential spring flooding. Although the discussions lacked specific details, the council mentioned measures and special boards approved to address future flooding concerns.  

Council Business and Approvals

During the meeting, the council swiftly addressed other agenda items, including the approval of winter activities at Parc Olympia for the 2025 winter period and the authorization of funding requests for local organizations, including the Deux-Montagnes Ringette Association amongst other things.

Looking Ahead  

The meeting wrapped up with ongoing concerns about urbanization dominating citizen discussions. While the mayor emphasized efforts to balance growth with community needs, the sentiment among residents suggested lingering apprehension about transparency and the potential impacts of large-scale projects.  

As Deux-Montagnes continues to navigate these challenges, the call for open communication and greater public engagement remains loud and clear.

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