infrastructure

The Charles-Robin heritage barn could be restored

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Jounalist

PERCÉ – The Festival Les Percéides de Percé is considering a project to restore the historic Charles-Robin heritage barn, better known as the Percé Art Centre. Built in 1780, the structure could be brought back to life at an estimated cost of $5 million.

The federal government has taken the first step by granting $2 million to the festival.
This grant, from the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, will enable the organization to restore the building to its full cultural purpose and help strengthen the resilience of the local community through a major infrastructure project, once other funding sources have been found.

“It’s ambitious, but it’s a great big project. In the evolution of our organization after 17 years of activity and eight years at the art centre, we have reached a point where we need to renovate the premises again,” says board chair Benoit Pilon.

Three years ago, a strategic development plan was drawn up, which included the desire to establish a permanent home.

“But there are challenges. It’s an old building. It’s not insulated, and so we started looking for programs,” says Mr. Pilon.

The first thing to do is to stabilize the building, which has virtually no foundation. “We’ll have to take a look before putting millions of dollars into a building. The architects will determine whether the foundation is sound and adequate. Then we can have fun inside, which will become a game room. The entire interior space will become a complete reflection area,” Mr. Pilon continues.
Les Percéides currently leases the site, but the lease is about to expire. Two options are being considered: purchasing the building or securing a long-term lease.

This investment would be a consolidation of the building.

“For now, we are only open in the summer. In fact, in our strategic development (plan), we had planned to create a community art centre for and by the community. Our wish is for it to be open year-round,” he says.

The future plans include a café, a kitchen, a community bar, and a movie theater.
Ultimately, the architectural project will reveal the splendor of this barn, whose nave “recalls the structure of an overturned sailboat,” as Gaspé artist and visionary Suzanne Guité, founder of the Percé Art Centre, wrote in the 1960s.

The Charles-Robin heritage barn could be restored Read More »

Rue Saint-Vallier Ouest closed for second phase of redevelopment

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Rue Saint-Vallier Ouest closed for second phase of redevelopment

Peter Black, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

peterblack@qctonline.com

Residents and merchants are bracing themselves for another summer of disruption as the second phase of the redevelopment of Rue Saint-Vallier Ouest ramps up.

Asphalt and sidewalks have already been removed from a stretch of the busy east-west artery that runs between Rues Carillon and Saint-Luc. This section will undergo major work, including installation of underground infrastructure such as sewer and water pipes, as well as utility networks.

Also in the plan for this phase is the installation of concrete sidewalks and curbs, new street surfacing and redesigning the street to make intersections safer. New lighting and planting of trees and vegetation will complete the project.

While this phase is underway, workers will be finishing off the first phase of the three-year project, on the section between Ave. des Oblats and Rue Carillon. The third and final phase, slated for 2026, will concern the section between Rue Saint-Luc and Rue Marie- de-l’Incarnation.

The estimated $10-million project has the overall goal, besides upgrading aging infrastructure, of making “a more welcoming thoroughfare that will enhance the quality of life in the area and the vitality of the commercial activities that take place there,” according to the city website.

The project, an initiative of the city in collaboration with neighbourhood groups, is a significant disruption for residents and businesses in the heart of the Saint-Sauveur district.

The city has taken steps to minimize the impact of construction activity, expected to last until November, with mea- sures in place to reduce noise from vehicles and minimize the dust stirred up.

Public information sessions were held on March 31 and April 2, in which city officials explained details of the project and heard comments from affected residents and business owners.

The local business organization, the Société de développe- ment commercial du quartier Saint-Sauveur (SDC), has been working with the city to monitor the situation. Nadia Reghai Gagnon, the director general, said the SDC is trying to moti- vate people to patronize busi- nesses in the affected zones.

In an interview with the QCT, Reghai Gagnon said the SDC is organizing contests and activities to promote the sector during the construction project. One of them is a “bucket list” contest whereby local businesses offer gift certificates for customers who visit several establishments.

Under a city program, businesses are eligible for up to a maximum $30,000 in compensation for revenue lost due to the impact of construction.

Reghai Gagnon said another major effect of the closure of Rue Saint-Vallier is the rerouting of several Réseau de Transport de la Capitale (RTC) bus routes. “It’s not very easy for the citizens,” especially for seniors, she said. “Many will have to walk a considerable distance to catch a bus on Boul. Charest.”

Despite the challenges of three years’ worth of disruption, Gagnon said she believes those affected see the long-term benefits of a completely modernized street.

“I would say that it would perhaps be a little premature to presume certain things, but we still feel that there is a desire among those who have settled [on Rue Saint-Vallier Ouest] to believe in the future, to be resilient and rather positive.”

Rue Saint-Vallier Ouest closed for second phase of redevelopment Read More »

MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent wins Superior Court battle over Port-Lewis wharf

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Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

A Quebec Superior Court judge has rejected a request by the municipalities of Elgin, Saint-Anicet, and the town of Huntingdon to annul a set of resolutions adopted by the MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent that transfer Port-Lewis wharf usufruct rights to a private business.

The March 11 ruling, which was issued by Judge Catherine Dagenais, confirms that the MRC was within its rights to transfer user rights for the wharf to the Marina Port-Lewis, and that the procedures employed to do this were completely legal.

The MRC has owned the wharf and the access ramp since 1990 when it was transferred to the regional municipal authority by the federal government. The wharf, which provides access to Lake Saint-François, has always been enjoyed for free by the public.

In December 2020, the MRC first announced it had reached an agreement in principle with Marina Port-Lewis regarding the use of the wharf for a period of 30 years. At the time, the MRC argued that the agreement served to maintain the MRC’s ownership of the property while protecting the financial capacity of the residents and taxpayers of all 13 municipalities in the MRC. The agreement also supported the region’s economic development.

Concerns over the agreement were brought up by residents during numerous council meetings prior to the signing of the agreement. The MRC prefect and mayor of Sainte-Barbe, Louise Lebrun, insisted the MRC had “heard and listened to the representations of citizens and elected officials of the Haut-Saint-Laurent in order to reach a decision that protects their interests.”

A set of resolutions was then adopted by the MRC in February 2021, authorizing the removal of the wharf from the public domain and the signing of a deed transferring the right of usufruct between the MRC and the marina for one dollar.

A usufruct generally refers to the right to enjoy the use and advantages of a given property with conditions; in this case, the marina was given the right to use the wharf for a period of 30 years. The agreement included an obligation to maintain the wharf and carry out any major repairs. It also guarantees that free public access to the wharf will be maintained.

At the end of the 30-year term, the MRC will regain ownership of the wharf, as well as any renovations carried out by the marina.

A motion was filed in Superior Court against the MRC in October 2021 by the municipalities of Saint-Anicet, where the wharf is located, as well as the municipality of Elgin and the town of Huntingdon. The municipalities requested that the resolutions be annulled as well as the deed of transfer between the MRC and the Marina Port-Lewis.

The municipalities argued that the usufruct contravened article 6.1 of the Municipal Code of Quebec as well as the Municipal Aid Prohibition Act. Questions were also raised about whether the wharf could have been withdrawn from the public domain, and whether the municipalities brought their case to court within a reasonable time frame.

The court disagreed, concluding instead that “The usufruct does not contravene article 6.1 of the Municipal Code, and there is no reason to declare the resolutions and usufruct null and void.”

The ruling was also quite unequivocal in rejecting the municipalities’ claim that the usufruct broke the law by subsidizing the marina’s business in allowing the wharf to be used for commercial activities over the next 30 years without charging rent.

The court pointed out the marina is subject to numerous charges and conditions as part of the agreement signed by the MRC, including all major repairs and renovations during the 30-year period.

The judge noted that as of April 2022, the marina had already spent just over $19,795 on renovations and improvements including parking spaces, streetlamps and lighting, the installation of a dock at the descent, and the construction of six terraces.

The marina must also continue to allow free public access to the property. Emergency services, including police, fire departments, ambulances, and first responders, must also be able to always access the wharf. The MRC has formed a monitoring committee to ensure the right of public access to the wharf is upheld.

The court determined that all procedures to remove the property from the public to the private domain were followed through the adoption of the resolutions in question.

The wharf remains the property of the MRC and is still accessible to all, free of charge, between 4 a.m. and 11 p.m.

MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent wins Superior Court battle over Port-Lewis wharf Read More »

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

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , , ,

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.

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

Montreal’s deadliest intersections for bikes

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Joel Ceausu
The Suburban

A survey by a team at Transportation Research at McGill (TRAM) has identified dangerous intersections for cyclists in Montreal.

More than 1,500 cyclists recently participated, pointing out the most problematic spots. Researchers say there is a critical need for safer cycling infrastructure, to promote sustainable travel and prevent fatal collisions caused by poor road design. “Intersections are the most vulnerable areas for crashes involving cyclists, pedestrians and cars,” said Hisham Negm, a TRAM Research Assistant and PhD student at McGill’s School of Urban Planning.

Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the study includes a policy brief revealing the 10 most mentioned spots, and recommendations that include analyzing zones where bicycles come into conflict with vehicles and pedestrians to identify reasons for collisions and near-misses; collecting and studying preferred routes taken by cyclists; redesigning dangerous intersections to prioritize safety and ease of movement, proactively preventing crashes.

Ontario and Berri led the survey in mentions, with three west-end locations De Maisonneuve West and Décarie (5th), Sainte-Croix and Côte-de-Liesse (8th) and De lL Vérendrye and de l’Église (10). “The ones highlighted in this survey need to be redesigned to improve safety and comfort for everyone… Designing for cycling is not solely about adding bike lanes. To ensure safety for all road users and ease of movement for cyclists, these lanes must be well-designed and connected.”

The most dangerous intersections according to cyclists

1. Ontario & Berri

2. Parc & Mont-Royal

3. Saint-Joseph East & D’Iberville

4. Papineau & Crémazie

5. De Maisonneuve & Décarie

6. De Maisonneuve & Berri

7. Saint-Urbain & Président-Kennedy

8. Sainte-Croix & Côte-de-Liesse

9. Dickson & Notre-Dame

10. De La Vérendrye & De l’Église

Montreal’s deadliest intersections for bikes Read More »

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