Mayor Heidi Ektvedt

Baie-D’Urfé Mayor leads coalition against SAQ closures

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

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

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Mayors and MPs gather ar WIWC International Woman’s Day

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Elected officials joined many residents at the West Island Women’s Centre’s (WIWC) new and second location in Pierrefonds last week to hear the inspiring testimonies of women leaders in the community.

Among those in attendance were Kirkland Mayor Michel Gibson, Baie-D’Urfé Mayor Heidi Ektvedt, Dorval Mayor Marc Doret, Pointe-Claire Mayor Tim Thomas, MP for Pierrefonds-Dollard Sameer Zuberi and MP for Lac-St-Louis Francis Scarpaleggia.

Sixteen community organizations set up booths behind the seating arrangement in front of the stage to showcase their services and offer information during the coffee and snack breaks.

“International Women’s Day at the West Island Woman’s Centre is a very important event for us. It is an opportunity for us to highlight the contributions of our 900 members, to reach out to the community and to showcase other non-profit organizations which are making a difference,” WIWC board member Dipa Mehta said to The Suburban.

West Island Black Community Association (WIBCA), president Joan Lee shared a heartfelt testament to three special women whom she holds as role models, Gloria Baylis, Gloria Johnson and her mother, who to her surprise was asked to stand for a round of applause. “It is not easy to be a woman, much less a woman of colour. We need to be the change that we seek. Women do the work that they do, not for the income, but for the outcome.”

Attendees listened intently as Thi Be Nguyen, Executive Director in Canada for the Canada-ASEAN business council, told her personal story of how her family fled Vietnam in 1980. For three nights through forests and two nights by boat to leave that country and seek a better life in Canada after being imprisoned for two months. She told the tale of herself as a young girl growing up in Canada, with the challenges of becoming a woman and reaching her goals with the limitations set on her both from home and in society. She explained how she managed to break down those barriers and become the accomplished person that she is today. “Today there are networks and organizations that help women overcome these challenges and promote change,” she said. “We have come a long way with a long way to go.”

“Our goal here (WIWC) is to provide a safe space for women to interact and support each other,” WIWC board of directors member Lisa Gertsman told The Suburban. n

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