Ormstown

Local business community remains optimistic despite tariffs

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Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

Local businesses are adapting to the uncertainty brought on by the Trump administration in the United States.

The ripple effect of tariffs and talk of escalating trade wars has reached the Valley, resulting in shrinking profit margins, difficult decisions, and a great deal of concern for the local business community.

Jonathan Turenne, the owner of the IGA supermarkets in Ormstown and Huntingdon, says that while businesses like his are trying to adapt, it feels more like improvisation. “When you live with uncertainty, you can’t plan for the long term, so you can’t plan for stability,” he explains. “We are trying to make long-term projections to give ourselves a guideline, but then we adjust them every week, or almost every day.”

Turenne says he is also noticing the impacts of uncertainty on the public. “We’re starting to see it here and across Quebec as a whole, with companies closing or reducing their production volumes. Jobs are being lost. We’re pretty close to the U.S. border here. It’s a strategic location for people who export and import. We’re definitely going to feel it,” he says, noting that customers are holding back on spending.

However, they are spending more on local, Canadian, and Quebec-made products. Turenne says that while positive, the trend is having an impact on product availability and the bottom line. “Local products are in higher demand everywhere, so they are harder to get,” he explains, adding that this affects the price.

“Often, we run promotions at a loss to attract customers, and to sell other products,” says Turenne. Once a price has been advertised it can’t be changed, even if demand has driven up the cost. “Automatically, I am selling at a loss,” he explains, suggesting the fact customers want products on a year-round basis complicates things further.

The purchasing catalog follows global production to ensure, for example, that there are always grapes or strawberries on the shelves. Production forecasts are made a year in advance, with a bit of leeway on the supply side to account for the impact of weather. “But three months out, your purchases are fixed. It is complicated to manage, and the impact we are seeing today is based on decisions we made practically before Trump was elected,” says Turenne. “We are kind of stuck with it,” he shrugs.

Farm supply businesses also impacted

Michel Laplante, the owner of Les Équipements Laplante et Lévesque Ltée (L&L) in Ormstown, says he has also had to adapt to these uncertain times. Around ten per cent of his products come from the United States, and he decided to invest in many of these before the tariffs were imposed on April 2. Now, he says, it is Canadian counter-tariffs that might impact his farm equipment business as well.

“We brought in a lot of equipment that we don’t need right away, but that we will need in the summer,” Laplante explains, noting they are checking the codes on incoming stock to see if pricing has increased and if it includes tariffs. Steel has become more expensive, for example, and suppliers have had no choice but to adapt their pricing. “We have to deal with it and adjust. But my customers who have signed contracts don’t want to pay 25 per cent more,” he admits.

He says that like Turenne, he is sensing that customers are wary of spending too much right now. “We see it with my dairy customers. Supply management is a big issue, and the U.S. doesn’t like supply management,” he says, noting dairy farmers are also having to adopt new animal welfare regulations. “They have to invest to adapt. Some are going to give up altogether. Others will invest and then expand. But right now, they have expenses to cover. In the back of their minds, they are wondering if their quota will stay the same,” he explains.

The value of community

Turenne bought the two IGA supermarkets a year ago. One of the first things he did was join the Association des Gens d’Affaires d’Ormstown et des Environs (AGAO+). “It is important to be present on the local scene,” he says. Laplante says that while the association isn’t essential for his business, he joined to support and encourage entrepreneurs who are just starting out in the community.

Both agree it is important to remain optimistic. “When we end up in situations like this, everyone quickly positions themselves to do what is necessary to make things work,” says Turenne. “We will find solutions. People will find ways to help each other wherever they can,” he adds. “We have always been good at that here.”

Turenne says that customers also have confidence in local products. “When you say that a product is made in Canada or Quebec, people don’t even think twice. They know it’s going to be a good quality product,” he explains. “We don’t have to fight to justify the value of what we do. That’s why there is no reason to be worried right now.”

As for the uncertainty on the horizon, Turenne says businesses have to hope it’s nothing more than a dark cloud that will pass over quickly.

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AGAO+ announces two-year partnership with Desjardins

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Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

Over 90 individuals attended the annual general assembly for the Association des Gens d’Affaires d’Ormstown et des Environs (AGAO+), which took place on April 1 at the Centre Agri-Culture in Ormstown.

The organization elected new directors and created a new position on the board dedicated to member relations, which will be filled by an AGAO+ founding member, Suzanne Hutchinson. The association expects to reach over 90 members this year and will continue to strengthen ties within the business community through networking and training workshops and activities. AGAO+ president Philippe Besombes says another objective for this year is to develop a major annual event for the association.

The administrative exercise was followed by a presentation by Sébastien Maisonneuve, general manager of the Caisse Desjardins du Haut-Saint-Laurent, who spoke about the bank’s services for small- and medium-sized businesses and organizations in light of current economic uncertainty.

The presentation included a brief address by Mitchell Leahy, the vice-president of Les Vergers Leahy, who spoke about the direct and indirect impacts of the economic conditions imposed by the U.S. administration, as well as counter-tariffs put in place by the Canadian government in retaliation, and the role of financial institutions in helping businesses to keep going in difficult times.

AGAO+ president Philippe Besombes then took the opportunity to announce that the association has signed a two-year partnership with the local Caisse Desjardins. The financial agreement will see Desjardins invest $7,500 per year for a total of $15,000 to help fund the organization’s activities which support the local business community. The funds will be used to offer resources, training, conferences, and networking activities for AGAO+ members.

“We are convinced that this collaboration will be beneficial not only for our respective members, but also for the community as a whole. Together, we will create opportunities and synergies that will contribute to a better future for the Haut-Saint-Laurent,” said Besombes and Maisonneuve in a joint statement following the event.

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Renovation work temporarily closes the Ormstown town hall

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Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

Municipal employees in Ormstown are moving office for a few weeks while important renovation work is carried out in the town hall.

Work began on February 26 to improve accessibility for individuals with reduced mobility and to address plumbing, ventilation, and electrical issues from the building’s initial construction.

The renovations are designed to meet health and safety standards including the installation of a lift that will allow access to the basement, and to ensure a healthy work environment for municipal staff.

“Many people are surprised that work needs to be done on City Hall, which was built less than ten years ago. And I understand them,” says Ormstown’s mayor, Christine McAleer.

“Currently, we have a large basement that is of little use because it is not accessible. The archive room is also located in the basement, and the ventilation is not optimized for the preservation of documents,” she adds, noting that once the work is completed, all citizens will be able to enjoy the town hall.

Ormstown director general Daniel Leduc confirms the renovations were included as part of the 2025-2027 three-year capital investment program, which was approved by the municipal council in December. He says the $550,000 budget represents less than four per cent of the total investments planned by the municipality over the next three years, which include significant road, sewer and drinking water expenditures.

“This year we are putting some money into the town hall and the recreation centre,” he says, noting the upgrades are not a luxury. “The objective is to make it a real community building … A town hall that is well-equipped and fully functional to meet the needs of the community, which it presently does not.”

The floor in the recreation centre is being refurbished at an estimated cost of around $60,000.

The municipality expects the renovation work to be completed by mid-April. In the meantime, municipal employees will be temporarily relocated to the fire station, while those who work in reception will move to the library so they remain accessible to the public.

Leduc says that he looked into having the work done after business hours to reduce the impact on municipal employees, but it was significantly more expensive.

Municipal council meetings will not be affected and will take place as scheduled on March 3 and April 7 at the town hall.

Renovation work temporarily closes the Ormstown town hall Read More »

The AGAO+ wants you to buy local

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Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

Members of the Association des Gens d’Affaires d’Ormstown et des Environs (AGAO+) gathered for a networking event on February 4. The topic was to have been the MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent’s new economic development and employment plan; however, echoes of the Trump administration’s tariff threat reverberated through the room.

“We certainly talked about it, and I think everyone is worried,” says AGAO+ president Philippe Besombes, who suggest that while there is concern, many of the association’s 80 members believe this uncertainty represents an opportunity to reposition local businesses.

In a post on social media, Besombes joined the many voices calling on consumers to prioritize products made in the Haut-Saint-Laurent, Quebec, or Canada while boycotting American-made goods. He suggests these practices will help to counter potentially volatile measures imposed by the U.S. government while promoting new internal markets within Canada.

“There is often a perception that buying local means more expensive products, but that is not true. More often, these are products that are not necessarily more expensive, and of better quality, made close to home, by local people,” Besombes explains. “We should be proud to buy these products,” he continues, suggesting that while there is a certain element of patriotism or pride to buying local, this practice is also about belonging and being part of a community.

There is also a clear ecological argument to be made for buying local. Consumers can significantly reduce their carbon footprint simply by increasing the amount of locally grown food they consume. Buying products that are made and sold nearby also encourages short shipping circuits, which eliminate the middleman and much of the transport costs. Besombes cites the Huntingdon County Farmer’s Market as a good example, as well as the many community-supported agriculture options for organic vegetables across the region. He says area grocery stores are also stocking more local products on their shelves.

Besombes says, “We all have a role to play” in determining how we ride out the next few years, which could be difficult. “On many levels, we’re going to be affected,” he surmises. “Which is why I think we should seize this as an opportunity to try to change certain things.”

The AGAO+ is also looking into how it can better support area businesses as they prepare to weather what feels like a coming storm. The association launched a workshop and training program last year for local entrpreneurs, which will continue this year with a focus on marketing, product positioning, and leveraging social networks. Networking opportunities and events are also organized throughout the year, which regularly draw over forty members.

“Our members really appreciate the opportunity to talk to each other,” says Besombes. “They feel less alone, less isolated,” he explains, while pointing out that the popularity of the networking activities is evidence that area entrepreneurs are looking for reasons to come together. This is important, he insists, because the ability to network and see what others are doing will help local businesses and entrepreneurs to better adapt within a difficult or changing economic climate.

Besombes says the association is always open to new members and is especially looking to recruit farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs from across the Haut-Saint-Laurent and neighbouring municipalities. More information is available online at agaoplus.com.

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Ormstown adopts tax increase and ambitious three-year spending plan

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Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

Ormstown’s mayor, Christine McAleer, presented a balanced budget of $8,167,136 for the fourth year of her mandate during a special municipal council meeting on December 11. The figures for 2025 forecast an increase of $257,137, or five per cent, over the previous year’s budget. Over 84 per cent of this revenue is expected to come from property taxes.

McAleer explained that the council took several factors into consideration while formulating the budget, including the general tax rate. In Ormstown, the average tax rate for all property categories is not expected to exceed an average of 4.8 per cent, while the average tax bill will increase by an average of 2.89 per cent.

The mayor noted that every effort was made to curb increases while pointing out the municipality has a small number of commercial and industrial institutions that would allow for a more diversified source of income. She announced the municipality would be working on a new approach to its economic development.

“We want to develop the municipality in a way that respects taxpayers’ ability to pay, and with a view to sustainable development,” she said. “We are committed to maintaining a competitive tax system, and will continue to work towards this goal,” she added.

A second factor involved controlling the increase in operating expenses for municipal services, including the public works department, which accounts for around 25 per cent of the municipality’s expenses, as well as administrative services, human resources, communications, and public safety.

A third significant driver revolved around investments in infrastructure improvements. “We could not ignore the many difficult realities that required solutions and sums of money in the very short term,” McAleer said, noting the municipality had little to no choice but to invest in several capital projects.

Ormstown will invest nearly $14 million in various infrastructure in 2025 alone. The mayor confirmed that over a third of these expenditures will be financed by grants, the general fund, and the unrestricted surplus.

McAleer pointed out that despite narrow revenue margins that left little room to manoeuvre, the municipality has been able to innovate despite the need to rationalize spending in all departments.

The municipality’s three-year investment plan represents over $54 million in estimated expenses between 2025 and 2027. Major investments in 2025 will include $4.71 million for a wastewater overflow plan, with a total investment over three years of $15.4 million. At least $5.78 million is expected to be spent on the water and sewer network in 2025, with additional investments of $13.6 million by 2027.

Other significant investments for 2025 include over $1.35 million in road and sidewalk maintenance, over $325,000 in recreational infrastructure (splash-pad and skating rink), and over $1.6 million for municipal buildings, including the town hall, garage and ecocentre, and recreation centre.

The municipality will delay the financing of a drinking water treatment plant to 2026, when $15.4 million is expected to be invested over two years.

McAleer said she was proud of the budget, saying she and the council were confident they would make a success of the final year in their term.

The municipal council adopted the bylaw establishing the tax rates and payment terms for 2025 during a special meeting on December 16. The bylaw was approved by majority vote, after two of the five councillors present voted against plan.

Ormstown resident Philippe Besombes, who is also the president of the Association des Gens d’Affaires d’Ormstown et des Environs (AGAO+), was the only individual present to question the council during both meetings on December 11 and 16. He expressed concerns over the steep increase in tax revenue since 2021, and the impact this may have on residents.

“Tax revenue, or what we’ve been taking out of the pockets of the municipality’s residents, whether residential, commercial, or agricultural, has gone from $3.2 million to $6.7 million. That’s a lot of money,” said Besombes, who noted this cannot be attributed to new residents as development projects have been at a standstill for the past three years. He questioned whether some residents would be able to afford the increase, and asked whether the mayor would consider authorizing payments over four installments instead of three.

Municipal tax bills will be sent out in February.

Ormstown adopts tax increase and ambitious three-year spending plan Read More »

Internet access now available at Barrie Memorial Hospital

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Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

The Barrie Memorial Hospital Foundation (BMHF) has been covering the costs of providing free internet access to emergency room patients for the past several years. Now, hospitalized patients and their families can also benefit from reliable wireless internet access, thanks to the foundation.

“More and more people bring their computer or tablet when they are hospitalized,” says BMHF vice-president Philippe Besombes. The foundation reached out to the Centre intégré de santé et services sociaux de la Montérégie-Ouest (CISSSMO), which agreed to allow the foundation to install a router on the third floor.

According to Besombes, the Barrie Memorial is not the first of the three hospitals in the Montérégie-Ouest to offer free WiFi services to all its patients. “For us it is a big plus, and it was one of the things we really wanted to do for the well-being of patients at the hospital,” he explained, noting that while many now have data plans included with their phones, many do not have unlimited access to the internet through their devices.

Besombes says the next big project for the foundation revolves around the hospital’s current CT scanner, which was installed in 2010 and is due to be replaced. The CT scanner and necessary renovations to the medical imaging department at that time cost $1,94 million, to which the BMHF contributed $1,44 million.

“When we bought this scanner for the hospital, it was the most powerful scanner in the region,” Besombes says, “but now it is at the end of its life.” This time around, the foundation will not finance the equipment but will finance the necessary renovations to the department. “We are planning to spend around $250,000,” he reveals, suggesting the foundation will soon begin fundraising for the project.

The Gleaner reached out to the CISSSMO to confirm the regional health authority was planning to replace the CT scanner, but did not receive a response by press time.

“We think it is at least two years away,” says Besombes, noting the authorization and procurement process with the CISSSMO will no doubt take some time.

PHOTO Sarah Rennie The president of the Barrie Memorial Hospital Foundation, Robert Greig, and vice-president Philippe Besombes tested the Wi-Fi signal on the third floor of the hospital last week. Hospitalized patients and their families can now benefit from free wireless internet access throughout the hospital.

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