Sainte-Barbe

Louise Lebrun retires from municipal politics

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gleaner / September 11, 2025 / Municipal politics, Sainte-Barbe, Sarah Rennie, The Gleaner

Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

After 16 years as mayor of the municipality of Sainte-Barbe, Louise Lebrun is stepping back from municipal politics.

First elected in 2009, Lebrun said she is retiring with a sense of accomplishment and pride. In a post to social media, the mayor listed several key projects and initiatives that took place during her term. She noted the construction of sewer and water systems, the construction of a new fire station and the addition of fire and rescue vehicles, the expansion of both the Centre Barberivain and the town hall, and new developments in the municipal park as well as the creation of a waterfront park.

There are several projects scheduled for the near future, including the opening of an intermunicipal ecocentre this fall, the expansion of the Centre Barnerivain and the town hall, the construction of a 44-space daycare centre expected to open in 2026, and new residential developments that will see the municipality’s population expand from 1,400 to 2,000 residents.

Along with the municipal council, Lebrun has steered the municipality through several strategic planning initiatives in urban and economic development as well as communications, while introducing family- and salary-related policies as well as better working conditions for municipal employees.

“I am leaving knowing that I have fulfilled the mission I set for myself: to give every citizen a sense of belonging to the community,” she wrote. “I am leaving behind a municipality that is financially sound, well equipped, and rich in human resources,” she added, before noting she hopes the newly elected council will continue this momentum “because in the municipal world, it never slows down.”

Councillor Daniel Pinsonneault thanked Lebrun for her devotion to the municipality before announcing he was ready to take on the charge. First elected to council in 2021, Pinsonneault launched his campaign on August 16.

“These years of commitment have allowed me to better understand the issues that concern us all and to build strong ties within our community,” said Pinsonneault, who hopes to continue working as a team with those elected to council in November.

Louise Lebrun retires from municipal politics Read More »

Province allows small municipalities to reduce council seats

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gleaner / October 2, 2024 / Dundee, Elgin, Franklin, Godmanchester, Havelock, Hemmingford, Howick, Municipal politics, Sainte-Barbe, Sarah Rennie, The Gleaner, Très-Saint-Sacrement

Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

The Quebec government has decided to allow municipalities with fewer than 2,000 residents to reduce the number of seats on municipal councils.

The province cites difficulties in recruiting willing candidates during elections as motivation behind the decision, which will allow less-populated municipalities to run councils with as few as four elected members.

Municipalities are currently required to have six representatives on council.

The change was introduced as part of Bill 57, a wide-reaching law aimed at protecting elected municipal officials while promoting the unimpeded exercise of their functions. The bill also amends various legislative provisions respecting municipal affairs. The bill, which was adopted in the National Assembly on June 6, will allow municipalities to reduce the composition of their council as of the next general election, scheduled for November 2, 2025.

Radio-Canada reports that the municipal affairs minister, Andrée Laforest, spoke with several people closely involved with municipal politics before enacting this law, including mayors and prefects as well as representatives of the Fédération québécoise des municipalités (FQM) and the Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ).

According to 2023 population estimates by the Institut de la statistique du Québec, eligible Valley municipalities include Dundee, Elgin, Franklin, Godmanchester, Havelock, Howick, Sainte-Barbe, Très-Saint-Sacrement, and Hemmingford Village.

Municipalities that are considering making this change must act fast to adopt a bylaw before the end of this year, and there is a process that must be followed.

According to the law, a draft bylaw must be presented to the population during a public consultation meeting chaired by the mayor and attended by a majority of council members, as well as the clerk or clerk-treasurer. A bylaw, which would make permanent changes to the composition of the municipal council, may then be adopted at a meeting following the consultation.

Dundee mayor Linda Gagnon says she intends to bring this up with members of the municipal council during a work session in October. “If we want to move in this direction, we have to move fast,” she acknowledges, while noting there are some pros and cons, and she does not want to rush things.

Gagnon says the municipality is not having trouble recruiting councillors. “Reducing the council to four members might help with the budget, but democracy wants the opinion of as many people as possible to be heard,” she explains. “Going in this direction just to cut expenses requires careful consideration.”

If a bylaw is passed, the elected officials currently in office would be able to complete their mandate. The four councillor positions and that of the mayor will then be opened to candidates during the 2025 general election period.

Province allows small municipalities to reduce council seats Read More »