Stanstead Township rejects annexation of Magog’s District 6
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The Stanstead Township Municipal Council has firmly rejected the annexation of Magog’s District 6, despite the district’s ongoing campaign to join the township. This decision was officially communicated in an Aug. 9 press release and was further elaborated upon in interviews with key stakeholders involved in the matter.
The council’s position
In the Aug. 9 press release, the Municipal Council of Stanstead Township addressed the rising discussions and public statements advocating for the annexation of District 6 of Magog into Stanstead. The council clarified that they have no intention of pursuing or entertaining any such request. The council emphasized that the annexation would more than double the population, territory, and annual budget of the township, creating “enormous logistical and administrative challenges” that would require a significant increase in personnel and the reorganization of services, including public safety.
Furthermore, the council expressed concerns about the potential disruption to the peace and stability of current residents. “Given the scale of the effort required on our part to analyze the impacts of a request of this nature, the members of Council are of the opinion that such an undertaking would needlessly unsettle the peace of mind of Canton’s residents and give rise to concerns to which we do not wish to expose our fellow citizens,” the statement read.
The council said its decision is final, and they have made it clear that “the matter is closed” as far as they are concerned.
Administrative and logistical concerns
In an interview on Aug. 13, Matthieu Simoneau, the Director General of Stanstead Township, elaborated on the council’s decision. He noted that while there is no issue with the intentions of the annexation proponents, the scale of the project and the lack of detailed information about its potential impacts were significant concerns.
Simoneau highlighted that the annexation would require a thorough analysis of various administrative and legal aspects, including differences in laws and administrative procedures between Canton Stanstead and Magog. Simoneau explained, “It’s a big project, and the council has other projects, too. He also mentioned that the council wanted to avoid misleading the proponents into spending money on analyses or presentations that would ultimately be futile, given the council’s current stance.
District 6’s perspective and motivations
District 6 of Magog, a largely rural area, has been pushing for annexation into Stanstead Township due to what residents describe as “outrageous tax increases” under Magog’s administration. Allan Smith, President of the Association Memphré Rural, which is spearheading the annexation effort, explained in an Aug. 13 interview that the tax increases are a result of the provincial government’s structure for municipal financing, which is based on market property values. These increases have been particularly dramatic in recent years, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, which turbocharged real estate values.
Smith provided historical context for the annexation effort, noting that District 6 was originally part of the Canton Magog before being forcibly merged with Magog during municipal fusion efforts led by the Parti Québécois years ago. Despite winning a referendum to remain separate, the district was merged with Magog due to insufficient participation, a situation Smith attributes to the lack of social media and mobilization at the time.
The annexation proponents believe that joining Stanstead Township would better align with District 6’s rural identity, which features farms, summer homes, and a landscape centered around Lake Memphremagog and Lake Lovering. Smith argued that the rural nature of District 6 is more compatible with Stanstead Township than with the more urbanized Magog.
Financial and political implications
Smith also addressed the financial implications of the annexation. He argued that the annexation would bring substantial tax revenue to Stanstead Township without significantly increasing its infrastructure costs. “We would bring in far more than we would cost in terms of infrastructure,” Smith said. He acknowledged, however, that Stanstead’s council is conservative with its finances, which likely influenced their decision to reject the annexation.
Looking ahead, Smith mentioned that the Association Memphré Rural would be holding an executive meeting to discuss their next steps and prepare for their annual meeting on Aug. 25. The group’s membership has grown to about 750 people, all of whom have signed a petition requesting annexation by Stanstead Township.
When asked about the future of the annexation effort, Smith acknowledged that political dynamics could change, particularly with the upcoming municipal elections in both Stanstead and Magog in 2025. “There’s room for action there, and I’m sure that’s one of the things we’re going to consider,” he said. Smith also noted that the representative for District 6 is unlikely to run for re-election, and the same may be true for the current mayor of Stanstead Township, which could open the door for new discussions.
Smith suggested that a broader regional merger, potentially including the neighbouring township of Ogden, might make more sense in the long term. He argued that such a merger would create a more viable and resilient entity, better able to resist the encroachment of urban ambitions from cities like Magog.