The 1019 Report
The city of Vaudreuil-Dorion is once again inviting citizens to pitch recreational and artistic projects they would like to see realized in the municipality as part of its latest edition of its participatory budget campaign.
The initiative, which aims to give residents a greater say in shaping the future of their municipality, will see the city invest $65,000 in making the winning project happen.
“Participatory budgeting is an initiative that allows citizens to familiarize themselves with the city’s budgetary process,” said Mayor Guy Pilon. “A citizen can submit a project and if it is selected, the city will carry it out. This results in a great collaboration between our citizens and the municipal departments involved.”
Vaudreuil-Dorion residents over the age of 18 have until Sept. 30 to submit their proposal to the city, either individually or as part of a team. Associations and corporations are not eligible to participate in the campaign, as they have access to grant programs sponsored by the city.
The projects retained by the city’s coordinating committee will be subject to a popular vote between Nov. 4 and Nov. 22. The project that receives the most votes will be announced during a special budget session Dec. 9.
Again this year, the campaign includes a youth component that encourages residents between the ages of 12 and 17 to submit their own proposals, with the city pledging to allocate $10,000 to the winning project. Those who apply to this component must be accompanied by an adult who agrees to co-sign the application form and provide supporting documents.
In 2023, the city received nine citizen-pitched proposals. The winning submission was an “object library,” which was subsequently launched last October. The library of things allows citizens to borrow a wide range of tools that are rarely used, difficult to store or expensive to purchase. Items on loan might include sewing machines, electric drills, musical instruments, slow cookers and camping equipment. Citizens can pick up and return these tools at the city’s municipal library.