Seven municipalities west of the MRC of Kamouraska are taking a new step in the municipal regrouping project.
The first two parts of the opportunity study commissioned in November 2022 were presented to citizens of the municipalities of La Pocatière, Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière, Saint-Onésime-d’Ixworth, Saint-Pacôme, Rivière- Ouelle, Saint-Denis-De la Bouteillerie and Saint-Roch-des-Aulnaies, during several public consultations last week.
recent years, seven municipalities who want to come together, that’s a big file and we didn’t want to wait until the end to consult our citizens”,”text”:”The Ministry of Municipal Affairs, they didn’t see often in the last 20 years, seven municipalities who want to come together, it’s a big file and we didn’t want to wait until the end to consult our citizens”}}”>The Ministry of Municipal Affairs, they haven’t seen this often in the last 20 years, seven municipalities who want to come together, that’s a big file and we didn’t want to wait until the end to consult our citizens
explains the spokesperson for the group of municipalities and mayor of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière, Jean-François Pelletier.
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The mayor of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière, Jean-François Pelletier
Photo: Courtesy of the Municipality of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière
People seemed satisfied. They understood that we couldn’t have all the answers. They thanked us for informing them of where the process was at.
He affirms that despite normal resistance to change, a large majority of citizens who participated in the meetings are in favor of regrouping.
% according to me. I meet people and I talk with my advisors and there is no one who tells us “stop it””,”text”:”Approval is up to 65% in my opinion. I meet people and I talk with my advisors and there is no one who tells us “stop it””}}”>Approval is up to 65% by my count. I meet people and I talk to my advisors and there is no one who tells us “stop it”
he says.
Everyone believes that we have been talking about it for quite a long time, and that we clearly see that this is where we need to go, that unity is strength and that we need to work together, that we has the same challenges.
Economic benefits
Jean-François Pelletier explains that with human resources challenges, ever-increasing government requirements, and all the services to be provided in the territory, the work is made very complex, even in a small municipality.
The study predicts several effects of consolidation on services. In particular, the maintenance of local services and their possible improvement in certain municipalities, access to all the infrastructures of the new territory without any additional pricing for non-residents and better attractiveness.
It also identifies several potential repercussions of the absence of consolidation. Among other things, it names the risk of losing certain government subsidies in the absence of competent human resources, service disruptions and less political representation limiting development capacity.
Source : Study concerning municipal regrouping, Union and collaboration, 2024
We quickly realized that we all had the same challenges. Then often, we even competed to attract candidates for the same position.
According to the study, in the new town of 10,000 inhabitants, the number of elected officials would drop from 49 to 19.
It also reveals that following a consolidation, economies of scale of around $740,000 can be anticipated, which represents approximately 3% of the combined budgets of the seven municipalities in 2024.
In small municipalities, it is the same cost for employee training, the same equipment is the same price, even if it is used twice a year. Also, we have seven general directors at the moment, and when we want to share services or costs, the system lacks agility
mentions the spokesperson for the seven municipalities.
These savings could reduce taxes on taxpayers in the new city by around 3.8%, according to the study.
I don’t think that taxes will go down if we stay alone, they will probably just go up more slowly by grouping together, if we want to keep the same services.
believes Mr. Pelletier.
If the municipalities move forward with the consolidation, they will benefit from a program from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing of Quebec and will receive financial assistance of nearly $1.7 million over three years to finance the transition. .
To consolidate tax accounts, software, and anything non-recurring in operations
he emphasizes.
A new player
The Municipality of Saint-Gabriel-Lalemant withdrew from the group in 2023, giving way to that of Saint-Roch-des-Aulnaies, which is currently evaluating two regrouping scenarios, either with Saint-Jean-Port-Joli or with the six municipalities west of the MRC de Kamouraska.
The council is confident that this is the path to take, but we will do it with respect, we will do it by listening. We believe that we have reached the point of making a decision, and we will do it for the best, for the general interest, the public interest.
He affirms that the public consultation of his municipality, on the study concerning the municipal grouping with La Pocatière, went very well. We didn’t feel any tension. We decipher that for the vast majority, the future involves regrouping.
According to him, we are talking here about administrative issues, even if there may be emotions attached to the territory and the community.
It is much more the administrative part than the community part of the things we are talking about. If I make an analogy with a large urban area, there are neighborhoods, there are districts, there are neighborhood lives, and dynamism depends on the involvement of people. All this will remain.
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“For me, whether the services come from Kamouraska or L’Islet, it’s all good luck,” says the mayor of Saint-Roch-des-Aulnaies, André Simard. (Archive photo)
Photo : Radio-Canada
He emphasizes that around 8% of citizens came for the consultation.
% of citizens who did not come, this testifies to neutrality or at least that there is no major concern in the face of a reunification with LaPocatière”,”text”:”The 90% of citizens who did not come, this testifies to neutrality or at least that there is no major concern regarding a regrouping with LaPocatière”}}” >The 90% of citizens who did not come, this testifies to neutrality or at least that there is no major concern regarding a regrouping with La Pocatière
he believes. He stresses, however, that the elected officials did not expect a large turnout, given the population’s disaffection with politics in general.
Another public consultation is planned for September for citizens of the seven municipalities involved in the consolidation process, when the third part of the study will be available.
If, at this time, elected officials decide to move forward, the constitution of the new municipality of 10,000 inhabitants could take place in July 2025, before the next municipal elections.
