The mayor of Victoriaville, Antoine Tardif, deplored, on Monday, the songs sung by opponents of a real estate project during the first municipal council meeting of the year.
A group of citizens opposing a project for 300 housing units on the site of the former Arthabaska sand pit was present during the January 13 session.
After the mayor announced that this project would move forward, citizens sang to signal their disagreement.
“City council, city council, will you vote? Will you vote? Save the sand pit, save the sand pit. Vote no. Vote no,” they sang to the tune of the song “Frère Jacques.”
The mayor then responded.
“My children are 4 and 6 years old so we no longer sing these songs, but it’s a nice reminder all the same,” he said. It makes me think of them in a session like this, it’s always fun.”
But a second song followed.
“Victoriaville, Victoriaville, do you know? Do you know? Sustainable development, sustainable development, sustainable development, that’s not it. That’s not it,” they hummed again.
The mayor subsequently wanted to address the group directly to denounce their behavior.
“Unfortunately, at each session during which you have come since the beginning, we have had to face a lack of respect which I still consider considerable,” he said. “Attacks on our integrity, attacks on the integrity of City employees, and this evening, for a first, a new song dedicated to us.”
“There is the right to have divergent opinions and I’m not saying it’s unhealthy for you to have them, but some of the techniques that you use, I think they have no place,” he said. -he added. I call you to order and calm in a session where everyone is here in good faith, in a matter which is not easy, I agree, but which deserves respect.
In a message published on his Facebook account, the mayor indicates that he had to speak out.
“I have always strived to respect everyone’s opinion […] but I will not allow the council chamber to become a circus,” he wrote.
The project in question is one of 300 homes of all types located on the site of the former Arthabaska sand pit, on Boulevard des Bois-Francs Sud.
The authorization given Monday by the municipal council makes it possible to modify a regulation so that this project can see the light of day.
The promoter must, however, respect certain provisions related to the environment.
Opponents of the project also demanded a study of the environmental impact that the project will have on the surrounding natural environments.
A public consultation session regarding this project is also scheduled for January 27.
Related News :