Adoption of the budget of Montreal: the related cities in anger require the assistance of Quebec

Photo AGENCE QMI, MAXIME DELAND
The president of the Association of suburban municipalities and the mayor of Montreal West, Beny Masella, addressed the media to make an announcement in relation to the budget, Thursday, January 15, 2018, at the city hall of Montreal.

Matthew Payen and
Sarah Daoust-Braun

Thursday, 25 January 2018 16:23

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Thursday, 25 January 2018 16:23

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Just after the adoption of the budget of Montreal to which they are strongly opposed, to the fifteen mayors of the related cities have announced that they addressed to the government of Quebec to change the functioning of the agglomeration.

“We the mayors of the related cities ask the minister Martin Coiteux to undertake measures for the revision of the rules of governance and cost sharing of the city”, launched by the mayor of Montreal West and president of the Association of suburban cities, Beny Masella.

The 15 mayors of the related cities gathered at the city hall on Thursday for the vote on the agglomeration budget. This budget provides for an increase in average contributions of those cities from 5.3% in average.

These expenditures are used to finance public services such as police, fire, and water infrastructure.

13% of the vote

Without surprise, the 15 mayors have unanimously voted against the budget, but they hold only 13% of the vote. The City of Montréal adopted its budget on Wednesday has voted for.

Without slamming the door of the town, the mayors of the suburb have complained about a “maneuver disrespect” on the part of the administration Plant that did not inform them of this increase and has forced them to change their own budget.

“We had to dig into our reserves of forethought, as if it were a case of force majeure or natural disaster,” said Mr. Masella.

Thus, despite the increase of contributions which is a significant part of their budget, most of the related cities were successful in limiting the increases in taxes of their citizens around 2%, apart from Westmount who has had to go up to more than 3%.

“There is a problem, because it requires us spending and we don’t have our word to say,” said Georges Bourelle, mayor of Beaconsfield. It’s been ten years since the cities are the cash cows of the city.”

Communication

Just before the release of the mayors, the mayor Valerie Plant, and the chairman of the executive committee of the City of Montreal, Benoit Dorais, had tried to defuse the discontent.

“The fact that you are not having spoken before the Holiday season put you in a situation of anger, of disappointment. I can understand it very well, ” agreed Mr. Dorais.

Mrs. Plant was also recognized for his part that relations between the City of Montréal and the cities related to them have been échaudées due to “misfires unacceptable” communications.