Canada/Municipal merger: Saint-Médard in discussion with Saint-Jean-de-Dieu
Saint-Médard and Saint-Jean-de-Dieu open the door to a possible municipal merger. The Ministère des Affaires municipales will conduct a feasibility study.
The two municipalities held an initial meeting last night, where the issues were discussed, as well as the pros and cons of a potential merger. Saint-Médard will base its decision on this feasibility study before deciding whether or not to go ahead.
The idea of a new, single entity for Saint-Médard and Saint-Jean-de-Dieu is now on the table. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs is currently involved in the process to conduct this study, which will determine whether or not a merger is favorable.
"We've lost our convenience store, we've lost some small services and things like that. There's a will on both sides," explains Rodolphe Thériault, mayor of Saint-Médard.
According to the elected representatives, a possible grouping would make it possible to share services to the population, as well as equipment. It could also reduce the financial pressure on the two small neighboring municipalities, which already share a close territorial proximity. "Smaller and smaller municipalities are finding it increasingly difficult to get by. Co-payments are rising, and the population of villages is shrinking. As a result, our budgets are getting tighter and tighter," says Mr. Thériault.
The citizens we met today in Saint-Médard are very positive about this reflection on the part of elected officials. The municipal council has been marked by stormy episodes in recent years, which they would also like to forget.
"It would be good business. It would certainly increase house prices," says one citizen.
"I'd be in favor of it, because over the past few years, there have been ups and downs in the municipality. It would be for the best," continues a Médardois.
Saint-Médard considered the possibility of including other neighboring municipalities in its efforts, before deciding that it was not necessary for the time being. The feasibility study will be carried out over the coming year. Both municipalities will be seeking the views of their citizens at public consultations later this summer.
Source: cimtchau.ca/
