Achievements

FINANCES

Despite the pandemic and high inflation, the average property tax increase for a home of average value in Saint-Lazare remained at 2.88% between 2021 and 2025, below the average inflation rate, demonstrating rigorous and responsible financial management.

Tax rate increase for a home of average value:

Debt ratio:

According to the latest financial profile available on the MAMH website (for the 2023 fiscal year), the debt ratio for residents of Saint-Lazare is $0.96 per $100 of property assessment. In comparable municipalities across Québec, the rate is $1.49 per $100 of assessment. Among municipalities in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges RCM, the rate stands at $1.35 per $100 of assessment, significantly higher than that of the residents of Saint-Lazare.

SPORTS AND RECREATION

The completion and adoption of a master plan for parks, green spaces, and sports facilities in December 2024 will guide development over the next 10 years and provide our residents with well-designed, high-quality facilities.

Park and Playground Renovations

In recent years, we have made significant investments in maintaining, renovating, and upgrading our existing parks and sports facilities to offer pleasant, safe, and accessible environments for all residents:

• Saint-Robert and Parc Grand-Pré parks : Improved irrigation of sports fields.
• Bédard park : Installation of new play structures and resurfacing of tennis courts.
• Saddlebrook park : Complete renovation of tennis and pickleball courts, replacement of basketball equipment, and improved irrigation of sports fields.
• Frontenac park: Installation of new play structures and complete renovation (completion spring 2026).
• Des Pins park : Renovation planned for 2026.
• Cedarbrook, Maple Ridge and Vallée Chaline parks : Addition of new play structures adapted to families.

New parks

To accommodate population growth and enhance the range of recreational offerings in our community, several new parks have been planned or developed:

• Pôle jeunesse park: A new space specially designed for teenagers, planned for completion by end of 2026. This park will include a skatepark, a pumptrack, and basketball courts.
• Dog park  : Scheduled for 2026, this park will be located near the community centre (at the pôle jeunesse location).  
• Place du Parc : A new park under construction in the Place du Parc sector, including play structures and a multi-use trail (end of work fall 2025).
• Land acquisition in the Green Maple Hill area (future park), along with the official designation of “Place Séraphin-Bédard”.

Multi-Use Trails and Active Transportation

To promote safe, active, and sustainable mobility, several concrete projects have been completed over the past four years:

• Creation of a secure pedestrian path between Grand-Pré Park and Birchwood School, encouraging safe walking to school.
• Development of multi-use trails in the areas surrounding Forest Hill Junior and Auclair schools, including a drop-off zone to improve traffic flow near the school.
• Construction of a multi-use trail along Des Cèdres and Daniel Streets, supported by government programs for active transportation./span>
• Completion of multi-use trail networks in the Cité-des-Champs and Cité-des-Papillons residential developments, ensuring better connectivity between neighborhoods and Étriers School (end of work fall 2025).
• Construction of a multi-use trail in the Place du Parc housing development.

Ice Sports and Synthetic Field

As the Town does not own a municipal arena, we chose to invest directly in our local hockey and figure skating associations. Between 2021 and 2024, this financial support totaled $443,875. At the same time, we continue to invest in other sports infrastructure and facilities to meet the diverse needs of our population.

For the benefit of all residents, we also signed a lease agreement for access to ice time and the synthetic field with the new owners of the Quartier des sports, covering the period from September 1, 2025, to April 30, 2028.

CULTURE

To me, arts and culture play a vital role in the identity and vibrancy of a town. Several public art installations were completed during my term:

• A mural by artist Mélissa Del Pinto, in collaboration with Saint-Lazare artist Jeniffer Mendoça, on the wall of Chez Maurice, adjacent to Place Maurice-Chartrand.
• The butterfly sculpture “L’Envol” by artist Edith Cantin, accompanied by a cultural mediation project with students from École des Étriers, in the Cité des Papillons community garden.
• The equestrian piece “Carrousel” and cultural mediation activities on the trails of Parc nature Les Forestiers, in partnership with the Club équestre Les Forestiers and artist Lilian Cuer.
• The sculpture “Cohabitation” by artist Annie de Lorimier, installed at Parc nature Les Forestiers.
• The mural “Our Community Centre, Our Beating Heart”, created for the town’s 150th anniversary by Saint-Lazare artist Madeleine Turgeon, with the participation of Agnès Robin and support from Nancy Lépine, a teacher at Cité-des-Jeunes High School, along with students from the Arts-études program
• Installation of the “Memory Tree” at Town Hall, honoring Saint-Lazare’s founding families, another piece by Madeleine Turgeon and Gabriel Laframboise (September 2025).
• Launch of Festi-Ouest, a family-friendly, unifying event that reflects the spirit of our community, with memorable musical performances in its first three editions, including Roch Voisine, Gregory Charles, and Guylaine Tanguay.
• Espace des Muses, a project born during the pandemic as a temporary village park, which I actively supported from the outset and helped grow into a permanent cultural venue. Today, this site hosts art exhibits, open-air performances, and community gatherings. In 2025, a pilot project was launched in partnership with Microbrasserie Trois-Lacs, offering an outdoor bar service and live music from Thursday to Saturday evenings.
• Support for the organization Fondation Tout pour les Enfants in hosting Saint-Lazare’s first-ever ribfest at Bédard Park.

Saint-Lazare’s 150th Anniversary Celebrations

It was a great honour to be part of the organizing committee for Saint-Lazare’s 150th anniversary celebrations. I contributed to planning a vibrant and inclusive lineup of events: a hockey game with the Montreal Canadiens Alumni, a bed race on ice, family festivities at Cooper Airport and Saddlebrook Park, a historical performance at Festi-Ouest featuring artists from Cirque du Soleil and the Just for Laughs Festival, the grand 150th parade, and a tribute evening to the builders of our town.

ENVIRONMENT

Since my first term as a municipal councillor (2017–2021), the environment has been at the heart of my priorities. We laid a strong foundation for the protection and enhancement of our natural surroundings, which was further strengthened and expanded during my 2021–2025 term as mayor. This ongoing commitment has resulted in concrete actions, regulatory progress, and innovative initiatives for the benefit of our community and future generations.

• I initiated the securing of an ecological gift in the western sector to ensure the permanent protection of a 175,419 m² lot recognized for its high ecological value, generously donated by a long-time resident.
• Between 2021 and 2025, 365 hectares of land were ecologically characterized, demonstrating the Town’s strong commitment to understanding and protecting its natural environment.
• Adoption of several key by-laws: forest ecosystem protection, responsible pesticide use, and drinking water protection.
• Implementation of a Green Patrol, tasked with educating and raising awareness among residents about environmental issues.
• Update of the conservation plan, along with the adoption of the 2025–2028 action plan.

City’s recognition and distinctions

• Awarded 4 Fleurons du Québec, recognizing excellence in horticultural beautification and environmental efforts.

• Certificate of Merit at the 2024 International Green City Awards.

• Gold designation under the Monarch-Friendly City program, for initiatives supporting pollinator habitats.

Improved financial support programs

• Up to $100 in financial assistance for the purchase of reusable feminine hygiene products.
• Increase from $100 to $150 in financial assistance for the purchase of trees.
• Up to $50 in financial assistance for the purchase of low-emission gardening tools.

Other Initiatives 

• Signed the Declaration of Commitment on Climate by the Union of Quebec Municipalities (UMQ).

• Concrete commitment to biodiversity protection through local actions and policy initiatives.

• Launch of the Eco-Friendly Landscaping Contest to promote sustainable practices among residents.

HUMAN RESOURCES

A strong relationship with employees, built on respect and fairness, is essential to the effective operation of a municipality and to maintaining a positive and engaged work environment.

During my term, I contributed to:

• the signing of a new collective agreement with firefighters

• the signing of a new collective agreement with blue-collar employees

• the conclusion of a new agreement on working conditions for management staff

POLITICAL ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT

• Request for a fair and rational distribution of Sûreté du Québec costs within the Vaudreuil-Soulanges RCM. A reform is needed regarding the billing model for Sûreté du Québec services to improve predictability, fairness, and the management of public resources (no response).
• Request for financial support from MNA Marilyne Picard to help fund additional resources needed for a day camp support program.
• Third request for authorization from the Commission de protection du territoire agricole du Québec for a non-agricultural use related to the Bédard sanitary pumping station forcemain project (pending).
• Request to the Ministry of Transport to reduce the speed limit on a section of Route de la Cité-des-Jeunes, from 90 km/h to 70 km/h (denied).
• Request to the National Assembly and the Government of Québec to prioritize sustainable and transparent water management by amending the legal framework to explicitly designate all reported water withdrawal data as public information under the Ministry of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change (the National Assembly passed Bill 20, the Act establishing the Blue Fund and amending other legislative provisions).
• Requests to the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility for more efficient traffic management on the Île-aux-Tourtes Bridge.
• Support for the bill prohibiting the issuance of new mining claims and ending the precedence of mining and gas rights over other land uses.
• Endorsement of the Union of Quebec Municipalities’ Housing Declaration.
• Support for the Vaudreuil-Soulanges RCM regarding the review of curbside recycling collection frequency. The City requested to maintain weekly pickups (denied).
• Opposition to the increase in the vehicle registration tax imposed by the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal for passenger vehicles (increase maintained).
• Request to amend the Revised Metropolitan Land Use and Development Plan (PMAD) of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) for the implementation of responsible and sustainable density, and for adjustments to the metropolitan boundary (awaiting alignment with the RCM’s land use plan).

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION 

Citizen participation is at the heart of my priorities, as I firmly believe that residents should be able to get involved and play an active role in driving change within our community. I am very proud to have initiated numerous dynamic committees and initiatives that brought citizens together around meaningful, concrete projects aimed at improving our living environment.

Cultural committee

• Organization of artist networking events (5 à 7 des artistes).
• Launch of public art projects and cultural mediation activities.
• Active participation in various cultural initiatives and consultations.
• Initiation of the review process for the cultural policy (in progress).
  

Equestrian committee

• Meetings with the equestrian community to better understand the challenges in the field.
• Installation of equestrian artwork.
• Coordinated annual events, including stable open houses, guided trail walks, and equestrian participation in town festivities.
• Promoted public awareness of equestrian life to help preserve this valued local heritage.
  

Social and community development committee

• Implemented the projects: “Je m’enracine dans ma communauté” (Taking Root in My Community) and “À la découverte des racines du monde” (Discovering the Roots of the World).
• Completion of an intergenerational project in partnership with the Cercle des fermières and the Centre prénatal et jeunes familles.

Environment committee

• Developed recommendations for environmental characterization studies.
• Progress in drinking water management and bylaw on pesticide-related issues.
• Preparation of the updated conservation plan and the 2025–2030 action plan

Other initiatives

Several public consultations were held to exchange ideas and gather input from residents on:

• The Special Planning Program (PPU)-public consultation
• The Parks Master Plan-consultation with organisations
• The Place du Parc park-public consultation
• The Pôle jeunesse park-public consultation
• Cluster development project, presented to the public by Me Jean-François Girard.

REGIONAL IMPLICATION 

During my term, I was elected or appointed to serve on several key regional committees within the Vaudreuil-Soulanges RCM, reflecting my active commitment and leadership at the supra-municipal level. As the second-largest municipality in the region, our presence at the regional table is essential to ensure that our community’s voice is heard and that we help shape decisions made at higher levels.

• President, Toit d’Abord – Affordable Housing Vaudreuil-Soulanges
• President, Land Use Planning Table of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges MRC
• President, Environment Committee of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges MRC
• Vice-President, Vaudreuil-Soulanges Arts and Culture Council (CACVS)
• Member, Executive Committee of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges MRC
• Member, Regional Table for Sustainable Social Development Vaudreuil-Soulanges MRC
• Member, Steering Committee for the Agricultural Zone Development Plan (PDZA) of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges MRC