This question was raised by a citizen following the special council meeting held on March 25. It led me to reflect on a particular situation: two citizens covered the costs of a special municipal council meeting held with less than 24 hours’ notice, in order to speed up the processing of their building permit application.
At first glance, this may seem trivial. However, it raises an important issue: is it possible to pay to accelerate the processing of a municipal file? And more importantly, is this option truly accessible to all citizens?
I attended that special meeting, held on March 25 at 2:00 p.m. with less than 24 hours’ notice, and I asked the mayor directly. She explained that the context — particularly delays related to the Easter period and the limited availability of contractors for the summer season — justified this approach. The developers could not afford to wait. It is worth noting, however, that the regular council meeting was scheduled for April 7.
Below is an audio excerpt of my question and the mayor’s response.
Beyond legality: a question of fairness and transparency
Municipalities can legally hold special meetings and charge certain fees, provided these practices are governed by a clear regulatory framework. The real issue, therefore, is not the payment itself, but the principles of fairness and transparency.
Regulatory framework
Is there a municipal bylaw in North Hatley governing special meetings requested by citizens and the associated fees? If so, the practice is generally compliant. If not, it raises legitimate questions. I have not found anything on this topic so far.
Equal access
Do all citizens have the ability to request — and pay for — a special meeting to speed up the processing of their file?
If this option is not clearly accessible to everyone, there is a real risk of inequity. I have not found anything on this topic so far.
Perception of favoritism
Even if the practice is legal, it may create a perception of preferential treatment, or the impression that it is possible to “pay to move faster.”
This is not necessarily illegal, but in my view, it remains politically and ethically sensitive.
What this does not mean
It is important to clarify that:
- a developer or citizen is not paying to obtain a permit
- they are not bypassing zoning or planning regulations
- they have no guarantee of approval
They are only paying to have their application processed more quickly, without influencing the decision. It is also entirely understandable that a citizen would use available means to reduce administrative delays in order to start and complete their project as soon as possible.
In summary
Based on my research, it may be legal for a municipality to allow a citizen to cover the costs of a special meeting in order to accelerate the processing of their application. This can indeed speed things up — but only if this option:
- is provided for within a clear regulatory framework (none found so far)
- is accessible to all citizens (which appears to be the case, as such a request was recently accepted)
- is applied in a fair and transparent manner
