Have you had a chance to receive a printed copy of the Municipality of North Hatley’s new official newspaper, Le Courant? This new bilingual publication features a series of articles about our village, its history, its residents, and its projects. Here are a few photos of pages from the new newspaper, Le Courant. First, I […]
Administrative Expenses: How Does North Hatley Compare with Neighbouring Municipalities from 2021 to 2026?
Between 2021 and the 2026 budget, North Hatley’s general administration expenses increased from $612,813 to $922,837, representing a 50.6% increase. How does this trend compare with Hatley, the Township of Hatley, Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, and Ayer’s Cliff? To answer this question, I compiled the administrative expenses of all five municipalities over a six-year period, using their financial […]
What Do Municipal Administrative Expenses Include?
As North Hatley prepares to present its 2025 financial statements this Monday, October 5, at 6:30 p.m., it is worth taking a closer look at the municipality’s main expenditure categories, particularly general administration expenses. General Administration and Administrative Expenses Are Synonymous What is included in administrative expenses? Administrative expenses, generally grouped under the “General Administration” […]
North Hatley’s 2025 Financial Statements Presentation… Right in the Middle of Provincial Election Night!
In my opinion, the presentation of the municipality’s financial statements is one of the most important opportunities of the year for residents to engage with their municipal administration. Municipal newsletter inviting residents to the presentation. It is important to understand that financial statements are the municipality’s most comprehensive accountability document. They provide insight into how […]
When Will We Get to Visit Our New North Hatley Town Hall?
Renovations to North Hatley’s Town Hall have been completed since the beginning of September. During a municipal council meeting, Ms. Gerrish mentioned the possibility of holding an open house to give residents an opportunity to tour the renovated offices and see firsthand the results of this $339,784 investment — and that is before adding the […]
A 4 km walk through the heart of North Hatley and the Township that raises more than $5,000 for ALS!
For the second year in a row, we had the pleasure of taking part as a family, joined by friends from the village, in this wonderful 4 km walk organized by Cie Vilandré to raise funds and support the fight against ALS. What is ALS? Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease […]
Access to Information in North Hatley: Why Is It So Difficult to Obtain Public Documents?
On September 8, I submitted an access-to-information request to the Municipality of North Hatley seeking all documents related to the demolition of the Pleasant View building. In summary, I am seeking the documents, contracts, studies, analyses, the 11-criteria evaluation grid, as well as the discussions, recommendations and conclusions of the demolition committee that reportedly led […]
Mill Street: When Will the Containers Be Moved?
During the September 8 municipal council meeting, a resident raised concerns about the condition of Mill Street, particularly the presence of containers that appear to encroach on the roadway. Unpleasant odours, garbage and an unsightly appearance were among the concerns raised. During that same meeting, Mr. Tremblay indicated that the containers would be moved “next […]
Updates on Several Issues That Continue to Raise Questions in North Hatley
Financial Statements: Still Pending To date, the Municipality’s audited financial statements have still not been submitted to the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation (MAMH). Yet, Quebec’s Municipal Code requires that the financial report and the external auditor’s report be submitted to the Minister no later than June 30 of each year. We are […]
Two years later, still no welcome signs despite the municipal council’s approval of a contract with Allan Gerrish in 2024
Allow me, once again, to bring attention to a project that I would describe as very simple to carry out, yet one that has now been dragging on for more than two years. Let us remember that more than two years have now passed since a contract was awarded to Mr. Allan Gerrish in June […]
A special municipal council meeting was called with less than 24 hours’ notice, on a Thursday at 1:30 p.m., to vote on the demolition and reconstruction contract for the Pleasant View Beach building
Here is, in summary, the current state of the matter. The financial statements have not yet been filed. Meanwhile, the municipality is moving forward with the construction of a new building that will entail significant operating costs, even though no other municipality is contributing financially to the project and the amount of the grant remains […]
$4,078,000 for the New Pleasant View Building: Which Good Neighbours Will Help North Hatley Foot the Bill?
The construction contract for the new building at Pleasant View Beach was awarded to COMCO on July 16, 2026. The contract now amounts to $4,078,000, not including the technical studies and resources already devoted to the project, including the time invested by our demolition committee, made up of our elected officials, Mr. Pelletier, Ms. Haller, […]
But What Does Municipal Transparency Really Mean?
Ce n’est pas simplement publier un résumé des séances du conseil. C’est permettre aux citoyens de comprendre comment les décisions sont prises, sur quelles bases, pourquoi elles le sont et comment l’argent public est utilisé, avec des informations vérifiables et des documents à l’appui. Le rôle du citoyen, ce n’est pas seulement d’élire ses représentants […]
Pleasant View: What do the studies reveal, and on what technical basis did the demolition committee conclude that demolition was necessary?
Photo credit : Photo by William Crooks Référence : https://qcna.qc.ca/north-hatleys-pleasant-view-beach-house-set-to-be-replaced-after-unanimous-demolition-vote/ It has now been more than 30 days since the construction contract for the new Pleasant View Community Centre was awarded, for a total amount of $4,078,000 (reference SEAO). This contract is the culmination of a lengthy process that led the Municipality of North Hatley […]
Terms and Conditions of Sale of the Pleasant View Beach Building to the Municipality of North Hatley in 1967
Read more: The North Hatley Recreational Society (NHRS) — A Brief History If you take the time to read the history of the North Hatley Recreational Society (NHRS), you will discover the fascinating story behind the Pleasant View Beach building. In summary, the beach facilities located at 2070 Lake Road (chemin du Lac) originally belonged […]
The North Hatley Recreation Society (NHRS): A Brief History
Here is the complete English transcription of the two pages, preserving the text and wording of the original document. History of North Hatley Recreation Society The North Hatley Recreation & Sports (NHRS) was created in the mid 1960’s and has been an important organization in the development of the recreation of the town. The mission […]
La Société récréative de North Hatley (NHRS) : un peu d’histoire
Document de référence transmis par une citoyenne — à prendre sous toutes réserves. La North Hatley Recreation & Sports (NHRS) a été créée au milieu des années 1960 et a joué un rôle important dans le développement des loisirs de la municipalité. Sa mission était définie comme celle d’un « organisme sans but lucratif dirigé […]
Covering the costs of a special meeting to move your application forward
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. […]
It took 1 year and 27 days to obtain a public document in North Hatley
Access to information is a fundamental right that allows any citizen to obtain public records held by a municipality. Pour exercer ce droit, il suffit de soumettre une demande formelle par écrite à l’administration municipale. La loi Loi sur l’accès aux documents des organismes publics et sur la protection des renseignements personnels prévoit un délai […]
Estimated tax revenue from the Parc de la Rivière condo project in North Hatley
Several discussions and comments are currently circulating on Facebook regarding the proposed condo project in the center of Parc de la Rivière. Here is an estimate of the revenue this condo project could generate for the Village of North Hatley. WARNING: This is an approximate calculation for a project consisting of 20 residential condos and […]
The Progress of the Pleasant View Building Project (Public Beach) in North Hatley
Some residents have questions about how the project to demolish and rebuild a new building at Pleasant View Beach fits into the master plan and the special urban planning plan (PPU). However, as I understand it, this area is excluded from the scope of the PPU and the associated measures. Furthermore, according to information provided […]
Updates on the Indoor Ice Rink Project in North Hatley
Another major project for North Hatley—probably one of the most significant in recent years—is the refrigerated ice rink. We recall the many twists and turns surrounding its construction, particularly the discussions about the use of the tennis courts and their potential relocation to Rivière Park. The initial site presented several challenges, including issues related to […]
Progress on the renovation of North Hatley Town Hall
Evolution of the demolition and reconstruction project January 23, 2024 — Geotechnical studyAuthorization to characterize the site’s soil conditions.First official technical step. Reference:https://www.northhatley.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/PV-2024-01-23-extraordinaire-1.pdf May 6, 2024 — Call for tenders for plans and specificationsAuthorization to launch a call for tenders for professional plans.Beginning of concrete planning. Reference:https://www.northhatley.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/PV-2024-05-06.pdf July 8, 2024 — Awarding of design mandateContract […]
Understanding the Planning Process for North Hatley’s Village Center
To plan for the area’s development, municipalities use several planning tools that follow a logical sequence. You can download the specific urban plan here. In North Hatley, the planning process for the village center generally follows these steps: Master Plan → PPU → Zoning Changes → PPCMOI → Real Estate Projects Comprehensive Design Concept Reference: […]
Is it the role of our elected officials to encourage and support citizen initiatives?
Clearly, in Quebec, our elected officials and municipal administration have a responsibility to promote, support, and guide citizen initiatives, within the limits of their legal powers. Here is how this translates in practice. 1. The role of municipal elected officials (mayor and councillors) Elected officials are the democratic representatives of citizens. Their role is not […]
Service at North Hatley Marina – Summer 2026: Several Questions Remain
The North Hatley marina building is currently in a concerning condition. According to several observations, it would likely be difficult for this building to meet current standards if a full inspection were conducted by the Quebec Construction Commission. In my opinion, major interventions should have been carried out long ago to prevent anyone from circulating […]
PPCMOI: The next phase in North Hatley’s future planning
PPCMOI: What does it mean? PPCMOI stands for Specific Project for the Construction, Modification or Occupancy of an Immovable. It is a legal urban planning tool provided under Quebec’s Act respecting land use planning and development, allowing a municipality to authorize a project that does not fully comply with existing zoning regulations when it is […]
North Hatley is planning the next decade at full speed… but what about day-to-day service to citizens?
I don’t know about you, but after speaking with several residents, I realize that I am not the only one receiving little — or often no — response from the municipal administration. If many of us are already experiencing difficulty obtaining answers and services today, what will happen with the addition of new infrastructure such […]
Understanding the Role of the Special Planning Program (the well-known SPP)
A Special Planning Program (SPP) is a detailed municipal planning tool used in Québec to guide the development of a specific sector within a municipality (downtown, village core, waterfront area, redevelopment zone, etc.). Role of the SPP The SPP translates a strategic planning vision for a specific area into concrete rules and clear guidelines. It […]
Mill Street: What can we expect this summer in North Hatley?
Even though we currently have both feet in the snow and winter is beautiful, the summer season will arrive in less than 90 days. Boating season will already begin on April 23. Every time I try to travel along Mill Street, whether on foot or by car — often with great difficulty — I wonder […]
