Pumpkin Contest in North Hatley – presented by Plogg Media
Halloween is just around the corner! Now is the perfect time to let your creativity shine in our Pumpkin Contest. It’s open to all North Hatley residents and those in the surrounding area. How to Participate ➡️ Decorate or carve your pumpkin, and let your imagination run wild by creating something scary, funny, or completely original!➡️ Before October 30, send a […]
Significant improvements in municipal communications in recent days
I would like to highlight the welcome improvements in communications from the Municipality in recent days. The minutes—which had not been updated since March—have been published, and useful information about the municipal elections (including where to vote) is now available, which is essential for everyone. After a final update to the website in February 2025, […]
Aaron Patella – Candidate for Mayor of North Hatley
Aaron Patella Website | Linkedin Profile Candidate’s Introduction Aaron moved to North Hatley after spending several years in Alberta. His parents founded the well-known local business, the Auberge Le Cœur d’Or. Professionally, he has extensive experience in real estate, including property management and project delivery that respects both timelines and budgets. He also worked in […]
Introducing Richard Gourde – Candidate for Councilor at Seat #2 in North Hatley
Richard Gourde, urban planner Introduction of the candidate I have been a professional urban planner for nearly forty years and continue to work in this capacity for the municipality of Stanstead Township. As co-editor, we are currently completing the overhaul of urban planning regulations and the implementation of a Special Planning Program (SPP). Before the […]
Philippe Marchesseault – Candidate for seat #1
Philippe Marchesseault Profile Learn about my background | Linkedin Profile Why I want to represent the people of North Hatley Council needs diversity—of gender, origin, and experience. My entrepreneurial background, expertise in technology, communications, and management, and a fresh perspective are, in my view, assets for the municipality and the community. By the people, for […]
Access to a public contract in North Hatley: 15 months and $1,000 later
On July 15, 2024, I asked the Municipality of North Hatley for a copy of a public contract—a request that, in my opinion, was quite routine. When I did not receive a response, I had to refer the matter to the Commission d’accès à l’information (CAI), attend a hearing that was postponed at the request […]
Attempts to discredit: attacking the person rather than debating ideas
Since announcing my candidacy, I have noticed that some people prefer to resort to denigration rather than debating ideas or projects for North Hatley. Attempts are being made to discredit my campaign by attacking me personally rather than discussing municipal issues. My private address has even been made public for the sole purpose of harming […]
Access to information: in North Hatley, an obstacle course
On July 15 and 16, as well as August 1, 2024, I filed three access to information requests with the municipality of North Hatley. No response was received within the legal deadline of 30 days. Administrative silence. I therefore had to refer the matter to the Commission d’accès à l’information (CAI), as provided for by […]
Legal mandate to counter bullying, harassment, and defamatory statements
The minutes of September 8, 2025 (resolution 2025-09-08.166) confirm that the council mandated the firm Cain Lamarre to analyze files and take any appropriate legal measures to maintain a healthy work environment, free from intimidation, harassment, or damage to the reputation of employees. Reference: Missing minutes hinder citizen participation in North Hatley Mandate to the […]
Distinguishing between the roles of elected officials and senior management
The roles of elected officials and senior management are often confused—I myself have done so in the past. This article clarifies the responsibilities of each and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy distance between elected officials and the municipal manager. What is “sound municipal governance”? Governance is the decision-making framework that elected officials rely […]
Video: My journey: from entrepreneurship to municipal engagement
Here is a short video in which I present my entrepreneurial background and the skills I wish to put to work for the citizens of North Hatley. For full details:https://northhatley.info/en/2025/10/05/my-journey-from-entrepreneurship-to-municipal-involvement/
How much do mayors earn in Quebec?
En effectuant des recherche, je suis tombé sur un article du Journal de Montréal qui proposait un outil de recherche et de classement des élus du Québec par rémunération, j’ai retraité les données pour établir un classement de la rémunération annuelle par habitant (per capita). Précision méthodologique : un nouvel outil 2025 est disponible, mais […]
How does North Hatley compare to other municipalities in terms of administrative expenses?
You already know that I am critical of the municipal administration. However, my main criticism is of the way things are done rather than the results. In my opinion, it is essential to give citizens a representative picture of reality, not one that shows the administration in a favorable light. In fact, that is my […]
Let’s revisit North Hatley’s municipal debt from a different perspective
All analyses in this article are based on the ministry’s audited financial reports.Reference: North Hatley’s 2024 audited financial reports Some may say that I am insisting on this point—I readily admit it. However, since this issue has already led to a formal notice being sent to a citizen, I believe it is legitimate to continue […]
5,000 rainbow trout stocked in Lake Massawippi this weekend
Stocking rainbow trout in Lake Massawippi. Please excuse the amateur editing; it’s not my specialty. I had the privilege this Saturday with my sons, in Ayer’s Cliff, of witnessing an exceptional moment for our community and for the health of Lake Massawippi: 5,000 rainbow trout were stocked thanks to the efforts of the Lac Massawippi […]
Analysis of the facts — Mr. Reed v. Municipality of North Hatley
I would like to return to the formal notice sent to Mr. Reed and the municipality’s responses to it in its October 1 bulletin. In my opinion, this entire episode deserves more in-depth analysis. Of course, everyone must be protected from harassment, whether physical or psychological. However, in the municipal newsletter dated October 1, the […]
Closure of the Mercantile and surge of solidarity
I wanted to share this message circulating in the community about the closure of the Mercantile, inviting everyone to show kindness and solidarity. Faithful to the heart of the Village For over forty years, the “Hob Nob” has been part of our family. As owners, we have always been committed to ensuring that it remains […]
Who can vote and who can run for municipal elections?
Who can vote and run for office in municipal elections? With municipal elections approaching, many people are wondering who is actually eligible to vote or run for office. Here is a clear summary of the rules that apply in North Hatley and, more broadly, to all municipalities in Quebec. Right to vote and eligibility as […]
Key information for exercising your right to vote on November 2 in North Hatley
If you have any questions, please contact the Election Chair. Here is a simple guide to help you prepare to vote. Your Election Chair in North Hatley Benoit Tremblay direction.generale@northhatley.org330 chemin de la Rivière (cliquer pour un itinéraire)Phone: 819-842-2754Toll-free number: 1-877-842-2754 The impacts of the Canada Post strike On September 25, Canada Post went on […]
What is the candidates’ vision for the development of North Hatley?
Élection Montréal is an excellent example of a citizen platform. It provides all the essential information about candidates and important dates, presented in a simple and consistent manner. Each candidate has a page featuring their photo and a short text describing their motivations, platform, and priorities. This is a very interesting approach, as it allows […]
The NorthHatley.info blog surpasses 500 weekly visitors
The citizen blog NorthHatley.info is gaining popularity. In just a few months, the platform I founded, Philippe Marchesseault, now attracts more than 500 unique visitors per week, with an average reading time of more than three minutes per article. These are impressive figures for a local media outlet dedicated to municipal and political issues in […]
Closure of the Mercantile Café: the heart of the village loses its soul
The announcement came on Monday: Café Mercantile is closing its doors. This news saddens many of us. In a village already limited in its offering of cafés and restaurants, the loss of such a unique place leaves a void. The Mercantile, with its live music, carefully selected wine list, and unique atmosphere, was one of […]
Let us clarify the main statements made by the municipality about me
In the interest of transparency and accuracy, I am responding here, point by point, to the statements contained in the municipal newsletter of October 1, 2025, in order to set the record straight and provide the public with an accurate picture of the situation. Unlike the municipality, I do not have access to the complete […]
6 major priority areas in municipal management
Major municipal issues Here are the major issues facing a municipality in Quebec, grouped into six main categories and twenty-three subcategories. Rest assured, none of this is set in stone. I am sharing this classification because it will help me better organize future articles in the Municipal section. In my opinion, these categories provide a […]
Missing minutes hinder citizen participation in North Hatley
To date, the latest minutes available on the municipal website are dated March 3. However, these documents are essential for tracking council decisions and ensuring transparency for citizens. As for audio recordings, some sessions also appear to be missing: those of August 11 (originally scheduled for August 4), September 8, and October 1. This represents […]
My journey: from entrepreneurship to municipal involvement
Education I hold a technical degree in computer science and a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from the University of Sherbrooke. I also began a master’s degree in e-commerce, which I put on hold due to the rapid growth of my business. In addition, I completed training in artificial intelligence at MIT to stay […]
Les rapports financiers 2024 de la municipalité de North Hatley viennent d’être déposés!
Merci à la municipalité d’avoir déposé les rapports financiers 2024 hier ou avant-hier tout au plus. Je tiens à rappeler que les municipalités ont au plus, 6 mois après leur fin d’année fiscale pour déposer leurs rapports financiers. La fin d’année fiscale des municipalités est le 31 décembre de chaque année. Donc, la date limite […]
Last-minute developments in the political race in North Hatley
Three new candidates entered the race yesterday in North Hatley. The deadline for filing nominations was October 3 at 4:30 p.m. Ms. Élizabeth Fee withdrew following a withdrawal from Mr. Claude Labry and then filed a brand new nomination at the last minute against Mr. Richard Gourde. Ms. Élizabeth Fee won her seat against Mr. […]
I applied for the position of advisor today
Those who read my blog know that I have been questioning and harshly criticizing North Hatley’s municipal government for several months now. Some may say that I am going too far, but if we want to eliminate laxity in our public finances, we need to raise the bar. On November 2, you will be able […]
Mr. Claude Aubry, a new candidate seeking a term as councilor in North Hatley
Ms. Elizabeth Fee, who currently holds the position of councilor for Ward 4, is now facing off against Mr. Claude Aubry, who is seeking his first term. Please correct me if Mr. Aubry has already served as a councilor in North Hatley. Current candidates for the November 2, 2025 elections Mayor position Marcella Davis-Gerrish (Occupait déjà […]
