In spite of unforeseen expenses and loss of revenue before the pandemic — caused notably by the deferral of tax payments for citizens, by support measures for organizations and by closures of recreational establishments — the Municipality of the Islands will avoid a budget deficit for the year 2020.

This is what Mayor Jonathan Lapierre assures, who points out that the accumulated surplus and the compensations granted by the provincial government allow the municipality to avoid going into debt in order to balance the annual budget.

Interview with Lapierre talking about the accumulated surplus (in French)

Erosion control

Lapierre said that all the authorizations have been obtained for the beach recharge on the La Grave side and that the restaurant Four à Pain building will be moved in the spring.

It was anticipated that this step would be completed in the fall, but given the government's projected cost overruns, the specifications or criteria for the tender will need to be redefined within the next few weeks.

New municipal garage project

The $8.5 million financial package for the construction of the next municipal garage in Étang-du-Nord, and the renovation of the one in Havre-Aubert, has now been completed, with a government grant equivalent to 50 per cent of the project and the use of part of the wind power revenues.

The new infrastructure will be built on the site of the existing garage located in Étang-du-Nord. The consortium LFG Construction and Honco Bâtiments will launch the construction site in the spring.

The municipal garage for the Municipality of Iles de la Madeleine. Photo by CFIM.

Hydro Quebec Thermal Station, Iles de la Madeleine. Photo by CFIM.

Pandemic, transportation and accommodation

The mayor also recalls his daily interventions from March to June to remind health and government authorities of the insular characteristics of the territory in the application of containment, particularly in relation to transportation and supply issues.

Among the 2020 highlights, Lapierre notes the adoption of the private bill that expands the powers of the municipality to encourage contractors to build and operate new rental units year-round, including property tax vacations.

Energy transition

With the update of the Municipal Energy Strategy Action Plan this summer, the mayor is now awaiting the results of Hydro-Québec's public consultation on the transition and conversion scenarios for its thermal power plant.

He promises to ensure that the will of the people of Madelinots is respected in the decision that the Crown corporation will make in 2021.

Municipal Council 2017-2021. Photo by CFIM.

2021: Election year

At the dawn of an election year, Lapierre did not rule out the idea of a third term as mayor, but will still take time to think about it like the other members of the council.

Interview with Lapierre talking about the possibility of running for a third term (in French)

Strategic planning and departure of Serge Rochon

The mayor said that the deployment of a new Municipal Strategic Plan, a project that was initiated this year by outgoing Director General Serge Rochon, will continue without problems, despite the latter's departure.

Lapierre hopes to be in a position to announce the next person to take on this responsibility in the near future. For the time being, the Interim Director of Finance Danielle Hubert has been appointed.