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 good overview of the responsibilities of the municipal council and municipal administration.
The limitations of a small municipality
In an ideal world, a municipality would want to excel in all areas.
In reality, this is much more difficult: it requires time, staff, and, above all, financial resources.
In North Hatley, these resources are limited by three main factors :
- a small area (4.6 km²);
- a modest population (approximately 675 to 690 residents, or 320 households);
- and financial capacity constrained by a large loan related to the construction of the water and sewer system.
These factors naturally limit the municipality’s room for maneuver.
Choosing our priorities together
Faced with these realities, we must choose our battles according to the community’s priorities.
This does not mean neglecting other issues, but rather focusing our efforts where they will have the greatest impact.
This selection should be made with citizens, in dialogue with elected officials. Next:
- Elected officials define priorities in consultation with citizens, make decisions, and oversee the progress of the municipal administration.
- The municipal administration (permanent, non-elected team), supervised by senior management, implements these priorities.
- Citizens evaluate the results based on their level of satisfaction.
In summar
Each municipality must work within its municipal capacity, i.e., its human, financial, and territorial resources. This is not a weakness, but a reality that must be acknowledged in order to plan more effectively. By working together—citizens, elected officials, and employees—it becomes possible to strike a balance between ambition and realism, in the service of the common good.
IMPORTANT: (*) Categories for which I have raised one or more issues in North Hatley over the past few months.
Financial management
- Responsible use of public funds. *
- Transparency. *
- Clear and consistent communication. *
- Integrity and neutrality in municipal communications. *
Essential infrastructure and services
- Roads, sidewalks, aqueducts, sewers.
- Waste and recycling. *
- Public safety (crime, fire, signage, lighting). *
Environment and land use planning
- Protection of natural environments, lakes, and forests.
- Ethical and thoughtful urban planning in consultation with citizens. *
- Sustainable development (zoning, densification, green spaces).
- Organization for climate change (erosion, biodiversity, flooding, disasters). *
Leisure, culture, and quality of life
- Sports and recreational facilities. *
- Promoting local heritage. *
- Community activities. *
- Equitable access to the lake, parks, and trails. *
Governance and citizen participation
- Real, accessible, and interactive public consultations. *
- Neutrality and respect in official communications. *
- Encouraging citizen engagement and volunteering. *
- Efficiency in responding to citizens (quality and timeliness).*
Local development and attractiveness
- Support local businesses. *
- Develop sustainable tourism. *
- Balanced management of short-term rentals and housing. *
- Strategic planning for economic and demographic development.*
In short, wanting to do everything at once may seem flattering at first glance (versatility, resourcefulness). However, it is often counterproductive: there is a risk of spreading oneself too thin and not accomplishing anything properly. Much like a one-man band, too many responsibilities concentrated in the same hands can undermine shared governance, leading to opaque management and excessive control of information, especially in a municipal setting.
One-man band (ChatGPT)
Literal meaning
A one-man band originally referred to a musician capable of playing several instruments at the same time—for example, the guitar, harmonica, bass drum, and cymbals. He gives the impression of being an “orchestra all by himself.”
On that note, happy voting on November 2!
