The neighbors of the Mont-Tremblant race track have just reached an amicable agreement with the former and new owners of the circuit to obtain a little peace of mind and financial compensation, which puts an end to a legal saga and two collective actions.
The former owners of Circuit Mont-Tremblant will have to pay 2 million in compensation to the 310 eligible residents and their lawyers for noise deemed excessive near the track for years. A citizen who has lived in the area for 10 years, for example, could receive around $5,000.
In addition, the current owners undertake not to hold car races for six weekends per season, including three between June 22 and Labor Day, and to ban vehicles without silencers from their facilities.
“The main objective of the appeals was to make it more livable for the people who live near the circuit, and that is what we obtained,” underlines the residents’ lawyer, Mr.e Jean-Marc Lacourcière, in interview.
Change of ownership
For years the track was owned by the now deceased Leo Stroll, who was the father of billionaire Lawrence Stroll, owner of the Aston Martin Formula 1 team. Lawrence Stroll is also the father of Formula 1 driver Lance Stroll. The company was sold in 2022 to Montreal businessman Gad Bitton, owner of Holand Automotive Group, which notably operates Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, Maserati and BMW luxury car dealerships in Quebec and in Florida.
The Association of Mont-Tremblant Residents for Quality of Life initiated a class action in 2012 against Circuit Mont-Tremblant. In previous years, the municipality had tried unsuccessfully to reduce the noise emanating from the race track.
A Superior Court judgment ruled in favor of the residents in 2020, ordering the company to pay each person compensation varying between $150 and $750 per year, depending on the date of establishment. Circuit Mont-Tremblant challenged this decision, but was rejected in the Court of Appeal in May 2022.
Just before, in April 2022, the association had filed a second class action, claiming that the owners of the circuit had voluntarily made themselves insolvent to avoid paying their dues, explains Me Lacourciere.
But negotiations between the parties made it possible to reach an agreement, both with the old owners, who will pay the 2 million, and the new ones, who will reduce activities.
It’s a big compromise to give residents 6 weekends out of a season that only has 12, but it’s a sign of my commitment to the population. Even I won’t go test my cars during these weekends, I will go by bicycle.
Gad Bitton, owner of Circuit Mont-Tremblant
“It was important for me to settle with the residents. I wanted to show that we were in good faith while keeping the circuit in operation. In any case, in five or six years, everything will be electric,” says Gad Bitton.
According to Me Lacourcière, the neighbors of the circuit have noticed a clear improvement in the situation since the sale of the business.
The agreement must still be approved by the court, during a hearing which has been set for April 16.
The association’s lawyers’ fees will represent 30% of the 2 million paid, or more than $600,000. As for eligible residents, who lived in the area between 2009 and 2019, they will be able to make their claim online following approval by a judge.