Saint-Amable’s new $200 tax on residents without trees has ignited backlash, particularly among those who have complied by planting trees. Despite their efforts, residents like Omar Ngaala and Annabelle Rouleau have faced issues with the City, which has failed to acknowledge their submissions. Frustration mounts as many feel dismissed by the municipality, leading to an online petition for the tax’s repeal that has already gathered over 550 signatures.
Saint-Amable’s Controversial Tree Tax: Residents Speak Out
The City of Saint-Amable, located in Montérégie, has come under fire for implementing a new $200 tax aimed at residents who do not have a tree on their property. This decision has sparked frustration among several residents, including Omar Ngaala, who planted a tree last year yet still faces the tax.
Residents’ Efforts Go Unrecognized
“I find it outrageous. I did everything that was asked of me,” expressed Omar Ngaala, a resident of the town with a population of 13,000. Last year, he received a notice from the municipality indicating that those without a tree in their front yard would incur a new tax starting in 2025. To avoid this fee, Ngaala purchased a $30 tree from a municipal program in September 2024 and promptly planted it.
After submitting an online form to prove his compliance, Ngaala was taken aback when he discovered on his January 2025 tax bill that he was still liable for the $200 tax. Initially believing it to be a mistake, he reached out to the City with his proof of purchase and planting.
However, the response he received was disappointing. “They told me they couldn’t find my form, and the tax would remain,” he recounted, incredulously questioning how such an error could occur.
During a municipal council meeting on February 4, Mayor Stéphane Williams acknowledged the complaints regarding the tax and mentioned that the City was reviewing approximately forty cases. He assured that those deserving a credit would receive it.
Despite these reassurances, many residents, including Annabelle Rouleau, are still struggling to obtain reimbursement. Rouleau, who also planted a tree last year and submitted her form, suspects that the City encountered technical difficulties, as she received similar feedback about her submission not being found.
Another resident, Gabrielle Vanasse, shared a comparable experience. When she presented her purchase receipt from May 2024, a City employee questioned the integrity of her claim, suggesting she might have sold the tree. “I don’t have time for that!” she responded, frustrated by the unnecessary scrutiny.
Many residents, like Martin Lapointe, are equally disturbed by the tax. Lapointe purchased a tree from the City for $30 and assumed he did not need to submit additional forms. The municipality continues to deny his request for an exemption. “It’s incredibly disheartening to be dismissed when you reach out for help. Life is already so expensive; $200 feels like a grocery bill,” he lamented.
The response to the City’s new tax has not been favorable, as an online petition calling for its repeal has garnered over 550 signatures in just a month. As of now, the City of Saint-Amable has not provided further comments regarding the situation.