The village of Val-David is calling on Quebec for help because it fears having to pay tens of millions for an expropriation that has turned sour.
The municipality planned to cut off a small part of the immense La Sapinière estate in order to allow Quebec to build a primary school. The court confirmed last summer that it had an obligation to purchase the entire property, as well as the former luxury hotel located there.
Result: a total bill that could be around 30 million, or even more, for a village with an annual budget half that.
“It just doesn’t make sense,” says the mayor, Dominique Forget, sitting near a café in her municipality. Last summer, it was she who mentioned in the local press a hypothetical bill of 29 million for the entire file.
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
Dominique Forget, mayor of Val-David
A city does not have the right to go bankrupt. So what will happen? Are we going to raise taxes?
Dominique Forget, mayor of Val-David
After two legal defeats, city hall is now attempting a final appeal.
The portion of land that Val-David was targeting in its expropriation notice is now in the hands of the local school service center, which must build a school there in the short term. Since 2020, the law provides that it is up to municipalities to provide locations for the construction of schools.
“As far as I know, education is not a municipal responsibility,” added Mr.me Forget, who refuses to see his municipality pay for the slippage of a file which is not directly linked to his responsibilities. “We’re not the first to talk about it, we’re not the only ones, but we’re definitely the worst. »
The local MP, France-Élaine Duranceau, did not want to grant an interview to The Press.
“At this stage, the case is following its course in a legal manner, we must wait,” indicated Hugo Paquette, who is part of his political staff. It is certain that we are following the matter very, very closely for all the citizens of Val-David. »
“I can’t do anything anymore”
A few hundred meters away, the La Sapinière area extends over the equivalent of around thirty football fields. The place – with its hotel and outbuildings – was so prestigious in the 1970s and 1980s that meetings of international heads of state were held there. After a long deterioration, the establishment closed its doors in 2013.
Diane Beaudry purchased the premises the following year, with the plan of creating a “destination spa”, including accommodation and outdoor activities. The project of a lifetime, she explained while showing the site to The Press.
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
Diane Beaudry, owner of the La Sapinière estate
On January 20, 2020, it rang at my door. He was a bailiff. [Val-David] had placed a reserve notice on 85% of the land. Everything blocked. This is where the saga began.
Diane Beaudry, owner of the La Sapinière estate
After reducing the territory covered by the notice of reservation, Val-David finally only expropriated the part of the land intended for the school, in the middle of the estate.
“I can no longer do anything,” argued the businesswoman, who considers it impossible to create a relaxation spa through the recess bells and the passage of school buses, in addition to having to cancel a second phase development including chalets. “The project was for the entire [du terrain]. »
Justice ruled in his favor twice, in 2022 and then last June, ordering Val-David to buy back the entire estate.
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
Aerial view of the La Sapinière estate
Mme Beaudry “managed to demonstrate that it finds itself in a situation where it cannot be adequately compensated other than by total expropriation,” ruled the Court of Quebec. The amount of compensation must now be subject to negotiation.
Diane Beaudry comes out of this situation hurt. “It’s 10 years of our life,” she argued, her voice breaking with emotion. “I was sick, but they didn’t want me on the other side. I came close. I had two heart attacks. »
“There was a long way to go”
“I understand Mr.me Beaudry to experience the emotions she experiences. His project was the project of a lifetime, said Mayor Dominique Forget. It’s definitely something she’s worn forever. His despair, his sadness, it’s all true. But emotion does not make facts. »
The elected official still hopes to be able to convince the courts to go back and allow Val-David to expropriate only the school land.
“It never crossed our minds that Madame would stop her spa project because there was a school,” she continued.
She pointed out that in 2020, six years after the acquisition of the domain by Mme Beaudry, no construction had started: “There was a long way to go.”
The degree of progress of the project and the costs incurred may have a significant influence on the possible compensation that will have to be paid by Val-David. However, the estate was purchased for barely 1.4 million in 2013.
Mme Beaudry also launched a lawsuit for damages against Val-David.