Once again (once too many!), we are witnessing a very clear situation of intimidation towards elected officials in Quebec. Since the last municipal elections in November 2021, we have lost count of the number of regions that find themselves with elected positions to fill, and this is particularly the case in Wickham, in the MRC of Drummond, which has just seen its mayor resign after he and his family suffered intimidation and threats from some citizens.
If with one voice we choose to speak out to highlight these forms of violence suffered by our elected officials, it is because these behaviors are no longer tolerable.
Create Dialog
As elected municipal officials, like many other elected officials at other levels of government, we are publicly exposed to criticism in the course of our duties and we are aware of it. We recognize and promote the right to freedom of expression. We want to create dialogue and promote democracy in all spheres of our political life. We are ready to defend projects that will not always rally all of our fellow citizens and hear their questions and concerns if necessary, but only in a respectful and, above all, safe environment for all!
When letters of intimidation are sent to the director general of a municipality, when employees are intimidated by citizens in the parking lot of a town hall on the way out of the office, when their car tires are exhausted, that their families (and children!) are threatened and intimidated in the public space or that security guards have to be hired to hold a public consultation, that social media is in fact becoming a weapon in a debate and we move on… YES, there is reason to act to denounce this violence! These examples cited are facts that have really been experienced since the beginning of this mandate by elected officials of the MRC of Drummond, but which occur throughout Quebec.
Desired denunciations
Today, we publish this letter because we believe that it is necessary, even essential, to act collectively to denounce any form of intimidation experienced or which we witness, with the competent authorities. Whether we are talking about acts of physical or material violence, these behaviors are unacceptable! And they are equally so when they are carried out by an individual hidden behind a screen.
It is high time to act to rebuild a civilized and safe society for all. And that responsibility rests with all of us – governments and individuals. Let’s take a step back from the actions we take and the words we speak to help preserve a living environment in which everyone can play their role without living in fear of threats or reprisals.
Jacques Demerspresident of the FQM, mayor of Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley and prefect of the MRC de Memphrémagog
Antoine Tardif1st vice-president of the FQM and mayor of Victoriaville
Audrey Boisjoly2nd Vice-President of the FQM and Mayor of Saint-Félix-de-Valois
Stephanie LacostePrefect and Mayor of Drummondville
Line Frechettedeputy prefect and mayor of Saint-Majorique-de-Grantham
Chantal Girouxpro-mayor of Wickham
Gilles BeauregardMayor of Saint-Eugene
Maryse ColletteMayor of Saint-Lucien
Sylvain CormierMayor of Saint-Félix-de-Kingsey
Stephane DionneMayor of Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Conseil Parish
Francois FrechetteMayor of L’Avenir
Yves Grondinrepresentative of Drummondville
Jean-Guy HebertMayor of Sainte-Brigitte-des-Saults
Robert JulienMayor of Saint-Guillaume
Sylvain JutrasMayor of Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Conseil Village
Richard KirouacMayor of Saint-Edmond-de-Grantham
Sylvie LavalMayor of Durham South
Guy LavoieMayor of Saint-Bonaventure
Eric LerouxMayor of Saint-Cyrille-de-Wendover
Francois Parenteaumayor of Lefebvre
Nathacha TessierMayor of Saint-Germain-de-Grantham
Benoit Yergeaumayor of Saint-Pie-de-Guire