This text is part of the special section Municipalities
The theme of the 2024 Conference of the Union of Municipalities of Quebec (UMQ), “For the same world”, marks an important change of tone in the relationship between municipalities and the government of Quebec. “We are not here to criticize, but to be partners,” says Benoit Lauzon, mayor of Thurso, in Outaouais, and co-president of the organizing committee of the event, which will bring together 1,500 delegates at the Palais des congrès de Montréal from September 22 to May 24.
This is because since last December, the government has made a clean sweep of the fiscal pacts which required tough renegotiations every five years. The recent agreement creates a new framework with new fiscal powers and sets five priorities: adaptation to the climate transition, increased housing supply, support for vulnerable people, sustainable land development and infrastructure. “Yes, our member municipalities are very different in size, but we share several issues,” says Sophie Mauzerolle, co-president of the organizing committee and municipal councilor for the Sainte-Marie district in Montreal.
The Quebec metropolis, host city of the Conference for the first time since the election of Valérie Plante in 2017, intends to take advantage of the event to emphasize the links that unite all the members of the UMQ despite their differences. “Montreal is the hub of Quebec,” says Sophie Mauzerolle, “but it is also dependent on all the industrial, commercial, agricultural, mining and forestry activity of the regions. »
For Benoit Lauzon, who is prefect of the MRC of Papineau, the heart of the Conference aims to discuss how to align with Quebec. “We are the local government closest to citizens,” he said. Our message to the government is “help us help you”. »
A varied program
In addition to the opening conference in the presence of the Prime Minister, the second highlight of the Conference will be the major forum on Thursday morning, which this year will focus on the energy transition – with the main speaker Michael Sabia, CEO of Hydro- Quebec.
“It’s always the big forum that generates the most discussions in the organizing committee,” says Benoit Lauzon, who has been there for five years. This year, the various UMQ caucuses produced 22 recommendations on various round table topics, and the committee had to choose eight on themes specific to cities such as leisure, roads, environment, economic development, public transportation, but also cybersecurity and the role of women. “We had more than 20 hours of discussions and conferences to structure. »
Astute observers will note the absence of a round table on intimidation of elected officials despite recent news. Certainly, agrees Benoit Lauzon, more than 700 elected officials have resigned since 2021, including the mayor of Gatineau recently, but the government is responding directly with Bill 57 aimed at protecting elected officials. Submitted in April, it has already been the subject of several consultations since. “We have been heard. The dynamic is to ensure that the new law will be effective,” says Benoit Lauzon, who himself was the victim of threats in 2017.
However, intimidation is not the only cause of renunciations, as will be highlighted at the women and governance lunch conference on Friday, which will focus on reconciling political commitment and family life. “Yes, there is Bill 57, so much the better,” says Sophie Mauzerolle, “but the reality of political life is not easy. »
A toolbox
Among the big new features, the cybersecurity workshop will certainly be the talk of the town, since elected officials will witness a hack in real time. “But we will also be shown what protection to provide. For a small municipality like mine, which does not have the type of team in Gatineau, what we learn at the UMQ is always valuable,” says Benoit Lauzon.
At the request of members, the workshops were all extended by 30 minutes, in order to give elected officials time to ask their questions. And on the stands, we will hear fewer elected officials and more specialists and professionals. “The mission of Les Assises is first and foremost to answer our members’ questions and give them the right tools,” says Benoit Lauzon.
This is also for the same reason that the Business Space show and the Municipal Innovation Pavilion, both very popular, are always the subject of their own opening ceremony — another highlight of the Conference. “For municipal councilors who often chair several committees,” explains Benoit Lauzon, “the show is an opportunity to interact directly with potential suppliers and to stay informed of new developments. »
Sophie Mauzerolle confesses to living a beautiful love affair with the UMQ since her election in 2017. “I have served on several other committees — youth, women and governance, transport. It’s an extraordinary opportunity to rub shoulders with other experiences. Despite very different municipal realities, the culture of collaboration and solidarity is very strong among us. »
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