Civic Alert: Tremblay’s problems mount as Bouchard’s forced-merger pride surprises

“I’m very happy with the mergers. They are one of the best things we did.�

—Former forced-mergers premier Lucien Bouchard to Gazette columnist Henry Aubin.





Forced mergers are coming home to roost. Less than favorable evaluations emerge as the old subject returns and complex events unroll. Bouchard’s view is surprising given the financial problems rising around Gérald Tremblay, the beneficiary of the mergers.

Although Tremblay persuaded the federal government to transfer some of the gas tax revenue, he cannot get Quebec City to bail him out. As his plans, reports and promises escalate, he is ending up with a $400 million deficit. As one of his friends said, “He is in a bind.�

The mega-mayor tries to meet his shortfall by freezing and cutting budgets. But, as costs are rising four per cent, such measures have to impact services. There is speculation of a reduction in snow clearing and library hours and postponement of recycling collection from Montreal high rises—if so, a promise broken. How long will people stand for it?

Last Thursday, our neighbours in CDN-NDG borough drew the line. They refused to accept the budget prepared by the financial bureaucrats downtown. Denying them sufficient funds was illegal, they suspected, and sent it back.



Illegal equalization



The Montreal Charter, which Tremblay worked out with the provincial government, requires that the funding provided by the centre is equalized between the boroughs. CDN-NDG Mayor Michael Applebaum decided it was not being done and that

probably violated the law.

Applebaum had been one of Tremblay’s earliest followers in 2000 when the mega-mayor was trying to find supporters for his latest venture—to lead Montreal.



Roots of citizens



Tremblay’s real goof-of the week, however, was his announced intention to bury Park Avenue. This has upset a lot of people—and not just local shopkeepers. One of them to speak out was Warren Allmand, the federal veteran who a year ago switched to municipal politics waving Tremblay’s banner.

“The abrupt way it was done offends people. The name Park Avenue is meaningful for many. It has lots to do with the roots of

citizens—my parents were both from that area. We have a policy on consultation but there was no consultation with the public or the caucus.�

The mega-mayor made sure it became an even bigger issue by banning party members from speaking out about it, but the embargo did not stop Allmand’s criticism.

“Party solidarity is a two-way street. It doesn’t mean that the Executive Committee decides things and we just cheer. We give them loyalty; they give us information and consult. After thrashing it out internally, if there is a consensus to do something then we stick with it.�



Scolding by Lambert



Phyllis Lambert originally opposed the forced mergers, but became a Tremblay supporter and one of the 100 “suits� who fought demergists. As an outspoken urban benefactor, she is a powerful voice on the cityscape.

Even she scolded Tremblay. In a letter to Le Devoir, she wrote that by imposing the name change, he had brought back the “stench� of old regimes thought to have been gone forever. She said he should reverse his decision. But the whiff of this intemperate action will not easily dissipate.

There is no longer an effective opposition at Megacity Hall. But with critics like Allmand and Lambert, who needs an opposition? Tremblay reversed his decision over the 2006 tax rates and won support? Can he do it again?

While the Park Avenue renaming is a mis-step, the $400 million budget shortfall is a result of long-term political mismanagement. Even though Quebec City will not come to Tremblay’s aid, successive provincial governments have contributed to Montreal’s problems.

Not least is the hoax over the claimed savings of the forced mergers. But, perhaps it is not a hoax, merely corporate self-delusion, given Bouchard’s incredible verdict this week.

Too much mega-flash, Marks suspects

The Park Avenue renaming was hardly a crisis-threatening municipal issue. By doing it now, was it intended to be a diversion from the budget crisis? Whatever, it epitomizes the Tremblayites’ high-handedness.

Montrealers might now see some of what the demerged cities’ mayors have been confronted with in the attempts to work side-by-side in the Agglom.

There are few signs of fundamental efforts by the megacity to encompass the “linked� neighbors. While waiting to hear from—and perhaps even meet Minister Normandeau, Karin Marks and her colleagues were this week looking for some evidence that Montreal might be more accommodating.

The disagreement over sharing the costs of the Montreal administration—as opposed to those for providing services—remains fundamental. There was some progress in September when Megacity Treasurer Robert Lamontagne offered to show them his

internal calculations.



Investigating megacity books



Dollard’s Jack Benzaquen and two director-general colleagues examined Lamontagne’s books and reported back to the “linked� mayors.

“They got a lot of information, but could not agree on everything,� said Marks. “It is now up to us at the political level and we have to meet again with Frank Zampino to make some decisions.�

The suburbs are also anxious to know how they will be affected by Montreal’s current budget predicaments. “There are three parts to Montreal’s activities,� said Marks. “The boroughs and central services have been frozen. The third is the Agglom and I would like to be reassured that any shortfall will not be pushed on to us.

“Westmount stabilized its controllable costs for many years. I wish Montreal would adopt a similar approach,� Marks added. “For instance, is their costly new 311 phone answering service really necessary? It won’t make the city any cleaner and there is no great outcry, as for potholes.

“Another dubious area is the $23 million for outsourcing engineering services, when the city teems with qualified people.

“My fellow mayors feel that too much is done for flash or political expediency. Flash should be confined to economic development.�



Chagnon’s party duties



The workload of an MNA can be very demanding. Currently, the National Assembly is in session and the hours are long. Jacques Chagnon also has the extra burden of leading the Liberal workshops across the province. They not only involve weekend sessions but one or more preparatory visits to each riding to meet the local organizers.

When we spoke recently, Chagnon was traveling from Quebec City to Jonquiere. He had begun the day with an early Liberal caucus and was on a five-hour round-trip to attend a two-hour midday meeting. He had to be back in the assembly for a 4.30 p.m. vote.

With four more workshops to go, Chagnon has not yet formed any recommendation to present to his party. Nevertheless, he thinks that the economy and family issues will predominate.

The session with cultural communities in east Montreal was particularly successful. “About 600 people were there, including more than 60 immigrants with professional backgrounds,� he said.

“We want them to be able to join the workforce in their chosen fields and have been negotiating with the professional corporations for nearly a year to make it

possible.�



Road repairs shelved



Budget stress in the fallout from the forced mergers is causing most of the 2006 road repair programme to be cancelled. Only work on Roxborough Avenue will go ahead.

Council took the decision at the mid-October meeting, when Public Works Commissioner George Bowser explained that the best tender received for the fall programme substantially exceeded budget.

The best price received was 26 per cent more than last year, although, oddly, it was nine per cent less than tenders received in 2002 for the same work.

By adding this year’s schedule to next spring’s work plan, staff hopes that the resulting bigger contract might attract better prices. However, the state of the Roxborough surface is so bad that staff recommended that the work be done this fall.

The street will be re-leveled and covered with four layers of asphalt for a cost of $180,000.

Street repairs have been delayed on Abbott, Hallowell and Upper Bellevue, as well as the lanes between Gladstone and Atwater and Blenheim and Bellevue.



• Community activist Don Wedge can be reached at calert@web.net. His columns are archived at www.westmountexaminer.com,">www.westmountexaminer.com,">www.westmountexaminer.com, go to Opinion.