2023-08-22 00:50:13
The towel is burning between the mayoress of Saguenay, Julie Dufour, and the minister of municipal affairs and deputy for Chicoutimi, Andrée Laforest.
Julie Dufour accuses the deputy of interfering in the files of the city.
Last week, the Minister summoned the elected officials of Chicoutimi to present to them a new renovation project for the Center Georges-Vézina, which is not in the City’s boxes.
“Clearly, it’s interference,” lamented the mayor. It seems like there is a mixture of roles. Personally, I was very uncomfortable being called to a meeting with an architectural firm that might be interested in the contract if the project was carried out.
The project presented included the complete repair of the roof which would allow the removal of the beams in the stands and the addition of new corporate boxes.
The cost of the project is estimated at 30 million dollars, perhaps a little more, with a possibility of 20 million coming from the Financial assistance program for recreational and sports infrastructures (PAFIRS) of Quebec. That would leave Saguenay with a ten million dollar bill.
This refurbishment would come with an additional $15 million pool.
Mayor Dufour, Councilors Michel Potvin and Marc Bouchard, representatives of the Saguenéens and Comètes de Chicoutimi, MNA Richard Martel and Pierre Lavoie attended this presentation.
“Without feeling any pressure, I felt that the minister was trying to guide us,” said councilor Michel Potvin. I wonder if that is his role. Me, what I understand from the citizens is that they do not want a renovation, but a new amphitheater.
Minister Laforest replies that, on the contrary, her role is to encourage the filing of several projects in her riding.
“If we talk regarding interference, I will always be there to support the projects of the county of Chicoutimi, she argued. Now it is the municipal council and the mayor who will decide.
Andrée Laforest sees nothing wrong with the meeting being held at a professional firm.
The city of Saguenay’s plan for a new amphitheater? “Not for six or seven years,” replied Mayor Dufour.
“A repair [du Centre Georges-Vézina]it would be like painting an old car with a roller,” she added.
The two parties claim that this disagreement will not affect relations between the City and the MNA for Chicoutimi, who is also the minister responsible for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region.
The deadline for submitting projects under the PAFIRS is September 21.
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