The mayor of Les Éboulements and prefect of the MRC of Charlevoix, Pierre Tremblay, adds his name to the growing list of elected officials leaving local politics.
• Also read: Climate of intimidation: Gatineau Mayor France Bélisle resigns
• Also read: Toxic climate in communities: Laforest wants a picture of the entire situation
Pierre Tremblay, who has been in office in the community of 1,570 residents since 2013, announced to the council on Monday evening that he would be resigning from his position on March 25.
“I gave what I had to give based on my skills, my experience and my vision. I am very calm about this decision and have great trust in the population,” he said in an interview with Le Journal.
The unpleasant words of some citizens were one of the factors that made him turn the page.
Derogatory comments
For example, at a virtual meeting a few months ago where an emotional topic was discussed, a participant offered to go to his house to “make him understand common sense,” he says.
At other times, he would have been criticized for not being proactive because he is “not local,” or for being overpaid for what he does.
“It still exists, we must denounce it,” he explains.
“You say to yourself: What do I do, how far does my tolerance extend?”
Difficult collegiality
Another problem, he says, is that certain elected officials don't understand their roles and responsibilities. However, he emphasizes that there is no “toxic climate” in the local council and there have been no personal attacks.
“We work together in solidarity, [et il faut qu’elle] persists. And then, sometimes, well, that solidarity turns into distrust, it can turn into assumptions, it becomes so much distrust that you don't have it anymore,” he claims.
These observations caused him to question his future. “I'm going to take care of myself and then make sure I stay mentally balanced,” says the man, who will soon be 75 years old.
Since the 2021 municipal elections, there has been an increase in defections in municipal politics in Quebec. More than 740 elected officials have left their positions.
Most recently, the resignation of Gatineau Mayor France Bélisle sparked many reactions.
solutions
Pierre Tremblay takes comfort in the fact that there is a collective consciousness and encourages the government to change the law to make training mandatory for local elected officials.
“It is alarming if we do nothing. I think there is a positive aspect that everyone has actually become aware of this,” he emphasizes.
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