Once again (once too many!) we are witnessing a very clear situation of intimidation against elected officials in Quebec. Since the last local elections in November 2021 we have lost count of regions with elected positions to fill and this is particularly the case in Wickham in Drummond’s MRC where its mayor has just resigned and he and his family have been intimidated by some citizens and threatened.
If we choose with one voice to highlight these forms of violence suffered by our elected officials, it is because these behaviors are no longer tolerable.
Create dialog
As local elected officials, like many other elected officials at other levels of government, we are subject to, and aware of, public criticism of our duties. We recognize and promote the right to freedom of expression. We want to create dialogue and promote democracy in all areas of our political life. We are ready to defend projects that do not always gather all our fellow citizens and listen to their questions and concerns when necessary, but only in a respectful and above all safe environment for everyone!
When intimidation letters are sent to the general manager of a municipality, when employees are intimidated by citizens in the parking lot of a city hall on their way out of the office, when their car tires are depleted, their families (and children! ) are threatened and intimidated in public spaces, or that security forces must be hired to hold a public consultation, that social media will actually become a weapon in a debate and we move on… YES, there is reason to act condemn this violence! The examples given are facts actually experienced by elected officials of Drummond’s MRC since the beginning of this term, but are happening throughout Quebec.
Desired denunciations
Today we are publishing this letter because we believe it is necessary, even essential, to join forces with the relevant authorities to denounce any form of intimidation that we are experiencing or have witnessed. Whether it is physical or material violence, these behaviors are unacceptable! And they are, too, when executed by a person hiding 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 step back from the actions we take and the words we speak to help preserve a living environment where everyone can play their part without fear of threat or reprisal.
Jacques DemersPresident of the FQM, Mayor of Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley and Prefect of the MRC de Memphrémagog
Antoine Tardif1st Vice President of 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-Eugène
Maryse ColletteMayor of Saint Lucien
Sylvain CormierMayor of Saint-Félix-de-Kingsey
Stephane DionneMayor of the parish of Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Conseil
Francois FrechetteMayor of L’Avenir
Yves GrondinDrummondville representative
Jean Guy HebertMayor of Sainte Brigitte des Saults
Robert JulienMayor of Saint Guillaume
Sylvain JutrasMayor of the village of Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Conseil
Richard KirouacMayor of Saint Edmond de Grantham
Sylvie LavalMayor of Durham South
Guy LavoieMayor of Saint Bonaventura
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