On Monday evening, during the meeting of the municipal council, citizens of Sainte-Thècle in Mauricie called for the resignation of the mayor.
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Several residents criticized and even insulted Mayor Michel Rheault and called for his resignation. Two elected representatives also presented a vote of no confidence, which, however, was not accepted by the majority.
The fact is that the result of the investigation by the Commission Municipale du Québec, which makes serious allegations against the mayor and one of his advisers, does not pass. “He was called differently: dictator, incompetent, another term that was given. I don’t think it’s worth sitting in a place like that. I have the impression that the qualifiers were correct,” said Pierre Veillette, a resident who attended Monday’s city council meeting.
For Sophie Lesage, another citizen present Monday night, the situation is a sign of disappointment. “Yesterday the world was angry. Total disappointment. After the session, everyone chatted outside. Everyone wants his resignation because with the breach of trust…there is no more trust,” Ms Lesage told TVA Nouvelles on Tuesday.
According to her, the village divides. The emotion is palpable. Civic pride has taken a hit, Mr. Veillette added.
The mayor, meanwhile, seems shaken by the progress of the meeting. However, based on the Commission’s report, he had expected such a reaction. “I think it’s teamwork. I believe in putting the past behind us,” he said.
He has no intention of resigning from office. In its report, the Commission calls for changes to be implemented before the October 3 deadline. “We have a motion to reopen an investigation into psychological harassment that took place at City Hall. We will be staffed by the Quebec Federation of Municipalities. We will also have working relationships to assist us in this process. Everything is monitored very closely by the Commission Municipale du Québec,” explained Michel Rheault.