Wentworth-Nord

Ordre du jour       Version vidéo

*Readers should refer to the video version and the official minutes for greater accuracy and detail.

Council members present are, from right to left on the dais, in order of district numbers: Lenka Martinek (District 1), Suzie Cormier (District 2), Régent Gosselin (District 4), Céline Bouchard (District 5) and Alex De Zordo (District 6), as well as the Mayor, Ms. Karine Dostie, who chairs the meeting, assisted by Mr. Ron Kelley, Director General, and Mr. Pierre-Luc Nadeau, Assistant Director. Councillor Lyne Chapados (District 3) is absent due to a cold.

More than a dozen attend in the Laurel Community Centre hall; however, we have no information on the Zoom counter. The meeting will last close to two hours.

1 Adoption of the agenda
The following items are added to the agenda: 2 (last item), 8.17, 4.10 and 7.10.

2 Statements by elected officials
• Appointment – Director of Public Works. Mr. Sébastien Poncelet, the current Assistant Director of Planning and Environment, in charge of that sub-department, becomes the new Director of Public Works. As a result, Council is looking for a new Environment Coordinator.
• MRC Mayors’ Council (April 14): Aerobic Corridor – Newaygo Bridge – Mediation. Council asks the Municipality of Wentworth-Nord and the other parties involved in legal proceedings to submit to mediation, with a view to avoiding going to court at a hearing scheduled for 2027. Such an outcome would involve significant expenses for all parties, mobilization of resources, etc. The bridge was closed to traffic in 2022. Other issues opposing the parties regarding the use of the shared-use Aerobic Corridor are also included in the preambles of the resolution adopted by the mayors (including traffic for all uses and users Recreational development).
• Radio-Canada report, Main Street between Laurel and Montfort. The Mayor recalls the content of this report and the municipality’s participation. She specifies that, contrary to a suggestion made in the report about returning to gravel roads as an alternative to paving, it is not in the municipality’s plans to proceed that way for Main Street… An interesting follow-up to this report is the announcement of an on-site meeting with representatives of the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable.
• Public consultation on April 2 on the draft by-law amendment … to authorize forestry use in agroforestry zones AF-08, AF-09, AF-10. Ms. Dostie reports there was good attendance at this consultation. Council (and the administration) are giving themselves a bit more time to analyze the file.
• MRC des Pays-d’en-Haut: Grant awarded to Wentworth-Nord’s Festival Ciel d’août. An amount of \$6,000 will contribute to the festival’s funding.
• First “Coffee with the Mayor” on April 8 – recap. Seventeen residents came to meet with us for an hour and a half. All topics were discussed: lake protection, etc. We will limit it to two themes for the next coffees. These exchanges are very helpful to Council members.
• Planned power outage on April 16. The municipality obtained from Hydro-Québec that this outage be postponed by one week, due to the current flood threats and the need, among other things, to use drainage pumps.

4 Administration and correspondence
4.1 Acceptance of reports on payroll, purchases, disbursements, and capital purchases for March 2026. The Mayor indicates that the municipality is in line with the budget. Expenses are under one million, with the expected increase in snow removal costs.
4.4 Regional united front for the safety of Highway 50 and against underfunding of transportation in the Laurentians. Wentworth-Nord Council supports the united front. Some of its residents use this highway and are exposed to the dangers it represents.
4.6 Support for the “Le communautaire à boutte” movement. Even though Wentworth-Nord is not affected by this strike movement, Council supports the initiative of community organizations denouncing their underfunding by Québec. A copy of the resolution will be sent to government stakeholders and to the region’s MNAs.
4.7 Adoption of By-law 2026-631 authorizing an expenditure of \$297,805 and a loan of \$297,805 relating to the acquisition of equipment for the Fire Safety Service and the Public Works Service.
4.8 Authorization to hire staff. This allows the Director General to proceed with hiring staff when required, without necessarily having to wait for Council’s authorization.
4.9 Tabling of DGE-1038 forms received from candidates in the 2025 general election. Candidates must provide details of their expenses and contributions received, in order to comply with the law.
4.10 Authorization for the Director General to represent the municipality in submitting the required documents to the SAAQ regarding the municipality’s vehicle fleet, in order to comply with its requirements.

5. Public Safety
5.1. Report. In Ms. Chapados’ absence, Ms. Dostie presents the report. In addition to the usual incidents, there was a need to intervene in a serious accident and to assist the Morin-Heights firefighters during a major fire. In the latter case, as in the call for help during the Laurel fire reported at the last meeting, invoices are exchanged under the agreed protocol.
5.2. Hiring of constables. Five officers, including Mr. Patrick Wilhelmy. Some will have a regular schedule, as at Lac Saint-François-Xavier, while others will be on call.

6. Public Works – municipal asset management
6.1. Report from the Chair of the Road Committee. Mr. Gosselin indicates that the municipality will proceed with hiring employees for the summer period. Street sweeping is also beginning.
6.3. Watershed studies for the Montfortains Road rehabilitation project. The municipality, which will be applying for a grant for this project, must provide such a study. To that end, it will sign an hourly contract with a specialized firm.
6.4. Hydric and hydraulic calculations for the watershed draining to the culverts on Domaine Street. Following the weather event that caused the road washout last year, these calculations must be provided (and the required corrective measures determined) with respect to the culverts. Here again, a specialized firm will be hired.
6.5. Local road infrastructure intervention plan – Request to increase budget envelopes. Given the pressing needs, and in line with the resolution adopted by the MRC, Council asks the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable to forward this request to Cabinet. A copy will be sent to the region’s ministers and MNAs, etc. The Mayor adds her own plea, indicating that, among other things, much of the preparation of roadwork files becomes largely pointless given the reduction to only 20% of projects approved by the MTMD. She also notes that many municipalities are currently making a similar request.

7. Environment
7.1. Ms. Martinek presents her report. (Largely inaudible – echo.)
• Regarding plant orders for Journée DécouVerte, she reminds everyone of the instructions.
• The Chair indicates that there are several files and a lot to do; she speaks about how the work is being shared among members of the Environment Committee.
• She also plans to take part in a meeting on the environment …
7.2. Adoption of By-law No. 2026-629 regarding mandatory inspection of septic systems that are over 45 years old or whose age is unknown.
7.3. Amendment to the by-law regarding implementation of the Écoprêt program (assistance program for the replacement of septic systems).
7.5. Grant application to the MRC des Pays-d’en-Haut Community Development Fund – Project to create a reuse space at the ecocentre.
7.6. Resolution in support of the FQDLC’s initiative to have Transport Canada review Appendix 3 of the RRVUB. These are proposed adjustments to the legislation, such as adding electric-propulsion watercraft that can reach speeds likely to affect the aquatic environment to the navigation prohibitions.
7.7. Resolution in support of the Ecological Caucus – Request to the MAMH to expand the Éco-prêt program to cover operations other than septic systems.
7.8. Support for the project “Laurentides Summit – Laurentides elected officials commit” and participation in the Laurentides Summit. Among other things, the goal is to share experiences gained in one municipality or another in the region. The Mayor indicates that she is personally involved in this project.
7.9. Mandate to negotiate and sign an agreement with the Lac Laurel Association for the use of the municipal Laurel beach. On a temporary basis (i.e., for the next summer season), the beach may be used, by appointment, for the seasonal launching of watercraft and their removal. Users used to carry out these operations via private land, which is no longer accessible to them. The lake association assumes the responsibilities involved.
7.10. Amendment to the watercraft washing by-law. This concerns the fee schedule. Whereas it cost residents \$50 to wash their motorized watercraft, it will now be free of charge, with lake protection being the priority. Proof of residency is required to benefit from this advantage.

8. Urban Planning and Economic Development8. Urban Planning and Economic Development
8.1. In Ms. Chapados’s absence, the Mayor delivered the report.
8.2. Tabling of the permit list from March 1 to 31, 2026. 33 permits were issued.
8.9. PIIA 2026-0078 – Construction of a principal building on Lot 6 479 639, Rue des Érables. Approved.
8.10. PIIA 2026-0083 – Construction of a principal building on Lot 6 479 638, Rue des Érables. Approved.
8.11. PIIA 2026-0088 – Construction of a principal building on Lot 6 479 637, Rue des Érables. Approved.
8.14. PIIA 2026-0104 – Renovation of decks at 344 Rue Bachman. The applicant had already obtained a permit for these rear decks, but since the time limit had expired, a new application had to be filed. The permit is granted again.
8.15. The applicant (Les Villas) returned with a revised fiberglass railing proposal that meets the Advisory Planning Committee’s requirements. The permit is granted this time.
8.18. Purchase offers for Lot 5 589 051 and part of Lot 6 344 473 of the Québec cadastre by Mr. Canty. These are properties on Rue Mount.

9. Recreation, culture and community life
9.1. Councillor De Zordo, Chair of the Health and Outdoors Committee, explains: We asked SOPAIR to help us identify priorities and how to obtain grants to develop the trails. The trails committee is expected to meet soon to set the schedule and, first, to determine the volunteer work required.
9.2. Ms. Suzie Cormier, Chair of the Community Life, Recreation and Culture Committee, reminds everyone that the Ciné-club screening will take place this Saturday. The film will be: “Où vont les âmes”. We ran short of chairs at the last screening, as the Ciné-club continues to grow in popularity.

Question period
Mr. Godbout (by correspondence) asks whether the municipality will call on the Sûreté du Québec for monitoring of bodies of water, more specifically Lac Saint-François-Xavier. Ms. Dostie indicates that this is not free of charge and that the municipality will instead rely on its constables for this monitoring, with one full-time person (40 hours) in Montfort, except during a stretch of rainy days.

Mr. ? (in the room). Submits a request regarding the maintenance of private roads. Ms. Dostie reviews the policy on this maintenance and notes that Council is still examining the issue (of taking responsibility for this maintenance).

Mr. Martin ?, from Lac Notre-Dame (Zoom), raises the poor condition of the road (Chemin Jackson, Chemin des Montfortains, etc.) to get to the lake. Can anything be done in the short term? The Mayor agrees with the observation, but says the budget is not there. Will taxes have to be increased to address the problem? Then Mr. Kelley speaks (about using municipal equipment to deal with the most urgent needs on Chemin des Montfortains???). For Chemin Jackson, the grader will have to wait until the road has dried up before going through. Ms. Dostie says Public Works will go assess the situation on Chemin des Montfortains and see whether gravel can quickly be added to fill the large holes.

Mr. André Genest (Zoom). You did not present a resolution regarding mediation in the Newaygo Bridge file. The Mayor replies that the lawyers will take care of it and that it is not necessary to pass a resolution to that effect. (?)

Subject to all reservations; by Carl Chapdelaine

Translation by Copilot

(Our summary, reinterpreted by ChatGPT)

A Synthetic Portrait of the Nord-Wentwortois Based on the 2021 Census

An analysis of the 2021 Census data highlights a coherent territorial and social structure of the permanent population of Wentworth Nord, in comparison with the MRC des Pays d’en Haut and the province of Quebec as a whole. Without formally applying factor analysis, the variables examined nonetheless reveal several major axes of differentiation.

The first structuring factor relates to recreational rurality in transition toward permanent residential use. Wentworth Nord stands out clearly due to the near exclusive predominance of single family dwellings, a very high rate of home ownership, and low population density. Added to this is a substantial share of secondary residences which, although not included in the permanent population, strongly shape spatial organization. Recent growth in the permanent population appears largely attributable to the conversion of these secondary residences into primary homes, in a context influenced by remote work and post pandemic residential migration. This dynamic clearly distinguishes the municipality from a more urbanized Quebec and, to a lesser extent, from the MRC.

A second factor concerns demographic aging and household structure. The population of Wentworth Nord is significantly older than that of the comparison territories, with a high proportion of residents aged 65 and over and a strong presence of single person households. This aging is accompanied by a gender imbalance, particularly marked in older age groups. Overall, this suggests a territory functioning primarily as a place of residential settlement for populations approaching the end of their working lives, where residential functions outweigh productive ones.

The third factor relates to the relative socioeconomic position of the population. Despite an average income comparable to that of the other territories, a lower median income, combined with a higher unemployment rate and lower educational attainment, points to a more fragile socioeconomic structure. This fragility is partially offset by relatively favourable access to home ownership and by a low proportion of households devoting an excessive share of their income to housing. The resulting profile is that of a territory where living conditions remain broadly affordable, but where the local economic base appears limited.

A fourth factor highlights a strong functional dependence on external centres. Most employed residents commute outside the municipality, often beyond the boundaries of the MRC, and rely almost exclusively on private vehicles. At the same time, the significant share of home based work reflects recent shifts in work patterns, without necessarily indicating increased local economic autonomy.

Finally, the linguistic structure introduces a secondary axis of differentiation. Wentworth Nord is characterized by a higher proportion of anglophone residents than that observed at the MRC level, while remaining closer to the overall Quebec profile. This situation, combined with a high rate of bilingualism, reflects both historical legacies and a degree of interregional attractiveness, contributing to the territory’s social distinctiveness.

Overall, Wentworth Nord emerges as a hybrid territory, at the crossroads of recreational use, permanent residence, and external dependence. Its recent growth, combined with pronounced aging and a weakly structured local economy, raises significant planning challenges, particularly with regard to workforce availability, service organization, and the evolution of the housing stock.

All members of Council were present at the Laurel Community Centre, along with Messrs. Ron Kelley and Pierre-Luc Nadeau, General Director and Assistant Director of the municipality, Messrs. Benoit Cadieux and Sébastien Poncelet, Director and Assistant Director of the Urban Planning and Environment Department, and Mr. Tousignant (?), Project Manager.

The room was full, but only three people joined the occupants of the gallery via videoconference. The session on equipment purchases, at 6:45 p.m., lasted less than a quarter of an hour, while the following one extended beyond 8:00 p.m., at which point the undersigned logged off… The topic of septic installations had not yet been addressed by Mr. Poncelet, nor had that of the parkland contribution.

We were more or less able to follow the presentations by the directors, but the sound—too echoey—did not allow us to hear the few interventions by the mayor. As for the questions and comments from a few delegates, from the Lake Wentworth Property Owners’ Association or others in the room, only the responses from Messrs. Cadieux or the developer allowed us to infer their content.

Mr. Kelley presented the equipment purchase project, together with its borrowing by-law ($300K), tabled at the Council meeting of February 18. Thus, the purchase of a snowmobile was justified by the need to travel along trails inaccessible to pickup trucks. [It does not appear that our suggestion to consider the purchase of an electric vehicle (a Ford F-150 Lightning pickup) was retained.]

Zoning amendments to an agro-forestry sector
Using PowerPoint slides, Mr. Cadieux presented the draft amendment to the by-law that constituted the main subject of this consultation. The objective is to allow the implementation of a forestry project within the affected zone, owned by a single proprietor.
The by-law will be subject to a referendum approval process, should it be requested by residents of the adjoining zones.

Question period

It seemed to us that two questions were the main focus of interventions from those present in the room. Here, although Mr. Cadieux’s presentation had lasted less than a quarter of an hour, the exchanges dragged on.

The protection of the environment of this forested zone and adjacent areas, including the shores of Lake Wentworth and Principale Road. There were fears, as seen before, of clear-cutting, etc. 

Here, the Project Manager assured the audience of the precautions he intended to take and to impose on contracted operators:

• No clear-cutting; 
• tree harvesting in compliance with the percentages authorized by regulation; 
• compliance with all other prescribed rules; 
• minimization of environmental and wildlife impacts; 
• selection of qualified and experienced contractors.

The impact of truck traffic on Lobel Road: Disturbing traffic; Degradation of the road surface.
The Project Manager promised to properly sensitize the truck drivers.

Note: In the absence of an ability to assess the impact of such a project on the environment, the novice may hope that the regulations—well illustrated in the PowerPoint—will minimize its effects.

Subject to all reservations; by Carl Chapdelaine

Parkland contribution … Septic installations (Mr. Sébastien Poncelet) …

“The land accounts of southern Québec quantify land area by type of land cover (e.g., artificial surfaces, agricultural land, wetlands, and forests) across the portion of the province located south of the 52nd parallel.
The Carte interactive des comptes des terres du Québec méridional* makes it possible to visualize this information accurately and according to various criteria.”

It can be observed that:
The deciduous forest clearly dominates over coniferous forest.

“Artificial surfaces” correspond mainly to the more densely populated areas of the hamlets of Montfort and Newaygo. Those around Lakes Notre‑Dame and Saint‑Victor do not stand out. The map is therefore not a tool for precisely identifying human settlement. In fact, it minimizes its importance.

Explanation from ChatGPT:

The map shows the dominant land cover per cell. This means that each pixel (or cell) is classified according to what occupies the largest area within that square, not according to everything that is present in it.
👉 Concrete example:
80% forest;
20% houses + roads;
➡️ classified as forest, not “artificial surface”.
Therefore:
small residential developments = invisible;
isolated cottages = invisible;
forest roads = often ignored.

*Use the magnifying glass at the top of the legend on the right to find the name of the municipality. Zoom in on the map if needed.

By Carl Chapdelaine

Ordre du jour     Version vidéo

*Readers should refer to the video version and the official minutes for greater accuracy and detail.
All members of Council were present. From right to left on the dais, according to district numbers: Lenka Martinek (District 1), Suzie Cormier (District 2), Lyne Chapados (District 3), Régent Gosselin (District 4, with a cold), Céline Bouchard (District 5), and Alex De Zordo (District 6), as well as the Mayor, Ms. Karine Dostie, who chaired the meeting, assisted by Mr. Ron Kelley, Director General, and Mr. Pierre‑Luc Nadeau, Assistant Director.

The Zoom counter recorded close to two dozen participants (including Council members on the dais), while about a dozen people attended in person at the Laurel Community Centre. The meeting lasted one hour and forty‑five minutes.

1. Adoption of the Agenda

Additions:

• 4.7 Authorization to hire a Director of Public Works
• 4.8 Acquisition of lots repossessed for non‑payment of taxes in 2026
• 4.9 Support for the Wentworth‑Nord Health Cooperative
• 6.6 Awarding of a contract for geotechnical and environmental studies related to the reconstruction of Montfortains Road
• 6.7 Request to the government to amend the requirements of the TECQ 2024–2028 program

Item 8.10, regarding the purchase of lots, was postponed.

2. Statements by Elected Officials

The public consultation scheduled for March 11 on several topics (septic systems, etc.) was postponed to April 2 (Thursday) due to the forecast ice storm.

Regarding this storm forecast, the municipality is prepared:

• Refuge location at Restcafé (Ressources Communautaires Sophie)
• Agreements with Lac‑des‑Seize‑Îles and Morin‑Heights
• Road inspections, communication with snow removal contractors, etc.

Citizens are also encouraged to be self‑sufficient for 72 hours. Fire stations have reinforced internal coverage, municipal teams are planned accordingly, etc.

There was also an emergency during an unexpected power outage lasting more than 12 hours in the Laurel and Montfort areas.

Information – Highway 50 Safety Coalition (Council of Mayors of the MRC). Support for the City of Lachute was voted at the MRC council. Many residents of Wentworth‑Nord (Saint‑Michel and Laurel) use this highway, and accidents affect families and heavily mobilize emergency services.

Information – Fundraising Evening for Coop Laurel Station. The event filled a room with citizens who contributed $37,000 toward drilling a new well and improving the kitchen.

Invitation – Coffee with Citizens and Council. The first coffee‑meeting of 2026 will be announced in the April newsletter. Everyone is invited.

Call for Citizen Action – “Worst Roads in Québec” Campaign (CAA). The campaign begins today. Between Town Hall and Montfort, a large portion of Principale Road belongs to the MTMD. The affected section ranked 10th in this list in 2025.

4. Administration and Correspondence

• Acceptance of reports on salaries, purchases, disbursements, and capital expenditures for February 2026. $746,000 in disbursements for the month.
• Authorization to bid – Sale of property for non‑payment of municipal taxes. The sale will take place on June 17 in Sainte‑Adèle.
• Financial assistance request from Coop Laurel Station. The municipality grants $1,000 for its new well project.
• Renewal of the contract for janitorial services in municipal buildings: $550 per week. Saint‑Michel Church will be added to the list of municipal buildings.
• Authorization to hire a Director of Public Works. Mr. James McMahon has resigned and will leave his position in the coming weeks. The municipality must act quickly to find a replacement with the active season approaching. Council members thanked Mr. McMahon, who was very competent and highly appreciated, and wished him success in his new role.
• Thanks to Ms. Hémon (?) for donating several parcels of land in Laurel to the municipality. The municipality will cover the related costs.
• The municipality reiterates its support for the Wentworth‑Nord Health and Solidarity Cooperative.

5. Public Safety

Report from the Chair of the Public Safety Committee, Ms. Chapados (read by K.D.). Various calls: residential fire, road accident, etc. Since the establishment of the “Garde interne” at fire stations, response times outside regular hours have improved.

Ms. Chapados thanked the neighbor of a residence in Laurel where a fire broke out and who called 911. As Wentworth‑Nord had no firefighter on site, assistance from Lac‑des‑Seize‑Îles and Morin‑Heights was required. Firefighters arrived quickly and limited the damage. Citizens are reminded to always call 911 in such situations.

Project to acquire a washer adapted to technical requirements for cleaning PPE and APRIA equipment. A grant application will be submitted under the Fonds Régions et Ruralité (FRR) in partnership with other municipalities in the MRC.

Amendment to Appendix A of the Regional Mutual Assistance Agreement for Fire Safety and Emergency Services (technical adjustments).

6. Public Works and Municipal Asset Management

Report from the Chair of the Roads Committee. Mr. Gosselin stated that operations are continuing steadily.

• Contract awarded for road marking and striping of public roads and areas: $29,000
• Contract awarded for dust suppressant application on certain municipal roads for 2026: $104,000 (approx.)
• Contract awarded for crack sealing on certain public roads: cost inaudible
• Contract awarded for blasting services: $3,000 (not the lowest bidder, but offering a more advantageous proposal)
• Contract awarded for geotechnical and environmental studies for Lac‑Farmer Road: $82,000
• Contract awarded for geotechnical and environmental studies for Montfortains Road: $98,000

Request for Support – Amendment to the TECQ 2024–2028 Program Guide regarding granular resurfacing. Current requirements impose a minimum thickness that raises road surfaces, creating several issues, particularly for rural municipalities (increased ditch overflow risk, unplanned additional costs, etc.). The request seeks removal of this clause and a return to municipal discretion, as before. Support will also be requested from municipal federations.

7. Environment

Ms. Martinek presented her report (inaudible due to echo).

Topics included:

• Plant orders
• Earth Day
• The team’s extensive work

Agreement for use of the ecocentre with the Municipality of Lac‑des‑Seize‑Îles.

Letter of support for the project “Plant – Bloom – Feed to Green the World”, led by the Rucher Collectif organization, seeking assistance from the Regions and Rurality Fund.

Lac Wentworth – Pilot Project to establish restrictions on watercraft use under the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations (VORR). Through its Urban Planning Services, the municipality will study possible involvement in preparing the application (consultations, documentation, reports, etc.) and undertake démarches with Transport Canada for the lake association. If deemed appropriate, this could serve as a pilot project for other lake associations. The Mayor acknowledged that the process is heavy and noted that representations have been made to the government to simplify it.

8. Urban Planning and Economic Development

Report from Ms. Chapados: no report this month.

Submission of the list of permits issued from February 1 to 28, 2026, representing investments of over $1 million.

Regarding upcoming decisions on minor variance or construction permit requests, the Mayor reminded everyone that existing regulations must be respected, though amendments may be considered in the future.

Minor variance requests :

DM 2026‑0017 – Encroachment of a main building into the side setback, Lot 5 939 583, Rozon Road.

Among the considerations:

• Minimum setback distance in the Lac Wentworth zoning is not respected
• A watercourse creates unfavorable environmental conditions
• A previously granted variance (to a former owner?) is no longer valid
• Due to environmental (and topographical?) constraints, the lot is not buildable
• The construction would harm protection of Lac Wentworth

The owner, present in the room, read his argumentation document, claiming compliance with all environmental requirements. Following the CCU’s recommendation to reject the project, the Mayor called for a vote. Only Councillor Céline Bouchard voted against rejection. The project was refused.

DM 2026‑0070 – Area and width of projected lots on Lot 5 588 048, Montfortains Road.
Project refused, despite Councillor Bouchard’s dissenting vote.

9. Recreation, Culture, and Community Life

Councillor De Zordo, Chair of the Health and Outdoor Committee, explained that discussions with administration, committee chairs, trail committee members, and others reviewed the proposed programming, budget needs, and funding opportunities. A request for support from SOPAIR was submitted, and agenda preparation for the year is underway.

Ms. Suzie Cormier, Chair of the Community Life, Recreation, and Culture Committee:

• The Torchlight Walk on February 28 was a success; thanks to organizers.
• The Ciné club screening will take place Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. The selected film: Les Furies, a comedy by Mélanie Charbonneau. Padded chairs were added for comfort.
• Reminder of community dinners in Saint‑Michel on the first Wednesday of each month and meals at Étoile du Nord.
• Group formation (MADA Committee?) to prepare involvement in the Age‑Friendly Municipality (MADA) initiative.

Mr. Pierre Aubé (in writing): Lanthier Bridge.
At present, you rent an iron structure to forestry contractors (to serve as a bridge). When I was Director of Public Works, I had proposed building a wooden bridge. (What will happen with this file?)
K.D.: $400,000 is planned this year, under our Three‑Year Capital Expenditure Program (PTI) for the Lanthier Bridge.

Regarding the deplorable state of Principale Road, from Sainte‑Marie Road toward Laurel. Given the inaction of the MTMFD, should you contact Ms. Agnès Grondin, our MNA? …
The Mayor gave a brief history of the efforts to obtain an intervention from the Ministry. At the end of 2025, there was still nothing planned as an intervention. We approached the MNA. … We will seek support, and we suggest that citizens continue to complain about the situation and the danger to higher authorities, and to involve the media.
See also the Councillors’ Statements, item 2.6, on “Worst Roads in Québec.”

Mr. André Genest (in the room).
The municipality of Saint‑Adolphe‑d’Howard has to do something about Montfort Road, which is in a dreadful state.

Regarding the Newaygo Bridge: can you increase pressure to have a footbridge installed so cyclists no longer have to use Grande Côte in order to continue on the Aerobic Corridor?

Could you install a toilet at Plaque‑Tournante Park, when it was a citizen who had to pay for one last year? No response from Ms. Dostie.

Ms. Rioux (on Zoom).
On Principale Road, between Saint‑Michel and Pine‑Hill, there is a huge hole that you know about, and where I almost got killed.
K.D.: We will make a request to Brownsburg.

Ms. Colleen Horan (in the room).
In the newspaper Accès, an article explains the measures taken by the City of Sainte‑Adèle to control traffic/attendance at Lac Rond (among other things?). We have been asking for years for similar measures for the area around the Montfort Pavilion. Can you ask the MRC to pressure the MTMD to do something? The current situation cannot continue.
K.D.: You are thinking rather of the Ministry of Natural Resources. We will have someone this summer to monitor there: boat washing, parking, etc.

On the issue of mining claims (???), the municipality has signs; but they are not even posted at Montfort.
K.D.: I couldn’t answer you, but I will find out.

Regarding snow removal on the shared path of the Aerobic Corridor that runs along the lake: the snowplow pushes the snow toward the lake side; it goes into the water, and the hundreds of plants we installed along the shore last summer are thus broken. It could push the snow toward the hillside side.
You are not the first person to report this to us. The Director of Public Works went to see on site. The snow contractor was contacted and asked to proceed differently. In the spring, the Director will go back to assess and we will inform you regarding the damage done to the plants.

The owner whose variance request (Rozon Road at Lac Wentworth) was refused comes back to ask whether …
Whether the Council had reviewed all points in the file before making its decision. Answer: Yes.
Whether the MRC can decide differently, and whether … Answer: No. You have the right to legal remedies. Mr. Cadieux is best placed to answer your questions.

Translation & style by Copilot

 Without prejudice; by Carl Chapdelaine

 Version vidéo       Ordre du jour

*Readers should refer to the video recording and minutes for greater accuracy and detail.

All council members are present except Ms. Céline Bouchard (District 5), who is on vacation. From right to left on the podium, in order of district numbers: Lenka Martinek (District 1), Suzie Cormier (District 2), Lyne Chapados (District 3), Régent Gosselin (District 4), and Alex De Zordo (District 6), as well as Mayor Karine Dostie, who chairs the meeting, assisted by Mr. Ron Kelley, the Chief Administrative Officer, and Mr. Pierre-Luc Nadeau, Assistant Director.
The Zoom counter counted two dozen participants (including members of the forum council), while four people attended in the Laurel Community Center hall. The meeting lasted an hour and a quarter.

1 Adoption of the agenda

Items 4.9 (grant to the Ressources communautaires Sophie group) and 7.6 (Management of the lake La-Marche dam?) were added. Item 8.2 was postponed.
2 Statements by elected officials
• Your tax bill has been mailed. You can also access it via Voilà.
• A document d’explication du budget accompanies your tax bill. It is also available on the municipality's website.

4. Administration and correspondence

4.1. Approval of reports on salaries, purchases, disbursements, and capital expenditures for January 2026. Disbursements for this month in 2026 totaled $450k, in line with the budget, compared to $517k in January 2025. Adding interest on debts, etc., gives a grand total of $688,000 in disbursements for January 2026, compared to $1.1 million in January 2025 (but over several months it is comparable).
4.3. Maintenance of reduced rates for libraries by Canada Post - Resolution in support of the Laurentian BIBLIO Network. Bill C-15 proposes to remove the preferential rates enjoyed by libraries, among others. Exchanges between them would thus cause a significant financial burden, particularly for Wentworth-Nord.
4.4. Adoption of Bylaw 2026-630 authorizing an expenditure of $3,218,421 and a loan of $3,218,421 for repairs to a section of Lac-Farmer Road. The motion was presented at the February meeting, followed by a non-mandatory consultation on February 11. This major repair project, already announced in previous PTIs, was postponed pending possible subsidies. (Given that the Ministry does not seem to be giving it priority attention, the municipality has decided to invest its own funds.) The mayor specified that this is a maximum amount, which it is hoped will not be reached.
4.5. Amendment to Appendix B of the Policy on Committees. These advisory committees are important to the council and the administration, Ms. Dostie explains. The amendment will make a few adjustments and expand their mandate.
4.8. 2026 Financial Assistance Requests. The municipality has received several grant applications from organizations since November 2025. Before responding, it is necessary to have an overview of the situation and the budgetary capacity to respond. At this time, only some of these requests are being answered, but that does not rule out future grants.
Thus:
• $5,000 for the Wentworth-Nord Health and Solidarity Cooperative. Until it can eventually become self-financing with the arrival of its first patients.
• $2,650 for the Coopérative de solidarité Aide Chez Soi des Pays-d'en-Haut. It offers domestic help (grocery shopping, etc.) and seasonal work (cleaning, gardening) at affordable rates. This grant is intended to encourage the Coop to continue to serve Wentworth-Nord well, despite the distances involved.
• $2,000 to the Garde-manger des Pays-d’en-Haut,which comes to our area every Thursday with baskets of food (for low-income households).
• ? $ to the Cercle des fermières de …, for an anniversary.
4.9. Service agreement with the non-profit organization Sophie Community Resources, for an amount of $6,000/year.

5. Public Safety
5.1. Report from the Chair of the Public Safety Committee, Ms. Chapados. (Read by K. D.)
220 calls to Fire Safety (rescues, accidents, etc.). The mayor informed us that, prior to the establishment of the internal guard at the Wentworth-Nord fire stations in 2025, the response time could be 10 minutes. However, outside normal hours, and in cases of remote locations or places that were difficult to reach, it could be half an hour. The internal guard has improved the situation, in addition to providing more resources for prevention and other tasks.

6. Public works management of municipal assets

6.1. Mr. Gosselin indicates that:
• …
• We are working on the season's schedule, which will have to be approved by the council.
6.2. Reporting under the Local Road Assistance Program (PAVL) – Maintenance component.
6.3. Repeal of Resolution No. 2026-01-3806. We want to rework its wording to make it more presentable to the government.
6.4. Approval of version 1 of the TECQ 2024-2028 (or TECQ 2019-2024?) program. As a condition for obtaining a grant from the program, the municipality must release the governments from any liability...
6.5. Notice of motion and tabling of draft bylaw 2026-631 authorizing an expenditure of $297,805 and a loan of $297,805 for the purchase of equipment for the fire department and public works department. Two pickup trucks, a snowmobile, and an accessory for proper ditch maintenance, explained Mr. Gosselin.
6.6. Awarding of a contract to Groupe Civitas Inc. for the finalization of plans and specifications
for the project to repair a section of Lac-Farmer Road. See Réfection du ch. du Lac-Farmer, consultation du 11 fév. 2026

7. Environment

7.1. Ms. Martinek gives her report.
• DécouVerte 2026 Day , Saturday, May 23, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Plant orders (form with tax bill).
• Recommendations for the eco-center.
• Evaluation of measures to protect the darkness of the sky.
• Consultation with lake associations.
7.2. and 7.3. Notice of motion, tabling of the draft and adoption of draft bylaw 2026-629 concerning the mandatory inspection of septic systems that are over 45 years old or whose age is unknown. Given, among other things, that several systems are in this situation, the council wishes to assist owners whose systems are confirmed to be non-compliant in bringing them up to standard. The municipality offers a loan program related to this obligation. Mr. Gosselin adds that no acquired rights are recognized in these cases. The bylaw will be available on the municipality's website.
7.4. Repeal of Resolution 2025-10-3742 on restrictions on navigation on Laurel Lake. The two municipalities will therefore not pursue the matter with Transport Canada. This does not mean that they are no longer interested in the navigation issue raised.
7.5. Membership in the Lake Technical Support Program – CRE Laurentides. Ten associations in North Wentworth used this program in 2025. $25,600 has been set aside so that lake associations can continue to benefit from this support.
7.6. Maintenance of the dam at Lake La Marche (just west of Lac Farmer). It is jointly owned by the municipality and citizens. The municipality wants to sign a management agreement with these citizens to establish the sharing of responsibilities, maintenance costs, etc.

8. Urban planning and economic development

8.1. Report by Ms. Chapados.
8.2. Tabling of the list of permits from January 1 to 31, 2026.
8.3. To 8.5. Zoning amendment request 2026-0002 – Forestry use (in areas between Saint-Michel and Laurel. And notice of motion, tabling and adoption of a draft amendment to a zoning bylaw to authorize forestry use in agroforestry zones.) The mayor explains that the applicant will be able to carry out this operation on land that belongs to him. However, along Route Principale, on the edge of urban areas, the prescribed distance must be respected. (Interpretation subject to change) There will be a public consultation on March 11 with the owners of land adjacent to the areas concerned. The council is following the CCU's recommendation here.
8.6. to 8.9. Notice of motion, tabling and adoption of the draft bylaw to amend the provisions relating to the contribution for parks, playgrounds and natural spaces. Ms. Dostie provided some details on a few proposed amendments:
• Rely on the property assessment rather than that of an appraiser.
• Possibility of deferring the contribution required from the applicant, depending on the stages of completion of their project.
8.10. DM 2026-0017 – Encroachment of a main building into the side margin on lot 5,938,583, Chemin Rozon.
8.11. PIIA 2025-0442 – Reconstruction of a main building at 342 Chemin du Lac Miroir.
8.13 PIIA 2025-0461 – Construction of a main building on lot 6,567,133, rue de la Musarde.
8.16 Dog posing a risk to public health and safety – Declaration and order – 3849, rue Réjean Ouest. This dog fatally injured another dog. According to a municipal bylaw invoked by the council, the owner will be required to consult a veterinarian chosen by the municipality to determine the dangerousness of the animal and will have to comply with the decision made by the municipality following this assessment.
In the meantime, the dog must not be allowed to attack another animal or be left unsupervised (muzzle, etc.) in the presence of a young child.

9 Recreation, culture, and community life

9.1 Councilor De Zordo, chair of the Health and Outdoor Committee, explains:
• That an initial meeting was held with the mayor, the outgoing chair of the committee, Ms. Chapados, and the administration. The main purpose was to evaluate and expand the current mandate and forecasts for the coming years.
• The first meeting of the entire committee will be held in late March.

9.2 Ms. Suzie Cormier, chair of the Community Life, Recreation, and Culture Committee:
• The Ciné-club presentation will take place here on Saturday, February 21, at 7:30 p.m. The film chosen is Gagne ton ciel by Mathieu Denis.
• The Torchlight Walk will take place on February 28, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., behind the Laurel Community Center.
• The Youth Film Club will meet on March 6, at 5 p.m., in Saint-Michel.
9.3 Appointment of members to the M.A.D.A./Family Policy Committee. We want to obtain certification... ... ... Possibility of subsidies.

Question period

Ms. Myriam Rioux (on Zoom):
• Regarding the Lake La-Marche dam?
Woman in the room:
• At 4.8: How much for the Cercle des fermières? Answer: $300.
• Re 6.5: ?
• Does the applicant have to pay for the CCU assessment? Answer (Gosselin): It is part of the cost of the permit application.
• Re 4.2: ?
• Re 4.3: Could the library close due to the additional costs of mailing? ...
Mr. Pierre Aubé (Zoom)
I renew my request for action to be taken on the problem of all kinds of illegal signage, some of it outdated, at several intersections, such as the corner of Sainte-Marie and Route Principale. Ms. Dostie: We have discussed this, but it will require multiple steps. For the time being, given what this entails, the problem is not considered a priority. We take note of your comment.
Mr. (representative of Lake Wentworth association):
• Regarding points 7.2 and 7.3, on the inspection of septic systems, how will this be done? Response from K. D.: The owner is responsible for having them inspected and obtaining the required certificate. Fines will be imposed on those who do not comply. The bylaw gives us additional tools, but it will probably need to be adjusted in the coming years to cover newer systems.
• Regarding item 8.10, we are monitoring this closely.
Mr. Laflèche (Zoom) That's me, regarding the dog attack. Following this unfortunate accident, all temporary measures have been put in place and I will follow up on everything you have requested.

Subject to change; by Carl Chapdelaine

Translated with DeepL.com (free version) & Linguee

• Best techniques currently available for road construction;
• Old metal culverts deform and rust over time; new ones, made of plastic components, are more durable.
• The work will include repairing the foundation layer, resurfacing (asphalt), marking, and signage.
• It is a 3.2 km section (out of 5.2 km);
  
• Slopes will be minimized where necessary and possible.

• The disintegration of the current foundation layer, already caused by excessive water absorption. R. Gosselin: We have done a lot of work on repairing the ditches in recent years.
• The presence of a poorly drained environment.
• The possibility, as in the past, of using materials (stones, etc.) available in the immediate environment for the foundation layer.
• When will work begin? A.: This summer. Mr. R. Kelly:   o explains that a request must still be made to the Department before issuing a call for bids and beginning work;   o that this can take two months. (?)
• Traffic disruptions are to be expected. Chemin du Lac-Saint-Louis may sometimes be used as an alternative route along the section that runs alongside the lake.
• These road construction companies do not often use the services of local contractors. Rep.: It is advantageous for them to use local contractors in areas far from major centers; it saves them money. But the main contractor can choose its subcontractors. R.K.: We are governed by the Loi sur les contrats des organismes municipaux.
• Will the budget be sufficient if bids exceed the allocated amount or if it changes? K.D.: The project will have to be scaled back, abandoned (or modified?) if that is the case.
•  A representative of the Farmer Lake Residents Association Inc.:   o We have sent you a letter on the subject...   o Will you be communicating with residents to warn us of any obstructions, etc.?

Versions vidéo:  Budget + PTI       Taxation        Power Point

All council members are present, except for Councillor Lenka Martinek, who is on vacation. Mayor Karine Dostie chairs the meeting, assisted by Ron Kelley, Chief Administrative Officer, and Pierre-Luc Nadeau, Deputy Director.
The Zoom counter counted 26 participants (including members of the forum council), while seven or eight people attended in the Laurel Community Center room, including our former councillor, Colleen Horan. The double session lasted one hour.

Notes on the budget
• The average increase in tax bills for an average home, valued at $552,500 (next presentation), is 4.2%.
• The 2026 budget, at $9.6 million, is slightly higher than the 2025 budget ($9.0 million).
• The assessment (taxable values in the municipality) for 2026, based on the new roll, is $1.2 billion, compared to $0.9 billion for 2025. The 28% increase between the two rolls is due to new construction, increased values, etc. However, the tax increase rate will be limited to the municipality's needs.
• Savings at the eco-center, thanks to improved operations.
• Land assessments have increased much more than house assessments between the two rolls; the same is true for our tax allocation, which is 75%.
• The share of taxes for roads accounts for one-third of your bill.
• PTI budgets may change depending on the subsidies granted. The increase in amounts for 2027 and 2028 is mainly attributable to the repair of Chemin des Montfortains in 2027, and again for roads in 2028.
• The purchase of a snowmobile will mainly enable us to reach isolated residents.
• Our budget for the repair of Chemin du Lac-Farmer has been reduced from $5 million to $3 million due to the rejection of our grant application. We will prioritize the sections most in need.
• The budget for the Saint-Michel and Montfort community centers is only for cost estimates, etc. Nothing has been finalized for the PTI in 2027 and 2028, as it has not been possible to put a figure on the costs...

Questions

Ms. Linda Proulx
• Montfort Pavilion: Is there nothing in the PTI for 2027 and 2028 for the Saint-Michel and Montfort pavilions? Ms. Dostie: Once we have an assessment of the costs and expected subsidies, we will be able to budget the amounts required to begin work, hopefully in 2027. The PTI budgets can be modified accordingly.

Ms. Colleen Horan

• Transportation, mobility (?) KD: We are not adding anything to the budget because we do not expect much development in this area. Few users. We have our share in the MRC for active transportation (taxi-bus, etc.).
• Bin price? KD: This is, for example, for someone who wants a new or second bin. There is no cost if a bin is destroyed by the collection services.
• There are 20 bins... and the MRC... KD: Out of order.
• $25,700 for swimming pool, beach, etc. A toilet at the beach (Laurel?)? KD: Changing room. Toilets are covered by another budget item.
• Salaries for parks? In which budget item? KD: In the recreation budget for park services.
• Purchase of a snowmobile? KD: In the 2026 PTI, because it will be purchased this year.

Ms. Myriam Rioux

• $100,000 for Saint-Michel Church this year? KD We are not sure whether to undertake the renovation this year. (?)

Notes on the tax bylaw
(Quick reading by Ms. Dostie, and adoption.)
$3.2 million KD: Cost includes everything and is estimated by the firm. Borrowing bylaw. Public consultation in February.

Questions

Mr. Marchessault

• The tax for Chemin du Lac-Thurson? RK: It was set by the bylaw, which cannot be changed. KD: There were errors, but we will discuss them.

Subject to change; by Carl Chapdelaine

Translated with DeepL.com (free version) & Linguee

Ordre du jour       Video version        Un regard sur le conseil

*Readers should refer to the video version and the minutes for greater accuracy and detail.
All council members are present (councillors seated on the podium, from right to left, in order of district numbers): Lenka Martinek (District 1), Suzie Cormier (District 2), Lyne Chapados (District 3), Régent Gosselin (District 4), Céline Bouchard (District 5), and Alex De Zordo (District 6), as well as Mayor Karine Dostie, who chaired the meeting, assisted by Ron Kelley, Chief Administrative Officer, and Pierre-Luc Nadeau, Assistant Director.
The Zoom counter counted about 20 participants (including members of the council on the podium), while six or seven people attended in person at the Laurel Community Center, including our former councillor, Colleen Horan. The meeting proceeded smoothly, with plenty of time for questions. It lasted nearly an hour and a half.

1 Adoption of the agenda
Items 2.8 and 4.4 were added.

2 Statements by elected officials

• The 2026 budget will be tabled on Wednesday, January 28, which will allow municipal tax bills for 2026 to be issued.
• Grant applications (~70% of the total) for the repair of the Montfortains and Lac-Farmer roads, whose repair costs were estimated at approximately $5 million each by the firms we hired last year, were rejected by the ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable. In the Programme d'aide à la voirie locale (Local Road Assistance Program) (PPA-CE) budget, which was significantly reduced this year, only 20% of the projects submitted by the municipalities of the MRC were accepted. Accès   However, it appears that the project for Chemin des Montfortains has a good chance of being accepted in 2027. In the meantime, and following our administration's analysis of the two projects, the municipality will carry out palliative work at its own expense.
  Regarding the repair of Chemin du Lac-Farmer, which would seem to be less likely to qualify for funding, our road services will nevertheless begin the necessary repairs.
  • Regarding the collapse of a culvert and a section of du Domaine Street at Grand Lac Noir, the Ministry of the Environment's investigation has been completed, but we do not yet have the results. Despite the municipality's request for access to information and the 30-day deadline given to the Ministry to provide this information, we have still not received a response. (See point 4.4)
  • The Coopérative de santé et de solidarité de Wentworth-Nord. Articles and reports (on Radio-Canada and CTV) have highlighted the search for a doctor and a nurse to launch the cooperative's operations, whose premises are just waiting for these professionnels to welcome the first clinic patients . Following the administrators' successful efforts with the media, the mayor invites all interested parties to support the visibility of this achievement. A doctor, perhaps approaching retirement and looking for a vacation home, might hear the call and consider the Saint-Michel region.
  • Request for federal government support to improve the cell phone network. Among the municipalities in the MRC, Wentworth-Nord and Lac-des-Seize-Îles have the most pressing network coverage issues. There isn't any coverage on Route Principale between Montfort and Laurel, or between Laurel and Saint-Michel. The offer of support is primarily aimed at a Canada-wide consultation by the CRTC to identify these areas. This will be an opportunity to make the municipality's needs known. Yesterday, at the MRC council meeting, with the latter having more weight in the balance, Ms. Dostie proposed a resolution committing it to participate in the consultation. Lake Saint-François-Xavier's Friends
  • Climate Plan Survey. Ms. Dostie invites citizens to participate in this survey to highlight the municipality's unique characteristics to the MRC and the federal government.
  • Parking on Wentworth-Nord roads. Municipal regulations prohibit parking on municipal roads due to maintenance constraints. The municipality remains permissive in enforcing this regulation, but it wants to make residents and visitors aware of the need to not interfere with maintenance operations, particularly snow removal.
  • Collaboration between the municipality and citizens. The council and administration want to hear your opinions, observations, suggestions, complaints, etc., on any subject that concerns them, to help them adjust and prioritize their actions, if necessary. Call 511 and take the time to contact the relevant administrative departments, which the mayor will then be able to consult.

Institut de la statistique du Québec