Assembly of August 13 2023

Several strategic initiatives were considered and some received the approval of the majority of the assembly.

1. A pro-forma budget was accepted and a minimum membership fee of $25 was unanimously accepted.

2. It will be payable by Interac transfer to the account of the Association du Memphré-Rural, opened with CIBC Bank.

3. It was agreed by members that political lobbying for annexation must continue on two fronts. First: increase the number of members and the involvement of landowners in District-6. Second: conduct a proactive campaign to inform residents of Stanstead Township, and develop with them the interests and priorities that we have in common.

4. Solicit volunteer IT, media and Web help to prepare an annexation petition, a new website and create a social media presence (Facebook).

5. The case of Lake Lovering, currently divided in two between Magog and Canton de Stanstead, was discussed with interest. The fact it could become entirely under the jurisdiction of Canton de Stanstead is seen as an important improvement. It would allow better preservation of the ecology and buildings which are integral parts of the charm of the environment of Lake Lovering. It could alleviate some real estate overbidding which seriously threatens this area.

See a summary video opposite.

Association Memphré-Rural

Assembly of August 25 2024

The A.M.R. held its 3rd annual meeting at the Hermitage Club on August 25. Here is a summary of the highlights presented by the executive, and important points raised during the discussion with the members.

The presentation by President Allan Smith covered the year's achievements, recent news and strategic projects under study. Allan noted that during the year, the Memphré-Rural Association (A.M.R..) reached a high level of maturity, with more than 700 members and friends, amounting to a little less than half the population of District 6. Among the activities, carried out in 2024, we noted the adoption of a logo representative of the association, the appointment of a separate secretary (Deny Bertrand), but above all, a postal mailing to each of the more than 1,600 property owners, which contained a survey regarding our requested annexation by the municipality of Canton de Stanstead (CdS). The responses to this survey were extremely significant on two levels: the vast majority of respondents approved and supported our approach; and moreover, the respondents originated from the entire geographic territory of District-6.

Allan also pointed out that the A.M.R. website has become our best reference instrument and advertising tool. He thanked the volunteer team who designed and maintained this site.

As far as the envisaged role of the CdS is concerned, the situation is a little more complicated. Allan Smith and Bernard Casiez had met with the mayor in the spring, and their exchanges indicated a neutral approach on his part. He said he expected us to submit a formal request for annexation, and the executive had begun the preparation. However, before our request could be submitted, the mayor and members of the council published a letter to their citizens in the Le Reflet du Lac, stating their refusal to discuss the annexation of District 6 of Magog by CdS. Citing mainly the difficulty of managing such a project, and the desire not to upset the peace of mind of their citizens but neglecting to mention the potential benefits.

This rejection has not deterred the A.M.R. executive, particularly as the citizens of CdS were not consulted. We therefore intend to pursue this option, but by other means, notably by compiling figures on the benefits to CdS of annexing District 6. It simply seems impossible to us that the citizens of CdS don't have a more dynamic vision of the future than simply maintaining the status quo.

Our Treasurer's (Guylaine Raby) presentation highlighted the fact that only 130 homeowners out of the 700 who responded in favor of annexation, contributed the voluntary fee of $25, and that $3,231 was volunteered by executive members, for a cumulative total of $8,727.

Expenses for the past year were as follows:

- Consulting fees $593

- Bank charges $178

- Website hosting $596

This leaves a surplus of $7,405.

A discussion among the members resulted in three principal lines of the A.M.R.'s strategic plan for the coming year:

1. The new Bill 30, adopted by the Quebec National Assembly, now allows municipalities to adjust their property tax rates within their territory. As a result, we will attempt to renew our dialogue with the city of Magog with a view to reducing District-6's property tax rate, but this time with the support of a lawyer specializing in municipal law.

2. We will prepare well-founded arguments to present to the citizens of CdS, and hire a firm of accountants and land surveyors to prepare a pro-forma budget demonstrating the fiscal advantages for CdS of annexing Magog's District-6,

3. We will closely monitor the election campaigns for Magog and CdS (2025), and act in our best interests.

It was clear to the members present at the meeting that the A.M.R. does not have the financial means to carry out all these projects, and various solutions were discussed. The executive concluded by proposing an annual contribution of a minimum of $100, or 1% of the property value, for A.M.R. members.

Finally, we would like to solicit the collaboration of our members to attend public municipal meetings in Magog and CdS, to ask questions and follow up on items relevant to the A.M.R. mandate.

Assembly of August 24 2025

Welcome from the President

Allan welcomes the participants and introduces the members of the association's board present.

He mentions the following additions to the agenda:

Who can vote in municipal elections? A complete summary of the rules will be emailed to all members and friends of the A.M.R. for which we have the addresses.

A budget for a simulated fusion of District 6 with Canton de Stanstead (C.D.S.), which demonstrates beyond any doubt the financial advantage for C.D.S..

Presentation and adoption of the amended agenda.

Presentation and adoption of the minutes of the 2024 general meeting.

Executive Report

The most important event of the last year is undoubtedly the unconditional refusal of the mayor of C.D.S., M. Martineau, to consider an annexation of District 6 by its municipality.

However, following preliminary meetings and discussions with the latter, we had perceived signs of a certain openness to this project. The arguments invoked to justify his refusal let appear a great concern about “disturbing the serenity of the residents”. In fact, the latter were never informed of the project, and the council of C.D.S. doesn't seem to realize that their small municipality is in a precarious situation which makes it vulnerable to an imposed merger by a larger entity.

Furthermore, we perceive that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs would be rather in favor of a merger with our District 6, for the sake of operational and territorial clarity. Allan therefore proposes to mount a campaign demonstrating the advantages for both entities of reconsidering this somehow rushed rejection.

Another important point is that we were able to understand the point of view of the city of Magog regarding the application of the new law 39. This law now allows for the application of different tax rates based on special criteria. It is very clear that the city of Magog has no desire or intention to use it to reduce the tax rate in District 6, and recognize at the same time its rural character. During an interview with Bernard Casiez, Mayor Pelletier warned that the rate could very well increase. She had already been very clear during a previous encounter about the exorbitant augmentations of taxes in our sector: she would never collaborate on programs that would reduce our taxes, and which by force of circumstances, says she, would increase those of other sectors. She believes that such action would be unfair to the latter.

The third point is the concern of some owners, following the new regulations concerning sloping land. A regulation which particularly targets District 6, and for which we would like more flexibility in application.

The fourth point concerns our interest for municipal elections, an opportunity to publicly assert our views and objectives, and to develop a new argument to convince C.D.S. to annex District 6.

Résumé of a simulated budget, covering a merger between C.D.S. and District 6. By Bernard Casiez (Added to the agenda)

We note that C.D.S. and District 6 of Magog present great similarities In most of their characteristics. As evidenced by the number of residential units, the population, the exclusively rural character, the sharing of the shores of Lakes Memphremagog and Lovering, and the sensitivity to the environment. The surface of their territories as well as their total and average land values ​​are different. However, even taking into account the conservative approach of the document, the latter clearly highlights a financial advantage for both parties when combining entities.

We estimate that each current business sector would double in volume, and that very few or no new activities at all will come to disrupt the municipal organization in place.

On the other hand, it is predicted that with the highest land value in District 6, a budget surplus could easily be achieved. This would allow an expanded C.D.S. to carry out valorizing projects, which are currently on hold due to lack of financial means.

A precarious financial situation is often the lot of small municipalities. We can fear a stagnation or a decline in the working population. But the most worrying thing for them is their vulnerability facing the intentions of forced fusion by a neighboring larger municipality.

Such a situation would be a disaster for the residents of C.D.S.. And a copy and paste of what happened to Canton de Magog in 2002.

It should also be noted that for the purposes of efficiency and economy, the government is currently in favorable mode to all voluntary municipal groupings between similar neighboring partners; wouldn't it be opportune to take advantage of it?

A discussion followed regarding possible actions to be taken:

• Publish these tables in local newspapers or rather directly to each residence of C.D.S..

• Hold a mailing activity.

• Consider media communication regarding A.M.R. and rurality.

• Operate citizen information assemblies.

• Meet the future mayor, when elected.

• Intervene during a council meeting of C.D.S..

• Request that C.D.S. hold a joint and public information meeting.

• As a last resort, consider recreating the rural Canton of Magog, including its former part, west of the lake.

Treasury (presented by Guylaine Raby)

The bank account of the A.M.R. was opened on the 1stisAugust 2024 in the amount of $7,044.

Following the expenses of $1,594, and taking into account the income from voluntary contribution, the balance is today of $6,294.

We did not have a spending plan in 2025 that would have justified a contribution campaign.

Note: the current residual would be considered sufficient for having a posting activity.

Question period:

A clarification is brought concerning the slope regulations mentioned beforehand. We learn that this regulation, as issued by the MRC, is less problematic since Magog clarified the method of calculating slopes.

We wonder about the low rate of presence at this assembly. Could it be because the 2025 taxation was less worse than expected? Should we better inform members about the actions carried out and those to come? Should we involve them more?

What conclusion can we draw from this meeting, what is the action plan?

Essentially and as a priority, capitalize on the November elections.

When we know the candidates' program, the action plan will become clearer.

Adjournment of the meeting.

Deny Bertrand

Secretary