That's what Mayor Patrick Péloquin announced at the end of the meeting. "We advocate economic development as much as sustainable development. We will be visiting ship dismantling sites with private partners," announced the mayor.

"There are no such sites anywhere in Canada, and the Government of Canada has admitted to us that this is a shortcoming. Here, we have the infrastructure, the partners and we are champions of the sustainable economy. We're also going to take the opportunity to visit Niort in France. There, they have developed sustainable development practices. We're in the process of forging partnerships to ensure we have the best practices," continues the mayor.

Details of the mission will be announced shortly. Essentially, however, it should take place between late September and early October. The mission will bring together partners from the City of Sorel-Tracy, such as Développement économique Pierre-De Saurel and the Centre de transfert technologique en écologie industrielle. Other local public organizations and private companies will also take part, as will a representative from Naval Québec. The aim of the mission is to visit European ship dismantling yards to learn from best environmental and social practices, and assess opportunities for Sorel-Tracy.

"Ship dismantling represents enormous business potential, with thousands of vessels awaiting dismantling in Canada. And Sorel-Tracy has major assets in this area," says Patrick Péloquin.

Percy-Foy competition

The board meeting began with the presentation of the Percy-Foy awards for 2023-2024, organized by the Société historique Pierre-de-Saurel (SHPS). Five students from Bernard-Gariépy and Fernand-Lefebvre high schools received scholarships in recognition of their work on the history of our region.

The Percy-Foy Competition aims to recognize and reward the best work in history by local high school and college students. "We are very proud of the 66 participants in this 2024 edition. I would also like to point out that the Percy-Foy Competition could not function without the remarkable efforts of volunteers and teachers who are committed to the success of young people," emphasizes Geoffrey Shayne Packwood, Executive Director of the SHPS.

Noémie Blette won the Secondary I prize for her work on the Turcotte Bridge. In Secondary II, Élizabeth St-Arnault won for her work on the École commerciale Ménard, and in Secondary III, Léane Pépin won for her work on Gerald Desfossés. In Secondary IV, Raphaël Cyr was rewarded for his work on the Laurier-R.-Ménard swimming pool, and Adélaïde Villiard, in Secondary V, received the prize for her work on the Second World War and its repercussions on Sorel's social and economic life.

"Research into our history is important. The credit goes to the students and teachers," said the mayor of Sorel-Tracy.

Does the wind farm make money?

One citizen, Fernand Gignac, questioned the royalties promised by the former mayor of Sorel-Tracy, pointing out that he had claimed that the wind farm would bring in $1.2 million a year, whereas over five years, it would have brought in $1.38 million.

"The wind farm has brought in $2.1 million in royalties to the MRC for the current year. Forecasts had to be revised downwards. A figure of $50 million had been estimated, but it turned out to be $40 million. When royalties are paid to the MRC, the council of mayors decides on the distribution in proportion to the municipalities. Over $1 million was paid to Sorel-Tracy. This sum was reinvested in Développement économique Sorel-Tracy (DEPS), and the result is the industrial development we are currently seeing. Machinex is a good example. These royalties will generate taxes for the city," explained Patrick Péloquin.

600 young people at day camps

No fewer than 600 young people took part in day camp activities. "The 70 students, counselors, chaperones and coordinators, aged 15 to 27, shone with their dynamism, creativity, commitment and dedication," emphasized Dominique Ouellet, District 8 Councillor, who thanked them all.

In contradiction with a dynamic downtown?

During the question period, a citizen pointed out that the Centre intégré de la santé et des services sociaux de la Montérégie Est (CISSSME) had rented premises at 42, rue du Roi in Sorel-Tracy (the former Jacob boutique) in the downtown area. It's hard to see how this presence promotes the dynamic downtown area promised by the city. CISSSME rented the space to store archives relating, in particular, to deaths. Are we talking about a change of use for this commercial building? "The first floor is reserved for commercial activities," explained the mayor. The citizen said she hoped the premises would not become a place with frosted windows, as is usually done to store archives. CISSSME clarified that this was a temporary storage space for which there is a one-year renewable lease.

Source: les2rives.com/