Canada/Budget 2026: a 1.75% tax increase in Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac

The Town of Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac presented its 2026 budget to residents last night. An increase of around $50 is planned for a residence with an average value of 240,000. One of the priorities for the coming years is the construction of a new fire station.

A balanced budget with a financial framework of $14.6 million, and a slight residential tax increase of 1.75%. "Initially, I had a dream. It was 0%. I knew it would be difficult to achieve, but by positioning what I wanted, like this, we worked differently. We still had to increase a little. Next year or any other year, we'd have had to increase more, and that would have been unpleasant," says Christian Saint-Pierre, mayor of Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac.

"It's really not expensive. I think it's necessary if we want to have roads," says a local citizen.

"If it's 1.75%, I'm happy. I think there are regions where it's much worse than that," continues another citizen.

Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac has no shortage of projects. In the three-year capital expenditure plan for 2025-2027, $29.7 million could be invested, with the help of government subsidies. One of the priority projects for the coming year is the rehabilitation of the water and sewer systems in the area of St-Viateur, Commerciale Sud and Caron streets. Work estimated at $6.9 million. The council had intended to stretch the work over three years, before changing course and concentrating it in a single year.

"We know it's going to be unpleasant for the people around here. Instead of being unpleasant over three years, we'll be unpleasant over one year and the problem will be solved for good. It's a priority for me, it's a priority for the Board. It's a priority for the employees here," says Mr. Saint-Pierre.

In its three-year capital plan, the Town of Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac has put on the table the construction of a new fire station, which will facilitate the decontamination of firefighters' clothing and equipment. An improvement deemed necessary. "We looked into bringing the fire stations up to standard. Because of new CSST standards and government demands, we can't do anything with this. We now need the fire decontamination system. "

The project will be studied first. Investments of $10 million are planned for 2027.