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June 14, 2008

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Borough facing at least $1.1 million deficit, after last winter’s snow storms
The Borough of Villeray/St-Michel/Park Extension is thinking of holding a fire sale, in view of an impending budget shortfall
By Martin C. Barry• PXN

As a result of last winter's treacherous and costly snowstorms, the Borough of Villeray/St-Michel/Park Extension is facing a deficit ranging from $1.1 to $3.6 million, which is unlikely to disappear with even the most optimistic forecasts. Explaining the financial shortfall during the borough council's June 3 public meeting, Borough Mayor Anie Samson suggested the borough had planned last year on selling certain properties it owns, such as 2525 Jarry Street. She said the funds from that could help make up for the shortfall.
Deficit $1.1 million net
Taking these and other measures into account (the Smart Centre mall in Saint-Michel is eventually supposed to boost the borough's revenues), she predicted that the deficit could be trimmed down as low as $1.1 million by the end of 2008. She said that number would be lower than what several other boroughs are facing for their deficits, even though "the situation is still significant. So we are in a fairly precarious situation in the borough and we must be fairly diligent in regards to the disbursements we will have to make over the coming months …
Projects now in question
"We dare to hope that it will not snow (next winter) and so we'll be able to save a little more money," Samson added. "But currently the situation is at the point where we'll have a $1.1 million deficit," in spite of the fact the borough has previously recorded surpluses. She warned that in the coming months, the borough might not be able to renew certain projects and that they might have to be set aside, depending on the situation. During the borough council's question period, Alain Vadnais, a resident of de Castelnau Street in Villeray, complained that electoral map changes now place his street in Park Extension. "This is like cutting up Villeray," he said.

Photo: Martin C. Barry
De Castelnau Street resident Alain Vadnais complained
on June 3 about his street, formerly part of Villeray,
now being included on electoral maps as a part of Park
Extension. Park Ex/Villeray complaint
"It has more than 100 years of history. I understand that you have a need to have your electoral maps and all that to have people vote … It doesn't bother me that you change the lines and all that, but Park Extension for me was on the other side of the tracks and if they want to make it bigger, they should think big and change the name of the district to either du Parc or Villeray Ouest." Samson said that even though the electoral boundary changes were made in 2005, "natural neighbourhoods" still exist and will remain so. "Villeray will remain greater Villeray, Park Extension as a natural neighbourhood is Park Extension. But for reasons which are purely electoral, the map was modified in 2005."

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