What's New

Due to a large amount of residue picked up on Monday, collection could not be completed in some sectors. A collection will take place on Wednesday, April 24 in order to complete the pickup.

Flushing of the water network is scheduled from April 22 until June 28. Employees of Aqua Data, the company in charge, work between Sunday evening and Friday morning, from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.  The quality of drinking water will not be affected.
 
This one-way rinsing operation removes deposits in the pipes and ensures the continued supply of good quality drinking water.
 
Despite all the precautions taken by the City, this operation can cause a slight drop in pressure accompanied by rust-coloured water. If this should occur, we recommend that you let the water run until it
is clear. 
 
We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this work. For more information, contact Public Works at 514 428-4500 or info@beaconsfield.ca.

April 10, 2019 - The second of four Reimagining SPACE creative workshops to revitalize Centennial Park and the Lord Reading property has demonstrated that the community needs and wants a multipurpose centre in a vision of sustainable development and responding to the various needs for space and public facilities in order to support community, culture and leisure activities. 
 
 “Following the Diagnostic event and the first workshop, this exchange of ideas was once again a great success with more than 70 citizens participating. This allows us to obtain the expertise and vision of citizens which is most important for us,” states City Councillor Robert Mercuri, president of the Reimagining SPACE Committee. 
 
The participants were asked to project the current needs into the future and identify the organizations and resident groups likely to use the public facilities. Focus groups were created to allow people to discuss the possibilities, and define the infrastructure needs to support and enhance the services and offer of cultural activities for the benefit of all.
 
The collective work from the workshop established the need for a multipurpose centre offering sufficient space, with a view on Lake St. Louis, equipped with adaptable meeting rooms, an open-air auditorium for shows and celebrations, a small restaurant or coffee shop, a library, rooms for seniors and teenagers, relaxation, yoga, etc.
 
According to the citizens, the need has been demonstrated, and expectations are high. While dreaming of a modern and adapted centre, the participants were concerned about the costs involved in the construction of this building, stating that the required financial resources must be found for the realization of such a project.
 
The Steering Committee is composed of nine citizens with complementary expertise and experience, as well as City Councillors Robert Mercuri and Karen Messier.
 
“The citizen participation shows the community’s commitment to this flagship project, and the outcome of the workshop will provide solutions endorsed by the population. This is very important. We wish to thank everybody who participated so generously,” concludes Robert Mercuri.
 
The next workshop on the subject of the waterfront, marina and recreational activities will be held at Herb Linder Annex on Wednesday, April 24, at 7 p.m.; all citizens are welcome. For further information please click here or send your ideas via email to imagine@beaconsfield.ca .

commi ccuThe Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) is a working group composed of one City councillor and 6 citizens.  Their role is to analyze and submit recommendations to City Council on topics related to zoning regulations, specifically requests for zoning changes, minor exemptions, as well as projects requiring site planning and architectural integration.
 
While the Committee is a consultative rather than a decision-making body, it nonetheless plays a key role in the planning, development and administration of land within the municipality.
 
The mandate of a member of the PAC is for two years, with the possibility of renewal.  If you are a building professional (Architect, designer or technologist) and interested in participating in this committee, please send a letter to Stéphane Quesnel, Division Head of Urban Planning, outlining your interest in urban development and your wish to actively participate in the improvement of building components by becoming a member of PAC  at stephane.quesnel@beaconsfield.ca

March 22, 2019 - The second stage of the Reimagining SPACE citizen consultation for the revitalization of Centennial Park and the Lord Reading property was launched with success. This first of four creative workshops was attended by roughly 50 citizens who actively participated. The workshop was successful for the quality and diversity of the constructive interaction and the findings on the future of Centennial Hall.
 
“The high level of citizen participation and the wealth of input generated many points of consensus which will be very useful for the members of the Steering Committee in making recommendations to Council,” states City Councillor Robert Mercuri, president of the Reimagining SPACE Committee.
 
During the previous Diagnostic session, held on February 20, the participants had identified key issues for Centennial Hall and Park, the library and the Lord Reading property with the goal of developing a global vision for these sites.
 
At this first creative workshop, held on March 13, the participants broke out into ten working groups. Each group dealt with eight aspects regarding Centennial Hall that were based on the findings of the Diagnostic session.
 
The workshop participants agreed that Centennial Hall no longer meets the standards for current use; its basement kitchen has been condemned by the Fire Department for a long time, the building requires major investments, and space for cultural activities is limited. Only nine associations use the building regularly.
 
The workshop participants also acknowledged the attachment to the historic character of the site and to the view, as well as the importance of maintaining the architectural elements. Also discussed was the lack of space and functionality, the outdated state and inaccessibility of the building, as well as the desire for a spacious, functional location and facilities that are ecological and sustainable. It was also suggested to expand the services and activities (coffee shop, amenities, kitchen, hall rental, etc.) and to create a space where the park and its views can be enjoyed at all times. The question of whether to renovate or replace the current building was also among the subjects discussed.  
 
Since the launch of the consultation process, many suggestions were also submitted by email for consideration by the members of the Steering Committee composed of nine citizens who bring complementary expertise and experience to the table, as well as City Councillors Robert Mercuri and Karen Messier.
 
“All discussions revolved around solutions and projects that combine culture, leisure and nature in a spirit of openness, collaboration and respect that is a reflection of the community of Beaconsfield. We wish to thank everyone who has given their time so generously”, concludes Robert Mercuri.
 
The next workshop on the subject of a multipurpose centre will take place on April 3 at the Herb Linder Annex; all citizens are welcome. For further information please click here or send an email to imagine@beaconsfield.ca.
 

houseAlthough spring brings its share of small pleasures: return of daylight, warmer weather, longer days, etc., it also brings unpleasant surprises related to the rapid melting of ice and snow.
 
Follow these tips to minimize the risk of water infiltration, basement flooding and sewer backup:
 
1. Check your sump pump
Sump pumps play an important role in flood prevention in the basement. We advise you to be proactive and to call a professional to check on the efficiency of your pump. This could save you from experiencing water damage. If you do not have a pump, we suggest you get one! Prevention is better than cure. 
 
2. De-ice and clean out your gutters and roof edges
Ice, water and debris can build up over winter causing blockages in your drainage. By regularly cleaning your gutters, you ensure that the melting snow and ice is draining properly. This way, it won’t leak in through the roof or the foundation of your home. However, make sure that all the water is flowing at least 6 feet away from your basement. 
 
3. Maintain your drain
In most cases, the drainage system runs along the outer edges of a property. Plan ahead and take care of clearing these areas. You can also clear the snow around your foundation and windows. If you have a French drain, please check that it is not clogged with debris. This will save you a lot of trouble.

March 11, 2019 – In a decision rendered unanimously by three judges, the Québec Court of Appeal confirmed that the City had respected the procedures for the protection of Angell Woods.
 
Judges Geneviève Marcotte, Mark Schrager and Clément Samson, of the highest court in Québec, thereby ruled against Yale Properties Ltd. with regard to claims targeting acquired rights, the City’s good faith and the protection of Angell Woods.
 
The three magistrates confirm the correctness of the City’s actions at all levels as well as the validity of the original judgment rendered two years ago. The latter upheld the legality of the Interim Control By-law put in place for Angell Woods, the absence of acquired rights for Yale Properties Ltd., and the pertinence of the preservation of the natural forest and its wetlands. 
 
“I am very satisfied with this decision of the highest instance. It confirms that the City acts in the best interests of its citizens. For us, respecting procedures, laws and regulations is an essential part of how we conduct ourselves, and we are proud of it,” said Mayor Georges Bourelle in reaction to the unanimous verdict.
 
The company who owns a major part of Angell Woods claimed to be victim of disguised expropriation, and argued that the Municipal Council had acted inappropriately and that the owner had the right to build houses on his entire property in Angell Woods.
 
In 2017, the Superior Court rejected all claims. The Court of Appeal of Québec has just upheld the initial ruling.
 
“I congratulate the administration and the Municipal Council for the rigour applied in the case for the protection of Angell Woods that has been ongoing for years. I am also proud of the determination with which we all pursued the protection of the environment for the benefit of current and future generations. Together, we have succeeded in preserving the majority of Angell Woods as a protected natural forest”, concluded Mayor Bourelle.

February 26, 2019 - More than 300 ideas, suggestions and comments were submitted during the first public meeting for Reimagining SPACE, with the goal to establish a diagnosis in order to redefine and revitalize Centennial Park and the adjacent Lord Reading property in a vision of culture, recreation and nature.
 
Some 80 citizens participated in the consultation activity held last Wednesday night at the Herb Linder Annex. The compilation of the proposals will serve to prepare the public creative workshops to which everyone is invited, regarding the future of Centennial Hall (March 13), a multipurpose centre (April 3), the waterfront, marina and recreational activities (April 24), as well as green spaces and mobility (May 15).
 
The results of all this work will establish concepts for the redesign, usage and vocation of these iconic places in Beaconsfield. A steering committee will determine the consensus reached and submit recommendations to Council.
 
“This is a unique process of citizen consultation and participation. It is a stimulating exercise for the revitalization of a beautiful location in our City,” explains City Councillor Robert Mercuri, Chair of the Steering Committee. Accompanied by Karen Messier who is the City Councillor for the district where the project is located, he is leading this consultation process by heading up a steering committee composed of nine residents. The committee members were selected based on the diversity of their expertise and their implication in the community, following a call for applications this winter.
 
Challenges and opportunities
Last Wednesday night, citizens discussed the challenges and opportunities to be addressed. For Centennial Park, suggestions were mainly aimed at turning it into a destination of choice for the entire Beaconsfield population as well as offering diversified cultural and recreational services.
 
The future of Centennial Hall is in question, as the building requires extensive renovations. Rooms that used to be small bedrooms make the former family residence inadequate for holding public events and meetings. Suggestions focused on improving cultural services and accessibility for the entire community and on providing a location for presenting shows.
 
With regard to the adjacent Lord Reading property, the site and buildings require major investments, and the opportunity should be seized to broaden access to aquatic activities for the entire community. 
The Library was also discussed. It was agreed that the space has become too constrained and ill adapted for persons with reduced mobility. Some suggested that an additional floor should be added, while others preferred a new multipurpose centre incorporating today’s technology that could become a source of pride for the population.
 
The four creative workshops will be held at the Herb Linder Annex located on 303 Beaconsfield Boulevard, at 7 pm. You are also invited to submit your suggestions and ideas by email to imagine@beaconsfield.ca . 
 
 

toiture neigeBy way of prevention and to ensure public safety, the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) recommends to the owners the following:
 
  • Clear the accumulations of snow on your house to prevent the collapsing of the roof.
  • Take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of the persons who may circulate near the building.
  • Pay special attention to the snow loads on the arch roofs or radiused roofs, especially if these loads are not distributed evenly.
  • Call upon companies having both experience and the appropriate equipment to remove the snow.
 

January 29, 2019 - Mayor Georges Bourelle and the members of City Council are pleased to announce the creation of the Reimagining SPACE Steering Committee for the revitalization of Centennial Park and the Lord Reading property, as well as the launch of the public consultation process on February 20. 
 
“We are particularly proud of the involvement and interest displayed by our citizens since the announcement of this major project back in November. We have received 40 applications from highly qualified candidates for the steering committee which will convene throughout this winter and spring. The nine committee members will listen to the population. We hope that citizen participation will be as large, dynamic and open as possible,” says Mayor Bourelle.
 
The consultation process for Reimagining SPACE will help plan the development of these vast waterfront spaces along Lake Saint-Louis to satisfy the current and future needs for cultural and community services in Beaconsfield while preserving a quality environment.
 
This committee includes two members of Council: Mr. Robert Mercuri as Chair and Ms. Karen Messier as a member. The selection of the nine committee members was based on the diversity of qualifications and needs in order to ensure the creation of a multidisciplinary committee that is complementary and representative of the community. The selected members are Mary Allen, André Bergeron, Katherine Crewe, Geoffrey Kelley, Anna Polspoel, Danièle Serhan, Wade Staddon, Sam Watts and Lena Zahnan.
 
“On my own personal behalf and on behalf of the members of Council, the residents, the management and staff of the City of Beaconsfield, I would like to thank them for their excellent application for the Reimagining SPACE Committee and their civic engagement,” states Mayor Bourelle.
 
The extensive and impressive expertise of the nine members of the steering committee will enable them to listen to the residents’ needs, interests, comments, suggestions and ideas. A rigorous and transparent public consultation process will help achieve, in a proactive and collective manner, one of the most important public development projects in the history of Beaconsfield.
 
“Centennial Park is an enchanting gathering place that instills pride in all of us. Council and residents alike want to enhance this space so asto reflect our image and our values, and to satisfy our collective needs,” underlines Mayor Bourelle.
 
Key dates
The first consultation meeting will determine the diagnosis of Centennial Park and the Lord Reading property. It will take place at the Herb Linder Annex (303 Beaconsfield Boulevard) on Wednesday, February 20, at 7 p.m. A few weeks later, four workshops will be organized on Wednesday, March 13, April 3 and 24, and May 15, at the same place and time.
 
“Everybody is invited. Citizen involvement will make it possible to validate, enrich and prepare Reimagining SPACE for the benefit of all,” concludes Mayor Bourelle.
 
You are invited to follow the committee’s work and the evolution of the project on the City website by clicking the link Reimagining SPACE. If you are not able to take part in the public consultation and workshops, you are encouraged to submit your comments and suggestions by email at imagine@beaconsfield.ca .
 
 

January 28, 2019 - The City of Beaconsfield is pleased to announce its participation in the Project for the electrification of municipal trucks and specialized transport - Study Component - (PéCTS) together with the cities of Nicolet, Plessisville, and Varennes. Led by the Société d’innovation en environnement and YHC Environnement, the four cities will participate in a feasibility study to evaluate the technical and financial considerations for the electrification of the municipal fleet.
 
The PéCTS project will develop solutions to convert trucks to use electric power or some of their components to achieve a reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of at least 20% and to lessen the environmental impacts of transportation.
 
In addition to GHG reduction in the identification of solutions, the targeted benefits of this study include the reduction of energy expenditure, the optimization of the management of the municipal trucks, the development of new regional expertise in the field of electrification of transport, and modernization of the vehicles of the municipal fleet.
 
"Municipalities play a central role in climate protection because they have a direct or indirect impact on almost half of Canada's GHG emissions. For Beaconsfield, there is no doubt that the environment is an important issue and that it is obvious to encourage the development of technological solutions aimed at reducing the ecological footprint of transportation. Thanks to the PéCTS project, this collaboration between Quebec municipalities allows us to multiply our efforts in this joint initiative for the benefit of our respective communities," says Georges Bourelle, Mayor of Beaconsfield.
 
The realization of the PéCTS project is possible thanks to funding from the Municipalities for Climate Innovation program of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). The FCM contributed $95,440 for the study component of this project.

January 9, 2019 - The City of Beaconsfield is proud to have been selected to participate in the development of the Smart Energy Communities Scorecard. QUEST and Pollution Probe are non-profit organizations bringing together nine communities across Canada to help develop a roadmap on how to transition towards being a “Smart Energy” community, and evaluate their progress along the way. “Smart Energy” communities improve energy efficiency, limit energy consumption costs, enhance energy reliability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
 
"Beaconsfield is the only city in Québec to make the short list for the QUEST pilot project. We are proud to collaborate with innovative communities across Canada, which will serve to motivate our residents to join us in the efforts to become a more sustainable, self-sufficient, and resilient community in the face of climate change," said Mayor Georges Bourelle.
 
The Scorecard is a tool that will help benchmark and evaluate the progress of Smart Energy Communities in Canada. Beaconsfield will join Bridgewater, Calgary, Grande Prairie, Inuvik, London, Yellowknife, Markham and Campbell River to provide insight on how best to gauge a community’s progress towards energy efficiency.  At the end of the pilot, Beaconsfield will receive a Scorecard Report that will contribute to its ongoing community energy planning efforts.
 
To learn more about QUEST and the Smart Energy Communities Scorecard visit questcanada.org/scorecard

November 26, 2018 – Always proactive and committed to protecting the environment, the City of Beaconsfield is proud to announce the upcoming launch of the i3P Project, an innovative initiative that will allow the City to complete the first three phases of the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), to simultaneously produce a first Community Energy Plan and implement a Climate Change Adaptation Plan.
 
The i3P Project will enable the City of Beaconsfield and its community to identify model and innovative projects, accelerate the implementation of sustainable and ecological projects, increase knowledge and skills at the regional level, and build partnerships with local experts to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
 
The project is divided into 4 main components: an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions from municipal activities and the community, the development of an action plan to contribute to their reduction, the development of an adaptation plan to ensure the safety, health and well-being of the community in the face of climate hazards and finally, the implementation of Community energy planning.
 
THE KEY TO SUCCESS: A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH CLOSELY TIED TO THE COMMUNITY
Starting in 2019, an important consultation and collaboration process will be rolled out to participants, stakeholders and the community. Presentation sessions of the i3P Project, webinars, information and working sessions will be planned. Throughout the completion of the four components, several resources will be involved at both the administrative and citizen level. The City of Beaconsfield will also be surveying citizens, as well as various groups in the public and private sectors, to identify action plan measures during public consultations that will be held for this purpose.
 
"Municipalities play a central role in climate protection because they have a direct or indirect impact on almost half of Canada's GHG emissions. The City of Beaconsfield joined the collective effort to fight climate change by joining the Partners for Climate Protection program of the FCM in 2006. Thanks to the i3P Project, this unique initiative in Quebec allows us as a City and community to consolidate our efforts in this fight against climate change," says Georges Bourelle, Mayor of Beaconsfield.
 
"The City of Beaconsfield, its organizations and its residents have distinguished themselves in environmental projects for several years now. With our smart collection, we have already demonstrated that it is possible to work collectively to minimize our impact. While climate change has become a major issue, it is our responsibility to continue this leadership and to take the next steps together. We have everything necessary to succeed. Future actions will refine our vision, evaluate and prioritize our actions, define our GHG reduction targets, reduce our energy consumption and identify renewable energies as local alternatives. This is a new stage that our administration is undertaking with energy, pride and enthusiasm." he concludes.
 
Under the supervision of the Société d’innovation en environnement (SIE), which will act as the project manager and expert for the completion of activities and deliverables for the i3P Project, YHC Environment will be responsible for the activities leading up for the development of the GHG reduction action plan as well as the community energy planning, and the Carbon Consult Group (CCG) will carry out the climate change adaptation plan.
 
"We are proud to support the City of Beaconsfield in the production of the three plans and the completion of a GHG inventory, all in line with the FCM program Partners for Climate Protection. The simple fact of carrying out the i3P Project already demonstrates the will of elected officials and leaders of the City of Beaconsfield to do their part for the protection of the environment!” added SIE General manager Yves Hennekens.
 
"Faced with the climate emergency, reducing GHG emissions is one of the most effective measures to be put forward, along with actions aimed at preventing local consequences of climate change, such as increasing the resilience of the community in terms of energy," said Pascal Geneviève, General Manager of Carbon Consult Group.
 
About Société d’innovation en environnement
The Société d’innovation en environnement (SIE) is a non-profit organization that designs and implements innovative projects for sustainable development and environmental protection. Its mission is to develop and promote projects and services, new technologies, the production of renewable energy for the protection of the environment, the reduction of greenhouse gas and for sustainable development purposes.
 
 
About YHC Environnement
YHC Environnement is a multidisciplinary consulting firm specialized in environment and energy. Founded in 1998, it is one of the pioneers in the country to have developed an unique expertise on climate change as well as specialized analytical tools to study and propose concrete solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 
 
About Carbon Consult Group
Carbon Consult Group is an independent consulting firm specialized in GHG emissions management and climate change adaptation. CCG has extensive expertise in compliance with regulations on GHG emissions, carbon accounting for organizations and projects, strategic risk management associated with the transition to low-carbon economy, and risk analysis related to climate change. GCC comprises four business units: Carbon Management, Audit, Adaptation and Financial Services.

City representatives participated in a first meeting with Transport Québec on October 11, 2018. The objective of this meeting was to launch the project. The firm mandated by Transport Québec, WSP, was also present at the meeting. WSP presented the work schedule and issues perceived. The next steps are to analyse the rights-of-way and to establish the concepts retained according to the results.  
 
A first deliverable should be submitted in 6 months, followed by consultation meetings with citizens. The initial schedule is being respected. The preliminary pre-project study for the construction of a sound wall on the south side of Highway 20 in Beaconsfield should be submitted in the fall of 2019.

In keeping with the recommendation of the Parks Master Plan, Heights Park has been earmarked for renovation in 2019. The objective is to create a universally accessible park which encourages play and social interaction for residents of all ages.
 
Three Open House sessions in November offered residents the opportunity to view concept plans and provide feedback on the redesign of Heights Park. 
 
girl swing
Consult the plans for the two proposed concepts for the redesign of Heights Park as well as additional documents relating to urban furniture and equipment:
 
 

 

October 12, 2018 – At the Water Excellence ceremony held by Réseau Environnement, the City of Beaconsfield was awarded a certificate of recognition for its various initiatives relating to conserving drinking water, as part of Réseau Environnement’s Municipalité Écon’eau program. 
 
The annual Water Management Symposium that took place on October 10 and 11 aims to promote the communication and discussion of the shared opportunities and challenges of integrated water management, regulatory changes as well as new knowledge and techniques in treating and managing potable water, wastewater and stormwater.
 
This acknowledgement confirms the completion of Phase 2 of the program in which the City has been recognized for its leak detection program, its activities to raise awareness about drinking water conservation, as well as for the quality of the information available in the Water section of its website at beaconsfield.ca .
 
“We are proud to say that our total drinking water consumption decreases year after year. We regularly carry out awareness-raising activities as part of the Drinking Water Conservation Program: education in schools and day camps; communications organized on various platforms; participation in special events in addition to steps taken by our teams to discuss the subject of drinking water with the community (door-to-door campaign). The investment in replacing underground infrastructure ensures quality drinking water is distributed to residents and also makes sure wastewater drains efficiently. Each of these actions plays an important role in managing our resources responsibly,” states Mayor Georges Bourelle. 
 
Through the Municipalité Écon’eau program, Réseau Environnement supports municipalities in their efforts to reduce water consumption. Using methods developed by Réseau Environnement and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, cities can measure their performance in terms of drinking water consumption and get recommendations on how to develop an action plan that meets the goals of the Quebec strategy for drinking water conservation. In addition to recognizing the efforts made, Municipalité Écon’eau also serves as a knowledge-exchange community that pools the expertise and experience of other members of the programs and experts in the field.

fumer canabisNew provisions concerning smoking on Beaconsfield’s territory
The City has recently adopted an amendment to the Nuisance By-law BEAC-033 which provides that smoking tobacco products as well as any other products or substances, whether natural or chemical, that may be smoked by any means, including electronic cigarettes or any other device of this nature is prohibited on public property, excluding streets, alleys and sidewalks.

The implementation of our smart garbage collection has been so positive that in June 2016, the City undertook a pilot project to evaluate the benefits of transferring this system to the collection of recyclable materials. This project aimed to measure the frequency of the blue bins put out for collection, the level of contamination by garbage, the collection trucks’ GHG emissions during different operations, and the potential for savings upon the renewal of the recycling collection contract.
 
For one year, the group of residents participating in the study had to respect two rules: to put out the blue bin only when it was full and to respect the list of materials accepted for recycling by the City.
 
Positive results that inspire us to move forward!
  • Decrease in the contamination rate of the blue bins to 6% versus a national average of 12%!
  • Blue bins placed at the curb less frequently, 59% of the time.
  • Less frequent stops of the collection truck reduced GHG emissions by 10%, even if the distance of the route is the same!
 
Smart collection: a logical choice that benefits both citizens and the environment
  • The flexibility of the service allows us to maintain a weekly collection that residents can use according to their needs.
  • The contractor’s remuneration is linked to the number of pickups. The less frequently you place the bin at the curb, the lower the costs. You help reduce the cost of service!
  • The stops and starts of the truck combined with the automated pickup consume a lot of fuel. The less the truck operates, the less it pollutes. You have a direct positive impact on minimizing GHG emissions!
  • Finally, if you put out the bin less often, it is also a sign that you are reducing your packaging and your environmental footprint.
 
The City is moving ahead with the smart recycling collection and has awarded a contract that will begin in April 2019. No tariff is planned for this service.
 

What are the next steps?

  • January to March 2019: system verification
  • April 4, 2019: start of new smart collection contract
 
Thanks to the efforts of all residents since 2014, the City of Beaconsfield has become a benchmark for waste management in Quebec. We are committed to making the best choices for both the environment and our citizens. Our collective success demonstrates that it is possible to work together to minimize our impact on the environment.
 
And it continues!
 

Questions? Contact us at reduction@beaconsfield.ca

 
collection recycling
 

carte angell woods anse orme 2018September 24, 2018 - The mayor of Beaconsfield, Georges Bourelle, and Council are happy to confirm that an immense 78,500-square-metre plot in the Angell Woods has been purchased by the Montreal Agglomeration for use as a park.

A forest of 180,647 square metres – the equivalent of 35 football fields – was purchased in the amount of 14 million dollars by the City of Montreal.

“It is a source of pride for all of us and the result of continued, hard work for the benefit of Beaconsfield citizens that contributes to sustainable development and quality of life. This is the second most important purchase that the Agglomeration has made in three years in Beaconsfield,” the mayor of Beaconsfield was pleased to announce.

This transaction confirms the expansion of the magnificent Anse-à-l’Orme Park for the residents of the greater metropolitan area, the West Island and Beaconsfield.

“It permanently protects a high-quality green space where our citizens can regularly go to stroll and enjoy open air recreation. It also contributes to protecting air quality and the plants and wildlife found there, which include several rare species,” Mr. Bourelle added. 

In line with this goal, in 2015, the City of Beaconsfield had the Montreal Agglomeration purchase the Marian Hall plot, also in the Angell Woods with a surface area of 78,500 square metres, for 3.5 million dollars. 

“It is truly exceptional that, in under three years, the elected officials and City administration working together succeeded in obtaining nearly 20 million dollars in investments to purchase private land for public purposes with a goal of sustainable development, for current and future generations,” the Mayor proudly stated. 

The purchase of the plot by Seda eloquently attests to the permanent protection of Angell Woods and creates an exceptional environment and great access to a metropolitan nature park right in our City for recreation and environmental protection.

Permanent Public Reserve
The protection of green spaces is essential in urban areas, but requires significant expenditures, both on the part of the owners who hand over their land for public use, and in terms of our citizens’ ability to pay. 

Protecting forests to make green spaces is a double financial commitment for cities because, in addition to purchasing sites and maintaining them, public administrations are foregoing development of those sites and the tax revenue they would generate. 

“That shows the significance of this commitment. For Beaconsfield, the intervention of the Montreal Agglomeration is all the more appreciated because such a purchase would have been financially difficult, even impossible. From a regional perspective, the Agglomeration is proving its value, for the benefit of all,” Mr. Bourelle concluded. 

Mayor Bourelle and Beaconsfield Council would like to thank the mayor of the City of Montreal, Valérie Plante, the members of the executive committee and particularly the mayor of the Plateau-Mont-Royal district and the executive committee member responsible for large parks, green spaces and large projects, Luc Ferrandez, for this exceptional commitment to the metropolitan region, the West Island and Beaconsfield.

 

August 8, 2018 - The City received a grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund for a project that aims to evaluate the best practices to divert organic matter from landfill, and to quantify the efforts for local treatment of these materials.  Launched in July for a one-year period, this project represents a continuation of the Waste Reduction Strategy adopted by the City in 2014. 
 
Thanks to the sustained involvement of the residents, the amount of garbage sent to landfill has gone down by 51% per capita, without increasing the total costs for waste management. Beaconsfield has become the city with the lowest rate of garbage generation among municipalities of the Agglomeration of Montreal. Despite these excellent results, the average garbage bin contains more than 50% of compostable organic matter. In 2018, the City of Beaconsfield implemented the recovery of food residue with the green residue collection. The City also encourages backyard composting, grasscycling, and leaf mulching which remain the best practices for reducing costs while avoiding the environmental impact of transport and large-scale processing. 
 
Towards an ever more efficient management of organic matter
The City wants to improve its services to manage and treat organic matter without compromising the community’s efforts for composting, grasscycling, and leaf mulching. The project aims to:
  • Measure the amounts of organic matter diverted by backyard composting and grasscycling
  • Evaluate the best options for food residue collection while limiting food waste
  • Compare the related GHG emissions for different scenarios
  • Collect data for a future contract for organic matter collection
“This Green Municipal Fund grant allows us to continue making environmental gains. This project illustrates the innovative spirit of Beaconsfield’s municipal management as well as our ongoing concern for the environment that motivates us every day. It is also an excellent example of how citizens and government can work together to protect the environment,” said Georges Bourelle, mayor of Beaconsfield.
 
The Green Municipal Fund is a $625 million program, delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities supports this Beaconsfield study because it considers the objectives innovative and the results will be a benefit for Canada’s municipalities. A grant of 50% of all the expenditures has been awarded, which will bring down the costs for Beaconsfield to less than $35,000.

An amendment to By-law BEAC-033 regarding nuisances was adopted by Council on Monday.

This amendment prohibits the use of leaf blowers from June 1 to September 30 and will be in effect starting next year. 

The pertinent documentation relating to this amendment can be consulted below: 

July 3, 2018 – Starting next year, the City of Beaconsfield will implement new regulations for electric and gas-powered leaf blowers in order to reduce their negative effect on human and animal health as well as on air and noise pollution.

"This new regulation aims at protecting health and supporting our sustainability efforts with a view to ensuring our quality of life, preserving our fauna and flora, and reducing air and noise pollution caused by the use of leaf blowers in the summer", explains Mayor Georges Bourelle on behalf of Municipal Council.

The guidelines for operating leaf blowers are initiated within the context of the wide range of actions undertaken by the City in recent years to preserve public health and help achieve the environmental targets determined by the governments of Canada and Québec. This applies in particular to improvements in waste management, guidelines for the consumption of drinking water, the protection of Angell Woods, restrictions related to harmful emissions from wood-burning appliances, the installation of electric charging stations and the acquisition of electric vehicles, the expansion of the cycling network, the promotion of active mobility, and urban densification.

Under the new regulation, leaf blowers will be allowed from October 1 to May 31. By steering their usage, the City of Beaconsfield minimizes the most important health risks and pollution problems caused by these tools while permitting them for spring cleaning and leaf pick-up in the fall.

Both types of leaf blowers (electric and gas-powered) generate decibel levels well above the limit (55 decibels) recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Département de santé publique de Montréal (DSP). Electric leaf blowers generate an average of 80 decibels while gas-powered leaf blowers produce up to 115 decibels. The noise levels vary between 62 to 75 decibels at a distance of 15 metres (49 feet) from a leaf blower in use.

The blower emits air at a velocity varying between 240 to 450 kilometres per hour. The powerful and concentred air jets propel particles that are up to ten times finer than the limit of 2.5 micrometres established by the WHO, beyond which they may provoke cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and cancer. The ultrafine particles are composed of fecal matter, pollen, mould spores and various chemical substances (insecticides, herbicides, fertilizer, etc.).

Laboratory testing has further demonstrated that gas-powered two- and four-stroke leaf blowers release high pollutant emissions into the air; depending on the pollutants in question, the emission levels may be 6.8 to 300 times higher than those caused by an 8-cylinder truck engine. These findings show that, in terms of pollutant emissions, operating a leaf blower for 30 minutes is equivalent to driving a full-size pick-up truck for 6,255 kilometres (3,887 miles) under regular conditions.

According to WHO and DSP, air pollution is responsible for the premature death of 4.2 million people worldwide, and of 1,500 citizens in Montréal.

"The mission of the City that we are all proud of, and its sustainable development plan help ensure the health and safety of present and future generations of Beaconsfield residents," concludes Mayor Georges Bourelle.

 


Mayor's Office, 514 428.4410

 
211An information and referral service available 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., 365 days a year, which will eventually be open 24 hours a day.
 
211 Community resources directory is also available on the web. In collaboration with community organizations, all information on social and community resources is updated annually.
 
With the help of statistics from calls and web frequency, 211 sheds a light to government officials and decision-makers on social needs and in determining missing resources that are needed.
 
211 service helps curb poverty and social exclusion, giving the people with non-urgent social needs rapid information on the social and community resources that will help them find solutions to move beyond their precarious situations.
 
211 is a free service, largely accessible especially for low-income people, seniors and newcomers.
 
 

sewer grate 2sewer grate rectThe Public Works department has noticed that certain sewer lines in your sector are blocked due to an accumulation of small branches and other small bits of debris which can only be there if they were purposefully put down the gaps in the sewer grates.  Recently, the accumulation of debris has caused many sewer back-ups.

We would ask for your cooperation in stopping this recurring issue in your sector by asking you to inform your children and anyone else who you might see putting debris in the gaps in the sewer grates of the consequences of their actions.

Thank you for your cooperation.

 

Muted citizen response regarding utility and financing

November 20, 2015 – Beaconsfield residents are cautious in their assessment of the utility and financing methods of a sound wall along the south side of Highway 20, despite the exceptional proposal made by the Provincial Minister of Transport Robert Poëti for its implementation.

This was revealed by a survey of 600 adult Beaconsfield residents conducted by Léger Marketing from October 16 to 23, 2015; the results were weighted according to sex, age, owner or tenant status and district of residence. Such research reflects an overall position of citizens regarding the project’s relevance and financing methods. The results can be expected to be accurate to within 4% if repeated again 19 out of 20 times.

“We have conducted this survey to become fully aware of the overall position of our residents on this project. The results confirm the caution with which we have handled this matter from the beginning”, explains Mayor Georges Bourelle.

According to the pollster’s analysis, the survey results show that “the majority of the citizens seem unconvinced of the sound wall’s necessity […], because they have doubts regarding its efficiency and appearance or disapprove of the costs related to the implementation of the project.

“This first level of consultation allows us to take stock of the stakes to be considered before deciding whether to accept the Minister’s proposal. We will now address the financing and consultation methods to ensure that the decision will be made with total transparency as part of a democratic exercise which will respect all parties concerned”, adds the Mayor.

Transport Minister Robert Poëti recently offered to bear 75% instead of 50% of the project costs. Despite this exceptional proposal, Beaconsfield’s part would still amount to five million dollars.

The survey results demonstrate that the noise problems caused by the highway affect a very slight majority of respondents in the three districts closest to Highway 20, whereas the respondents in the three other districts declare to be hardly or not affected.

The two main reasons given by those opposed to the project are the costs (53%) and the fact that they are not directly affected by the noise generated by highway traffic (46%).

This trend is even more pronounced when considering the cost issue. The most impacted districts favour a general cost-sharing solution, while those less or not impacted believe that the costs should be covered by the affected owners.

Click here to consult the survey and its results (PDF)

 

The City of Beaconsfield has implemented an automated call system called CodeRed to provide the means to reach citizens in an emergency. It is an efficient call system that can reach a large number of people in a very short time and can be deployed in a specific area, even a street if, for example, a broken water main were to force interruption of the water supply. In other cases, authorities could use it to announce an environmental accident, a gas leak or other emergency. The message could include information on procedures to be followed.

Is your phone number confidential, have you only a cell phone or have you moved in the last month?
The CodeRed database system contains numbers of landlines in our territory. In case of an emergency, citizens are called at home, on their cell, or at both numbers. If your phone number is not in the database, you will not be called. The CodeRed automated call system gives individuals and businesses the ability to add their own telephone or cellular numbers directly to the system's database. This can be done by visiting the City's website and clicking CodeRed.

Caller ID

When you see 866 419-5000 displayed, you will know the call is from the City. If you would like to hear the last message delivered to your phone, simply dial the number back.

This project complements other procedures already established as part of the City's emergency plan to improve efficiency during emergency situations.