Good evening, and welcome to the regular Council meeting of Monday, December 1st, 2025, in person and online.

• I note that quorum has been reached, and I declare the meeting open.
• A reminder that this meeting is being recorded and broadcast live.
• While I provide my opening remarks in English, please feel free to address me in either French or English, and I will respond in the language of your choice. If at any point an answer is given in one language and you would like it translated, simply raise your hand and let me know.

I hope many of you were able to join us for the Night of Lights and the Santa Claus Parade on Saturday. My sincere thanks to the Soulanges Irish Society for organizing and leading the parade, and to our Recreation, Public Works, Fire Department, Communications team, and directors whose collaboration made the event possible.

As a reminder: the Santa Breakfast will take place next Saturday, December 6th, here at the Community Centre, and the village merchants will be hosting a Sip’n Shop that same evening.

Please also note that Council will meet again on Monday, December 15th to adopt the 2026 Budget and PTI.

We extend our congratulations to a couple valuable members of our cultural. As graciously shared by Geneviève Grenier, our very own Chris Gobeil, along with Clint Ward were honoured by TALQ for their contributions to the vitality of the English-speaking community in Quebec.

“As part of TALQ’s 30th anniversary celebration, the organization has recognized 30 individuals who have been an integral part of keeping the vitality of the English-speaking community strong. The laureates, chosen from 70+ nominations, are from every corner of the province, every generation, and every walk of life and they reflect the energy, creativity, and shared purpose that define English-speaking Quebec.”

For those wondering about the location of the ice rink: with winter temperatures becoming increasingly unpredictable, a rink on grass no longer holds up well to repeated freeze–thaw cycles. For this reason, the Town moved the rink last year to St. Thomas Park, on the asphalt surface near the Blenkinship gate. Although the space is smaller and farther from the commercial core, it allows us to maintain a higher-quality ice surface for a longer skating season. Lights and a warming area are set up there, and last year a skating oval was also created in the centre of the park.

As we begin tonight’s meeting, I want to acknowledge the very real concern that has been felt across our community since the physicians of the Hudson Médicentre — our local GMF — publicly announced on November 26th that the clinic will close in April 2026.

This announcement has understandably created anxiety for many residents. A large portion of our population relies on this clinic for continuity of care — particularly seniors, families, and those living with chronic illnesses. The uncertainty that follows such a decision is deeply felt in every part of our community.

This evening, Council will consider a resolution that clearly and responsibly sets out the Town’s position.

We recognize the essential contribution of the GMF’s physicians and staff, and we understand the pressures they face under the implementation of Bill 2. We also state plainly that the closure of this GMF will have major repercussions for Hudson and for the surrounding region.

Our message to the Government of Québec is direct: local access to primary care must be protected.

We are asking the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux to work with GMFs across the province to avoid service interruptions, and to ensure that small and medium-sized clinics — such as the Hudson Médicentre — remain viable or can transition without leaving entire municipalities without access.

We are hearing from our physicians that they do not feel valued under the current approach of the provincial government — and this is profoundly discouraging for people whose life mission is to care for others. This must change.

At the same time, I want to be very clear about the role of the Town. Municipalities do not govern the health-care system, the remuneration of doctors, or the operational structure of GMFs.

We cannot replace a clinic, nor can we create or operate one.

What we can do — and what we must do — is advocate.

We can coordinate with neighbouring municipalities, and we can ensure that the voices of our residents, especially the most vulnerable, are heard at the provincial level.

We will continue to work closely with our regional partners so that Vaudreuil-Soulanges speaks with one strong, aligned voice on this issue.

Tonight’s agenda also reflects several important pieces of work that continue in parallel. These include:

• the renewal of our 2022–2030 Collective Agreement, ensuring stability and continuity across municipal services
• support in kind to the Kanehsatà:ke Environment Office as they seek to mitigate the impact of future flooding along the banks and shores of their side of the Ottawa River
• the notary’s mandate to begin preparing the documentation required for the purchase of the Sandy Beach lots, within the 45-day period set between MAMH approval of the loan by-law and the transaction
• the renewal of the intermunicipal agreement with Saint-Lazare allowing our residents to access their library, an important partnership for seniors, families and students
• and the renewal of the Community Patrol contract for the full year, supporting ongoing visibility and community safety

Together, these actions represent the steady, long-term foundations we continue to build for Hudson.
We have a full agenda before us, so let us proceed with the adoption of the agenda.