Good evening, and welcome to the regular Council meeting of Tuesday, May 26, 2026, held in person and online. I note that quorum has been reached and declare the meeting open. Please be advised that this meeting is being recorded and broadcast live.

While I will provide my opening remarks in English, you are welcome to address me in French or English, and I will respond in the language of your choice. If at any point you would like a response translated, simply raise your hand.

Veuillez noter que cette séance est enregistrée et diffusée en direct. Bien que je fasse mes remarques d’ouverture en anglais, vous êtes invités à vous adresser à moi en français ou en anglais, et je vous répondrai dans la langue de votre choix. Si, à un moment donné, vous souhaitez qu’une réponse soit traduite, il vous suffira de lever la main.

Welcome to Councillor Andrew Dumas

Congratulations to Andrew Dumas, elected last week as Councillor for District 3 with 156 of 295 votes cast — 52.9%. I also want to thank Luc Dionne and Victoria Henderson for running. Their participation made for a more substantive conversation about the issues before Council, and we are grateful to all three candidates for their civic engagement.

Council Orientations 2025–2029

Tonight, at item 4.7, Council is formally tabling the Council Orientations 2025–2029. Last fall, 67% of ballots were cast in my favour on November 2nd. These Orientations translate that mandate into a governing framework — spanning financial stewardship and infrastructure, conservation, community well-being, and economic development — that is clear, prioritized, and now on the public record.

Several commitments are already underway or completed: the new collective agreement was adopted last fall, the Economic Development Committee launched in March, and key planning work is progressing. This remains a living document that will deepen and evolve through the Strategic Plan public consultation process, which I am committed to setting in place this term.

Pride Season

Tonight, Council is also formally recognizing Pride Season. The Progressive Pride flag will fly at the Stephen F. Shaar Community Centre from June 1 through September 30 — a visible affirmation that every person in Hudson belongs equally in our community.

Coming Up This Summer

Shakespeare by the Lake returns this summer for its 10th edition — a remarkable milestone for a production that has genuinely become part of who we are as a community. And on July 1st, Canada Day festivities will bring us together once again at Jack Layton Park, adding this year Benson Park.

Community Celebrations

Hudson Masonic Lodge #98 — Centennial Cornerstone Rededication

On May 9th, Hudson Masonic Lodge #98 marked a milestone a century in the making: the rededication of the cornerstone of their building at 60A Elm Avenue. 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the Lodge’s construction, and this outdoor ceremony was a fitting way to honour that history. Freemasonry has long held values that resonate with our own as a community: fellowship, service, and the belief that we are made stronger by what we build together. Hudson is richer for having this institution among us for a hundred years.

Le Pont/Bridging — 30 Years of Neighbours Helping Neighbours

On May 23rd, Le Pont/Bridging celebrated 30 years of steady, compassionate service to individuals and families in need across Hudson and the surrounding area. That kind of work — consistent, rooted in care — is the truest expression of living in community. Congratulations on this milestone.

Reverend Sophie Rolland — 10 Years of Service

I also want to acknowledge the celebration luncheon held this past Sunday in honour of Reverend Sophie Rolland, marking ten years of service with the Vaudreuil Parish at St. James and St. Mary’s churches. Reverend Rolland has been a steady and warm presence in the spiritual life of our broader community. We thank her sincerely for those ten years.

Capital Investment Projects

Selkirk: Final approval given. Project complete.

Lakeview — Paving Operations: The final asphalt layer is being applied on Lakeview, as well as on portions of Oakland and McNaughten, over May 26 and 27 — today and tomorrow. The planned schedule is as follows: Tuesday, May 26: Cameron to Oakland (both lanes); Wednesday, May 27: Cameron intersection to McNaughten (both lanes, closed). We understand this work may cause temporary inconvenience and appreciate your patience. If you have any further questions, please contact us at 450-458-5347.

Traffic data collected to date indicates that use and speed on Lakeview are comparable to pre-project levels. The temporary traffic calming bumps and signage will be removed.

Jack Layton Footbridge: Work was suspended due to high water levels and is scheduled to restart during the week of May 25th.

Circulation Plan: The mandate definition has been finalized; a resolution is expected to come forward in June.

Community Pool

Resident registration took place on Sunday, May 24th. Pool members have been informed that maintenance work has been delayed due to weather conditions and additional unplanned work. As a result: the two-week pre-season, which included school programming and free swim hours, has been cancelled; and the opening of the regular season will now take place on June 28th. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank our community for their understanding.

Pickleball Courts

The new pickleball courts at 53 Cambridge Street — across from the Falcon Golf Course — were officially opened last Saturday morning. Town Crier Chris Gobeil presided over the ceremony, and Councillor Daren Legault (District 6) offered a welcome before the ribbon cutting. Friendly matches followed. A special thank you to Ron Goldenberg, who generously volunteered to coach anyone interested in learning the game.

Sandy Beach — Project Update

The Town of Hudson completed the acquisition of the Sandy Beach site on March 18, 2026. Funding from the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) was confirmed that same month, the Trame Verte et Bleue (TVB) green and blue corridors financing agreement was signed in April, and a reimbursement claim was filed with the CMM in May.

Following the acquisition, hazardous trees were removed, a bylaw authorizing public access to the site was adopted, and a kickoff meeting for the conservation plan with Nature-Action Québec (NAQ) took place on March 24th.

A community event marking the official opening of the site is planned for spring 2027, at which the recommended improvements from the conservation and management plan will be presented. A CMM representative will attend.

In the near term, basic site improvements are planned for this year: removal of concrete blocks, installation of garbage bins, dust suppression treatment, and replacement of existing signage.

A public survey will be launched in the coming weeks as part of the conservation plan process with NAQ. Including the recommendation of the Hudson Arts & Culture Council (HA&CC), the survey will offer suggestions for a new name for the site.

Full access to the waterfront area and northern most wooded area, including the 2 Royalview lot, will only be made possible once the administrative portion of the acquisition of 2 Royalview has been completed. That transaction must be concluded before dry toilets can be installed there and concrete blocks be removed.

Public Notices

The Demolition Committee will meet on Monday, June 1, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. to consider two items: (1) a building relocation permit request for 796 Main Road; and (2) a demolition permit request for 10 Main Road.

Anyone wishing to oppose either relocation or demolition must do so in writing before May 31st, 2026, addressed to the Town Clerk at 481 Main, Hudson (Quebec), J0P 1H0, or by email at greffe@ville.hudson.qc.ca, stating the reasons for objection. Please note that this meeting will not be live-streamed or recorded; those wishing to attend must do so in person.

Coffee with the Mayor

Finally, I hope to see many of you this coming Saturday, May 30th, for Coffee with the Mayor at Halcro Cottage, 539 Main — from 10 a.m. to noon.

Now, let’s move on with the remainder of this evening’s agenda.