The Deux-Montagnes city council meeting on Oct. 8 was much more subdued than previous meetings. While most of the discussions remained civil throughout the evening, a handful of hot-button issues still managed to spark reactions from members of the crowd.
Residential real estate
Mayor Denis Martin and his council approves several real estate developments on October 8. In section 8.2 from letter A to R, council approved 18 real estate development projects in and around the downtown area of Deux-Montagnes.
The final three, from P to R, were cadastral projects. Cadastral projects are legal land registry modifications that allow property owners or developers to subdivide, merge or reconfigure lots before future construction or redevelopment can proceed.
In this case, the projects involve properties at 44 10th Avenue, 323-325 17th Avenue and 408-410-412 8th Avenue. These types of operations do not necessarily authorize new construction on their own. Rather, they establish or modify the legal boundaries of a property and ensure that municipal and provincial land records accurately reflect the intended use of the site. Cadastral operations are often a key step in residential development, as they can create new building lots, consolidate existing parcels, or reorganize a site to accommodate future homes and infrastructure. Their inclusion on the agenda suggests that redevelopment and infill projects continue to move forward in several established neighbourhoods across Deux-Montagnes as the city seeks to manage growth while maximizing the use of available residential lands
Senior scams
A representative from the Deux-Montagnes police department was present to warn residents about a recent rise in phishing and fraud calls targeting seniors. According to the officer, police have received between 50 and 75 reports in the past two weeks alone, highlighting just how common these scams have become.
The scams often begin with a phone call from someone pretending to be a family member or loved one in distress. In other cases, fraudsters pose as sympathetic individuals facing an urgent financial situation, hoping to gain the victim’s trust. Once a relationship has been established, the scammers will ask for money, credit card information, or other valuables. Some claim they need funds for gas, transportation, or emergency expenses, while others arrange for jewelry or cash to be picked up directly from the victim’s home.
Police reminded attendees that legitimate organizations and family members should never pressure someone to provide financial information over the phone. Residents were encouraged to verify the identity of callers, contact relatives directly to confirm any story they hear, and report suspicious calls to local authorities immediately. By remaining cautious and taking a few extra moments to verify information, seniors can significantly reduce their risk of becoming victims of fraud.
The need for pickleball in Deux-Montagnes
Resident Luc Bouchard, one of the 138 members of the pickleball association in Deux-Montagnes, asked Mayor Denis Martin for an update on the possibility of new pickleball courts. Bouchard said members of the association are pushing for more courts, arguing that the current facilities are no longer meeting the sport’s growing demand.
According to Bouchard, the area they use right now is too small and becomes uncomfortably hot during the summer. He also noted that higher fences are needed, as players regularly lose balls that end up outside the playing area.
Bouchard finished his remarks with a simple question for council:
“How much money do you have set aside for permanent pickleball courts in the 2027 budget?”
To the amusement of the audience, which included roughly 10 to 15 pickleball players, Martin responded by saying that the demand for more pickleball facilities is “very serious” to him.
The mayor went on to praise the social side of the sport and the sense of community it creates.
“The demand for pickleball is there, but we need more than a couple of months to make it happen in Deux-Montagnes,” said Mayor Martin.
While some people in attendance were not entirely satisfied with the answer, most seemed to understand the challenges involved. After a brief discussion among themselves, one woman pointed out that a single tennis court can often be converted into four pickleball courts.
The suggestion appeared to catch the mayor’s attention.
“I completely agree with that. It’s definitely something we can look into,” said Martin. “Give us at least two years. We’re seeing growth all across the North Shore, and we want to make sure we do it properly.”
Mayor Martin finished by saying that during the budget meeting in December, there will be a more concrete allocation for pickleball.
Halloween night
To close out the meeting, council approved a community-focused item under section 10.4 of the agenda concerning this year’s Halloween celebrations. The resolution authorizes the temporary closure of Lucien-Robillard Street on Oct. 31 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., allowing families and children to enjoy Halloween activities in a safer environment. The measure was one of several items under the Recreation and Community Development section and reflected the city’s continued efforts to support local events and neighbourhood gatherings.
