The Aug. 17 Rosemère council meeting was nothing short of fireworks. Over the past month, residents have been compiling complaint after complaint in an effort to address the Hydro-Québec clearing project along Highway 640 that took place at the end of June. Concerns surrounding the scale of the tree removal, the amount of debris left behind, and the overall transformation of the landscape have continued to fuel frustration among many residents.
New Green Squad and daycare services
Council also tabled a new volunteer Green Squad initiative designed to encourage residents to become more active participants in keeping Rosemère clean and environmentally responsible. The program will focus on promoting composting, recycling, and waste reduction throughout the community while helping maintain public parks, schools, green spaces, and other common areas. The initiative forms part of the city’s broader effort to strengthen environmental awareness and community engagement. With sustainability becoming an increasingly important issue for municipalities across Quebec, the Green Squad aims to provide residents with practical tools and resources to make environmentally conscious choices.
“During concerts and the carnival, we put out recycling, compost and garbage bins out. Sometimes residents don’t know which is which so the Green Squad will help people differentiate what’s compostable and what’s garbage,” said councillor Sébastien Jacquet.
Another notable item on the agenda was a new agreement between the City of Rosemère and Prichindel Inc., better known as Garderie de Rosemère. Mayor Marie-Elaine Pitre and council approved a partnership that will prioritize local families by requiring that 50 per cent of available daycare spaces be reserved for children residing in Rosemère. The decision comes as many families continue to face challenges finding childcare within the municipality, with growing demand often resulting in local children competing for spaces with families from neighbouring communities.
The move reflects a growing concern about the future of childcare services in Rosemère. According to the 2021 Census, the town occupies just 10.68 square kilometres, leaving limited room for significant expansion as the population continues to grow. With only nine licensed daycares currently operating within municipal boundaries, pressure on childcare services is expected to increase in the coming years. By establishing a local enrollment requirement now, council hopes to ensure that Rosemère families maintain access to essential childcare services and are not gradually pushed out by increasing regional demand.
Despite these initiatives, the Hydro-Québec clearing project remained the issue that drew the most attention throughout the evening, with residents continuing to press for answers regarding the execution of the work and its lasting impact on the community.
Highway 640 tension
Residents Ryan Bujold and his wife, Rebecca Wright, remain at the forefront of efforts to have a sound barrier installed along Highway 640 and behind homes affected by highway noise. The couple has launched several petitions and fundraising campaigns in hopes of finding a long-term solution, but any significant progress will require support from Mayor Marie-Elaine Pitre and council.
During the meeting, Pitre explained that the city is exploring potential regulatory changes that would allow homeowners to build taller backyard fences. Under the proposal, the maximum allowable fence height could increase from six feet to nine feet in certain circumstances.
The proposal is tied to a broader review of the city’s urban planning regulations. As part of the Aug. 17 agenda, council mandated municipal administration to examine potential amendments concerning structures permitted near public rights-of-way and green spaces. While no bylaw changes have been adopted, the review could provide new options for residents living along Highway 640 who are seeking additional noise mitigation and privacy measures. Listed as item 5.3.10 on the agenda, the mandate focuses on reviewing regulations related to structures located adjacent to public corridors and green spaces, a category that could include fencing and other protective measures being requested by residents.
The idea was met with skepticism from Bujold, who questioned whether residents would be expected to shoulder the costs themselves. Pitre confirmed that homeowners would be responsible for the expense.
“This is a dossier that is extremely complex. It takes longer than a month to find a solution for this,” said Mayor Marie-Elaine Pitre. “If you have a nine-foot-tall fence instead of six, it will help the aesthetics as well as provide protection.”
Residents argued that while taller fences may provide a degree of visual shielding and privacy, they do little to address the underlying issue of traffic noise from Highway 640. For many homeowners, a dedicated sound barrier remains the preferred long-term solution. However, the reality of such a project is far more complicated.
According to Pitre, the stretch of Highway 640 affecting the neighbourhood spans approximately 1.2 kilometres. Based on a study conducted in the early 2020s, installing a sound barrier along the entire corridor would require a minimum investment of roughly $22 million. While the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable has indicated a willingness to contribute a portion of the funding, the municipality would still be left facing a bill of approximately $16 million.
Pitre noted that a similar proposal had been discussed in the past, with the remaining costs to be covered through a sector tax on the properties that would directly benefit from the barrier. The idea was ultimately rejected by residents, and any future plan would likely face the same challenge.
“It would come out to $16 million financed by 120 houses over 20 years. It’s substantial, it’s not a small annual fee,” said Pitre. “These decisions are far too important to be made on a whim. They must be thoroughly investigated before any action is taken.”
Nearly two months after the trees came down, many residents say they’re still looking for answers. Whether the solution ultimately comes in the form of taller fences, a sound barrier or something else entirely, council made it clear that no quick fix exists. For the homeowners living along Highway 640, the conversation is likely far from over.
