The Union of Quebec Municipalities (UMQ) has voiced its opposition to the tabling of Bill 40, An Act to amend mainly the Education Act with regard to school organization and governance, which directly affects the tax field of municipalities and constitutes a disguised expropriation. Calling for an open dialogue based on respect for the division of powers between Quebec and local governments, the UMQ considers the provision that would force municipalities to cede land to new school service centres without compensation unacceptable. According to the UMQ, the Government of Quebec’s approach is unacceptable, both in the way the expropriation amendment was added to the bill in catimini (discreetly) without prior discussion with the municipalities, and in the powers that the Minister of Education and Higher Education has granted himself to force municipalities to transfer land to school service centres free of charge. See full story and more reactions to Bill 40 in the Wednesday, Feb. 12 edition of The Record.
Bill 40 reactions: Municipal land and school service centres
Record Staff
