By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Despite a full agenda, it was the final minutes of Stanstead’s May 12 public council meeting that generated the most discussion, as concerns were raised about the impending closure of the local SAQ and the fate of the former Del Monty Hotel building.
The meeting, presided over by Mayor Jody Stone, saw four residents in attendance and touched on a variety of municipal matters from financial updates to fire hall construction. But it was during question period that emotions rose over the announced departure of the SAQ store and the long-standing vacancy of a prominent local building.
Fight to keep the SAQ
When asked if there was any movement on the SAQ file, Mayor Stone confirmed that while the options are limited, efforts are ongoing. “We’re trying as much as we can,” he said. “There’s a possibility that I’ll head to Quebec City to present the petition with one of the deputies that are directly involved.”
He acknowledged the frustration many feel, describing the decision-making process around the closure as “complicated,” given the SAQ’s unique status as a state-run yet commercially operating entity. “They haven’t proved to me that it’s not profitable,” Stone added, saying the data shared with council was outdated and inaccurate, including claims that Stanstead’s population was in decline and that people shopped in Orford—where no SAQ exists.
Stone stressed that council has pushed back on the SAQ’s rationale. “They said people go buy elsewhere, but those Inspire card tracking systems don’t work at agency stores like the one in Ayer’s Cliff,” he said. “They keep suggesting we go private and put one in a grocery store, but a year is a long time. People change habits, and when they go to Magog, they’ll do everything there, and we lose.”
He called the contradiction glaring: “On one side, the government funds us to build up services, and on the other, they’re taking away those very services.”
The closure is scheduled for June. Stone said he has asked the SAQ to delay until the end of summer. “I’m convinced the owner would be open to a few more months, but I’m not sure it’s on the table,” he concluded.
