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Municipality / Elected Officials / Mayor’s Report

Mayor's report of the highlights of the 2021 financial report and the independent auditor’s report

In accordance with the provisions of Section 176.2.2 of the Quebec Municipal Code, at this regular meeting of Council held on July 4, 2022, I am pleased to present to the citizens of La Pêche the highlights of the financial report and the external auditor's report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021, as audited by Samson & Associates, CPA/Consultation Inc. They are of the opinion that the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Municipality.

Fiscal year 2021 resulted in an operating surplus for the year of $199,570, resulting from revenues of $17,478,243, compared to expenses and appropriations of $17,278,673, as audited by the external auditor, resulting in an unallocated surplus of $1,057,334 as at December 31, 2021. A portion of this surplus has been allocated for the 2022 fiscal year and a balance of $719,213 remains available.

2021 Accomplishments

Of the total operating expenses of over $17 million, just under $13.67 million is comprised of the following fees and obligations:

  • MRC shares: $4.06 M
  • Residual materials management contract: $1.02 M
  • Snow removal contract: $1.59 M
  • Contributions to various organizations: $618,000
  • Debt management: $1.26 M
  • Salaries including payroll taxes: $5.12 M

Although the pandemic disrupted municipal activities and the progress of certain projects, the municipal team was still able to make significant investments in its infrastructure and equipment, in addition to making great strides in achieving the objectives identified in the 2019-2023 municipal strategic plan. Investment charges of $3.98 M were incurred during the 2021 fiscal year, including $3.41 M for road work. The municipality has also received confirmation of over $1.5 M in non-recurring grants, notably for the replacement of 2 large culverts and for the construction of a multi-sports surface.

On the public works side, road work was done on Clark, des Érables, Kennedy, Parent and Shouldice roads, as well as stabilization work on various roads; more than 50 culverts were replaced, and public lighting was modernized (Phase 1).

The Fire, Civil Security and First Responders Department acquired two F-250 trucks to respond to fire calls and first responder services.

At the administrative level, the delivery of services was again carried out in the context of the pandemic. Computer equipment has been acquired to allow telecommuting and the deployment of online solutions and services. The signing of the new 2019-2024 collective agreement took place in August 2021, following council's adoption of the new organizational plan for the Municipality of La Pêche.

Council also awarded the professional services mandates for the future city hall, which will be located at the intersection of route Principale East and Chemin de la Beurrerie.

In connection with the Finance department, note the establishment of a fund reserved for the management of residual materials and the filing of the 2022-2023-2024 assessment role. We should also mention the expenses related to the 2021 municipal elections, including the first election by universal suffrage of the MRC's Prefect.

The Recreation, Culture and Community Life Department completed a process that led to the adoption of the Parks and Green Space Master Plan. Council also authorized the completion of the revitalization of parc Monette (Duclos), the installation of the new playground module at parc de la Rivière, the acquisition of a Pumptrack, as well as the organization of a volunteer recognition event.

In terms of support provided to recognized organizations and associations, the municipality granted $319,000 in 2021 to community projects and initiatives, in addition to the administrative and operational support provided by the various municipal departments.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the work of all the volunteers active in our community who are committed to its well-being and prosperity. I congratulate you on your ability to adapt and meet the challenges presented by the pandemic. Whether you are a volunteer in a community, sports, arts, cultural, environmental, or other association, whether you are involved with youth, seniors, people with intellectual disabilities or members of our community in need, whether you do it online or on the ground, on behalf of the municipal council and all citizens, I thank you for your commitment. The work you do is invaluable.

In conclusion, according to the financial profile published on the website of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the total net long-term debt ratio per $100 of standardized property value is $0.76, compared to the average ratio for all municipalities in the MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais of $1.57, and that of the province of Quebec of $2.19.

The financial report at December 31, 2021 shows that the municipality is in an excellent financial situation. The financial report can be consulted on the municipality's website at www.villelapeche.qc.ca/fr/services-municipaux/finances-et-taxation/documents-rapports/.

Mayor Guillaume Lamoureux



Mayor Guillaume Lamoureux presented the highlights of the 2019 financial report and the external auditor’s report at the Municipal Council meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. Here are his remarks in full.

In accordance with the provisions of Article 176.2.2 of the Municipal Code of Québec, at this regular meeting of Municipal Council today, September 8, 2020, it is my pleasure to share with the residents of La Pêche the highlights of the financial report and the external auditor’s report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019, as audited by the chartered professional accountants at Dignard Ethier CPA Inc. They are of the opinion that the financial statements accurately reflect the financial position of the Municipality in all pertinent respects.

Fiscal Year 2019 closed with a surplus of $778,374 for the reporting period, based on revenue of $15,568,784 and expenses and capital reserves of $14,790,410, as confirmed by the external auditor. A portion of the surplus was appropriated for FY 2020 and a balance of $428,374 remains to be allocated.

Achievements in 2020 

Out of total expenses of more than $15 million, road improvements accounted for $1,215,000 and non-negotiable obligations and shares accounted for just under $10.5 million:

  • MRC share including public safety: $3.69 million
  • Waste management: $1.51 million
  • Debt management: $1.05 million
  • Wages including benefits: $4.24 million

In 2019, the Municipality acquired and furnished a mobile unit to temporarily expand City Hall. We replaced more than 20 computers, bought a large-format printer, and installed a projector in the meeting room of the Ella-Matte Library.

Road improvements were made to des Amoureux, Batteuse, Bernier, des Érables, Gauvin, Kallala, Kennedy, du Lac-Bernard, Mahon Nord, Mahon Sud, MacLaren, McCrank, Parent, Pritchard, Riverside (completed in 2020) and Sincennes. We also bought equipment for Public Works, such as a heated asphalt hopper, a ten-wheeler truck, a road roller, and a rammer.

Council has acted on the 2018 recommendations of the external auditor and adopted a fixed-asset capitalization and depreciation policy as well as a policy for using monies from the local repair and maintenance fund for public roads carrying traffic from stone quarry and sandpit operations. The policy is designed to ensure that money from the stone quarries and sandpits in the municipality is used to repair the damage they cause to municipal roads.

The fire department received a provincial grant to buy an all-terrain vehicle and off-road rescue equipment. The fire department also got nine sets of turnout gear, a thermal imaging camera, and a turnout gear extractor washer.

Recreation, Culture, and Community Living took over a lot to expand Parc des Fondateurs. The Duclos Community Centre was demolished and a public meeting was held to plan the park’s future. Upgrades to all parks with playground structures began in 2019 and are still underway. Note that the Municipality took over management of the Sports Complex in September 2019, having acquired it in 2018.

The Municipality of La Pêche is proud to support the volunteers, organizations, and groups of residents who generously work to make our community stronger and improve people’s lives. In 2019 the Municipality invested over $250,000 to support community projects and initiatives, over and above the organizational and operational support provided by municipal departments. I’d like take the opportunity here to salute the hard work of all the busy volunteers in our community and their dedication to the well-being and prosperity of La Pêche. Whether you volunteer with a community, sports, artistic, cultural, environmental, or other organization, whether you’re involved with youth, older people, people with intellectual disabilities, or members of our community in need, whether you’re active online or in the field: I want to say thank you on behalf of Council and all the residents of La Pêche for doing what you do. Your work is truly invaluable.

A look at the financial profile published on the website of Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’habitation shows our total net long-term debt to equity ratio per $100 of standardized property wealth as $0.37, compared to an average of $1.33 for the municipalities of MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais and $2.17 for the province’s municipalities overall. So the financial report for December 31, 2019, shows that the Municipality is in good financial shape.

Guillaume Lamoureux,
Mayor