Mayor Thomas addresses ethics violations
In his opening remarks, Mayor Tim Thomas spoke of his notice to appear before the judicial division of the Commission municipale du Québec (CMQ). The citation states that the information gathered by the Direction des enquêtes et des poursuites en intégrité municipale (DEPIM) is likely to demonstrate that Mayor Thomas knowingly breached the city’s code of ethics pertaining to the use of municipal resources, including the improper personal use of a city-provided vehicle and a city credit card.
The mayor stated that both his opening statement at the council meeting and his Facebook post would be the last he had to say on the subject, as it was before a judicial process. He went on to say that, regarding the expenses incurred on the city’s credit card, his “were reasonable, appropriate, and in line with what had been done in Pointe-Claire and in other cities.”
Awarding of a contract for an ecosystemic study
Councillor Eric Stork addressed residents, talking about the positive step the city was taking in the creation of a biodiversity master plan that was part of a council resolution passed in November 2024.
That resolution addressed the future of greenspaces through the use of a consultative process that would include the public, acknowledging their “strong interest in preserving the limited forests, wetlands, and natural habitats that remain on the territory of Pointe-Claire.” The city would determine the measures allowable under Bill 39 to protect the ecological value of private greenspaces, the programs offered by higher levels of government to assist in their acquisition or protection, and how Bill 22 would determine the rights, procedures, and costs that would pertain to said greenspaces.
As the first step in this process, at the night’s meeting, council awarded a contract for the evaluation of the ecosystem services of natural infrastructures to Habitat for a total amount of $112,454.06, taxes included. The study will provide a preliminary assessment of the natural infrastructure on the territory, including wetlands, wooded areas, forest and non-forest environments, and waterways.
Pointe-Claire Honours Bill McMurchie
Council voted to honour the late William “Bill” McMurchie, former councillor and mayor of Pointe-Claire, by naming the pier at Edgewater Park the “William ‘Bill’ McMurchie Pier.” McMurchie passed away on Jan. 1st, 2025, and had been one of the longest-serving elected officials in the West Island, having devoted nearly 57 years to the City of Pointe-Claire.