Villa Châteauneuf: mayor responds to formal notice
The Town of Sutton received a formal notice on February 12 asking the mayor to cease all public communication about Villa Châteauneuf inc. and accusing him of defamatory remarks that led to the departure of La Passerelle organization. Mayor Robert Benoît responded publicly to these statements at the March 4 municipal council meeting.
In the interests of transparency, the mayor read out the letter drafted and sent that same day by his lawyers in response to the various points raised in the formal notice.
Here is a summary of the answers:
- The Town considers that the request to cease all communication is incompatible with the freedom of expression guaranteed by the charters of rights and freedoms. The mayor acted within the scope of his duties by expressing himself on a matter of public interest of importance to the community.
- While the formal notice also criticized the mayor for comments deemed defamatory, the Town considers his interventions to be part of the normal framework of public debate. In particular, the mayor reiterated his opinion that any future donation of the property and its use should give priority to local organizations, recalling that the property had been bequeathed historically by Mr. Eugene Dyer for the benefit of Sutton’s French- and English-speaking community.
- The Town also points out that the situation surrounding the Villa Châteauneuf property is currently the subject of litigation. The diocese of Saint-Hyacinthe is contesting the ownership of the building and the legitimacy of the organization’s administration.
- In this context, the Town believes that it is normal and prudent for these elements to be taken into account in municipal decisions, particularly with regard to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. The Town recalls that it had warned the organization that it would seek legal advice before ruling on the certificate application, in view of the existing dispute. Instead, Villa Châteauneuf chose to file a lawsuit rather than wait for the outcome, which prolonged the process.
- Finally, the Town rejects the claim that its actions caused the departure of La Passerelle. Instead, public information indicates that this departure was mainly due to a lack of manpower. This situation confirms the concerns expressed about the appropriate supervision of people in a state of dependency. The mayor has also repeatedly offered to meet with representatives of La Passerelle and Villa Châteauneuf, to no avail.
In conclusion, the mayor’s freedom of speech on matters of public interest is an essential tool for the proper exercise of his duties. The mayor’s right to speak out cannot be restricted without negative consequences for the vitality of municipal democracy.
To listen to the mayor’s speech in the recording of the March 4 council meeting