Quebec village that sent legal notices to 97 residents had right to do so, says commission

The small town that hit 97 residents with legal notices earlier this year was within its rights, according to Quebec's municipal commission.

In January, Sainte-Pétronille, Que., east of Quebec City, came under fire from residents when the local paper and citizens received lawyer's letters after questioning the hiring of a new manager.

The municipality said it was trying to defend the reputation of its new general manager, Nathalie Paquet.

In a report released Friday, the commission said although citizens have the right to ask questions and disagree with the municipality, in some cases they went too far.

Residents had said they learned through an access-to-information request that Paquet had been accused of serious offences in her previous role in the municipality of Val-des-Lacs — located near Mont-Tremblant, Que.

Contrary to what has been shared about Paquet, the province's investigation says it has not brought to light any concerning information.

Nathalie Paquet, general manager of Sainte-Pétronille, Que., says she thought about leaving her job. (Érik Chouinard/Radio-Canada)

Paquet says she is happy the truth is out.

"It's a huge relief," she said. "I had thought about leaving. It was very emotionally difficult, it was difficult for my family, for my friends who tried to encourage me."

She hopes the climate will improve in town and that citizens will take the time to read the commission's report in full.

Although the number of formal notices sent to residents may "seem excessive," the investigation found the municipality had serious reason to believe that these individuals were in "possession of confidential and potentially prejudicial information relating to the general manager."

Notice to local paper 'likely to undermine press freedom'

On Dec. 11, Marc Cochrane, editor-in-chief of local paper Autour de L'Île, had attended a meeting in town with plans to report on a letter from residents demanding an investigation into Paquet.

A few days later, he was told the paper would be sued if it published the article.

The municipality told them it was unacceptable for the paper, which receives some funding from the village, to write articles that could be libellous to municipal employees.

The commission found that the municipality's attempt to prevent the paper from publishing a piece on the ordeal was "likely to undermine press freedom."

The town hall was packed with residents in Sainte-Pétronille when three city councillors resigned in April as tensions ran high in the small town. (Philippe L'Heureux/Radio-Canada)

The commission found that while this is not a "reprehensible act," it should be clear to journalists that public money does not "depend on their loyalty to their financial backer when it comes to issues of public interest."

"We feel that it was treading on a slippery slope," read the report.

The commission recommended adopting a media relations policy that clearly excludes any link between media coverage and financing or advertising. It also recommended that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs support the town in preparing its meetings and advising on its relations with citizens.

Responsibility to 'put an end to a real problem'

The report also outlines that the ordeal all started when the municipality refused to reimburse volunteers for their alcohol expenses at an annual dinner in 2023.

This "simple" decision by the municipality to manage public funds spiralled.

The report said other citizens then got involved and made inquiries about the general manager's past employment which led to a town manager at Val-des-Lacs sharing "sensitive and confidential information."

"It was then that a denigration campaign against the general manager began within the small community," read the report.

"There were strong words that were said," said Mayor Jean Côté. "We were accused of many things. We'll let it go, we won't forget."

Jean Côté, mayor of Sainte-Pétronille, says strong words were said in town. (Radio-Canada)

He says the situation in town is similar to trends in municipal politics which have sometimes pushed people to leave.

"Small municipalities are often targets because of proximity. Sainte-Pétronille is four kilometres squared so when I leave my house, I bump into someone," said Côté.

The commission found it's the municipality's responsibility to decide "what means should be put in place to put an end to a real problem."

"The municipality has a responsibility and even a legal obligation to guarantee its employees a working climate free from harassment," read the report.

"It is of course possible, in retrospect, to criticize the position taken by the municipality and to identify alternative measures that might have been better suited."