The City of Vaudreuil-Dorion launches the third edition of its participatory budget, inviting citizens to submit a project they would like to see realized. A youth component has been added to the formula this year, allowing residents aged 12 to 17 to submit their ideas. The project submission period runs from July 17 to September 22.

In 2023, the City of Vaudreuil-Dorion continues to promote a culture of public participation, as stipulated in aspiration 5 of the 2020-2025 strategic plan Inhabited by my city.

A $100,000 budget

The third edition of the participatory budget includes a general component of $65,000, with the addition of a youth component for which the budget envelope has been set at $10,000.

The $25,000 Ecoprojects Community Fund will take place again next spring. This fund is dedicated to environmental projects.

A total budget of $100,000 has been allocated to citizen participation.

"The participatory budget is a great initiative that allows citizens to familiarize themselves with the budgetary process. The citizen submits a project, and the city carries it out. The result is active collaboration between the citizens and the departments involved.

"For the third edition, we wanted to add a youth component to allow 12 to 17 year-olds to have their say. I therefore encourage our citizens to participate in large numbers and to seize this opportunity to see the realization of a project that is dear to their hearts," declared Mayor Guy Pilon.

Eligibility criteria

Any Vaudreuil-Dorion resident aged 18 and over may submit a project, alone or as part of a team. Participation is on a personal, non-professional basis.

Associations and corporations cannot take part in this process, as they have access to City subsidy programs. However, a citizen may submit a project and receive support from an organization or institution.

The youth section is open to all Vaudreuil-Dorion residents between the ages of 12 and 17, accompanied by an adult countersigning the form and supporting documents.

Eligibility criteria, rules and participation form are available on the City's website under the tab La Ville / Information / Participation citoyenne.

The project submission period runs from July 17 to September 22. Selected projects will be put to the vote from October 30 to November 17.

Object Library in 2022

During the 2022 participatory budget, nine citizen project proposals were submitted. Citizens voted 40.4% in favor of the Object Library at the Municipal Library. This project was submitted by citizens Karine La Flèche and Stephanie Dornenberg.

City staff have been working with the project initiators over the past few months to define the types of objects that can be included in the first phase of the project.

The items that can be borrowed by users have been classified by theme: science, sports, parties, household items, small tools, toys, outdoors, certain kitchen items, family, technology, stimulation kits (for people with special needs such as ASD, anxiety, certain visual or motor problems).

At a later date, some musical instruments will be added to the collection. The Object Library is scheduled to open in September, in the Municipal library at 51, rue Jeannotte.

Coordination committee

The coordinating committee is made up of representatives from the following departments: communications, finance and treasury, recreation and culture, planning, engineering and environment, and an elected municipal official.

This committee analyzes the admissibility of the projects according to the eligibility criteria, and selects the projects that will be submitted to the citizens' vote.

The winning project will be announced at the special budget meeting on December 11, 2023. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].