Saint Lazare Councillor Brian Trainor insinuated that a former municipal councillor is intentionally spreading misinformation about the town on social media.

Trainor made his remarks during the start of monthly council meeting on August 8. While he did not name the councillor, he confirmed to Néomédia that he was referring to Marc-André Esculier.

Esculier addressed council during question period at the council meeting on July 11 to complain about the town's decision to cancel this year's Fête National and Canada Day celebrations, the upcoming Festi-Ouest and other issues.

"While I completely support the right of everybody in the town to express their opinions and views and to present their ideas, what I have a problem with is when those opinions and views are not based on facts," said Trainor.

"It's unfortunate he's not here tonight because I would like to know where he got his information from," he said. Trainor added he would have addressed his remarks directly to Esculier, but the former councillor wasn't at the meeting.

Trainor added Esculier has been a circulating a petition in the past month and spreading misinformation about the town regarding other issues on a social media platform. 

"On a weekly basis, they ridicule and tear down the town. They attack the council, the administration and basically make fun of Saint Lazare. This is the forum he uses to get out his misinformation," said Trainor. 

When Esculier was contacted for a comment about the statements made by Trainor, Esculier said was unable to attend the session otherwise he would have responded to everything that was said about him.

Esculier added he will be at the next council meeting in September to reply directly to every statement made by Trainor.