Unless there is a change of course, Rigaud residents will no longer have access to facilities at École primaire de l'Épervière after the Centre de services scolaires des Trois-Lacs (CSSTL) unilaterally terminated the memorandum of understanding between the two parties.

In a communication sent to the Ville de Rigaud, CSSTL director general Chantal Beausoleil implied that the memorandum of understanding had been terminated and that, as a result, the Ville would no longer be able to use the school premises for sports, community or cultural activities outside school hours. 

This decision, deemed unacceptable, probably stems from the fact that a formal notice had been filed by the Town against the CSSTL, demanding repayment of a $5,000 subsidy; a subsidy in no way linked to the memorandum of understanding.

According to the Town Clerk and Director of Clerk's Office and Legal Affairs for the Town of Rigaud, Me Kim Parent, the subsidy, which had been granted as part of a project to develop an outdoor courtyard, would have been used for other purposes, despite having been declared to the Ministry of Education for the schoolyard beautification project. Hence the request for reimbursement.

What's more, the Town would not be mentioned in any way as a sponsor of the outdoor classroom project. 

“This sum was used to compensate for the fact that the Town uses, rents the premises for leisure activities. However, the Town has a memorandum of understanding with the Centre de services scolaires in which it is stated that we do not have to pay any rental fees, but rather pay a subsidy of $5,000. The Town assumes other responsibilities, such as mowing the school's lawn,” explains the principal.

Following the filing of the formal notice to demand reimbursement, the CSSTL sent a communication to the Town announcing the end of the memorandum of understanding. 

What's more, the City considers the unilateral decision taken by the General Manager of the CSSTL to be unfounded and contrary to the functions of school service centers, the orientations of the CSSTL Board of Directors and the missions and orientations of Quebec schools adopted by the Minister. 

On April 2, a request for an order was submitted to the Ministère de l'Éducation and to the MNA for Soulanges, Marilyne Picard, asking the Minister of Education to request a report on the means used by the CSSTL to promote the use of its premises by the municipality, and to order access to said premises by the City.

When questioned on the subject, the CSSTL preferred not to comment on the matter, as discussions were underway. 

For its part, the Ville de Rigaud will submit a new request for an ordinance to the Ministère de l'Éducation and to the MNA for Soulanges, Marilyne Picard.