Number mishmash

After announcing an annual increase of $395,000 in rent, Mayor Marie-Andrée Beaudoin sent out a pamphlet to residents, claiming the move will instead represent $1.7 million in savings over 15 years. For her, the fact the new lease includes all maintenance fees allows for these savings.

These numbers, however, do not convince Noushig Eloyan, leader of the opposition.

"At first the mayor was talking about a raise in rent, and now a reduction. It doesn’t make sense. It seems bizarre to me that she re-did her calculations after Mayor Tremblay announced he would not give another penny to the borough," she said.

Eloyan pointed out the buildings currently housing the borough’s offices belong to the City of Montreal. "Right now, the money comes out of the taxpayer’s right pocket, only to go back into his left one, since the rent paid goes back to the city. On Chabanel, the millions of dollars in rent go to the private sector," Eloyan explained.

Beaudoin, who has decided not to give any more interviews on the move, did not comment.



Translated by Elyse Amend