Bois-de-Boulogne building under debate

During the Sept. 4 borough council meeting, Mayor Marie-Andrée Beaudoin underlined numerous problems affecting the building that currently houses the general direction of culture, sports, and social development departments. Roof and foundation problems, difficulty with accessibility, and the presence of asbestos were all issues Beaudoin cited as reasons for the move.

These problems were disclosed to council following a report in June, which came after the borough put out a call for tenders for the move. For the time being, the report has not been made public.

Bordeaux-Cartierville councilor and leader of the official opposition, Noushig Eloyan, however, questions certain points Beaudoin noted.

"The city’s building service did not know about this report and does not have the same concerns the mayor does about the asbestos," said Eloyan.

According to Eloyan, problems of such a degree should have been noted long before this past spring. "The mayor is the person who re-signed the lease at the end of 2005. How is it, if there were so many problems, no one knew about them then? “Eloyan asked.

As for the problems with the roof, she remembers a contract for repairs was signed a while ago. "But the mayor broke the contract for the repairs at the end of last winter, even though this resulted in a $25,000 penalty. If you take that into consideration, it looks like the decision to move had already been made," Eloyan said.

Beaudoin refused to comment on the situation, adding she will not answer anymore questions on the move, because she considers it a closed case.

Translated by Elyse Amend