THE ACTION CIVIQUE PARTY

The Action civique party was formed in 2005 in order to offer citizens of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu an alternative to the single party City Council, working without opposition. November 6, 2005, Action civique faced its first election with courage and determination. Three of four candidates were elected (Jean Lamoureux, Jean Fontaine, Robert Cantin), and the fourth lost by only a few votes (Claire Charbonneau).

Change was signalled to begin. Over the last four years, the Councillors of Action civique worked on different influential committees of the city’s administration (Finance, Public Works, Urbanism, Environment and Strategic Planning). With rigour and relevant ideas, they succeeded in exhilarating progress on certain issues, having a positive influence on City Council’s decisions and further, sparking clear and open debates.

Action civique has grown. The party is presenting worthy candidates in all wards and a competent candidate for the position of Mayor. Councillors Gaétan Gagnon, Robert Cantin and Jean Fontaine are representing themselves in their wards. Jean Lamoureux – first to receive a masters from the ENAP, the school for public administration – is ready to take on the challenge of the Mayor’s Office.

Today, Action civique presents a qualified team of six women and seven men, ready to properly answer to municipal issues and to the needs of the population. Action civique offers citizens of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu an exceptional team to serve them with heart and wisdom.

Let’s decide together to change our city. November 1st, offer yourself a new City Council and a new Mayor, the Action civique party and Jean Lamoureux.

Action civique’s Program. A necessary change in governance.

1 – A well-run City

• Limit the debt increase for generations to come
• Prioritize necessary and heavily funded projects
• Impose new and rigorous administrative rules to avoid going above cost
• Attribute infrastructure costs fairly between the City’s wards
• Appoint a Grants Officer to take advantage of all government contributions – both provincial and federal
• Efficiently maintain all of the City’s streets in order to stabilize investment costs for rebuilding roads
• Plan the City’s immobilization in order to respond to indispensable projects

2 – A green, welcoming and eco-friendly City

• Launch a Tree Policy to embellish commercial and industrial sectors for them to better coexist with residential areas
• Plant trees on highway ramps to improve road safety
• Favour the emergence of “green neighbourhoods” for residential building in all wards
• Highlight the Richelieu River for it to become a profitable tourist attraction for the City as well as an appealing area for citizens
• Support the execution of plans for the conservation of natural areas
• Offer incentives for renovations and organise contests for the embellishment of properties

3 – A City that values economic and cultural development

• Create a commission for the downtown’s commercial development
• Endorse the creation of a high-tech centre at the airport
• Expand the industrial park in Iberville, near Highway 35
• Develop both commercial and industrial local employment
• Support artists in the presentation of their work
• Encourage artists by supporting cultural events

4 – A City with improved transportation

• Synchronise bus schedules in their different circuits
• Study the feasibility of a commuter train in collaboration with other levels of government
• Connect and develop bike baths in all the City wards
• Begin the extension of bike paths on viaducts for improved safety
• Build bypass roads for heavy transportation

5 – A welcoming City for families

• Offer a discount for City-run activities to families that register more than one child, even if children are registered in different activities
• Favour the implementation of cooperative housing in certain neighbourhoods
• Identify parking for strollers and hybrid vehicles
• Create transitional social housing for exceptional circumstances
• Encourage the arrival of immigrants in partnership with different organisations

6 – A City in direct communication with its citizens

• Consult and inform citizens before the implementation of projects that concern them directly
• Inform citizens of progress on different projects
• Be available to the different possibilities for consultation
• Hold “Citizen Days” at City Hall to allow voters to meet Councillors, and to present their projects and communicate their needs

7 – A City of neighbourhoods filled with vitality

• Launch a new program “My Home, My Neighbourhood” to establish special projects for community development in neighbourhoods; the projects will be submitted by citizens and will address intergenerational, collective or youth issues
• Encourage neighbourhood vitality by supporting the organisation and implementation of activities in collaboration with the City’s recreational services
• Increase surveillance and security in all neighbourhoods by increasing visibility of police and organising public awareness days in schools on police work.

8 – A City open to youth civic participation

• Support partners’ interventions for youth to stay in school
• Encourage interventions and support initiatives of social workers and youth squads in all areas
• Organize “Mayor for day”
• Hold a “Doors Open” day for youth at the Mayor’s Office and at City Services; support simulation activities of a “Youth City Council”

9 – A City that meets citizens’ expectations for governance

• Develop an effective Code of Ethics for Councillors in order for contract allocation to be free of conflicts of interest and favouritism
• Prepare and establish serious consequences for Code of Ethics offenders
• Encourage and support persons that report offences to the Code of Ethics

Jean Lamoureux

Jean Lamoureux has been married to Diane Boisvert for nearly 35 years and is father to two children, Marie and René. He has extensive experience in municipal politics, having participated in six municipal elections between 1986 and 2005, either as an organiser or a candidate. Thus, Mr. Lamoureux and his team wish that the present election campaign be an open platform that encourages interesting and relevant debates. Such a campaign will be beneficial to all citizens.

Experience:

• As a councillor for two mandates, Mr. Lamoureux has worked on many committees

1. Environment
2. Signage
3. Public Security
4. Computer Science
5. Airport
6. Economic Council
7. Fusion
8. Finance
9. Retirement
10. Insurance
11. Development society of the Montérégie
12. Delegate on the Villes d’agglomération committee
13. Villes et villages en Santé committee
14. Haut-Richelieu museum committee

• Participation in six elections from 1986 to 2005
• Teacher at Marcel-Landry high school from 1970 to 1981
• Teacher at Ch. Armand-Racicot high school from 1981 to 2005

Education:

• B.A. in Geography, Université de Montréal
• Major in Economics, Hautes études commerciales (HEC)
• Masters in Public Administration, option in Municipal Management, ENAP (École nationale d’administration public, affiliated with UQÀM)

Community Involvement:

• Community recreation, hockey, student council, prom, young enterprises, Canadian Cancer Society, Jeux du Québec, coordinator of the Pavillon Dextraze during the ice storm, Special Olympics