Municipal Politics Are Everyone’s Business
International, federal, and provincial politics grab the biggest headlines — but it’s at the municipal level where government most directly impacts our daily lives. From the roads we travel on to the safety of our neighborhoods, from garbage collection to zoning regulations, local decisions affect the quality of our lives every day.
Our town councils and mayors make critical choices that shape how our communities function and what they look like. Their decisions influence essential services such as:
- Firefighting and infrastructure maintenance
- Property taxes
- Development and zoning
- Public security
- Environmental protections
- The quality of our drinking water
A well-run municipal government fosters growth and improves quality of life. But poor governance can lead to injustice, costly inefficiencies, and a toxic civic environment.
Your Vote Matters
Voters in all five municipalities in Tempo’s distribution area — Town of Brome Lake, West Bolton, East Bolton, St. Étienne, and Brome — will go to the polls this November to elect new town councils.
Every vote carries significant weight and can influence the direction of policy and priorities in your town.
Tempo Wants to Hear From You
What are the top priority issues that candidates should address ahead of the November vote?
- What improvements would you like to see in your town?
- What’s working well — and what isn’t?
- What should your local municipality do to safeguard and improve quality of life in your community?
Are your top concerns:
- Better planning?
- Stricter zoning to prevent unsightly development?
- Speeding on our roads?
- Improved sports programs?
- More effective waste pickup?
📧 Send us your thoughts!
Email your priority list to production@tempolacbrome.org
(Max 300 words — subject line: Election priorities)
Tempo’s Priorities Heading into the Election
Here’s what Tempo sees as urgent priorities for local governments:
1. Protect Our Community Character
Urgently develop and enact a comprehensive set of bylaws that safeguard the historic and aesthetic identity of our towns. Promote development of attractive, quality buildings that offer affordable housing options for residents of all ages.
Brome Lake’s unique charm is one of its greatest assets. Poorly planned development — along Knowlton Rd., Mill Rd., and elsewhere — is undermining that charm while failing to address real housing needs.
2. Improve Road Safety
Speeding is out of control. The Sûreté du Québec’s policing presence is barely felt, despite the high cost of services paid by our towns. While the SQ and the provincial government bear responsibility, our municipal councils must take proactive steps:
- Continue advocating for better police service
- Enforce lower speed limits
- Install clearer signage and traffic calming measures
3. Protect Our Lake and Waterways
Environmental protection must be central to all development planning. We need:
- Better access to and protection of Mill Pond, Coldbrook, and other waterways
- Stricter controls on road salt, pesticides, and herbicides that pollute our lakes and rivers
- Long-term watershed preservation strategies
We’re fortunate to live in communities where municipal leaders have already taken steps to enhance local life. But there’s still much to improve.
Let us know what you think — your voice matters.
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