Beaconsfield to appeal Montreal budget

Tempers flared at a council meeting in Beaconsfield Tuesday night as residents vented their frustrations over recent tax increases.

Some people say they're paying up to 32 per cent more than last year.

Beaconsfield's town council voted to appeal Montreal's agglomeration budget to the province's municipal affairs minister.

Claudia Harrison, 78, says many of her contemporaries are upset.

"We are all seniors, more or less on a fixed income," the widow said. "They want seniors to stay in their homes as long as possible. I've been there 41 years, I would like to stay as long as possible. But this is making it almost impossible."

If Minister of Municipal Affairs and Regions Nathalie Normandeau decides the residents are being unfairly taxed, Montreal could be forced to draw up a new budget.

'I can't tell you not to pay'

Meanwhile, many want Beaconsfield officials to lift the burden immediately. They want council to pass a resolution allowing residents not to pay the tax increase until a better solution is found.

Beaconsfield Mayor Bob Benedetti says his hands are tied.

"We can't tell you not to pay your taxes, not to pay the increase until you find a solution. That's your taxes. I can't tell you not to pay that," Benedetti said Tuesday night.

Benedetti promised to ask the province to review the increase.

Demerged cities feel duped

He and mayors from 14 other demerged cities say Montreal is illegally passing on more than $22 million in costs to residents.

"[The costs are related to] anything ranging from huge administrative costs for legal and finance, down to a paving of a street in Park Extension," Benedetti said.

• RELATED STORY: Demerged cities say Montreal cheated them

If the province sides with the demerged cities, Montreal will have to draw up a new budget, Benedetti said. He warns if the province doesn't agree with the mayors' appeals, legal action might be taken.