Mont-Tremblant Has Officially Abolished Its Police Force
The municipalities of Mont-Tremblant and Lac-Tremblant-Nord have officially abolished their police force and will rely on the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) for local policing, a press release has confirmed.
The announcement comes in the wake of calls from Mont-Tremblant's mayor, Luc Brisebois, to dissolve the police force in Mont-Tremblant after a prolonged and bitter labour dispute between town officials and local police.
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The past year has not been easy, but it is a decision that was important to our communities.
Kim Meyer, mayor of Lac-Tremblant-Nord
According to CBC News, Brisebois stated that tensions between the police force and local officials were "unbearable."
He's also quoted as saying he "fears for the safety" of Mont-Tremblant's citizens.
Quebec's deputy premier and minister of public security, Geneviève Guilbault, authorized the abolition of the police force on February 2.
"I am very relieved to finally be able to turn the page on the climate of uncertainty caused by waiting for this ministerial decision," Brisebois said in a written statement.
Section 72 of Quebec's Police Act states that municipalities with populations of 50,000 inhabitants or less may opt to be served by the SQ rather than local police.
Mont-Tremblant has reportedly been requesting the change since 2017.
A press release from Ville de Mont-Tremblant states that the change will save $2 million per year. It also says the abolition will not result in any job losses.
The SQ provides front-line police services in 18 municipalities across the province.