Beaconsfield increasing its lawsuit against Montreal and Quebec government

The West Island municipality is now suing for $6 Million in what the mayor claims are taxes overpaid to Montreal for shared public services.

Beaconsfield Mayor Georges Bourelle is upping the ante against the City of Montreal and the Quebec government.

The West Island municipality is increasing its lawsuit by $2 million, bringing it to $6 million.

The mayor argues that’s the amount that Montreal has overcharged Beaconsfield for shared public services, like public transit, police and fire fighting.

“Let me tell you that we’ve done our homework,” Bourelle told Global News.

The 15 demerged municipalities on the island have been trying to renegotiate a deal with Montreal for years over how to pay for shared common services.

Each city and town is billed annually for their share but the amount paid to Montreal is based on property values. The mayors of the demerged cities argue this is unfair, wanting the formula based on the quantity of public services rendered to each municipality.

A recent Quebec government ministerial order almost precludes a change from happening.

Bourelle contends that a home owner in one of the demerged municipalities pays 62 per cent more for the same services as a home owner living in Montreal.