Construction site at 150 and 170 chemin Desmarais — According to La Presse, this project received $8.5M in loans from Investissement Québec. In the foreground (No. 170), the Ville authorized a “2.0-storey” building (48 ft height) with a “Renovation” permit in July 2026 despite its unfinished foundation. In the background (No. 150), the wood-clad structure is also classified as “2.0 storeys.” (Photo: Martin Tremblay, La Presse)
In brief: Mayor Pascal De Bellefeuille’s administration is using two external law firms rather than answering citizens’ questions on major development projects.
Why it matters: One firm issued a formal refusal, while the other indicated that the Ville would no longer respond to any similar correspondence—an approach that, in our view, aims to block citizen initiatives and evade municipal accountability.
A recurring pattern of institutional silence:
Habitat Mont-Tremblant Project: On June 12, in response to our questions about lobbying roles and a last-minute amendment, the law firm PFD Avocats sent a two-page letter of refusal.
Pura Vida Project: After analyzing 10 permits for 150 and 170 chemin Desmarais, we requested clarification regarding unpermitted work and exceeding the 36-month deadline. On October 7, Dunton Rainville replied with a 3-page letter refusing to answer, asserting that the Ville has no obligation to inform citizens or act as an urban planning advisor, while raising the possibility of characterizing our access-to-information requests as “abusive.”
Promise vs. reality: Yet the mayor had promised “Transparency and proximity […] through consultations on every issue” with a focus on “collaborative work.” Paying external legal counsel to refuse to answer citizens directly contradicts this commitment.
Between the lines: Funding legal refusal letters sends a clear message to residents: don’t ask questions. Les Amis invite Mayor Pascal De Bellefeuille to abandon this avoidance strategy and restore a direct, open dialogue with the community.
What should happen next: Specifically on the Pura Vida project at 170 chemin Desmarais — where the Ville authorized a height of 48 feet in a “2.0-storey” zone — we urge the Ville to refuse any permit extensions until the project is resubmitted to respect the spirit of the by-law (2 storeys plus basement), ensuring past planning mistakes are not repeated.
About Les Amis de Mont-Tremblant
Our mandate is to ensure the harmonious real estate development of the region while maintaining transparency and community acceptability.