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It has already been two years since the last municipal elections, which means it’s time to review our performance. What sort of progress has the municipal sector made? What future successes are in the works? Have municipalities moved forward or backward?

Let’s see how our report card looks.

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Looking back to 2013, there was plenty to do. The vision and proposals in the UQM Municipal White Paper were gaining widespread support and raising hopes to a new high. The municipal sector embarked on the task ahead in a spirit of unity and solidarity.

The white paper and the position assumed by the municipal sector persuaded newly elected Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard that the time had come to recognize municipalities as local governments and to deal with them as equals. His declaration to that effect during his inaugural address in May 2014 marked a decisive turning point for municipal democracy — at least in words.