On Tuesday, while at the National Assembly, Vaudreuil-Dorion mayor Guy Pilon took part in a press conference organized by Vaudreuil MNA Marie-Claude Nichols, which was also attended by Mathieu Miljours, general manager of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

This media event was in connection with the submission of the petition initiated by the Mères au Front organization and sponsored by the Vaudreuil MNA.

The petition, signed by 2,362 people, calls on the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux to build a multi-level or underground parking garage rather than a surface parking lot for the Vaudreuil-Soulanges hospital center, as originally planned.

Mayor Guy Pilon took the opportunity to reiterate the Ville de Vaudreuil-Dorion's determination to ensure that the commitments made by the government are respected.

"On behalf of the people of Vaudreuil-Soulanges, I call on the government to keep its word on the parking lot for the future Vaudreuil-Soulanges hospital... It's not only a question of public health, but also of showing the same environmental consistency as the City of Vaudreuil-Dorion and the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM)" he replied in his outspoken way during the question period that followed the press conference. 

According to Mr. Pilon, the government justifies its decision to abandon underground or multi-level parking as a means of reducing project costs. However, construction of the hospital center represents a $2.595 billion investment, and parking would entail an approximate 3% increase in the planned budget.

"We know that multi-level or underground parking is more expensive. Yet that's the choice the city made for the construction of its municipal hub, in compliance with its bylaws and to respect best practices in sustainable development."

"This requirement also applies to all new construction of multi-dwelling buildings in Vaudreuil-Dorion. At the time of issuing the permits, the government had committed to developing scenarios for creating a parking deck. This about-face is incomprehensible and unacceptable. There is still time to act, and we call on the government to respect its commitment," declared Mayor Guy Pilon.

The city believes that, far from delaying construction or compromising the project, underground parking would avoid the creation of one of the region's largest heat islands, and would allow the freed-up spaces to be used for the development of market gardening zones for the benefit of the community.

"It goes without saying that the government has a duty to set an example in the matter of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges hospital. The population of Vaudreuil-Soulanges is surprised by this sudden turnaround, and support for the City of Vaudreuil-Dorion's position is multiplying. The government needs to listen to citizens, and I hope it will realize the incongruity of the situation. There is still time for the government to change its mind, and it must do so not only to respect the current population living on the territory, but also for future generations," concluded Guy Pilon.