Students in Secondary 3 at École secondaire des Navigateurs in Saint-Zotique turned out in force for the public meetings of the Coteaux and Saint-Zotique municipal councils held on Monday and Tuesday, November 18 and 19.

As part of their outdoor geography course, the youngsters were asked to observe their municipality's territory and make comments to the municipal administration on how to make it safer.

They took it in turns to go to the microphone, either alone or in groups of two, three or four, with a view to addressing their elected representatives.

Among the suggestions put forward by the young observers were improving safety at Parc Réjean-Boisvenu, especially in winter and with regard to the slides found there; improving the bicycle path that runs along Montée du Comté, near the Tim Hortons restaurant; and installing a crosswalk at the intersection of Rue des Francs-Tireurs and Route 338, as well as at the intersection of Rue Martin and Rue Sauvé.

Other ideas put forward to elected officials included the construction of a basketball court and the planting of trees nearby at Réjean-Boisvenu park, improvements to the bike path near the Potvin truck center and rue Robert, the reduction of heat islands throughout the territory, improved safety on the bike path accessible via rue Sauvé and the reduction of heat islands in the same sector.

Finally, a young girl also asked council members to consider building a volleyball court at Audrey Park or relocating it elsewhere on the municipal territory.

Following the various interventions, Mayor Sylvain Brazeau thanked the young citizens for their observations and underlined their degree of preparation. Some of the speeches were supported by explanatory documents prepared in class.

He added that the council would take their suggestions into consideration, and invited them to join the municipality's youth committee to share their observations on a daily basis.

In Saint-Zotique, the elected officials also received presentations from young people on the same subject. Following their appearance at the meeting, Ville de Saint-Zotique posted this message on its social networks: 

A great visit at the municipal meeting!

Today, at the regular municipal meeting, we had the pleasure of welcoming students from École secondaire des Navigateurs. These inspired young people presented us with projects to improve our town, based on their observations during their daily lives.

A big thank you for their commitment and creative ideas, which are helping to shape an even better community.

We hope to see them again soon for more enriching exchanges! Bravo to them and their teacher, Caroline Tessier, for this wonderful initiative! 
 presentations by young people on the same topic. 

Young Rivière-Beaudette residents attending Navigateurs high school also did the same exercise.