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Mayor Lauzon: “Even though the deficit we are posting for the 2009 fiscal year stems from
accounting entries, it nevertheless reflects a real economic situation, that is to say, the fragility
of our public finances.”

Lat month The City of Deux-Montagnes has officially filed its 2009 fiscal year financial statements.  They represent an exceptional deficit of $940,000. 
A notice from the municipality’s accounting auditor pertaining to some anticipated revenues which did not materialize, combined with the pension deficit, created this loss of income.  In order to meet generally recognized accounting principles, this recommendation prompted the municipal administration to make provisions for $984,000 from amounts appearing in its revenue column.
First, an amount of $750,000 was recorded, which represents part of the sums which Deux-Montagnes is claiming from the municipality of Saint-Joseph-du-Lac, as part of a 2 million dollar lawsuit pertaining to the non-fulfillment of their obligations with respect to terminating the 1996-2006 agreement, and from the police law with respect to the obligation of being serviced by a level 2 municipal police force. 
Then, a reserve of $145,000 was entered to reflect the Olympia Arena Corporation deficit.  Even though this amount should theoretically be reimbursed to the municipality – which has been advancing funds to the Corporation for 10 years now, more specifically as rent payment – it appears evident that the City will not be able to recover these amounts, especially in view of the fact that the accumulated deficit of the Olympia Corporation has now reached $725,000. 
As for the city employees’ pension fund, after generating a surplus in 2008, the fund recorded a deficit in 2009, thereby creating additional expenses in the amount of $89,000, something which had been anticipated as a consequence of the recession. 

Intervention with the minister
“Because of the surreal aspect of the lawsuit against the municipality of Saint-Joseph-du-Lac, we are requesting help from the minister of Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l’Occupation du territoire, Laurent Lessard, to help us,” explained the mayor of Deux-Montagnes, Marc Lauzon.  “Over the last few years, we have already made the ministries involved aware of the costly litigation we have undertaken against Saint-Joseph-du-Lac.   Mr. Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs could contribute to the resolution of this situation.”
As for the Olympia, Mr. Lauzon confirms that the situation must be adjusted within one year.  Dialogue has been initiated and the subject was broached at the Citizens’ Summit last June. 
“Even though the deficit we are posting for the 2009 fiscal year stems from accounting entries, it nevertheless reflects a real economic situation, that is to say, the fragility of our public finances” concluded mayor Lauzon.  Our leeway is so restricted that even small unforeseen additional expenses or un-recovered anticipated revenues can wipe away all efforts achieved to balance our budget over the year.” 
The 2009 fiscal year shortfall certainly depicts that the brainstorming work in which the municipality had invited the population to take part is more relevant than ever.