Dorval mayor Rouleau retiring after decades in municipal politics
Dorval's Edgar Rouleau, the West Island's longest-serving mayor, is stepping down.
Rouleau was first elected mayor in 2005. Prior to that, he served 23 years as a city councillor, beginning in 1982.
Rouleau said he decided to retire from municipal politics to devote more time to family and his wife Monique.
“It's personal,” said Rouleau, who turns 75 years old on Dec. 1.
After serving as mayor and councillor for nearly four decades, Rouleau said it was time to move on and let someone else lead the city.
Marc Doret, of the Action Dorval Party, announced Friday he will be running for mayor in the upcoming municipal election on Nov. 7, with Rouleau's blessing.
“Marc has been on council for 12 years and he's ready,” said Rouleau, who will remain in the mayor's chair until his successor is sworn in after the fall election.
Although Rouleau told the Montreal Gazette in March that he planned to seek a fifth term in office, he said he had a change of heart over the summer.
“I still love the job,” he said, “but after 39 years in politics, I want to spend more time at home.”
In the last election in 2017, Rouleau won a five-way race for mayor with more than 71 per cent of the vote.
Rouleau said he is proud of what he was able to accomplish for the citizens of Dorval.
He pointed out that the city was still pumping raw sewage into Lake St. Louis in the early 1980s until a sewage treatment facility in the east-end of Montreal was built with investments from provincial and municipal governments.
“These are things that people forget,” he said.
Among his disappointments was not being able to secure a firm commitment from the federal and provincial government to extend the REM another 700 metres from Montreal-trudeau International Airport to link the Via Rail and EXO train station. The transportation hub in the Dorval Circle also serves as a major bus terminal for Montreal and the West Island.
He's also frustrated that the Pointe-picard federal sailing base in Dorval has still not been transferred to the city. He said the transfer is being stalled by bureaucratic red tape.
The city made headlines this summer when it announced a controversial plan to reserve picnic tables at its waterfront parks by requiring a cash deposit.
Following a public backlash, the city quickly dropped the cash requirement, but Rouleau said some type of reservation system was needed in order to secure usage for local residents who were unable to access their own parks due to a huge influx of non-residents during the pandemic.
“We knew it would hit the fan, but we ended up with what we wanted and everyone was happy,” he said.
Rouleau often said having Quebec's biggest airport located within its territory brings with it many advantages in terms of tax revenues and commercial opportunities, but he once likened it to “sleeping next to an elephant.”
He said the city's finances are sound, allowing it to invest in public infrastructure and parks.
“For example, we were able acquire the `old Gardener's' house and property, next to the Forest and Stream Club on Lakeshore Dr. It will eventually become part of Pine Beach Park.”
Rouleau said the $11.3 million reconstruction of the Dorval Arena and the opening of the $20-million Dorval Aquatic and Sports Complex in 2015 are among his most proudest accomplishments.
“The sports complex was great for our citizens because it's for people of all ages and we didn't have anything before.”
He said there are plans to build a refrigerated outdoor rink south of the arena.
Rouleau, who still plays old-timers' hockey in Dorval, said he plans to remain active in community affairs, but not as an elected official.
“You'll still see me around,” he said with a laugh.
I still love the job, but after 39 years in politics, I want to spend more time at home.