Council | La ville de Barkmere

Our mission

Protection

We will continue to maintain existing measures, to propose new ones, and most of all, to fully enforce them, in order to protect Bark Lake, and its inflows and outflows, from environmental threats. These include, amongst others: deforestation, residential development, their impacts on shorelines, and the installation of roads and other infrastructure. We understand that the protection and survival of the Lake are inextricably linked to that of the Municipality, which was originally established for this very specific goal.

Communication

We will continue communication tools with all the residents, in both official languages of Barkmere, in order to foster a climate of collaboration, listening and mutual understanding. We will strive to ensure that the population is well informed at all times of the activities of the Municipal Council.

Management

We will continue to work to maintain the integrity of the Town of Barkmere, while looking for ways to share services and costs with neighbouring municipalities to our mutual benefit. We believe that, by effectively managing the budget of the Town and in controlling its development, we will be able to maintain reasonable taxation levels. In turn, this will allow the Town to continue existing and its residents to live harmoniously within its boundaries.

Representation

We will continue to represent all the citizens of Barkmere without exception, whether they inhabit the village or are seasonal residents accessing their property by road or by boat.

Our team

Luc Trépanier

Mayor

A few years ago, I decided to devote my time and my energy as Mayor, to help Our Community and Our Lake. I do not regret this decision at all: it allowed me to meet so many fascinating people who share my love for Bark Lake. Together, with our amazing team of councillors, and with the help of our devoted employees, we will continue to protect our heritage, to pass it down to the future generations of Barklakers, as perfect as it was passed to us. I am very proud of our accomplishments.

We have stabilized the finances of the Town, which enabled us to reduce our taxes by more than 10%. We have created a park for our residents who do not have a direct access to the Lake. We have worked with the municipal administration to establish a fair enforcement of our bylaws, and to put in place an approach aiming to help people doing their projects while respecting these bylaws. And finally, we have succeeded in finding the necessary financing, to allow us to build a new municipal building for the benefit of all of our community, permanent residents as well as seasonal. And all this, without having to face an additional tax burden.

To send a message

Jake M. Chadwick

Councillor

I am pleased to continue to serve as councillor in Barkmere since first being elected in 2009. I have been coming to Bark Lake with my family for over 60 years. I am proud to represent you as municipal councillor directing the environment portfolio as President of the Consultative Committee for the Environment (CCE). As you know, for the last several years the CCE has been diligently focussed on mitigating the impact and proliferation of Eurasian milfoil – by far the worst environmental (and therefore economic) risk we have ever faced in the community. Working with the team comprised of town administration, specialized diving team and many volunteers we have designed and implemented a thorough review and removal process since 2016. The results have been encouraging and we are well positioned to limit the proliferation of the invasive species. We must continue this important work.

I have also led our annual water testing programme and managed several important environmental studies with partners and consultants. I continue to sit on the board of our local water basin association (OBV – RPNS) and participated at regional lake association meetings. These external relationships are important to understand what is happening in the environment outside our municipal borders.

Environment Portfolio

Marie-Hélène Lemarbre

Councillor

Marc Fredette

Councillor

My wife, my two sons, and I have been enjoying Barkmere for almost 35 years. The beauty and uniqueness of Barkmere has developed a strong desire to volunteer because I truly care about the people and its environment. I am dedicated to Barkmere and have been involved in the BLPA, the CCU and numerous other groups over the years. Barkmere is our crown jewel and it should be cherished.

As Councillor, I have been in charge of the finances of our Town. It fits naturally with my profession of Chartered Accountant with an MBA in finance. I am a business veteran where financial discipline and integrity are key ingredients to success. I know how to instill strong cost control to lessen the taxpayers’ financial burden. A low and stable tax bill provides financial peace of mind to the citizens, while a strong financial position allows the Town to control its destiny. A healthy balance sheet means a healthy lake.

Finance Portfolio

Kimberley Lamoureux

Councillor

I have been a Town Councillor since 2019 and a resident of Barkmere for just over 25 years. I was a member of the CCU from 2002 to 2006. I love getting involved and helping people, seeing projects move forward, and, above all, making them a reality. My priority is to maintain Barkmere's unique character for as long as possible. I'm aware there aren't many communities like ours left, where we can enjoy clear lakes and green forests as far as the eye can see.

As a Councillor, I have been responsible for public safety and navigation, and now am responsible for infrastructures and services. I want to serve as a point of contact for residents, addressing their concerns, feedback, and work collaboratively with other council members and the town administration to ensure effective governance for the well-being of our small town.

Public Security & Navigation Portfolios

Stephen Lloyd

Councillor

I am a third generation Bark Laker who is passionately committed to and proud of our community. Barkmere is a jewel that we should all be able to enjoy and prosper within. Through my work in business, law and on the boards of many non-profit organizations, I have been fortunate to develop a skill set which is helpful in contributing to a solid and equitable governance of our Town.

Our "new" by-laws are now almost 10 years old. Over the last 8 years, under the leadership of Mayor Trepanier, our Council has worked to fine-tune those by-laws by removing some unnecessarily complicated rules and tightening other measures with the goal of reinforcing our key values: a harmonious and respectful community, a beautiful landscape and a healthy and protected environment. We have tried to do so on a consensus basis, striving to help all our individual citizens to best enjoy their Barkmere properties while ensuring that the common good is taken into account.

I want to carry on this work. My next focus is on a re-assessment of the scope of the grandfather rights for crib docks. We need to better understand the true environmental factors at stake vis-à-vis our Barkmere construction realities and recent difficult experiences of our citizens with piling docks. It is an honour to serve our community.

Legal Portfolio

Kenneth Mann

Councillor