In a significant move to address financial injustices faced by its residents, the federal government of Canada will cover the unpaid taxes of former Laval Mayor Gilles Vaillancourt. Ottawa has agreed to pay the City of Laval a total of $1.1 million, aligning with the amount demanded by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Details of the Agreement
The announcement was made by Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, who contacted Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer to confirm the decision. This payment aims to rectify an unjust financial burden on Laval’s citizens stemming from activities related to Vaillancourt.
mayor Stéphane Boyer’s Response
Mayor Boyer described the situation as “ridiculous” in March, criticizing the CRA for expecting the city to refund federal taxes related to the $7 million obtained through fraudulent activities by Vaillancourt. “We were robbed once; we don’t want to be robbed again,” he expressed, voicing the frustration of many Laval residents.
Context of the Former Mayor’s Crimes
Gilles Vaillancourt served as the mayor of Laval from 1989 to 2012. In 2016, he pled guilty to multiple charges, including fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, and breach of trust.
Significance for Laval Residents
This decision represents a “major victory” for Lavallois, according to Boyer. He emphasized that the residents had already faced significant hardships due to Vaillancourt’s criminal actions. With the endorsement from the government, the community can finally move past this troubling chapter.
- Amount Covered: $1.1 million
- Former Mayor: Gilles Vaillancourt
- Years in Office: 1989 to 2012
- Charges against Vaillancourt:
- Fraud
- Conspiracy to commit fraud
- Breach of trust
The collaboration between local and federal governments is seen as a step towards justice for those wronged by the actions of the former mayor. Municipalities like Laval seek assurances that similar situations will be handled more equitably in the future.
