Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu | A company mobilized for a mayoral candidate

The M2L Group is a well-known company in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Josée Latulippe, one of the founders and shareholders, is also an official representative of the Éric Latour Coalition, named after its mayoral candidate. The company mobilized equipment and employees to prepare and install election signs for the political party, according to a post on Facebook on September 18 – and since removed.

Chef Éric Latour, former journalist and television host, thanked his “incredible volunteers” for their work. Photos show the installations as well as M2L vehicles. At least seven workers wear caps or clothing that displays the company logo.

“No payment, financial benefit or compensation, direct or indirect, was received or requested for participation in these activities,” says Sylvain Leclair, president of the M2L Group and spouse of Josée Latulippe, in an email to The Press.

However, a company cannot offer its services for free or at a lower price without contravening the Act respecting elections and referendums in municipalities. “A company which mobilizes its equipment or its employees in the service of a political party without charging the party the fair cost of this service would be in violation of the Loi », Confirms Julie St-Arnaud-Drolet, spokesperson for Élections Québec.

It specifies that a person “may provide, without remuneration and without consideration, their personal services as a volunteer, on the condition that they do so freely and not as part of their work in the service of an employer”.

“A helping hand”

“These are guys who work for this company, but it was evenings and nights, on their own time, and they decided to give us a helping hand because they believe in the team and in our cause,” assures candidate Éric Latour, reached by telephone. “These are construction guys who are handy with hammers and screwdrivers. It’s certain that when the time comes to set up large structures, it’s difficult to have guys who know a little about it. This is not a donation or contribution. »

Regarding the use of M2L installations and equipment, “it was completely within the rules,” insists Mr. Latour.

Why then did you remove the publication on the September 18 operation from Facebook? “I don’t remember removing it,” replies Mr. Latour.

“I make about three, four, five posts a day. I haven’t counted what’s there or what’s not there. Honestly, I don’t remember that. »

The situation raises “serious questions about respect for Act respecting elections and referendums in municipalities », Reacted by email Andrée Bouchard, outgoing mayor of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and candidate for a second term. “We expect that the competent authorities, including Élections Québec, will look into the matter and shed light on these actions,” she wrote in an email.

The race for mayor of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is being played out against a backdrop of tensions at town hall. The mandate of the outgoing mayor was marked by a challenge to her “leadership” and the defection of several elected officials, who became independent due to disagreements with their leader on various issues. Five advisors joined the Éric Latour Coalition.

Specialist in municipal affairs, Danielle Pilette believes that certain illegal acts at the municipal level are due more to a lack of knowledge than to bad faith. “With hundreds of municipalities, that’s a lot of official agents to train. It may be that we misunderstand or know little about the rules,” says this associate professor in the department of strategy, social and environmental responsibility at UQAM.

She adds that the length of investigations by the Chief Electoral Officer of Quebec poses a problem, since the conclusions are often known several years after the elections.

M2L contracts

The M2L Group counts the City of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu among its clients.

In 2025, the company received four contracts from the municipality totaling $500,000.

Could the proximity between aspiring mayor Éric Latour and entrepreneur Josée Latulippe, a “long-time friend,” pose a problem if he is elected, particularly with regard to over-the-counter contracts?

“Elected officials can ask the clerk to step aside while a resolution is adopted,” said Mr. Latour. “When we are in a public tender system, I would have to ask the clerk, but I don’t think there are any problems. I’m not saying we’re a big village, but in a town of 100,000 inhabitants, everyone knows someone who knows someone. »

In addition to Éric Latour and Andrée Bouchard, Maryline Charbonneau and François Roy are also in the running for the keys to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu town hall.