The City of Dollard-des-Ormeaux has cancelled a public information session that had been scheduled for Aug. 6 to discuss the municipal response to severe flooding that struck in June. The decision follows the filing of two class-action authorization requests in Quebec Superior Court related to the event.
City cites legal prudence as reason for cancellation
In a news release, Mayor Alex Bottausci said the city’s goal has been to keep residents informed “with transparency and diligence.” The release went on to say that, given the ongoing legal proceedings, the city must act judiciously “to respect the process and protect the interests of the community.”
“Our intention has always been to keep residents informed with transparency and diligence. However, given the ongoing legal proceedings, we must act judiciously to respect the process and protect the interests of the community.”
What the lawsuits allege
The two class-action requests, filed earlier this month by the Consumer Law Group, name Dollard-des-Ormeaux and also point to the City of Montreal and the borough of Pierrefonds–Roxboro. According to the firm, the claims allege the municipalities did not do enough to mitigate known flood risks. The authorization requests must be approved by the Quebec Superior Court before the claims can proceed.
Context: the June storm and local impacts
The flooding event occurred on or about June 20 (reports reference the heavy rainfall on June 20 and possessions placed on streets on June 21) and was driven by roughly 150 millimetres of precipitation. During the storm, some 20,000 homes in the West Island experienced power outages. Images from the aftermath showed residents placing water-damaged belongings on curbs for collection.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Storm date | June 20 |
| Rainfall | ~150 mm |
| Power outages | ~20,000 homes in the West Island |
| Planned meeting | Aug. 6 (cancelled) |
Community reaction and unanswered questions
Residents in Dollard-des-Ormeaux have expressed mounting frustration after a string of heavy-rain events in recent years caused repeated basement and street flooding. The cancelled session was intended to present future flood-mitigation measures and allow residents to ask questions directly of municipal officials. With the meeting called off, residents now face delays in getting official explanations and timelines for infrastructure or policy changes.
- Planned public session to explain mitigation measures cancelled.
- Class-action authorization requests must be approved before litigation proceeds.
- Residents continue to seek clarity on what steps the city will take to reduce future flood risk.
Municipalities facing legal action frequently limit public commentary to avoid prejudicing judicial processes. Still, community advocates and homeowners affected by water damage say they need timely information about mitigation plans, funding and timelines to protect properties and reduce future losses.
For now, Dollard-des-Ormeaux residents will need to wait for further announcements from the city or direction from the Superior Court about the class-action requests. The cancellation underlines a tension that often arises after high-impact local events: the balance between open public consultation and legal caution when litigation is pending.
Local officials have reiterated a commitment to transparency but have offered no new date for a rescheduled meeting. The legal process — including whether the court authorizes the class actions — will shape the next steps for both the city and affected residents.
