Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Membership
Can I become a member of your organization even if I am
not a waterfront owner ?
Article 5 of the by-laws stipulates that all other persons
can become a member of the association. If you support the
mission of the association you can become a member once the Board of
Directors approves your request.
Annual Membership Fee
Does the cost of becoming a member differ according to
the category of membership ?
Only active members must pay an annual membership fee of
$30.00. The honorary members do not pay any fee as they are
nominated by the Board of Directors and do not have a right to vote.
We are several co-owners of the same waterfront residence.
What will be the annual membership fee ?
You can nominate among your group two co-owners of the same
waterfront residence who will represent you at the meetings for a
total annual membership fee of $30,00. However only one membership
card is issued per residence unless a second co-owner wishes to
become a full member. Under such circumstances, a second fee must be
paid and a second membership card is also issued.
Right to Vote and Right to Speak
Do both co-owners that represent us have each a right to
vote ?
Each co-owner who is a member has one right to vote.
However, all co-owners present at the meetings have the right to
speak.
Candidates for the Board of Directors
Can both of the co-owners who represent us submit their
candidacy to be elected direct of the Board ?
Each person who is member can submit his/her name as a
candidate on the Board to be elected by the members present at the
general annual meeting.
Class Action
Who can be part of the class action ?
The judgment of the Superior Court dated December 28, 2006
indicates that only the owners of properties above the
Rapides-des-Cèdres dam can be part of the class action, in the
municipalities of Bowman, Lac Ste-Marie, Notre-Dame-du-Laus,
Notre-Dame-de-Pontmain, Lac-du-Cerf, and St-Aimé-du-Lac-des-Iles up
to the Wabassee and Orignal Rapids.
Why do you ask for a voluntary contribution ? I thought
there was no cost for a
class action.
The class action as suchdoes not cost anything. However, the
voluntary contribution of $700.00 is used to obtain better
expertises, to pay the expenses of our representative name by the
Superior Court, to disburse all expenses for correspondence and
various documentation to keep you informed on the evolution of the
case and various administrative expenses related to this class
action.
I read somewhere that the Fonds d'aide aux recours collectif
reimburses the expenses related to a class action. Therefore, it
seems to me that the request for a voluntary contribution is
unjustified.
It is true that the Fonds d'aide aux recours collectif
reimburses certain expenses. However, certain expertises, the travel and
meal expenses of the representative, the expenses to inform the
members of the class action and the administrative expenses are not
reimbursed by the Fonds d'aide aux recours collectifs.
Why is the amount of the voluntary contribution so high ?
If we could be assured to receive a voluntary contribution
from all waterfront owners concerned by this class action, the
amount would be minimal. That is the reason why we have requested
that each and everyone of you speak to your neighbors. However, we
must be realistic that we will probably only attain about 10% of
this population.
If the case is won, will we be reimbursed the voluntary
contribution with our indemnity expenses ?
According to our lawyers, the voluntary contribution is not
normally reimbursed when a case has been won. However, we can
submit a request to the Court.
What will happen with the remaining voluntary
contributions at the end of the class action ?
One possibility is to reimburse the contributors on a pro rata basis
of the amounts remaining. However, we will meet with the
contributors during a special meeting to obtain a decision on their
part.
I wish to do my part, but I am unable to pay the
voluntary contribution of $700.00 in one lump sum. Can I make
instalments for a prolonged period ?
The Association is currently examining the possibility for
waterfront owners to make instalments over a longer period and will
advise them at the appropriate time.
Will we be required to provide additional voluntary
contributions in the future ?
As you are no doubt aware, all decisions rendered by the
Court can be appealed. If we have sufficient funds remaining to
continue the case, we do not anticipate requesting from you an
additional amount of money.