Municipal Fusion in the Sherbrooke Region : the Case of Lennoxville

The author explains that in February and March of 2000, a group of Bishop’s University geography students conducted a survey of Lennoxville residents regarding the possibility of municipal fusion with the City of Sherbrooke. The Mayor and Town Manager of Lennoxville screened and approved the questionnaire as well as other materials that were given to the respondents. These included letters from the Mayor as well as a brochure explaining which services are administered locally and which are administered regionally. The author notes that the study was intended as an educational project for students and as a planning tool for town officials, but it also provided an interesting view of Lennoxville as a bilingual community. In addition to describing the details of the project and its methodology, the author reviews some of the findings and experiences of the students who worked on it. On January 1, 2002, Lennoxville, along with several other formerly independent towns and cities in the region, were merged with the City of Sherbrooke. A demerger referendum held on June 20, 2004 failed to attract the required majority of votes to reestablish Lennoxville as an independent city. Lennoxville is designated as a bilingual borough within Sherbrooke.

Journal of Eastern Townships Studies / Revue d'études des Cantons-de-l'Est

No. 19

57-74

Fall 2001

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