Legion granted tax exemption
After a lengthy battle, Chateauguay Legion Branch 108 has succeeded in getting a tax exemption for 2010 and 2011, thus saving it $9,600 a year in municipal taxes, plus penalties and interest for tax in arrears amounting to some $21,000. Zitouni says the branch now owes the City $1,500 for 2009 after already raising close to $11,000 of its debt for that year.
"If we hadn't received this exemption, we probably would have had to close the doors or sell the branch," said Jasmine Zitouni, who was elected Legion president last Saturday, just two days before the favourable court verdict was formulated by administrative judge Richard Quirion of the Quebec Municipal Commission.
The Legion had been represented in court recently by Zitouni, then the branch's first vice-president, and lawyer Louis Bouchart-d'Orval, who was recommended to the Legion by Chateauguay MNA Pierre Moreau.
"We have to thank Mr. Moreau for his kindness in recommending this lawyer to us," Zitouni said. "And we are so grateful to Mr. Bouchart-d'Orval for his intervention, that we are going to send him a plaque of appreciation."
Although City Council at a public meeting had officially passed a resolution a couple of months ago stating that it had no objection to the Legion getting a tax exemption, Mayoress Nathalie Simon had noted in a recent interview that the presence of a bar at the Legion could be interpreted as meaning that the building at 39 Gilmour street houses a "social club", thus impeding the Legion's quest for a tax exemption.
In 2009, the Municipal Commission refused to grant the Legion an exemption, saying that "the principal use of the building consists of holding different amusement or social activities for its members." This would have made it inadmissible for an exemption, according to provincial law and Simon made it plain the City had every intention of obeying the law.
According to the Commission at the time, a non-profit organization in order to have an exemption must work to defend the interests of a minority group, fight against discrimination, help oppressed citizens or prevent people from finding themselves in difficulty.
But Judge Quirion's decision overrided that original decision.
Jasmine Zitouni, right, and Chateauguay Irishwoman of the Year Bridgid McGurnaghan celebrate Zitouni's election as Legion president last Saturday. Now they have another reason to celebrate. - Photo Dan Rosenburg
"If we hadn't received this exemption, we probably would have had to close the doors or sell the branch," said Jasmine Zitouni, who was elected Legion president last Saturday, just two days before the favourable court verdict was formulated by administrative judge Richard Quirion of the Quebec Municipal Commission.
The Legion had been represented in court recently by Zitouni, then the branch's first vice-president, and lawyer Louis Bouchart-d'Orval, who was recommended to the Legion by Chateauguay MNA Pierre Moreau.
"We have to thank Mr. Moreau for his kindness in recommending this lawyer to us," Zitouni said. "And we are so grateful to Mr. Bouchart-d'Orval for his intervention, that we are going to send him a plaque of appreciation."
Although City Council at a public meeting had officially passed a resolution a couple of months ago stating that it had no objection to the Legion getting a tax exemption, Mayoress Nathalie Simon had noted in a recent interview that the presence of a bar at the Legion could be interpreted as meaning that the building at 39 Gilmour street houses a "social club", thus impeding the Legion's quest for a tax exemption.
In 2009, the Municipal Commission refused to grant the Legion an exemption, saying that "the principal use of the building consists of holding different amusement or social activities for its members." This would have made it inadmissible for an exemption, according to provincial law and Simon made it plain the City had every intention of obeying the law.
According to the Commission at the time, a non-profit organization in order to have an exemption must work to defend the interests of a minority group, fight against discrimination, help oppressed citizens or prevent people from finding themselves in difficulty.
But Judge Quirion's decision overrided that original decision.
Jasmine Zitouni, right, and Chateauguay Irishwoman of the Year Bridgid McGurnaghan celebrate Zitouni's election as Legion president last Saturday. Now they have another reason to celebrate. - Photo Dan Rosenburg
Commentaires / Comments
Article sans commentaire.