Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec – A young family is facing eviction from their home to make way for a parking lot adjacent to a new baseball stadium and community park currently under development in Saint-Hyacinthe. The case highlights the often-contentious intersection of municipal development and the rights of homeowners, raising questions about fair negotiation and the use of eminent domain.
Antoine Bérubé-Lussier and his family were first approached in the spring of 2025 by representatives of Jefo, the company contracted to build the baseball field and park, regarding the potential sale of their property. Located on Chemin du Rapide-Plat Nord, the land is considered strategically important for providing parking access to the new facilities. Bérubé-Lussier, who purchased the property in December 2022, initially resisted the overture, stating he felt he had a choice in the matter. He and his partner had recently welcomed their first child, adding another layer of emotional weight to the situation.
However, the situation escalated in September of the same year when a formal offer was made. Bérubé-Lussier found the offer unsatisfactory, and the matter was put on hold during the municipal election period. Following the election, the City of Saint-Hyacinthe informed Bérubé-Lussier of its intent to expropriate the land, regardless of his willingness to sell. He was advised to obtain an independent property evaluation and given three months to negotiate, with the threat of expropriation looming if an agreement couldn’t be reached.
“It’s an ultimatum,” Bérubé-Lussier told Le Courrier. “There was never a real negotiation. They imposed a price. If you refuse, it’s expropriation.” He alleges the city’s negotiation process was perfunctory, lacking genuine effort to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. Bérubé-Lussier claims the city’s appraiser and his own appraiser spoke only briefly, and that the city quickly dismissed his evaluation, which valued the property at $1,045,000 – significantly higher than the city’s $575,000 valuation and the $500,700 assessed value.
The discrepancy in valuations is a central point of contention. According to Bérubé-Lussier, the city appears unwilling to budge from its offer, seemingly prioritizing the swift completion of the project over a fair settlement. He feels the city is attempting to pressure him into leaving quickly to facilitate the mayor’s vision for the park and stadium complex.
Saint-Hyacinthe Mayor André Beauregard acknowledged the differing opinions on value, stating, “When the City wants to buy, people always want to acquire the highest price. We offer more than the value of the house on the assessment roll.” However, Bérubé-Lussier argues that the city’s offer doesn’t allow him to purchase a comparable property in the current market.
The property itself is substantial, encompassing over 66,000 square feet bordering the Yamaska River, and includes a garage and a basement apartment. Bérubé-Lussier isn’t necessarily opposed to the park project or the location of the parking lot, but he believes the process has been handled unfairly.
Chantal Frigon, the City of Saint-Hyacinthe’s Director General, offered a different perspective, stating that an offer was made, the appraisers discussed the valuation, and discussions took place, but a significant gap remained. “Each remained on their position,” she said.
The City Council formally adopted the expropriation resolution on March 2nd, 2026. Councilors Donald Côté and Jeannot Caron voted against the resolution, having previously opposed the agreement with Jefo. They argue that the city has other investment priorities and that the nearly $9 million price tag for the park is excessive. Councilor David Bousquet, who also opposed the initial agreement with Jefo, was absent from the March 2nd meeting.
The final sale price will now be determined by an administrative judge, but the city is expected to accept ownership of the land within four months. Bérubé-Lussier expressed concern about the difficulty of finding a new home while the sale price remains uncertain. This situation underscores the emotional and financial toll that eminent domain cases can take on families, even when undertaken for public projects.
This case in Saint-Hyacinthe is likely to spark further debate about the balance between municipal development and the protection of individual property rights. The outcome will be closely watched by other homeowners who may uncover themselves in similar situations, and could influence future negotiations between municipalities and residents regarding land acquisition for public projects.
The next step in the process is the hearing before the administrative judge, where the final sale price will be determined. A date for the hearing has not yet been announced.
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