The mayor of Varennes, Martin Damphousse, became involved in a land resale project within his own city that resulted in a half-million-dollar profit for his daughter, with his name even appearing on a permit application addressed to his administration.
When approached in late January in his office, the mayor acknowledged placing himself in a situation of apparent conflict of interest. A week later, he called to state he was retracting those comments and no longer believed he had committed an ethical breach.
An investigative team conducted a months-long investigation following reports from Varennes citizens.
Those citizens were concerned by the sudden purchase of an elderly Varennes resident’s home by the mayor’s daughter, Marie-Charlotte Damphousse, and her spouse, in October 2020.
Notably, the property was not publicly listed for sale.
A month later, following a closed-door decision by the municipal council, a street was created adjacent to the land. This allowed Ms. Damphousse to submit an application to the city to divide her property, something previously impossible.
She then resold the two parcels for a profit of nearly $500,000.
The Mayor’s Involvement
Mayor Damphousse, who chaired the Union of Quebec Municipalities (UMQ) from 2023 to 2025, admits to being involved in the matter. He concedes that he connected his daughter with Jacques Dalpé, a long-time owner of the house on Marie-Victorin Street.
“It was a private sale,” the mayor confirms.
He claims Mr. Dalpé confided in him that he was willing to sell because his wife was ill. This claim could not be independently verified, as Mr. Dalpé has since moved to a seniors’ residence and his sons did not respond to requests for comment.
Mayor Damphousse vehemently denies transmitting privileged information to his daughter. However, he acknowledges not informing Mr. Dalpé that the value of his property would soon increase, as the city was about to create a street nearby.
“I had no idea of the details and timelines,” says the mayor of Varennes.
A “Service” for His Daughter
The mayor’s name even appeared on one of the documents of the permit application submitted by his daughter to the City of Varennes to split her new land.
On this point, Mayor Damphousse insists he was simply “doing a service” for his daughter. He maintains he is not in a conflict of interest, even though his name appears on a request that must be approved by one of his officials.
The mayor says he does not recall personally delivering the permit application to city employees. He swears, however, that it did not receive preferential treatment from his administration and would not have been authorized if it had been non-compliant. “That’s for sure not,” insists Mayor Damphousse. Marie-Charlotte Damphousse declined to be interviewed.
The Mayor Should Not Be Involved in Real Estate in His City
Mayor Damphousse should never have been involved in this real estate project, according to experts in municipal politics.
“It is not a recommended practice for the mayor to interfere in private transactions,” believes Danielle Pilette, a professor in the Department of Strategy, Social Responsibility and Environment at UQAM.
“Even if it hadn’t concerned his daughter, it would have raised questions of conflict of interest. A mayor must act as much as possible in the benefit of the entire municipality, even if it means depriving himself of certain advantages,” says Professor Pilette.
“When there is any transaction operated by the Municipality, and which closely or remotely involves one of the members of the municipal council or his family, one must withdraw from all discussions around this project, not just the final decision,” adds Mr. Trudel.
