Berthierville Dominican nuns’ monastery

Berthierville — After more than seven years of proceedings, spending and deterioration, Steve Piché is calling for a complete picture of the issue, the real cost to taxpayers and a clear timetable for determining the building’s future.

In April 2019, the Québec government intervened before designating the monastery and its site as heritage properties in December of that year. The Répertoire du patrimoine culturel describes it as one of the few surviving monasteries of contemplative nuns built in the 20th century outside major urban centres.

The dispute went before the Superior Court and then the Québec Court of Appeal. The Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear the application for leave to appeal in July 2025. Meanwhile, the building’s condition continued to raise concerns. The former owners reported intrusions, vandalism, theft, a fire and contamination problems. They also say they spent more than $2 million on legal fees.

How much has this saga cost taxpayers?

“We know part of the former owners’ bill and some expenses covered by the ministry. But after years of proceedings, we still do not know the total cost of lawyers, expert assessments, work and government resources involved. Residents have a right to know that cost.”

Government documents indicate that in 2025, the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications held a claim of $933,055.39 for work on the building, plus $62,552.63 for electricity and the security system covered since April 2023. Steve Piché is asking how much can actually be recovered and what share will ultimately be paid by taxpayers.

A protected building still in worrying condition

In spring 2026, the former owners relinquished their ownership rights. Since May, the monastery has been under Revenu Québec’s responsibility under the Unclaimed Property Act, while the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications remains involved in its preservation.

“When the building was privately owned, significant security and preservation requirements applied. Now that the government is responsible for it, I want to know what measures have been taken since May, what monitoring is in place, what work has been done and what the timetable is for the next steps.”

Truly protecting our heritage

A few minutes from the monastery stands Sainte-Geneviève church, built between 1782 and 1787. It has been designated a heritage building since 2001, and both its exterior and interior are recognized as exceptional.

“I do not want to decide which building deserves to be part of our history and which does not. The real question is about management: are we investing our resources in the best possible way to truly preserve our heritage?”

What I commit to doing if elected

The full cost

The government’s full bill since 2019, including legal fees, expert assessments and emergency interventions;

The building’s actual condition

An updated report on the building’s condition, structure, contamination and required work;

Monitoring since May

Details of monitoring and security measures since Revenu Québec took responsibility;

Costed options

Realistic scenarios for the site’s future and their costs: preservation, adaptive reuse, sale, conversion or another possible option;

A decision and a timetable

A clear decision-making timetable so the issue does not remain without direction for several more years;

Our heritage priorities

A review of Berthier’s heritage priorities, including investments needed for buildings such as Sainte-Geneviève church.

“I will not announce the final solution today before seeing the building’s actual condition and costs. My commitment is clear: get the figures, bring decision-makers together and make sure a decision is made.”

“This issue has been going on for seven years. It is time to get answers and make a decision. Our heritage deserves better than inaction.”

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Sources for this issue