Gildan CEO builds illegal golf course on his Eastern Townships property as residents fume

Residents in Austin, Que., are demanding answers after the town revealed a private golf course linked to Gildan CEO Glenn Chamandy was built without approval, damaging farmland and a maple grove.

The town hall in Austin, Que., in the Eastern Townships was packed Tuesday night as residents confronted municipal officials over the construction of a private golf course on the property of Glenn Chamandy, CEO of the multinational clothing company Gildan, according to a report by Noovo Info.

The project was carried out without city approval and has damaged both a farmland and a maple grove.

During the meeting, the question period focused entirely on the golf course.

“You all know you can’t cut down a tree without a permit from the town. How come nobody caught this earlier?” one resident asked, echoing many of the evening’s comments.

Mayor Lisette Maillé said the municipality must complete its verification process before laying charges. She also noted the town doesn’t have the resources to investigate every possible incident on its territory.

“It’s not because the man has money that we won’t act. What we’re saying is our case has to be rock solid before we move forward,” Maillé said.

Still, residents voiced frustration over the possible sanctions Chamandy could face.

According to Noovo Info, the multi-millionaire could be fined up to $100,000 for each hectare of deforested land.

“We’re facing a major environmental violation on a regional drinking water reservoir. There should be exemplary penalties,” said Johanne Lavoie, president of Memphrémagog Conservation.

Lavoie was also singled out by Chamandy in a recent message to the media.

In an email, he wrote, “It is unfortunate that some individuals, particularly Ms. Johanne Lavoie, continue to spread false information.”

In the same statement, Chamandy maintained the project “is not a golf course, but a small recreational area representing only 1.5 per cent of the property, located 400 metres from Lake Memphrémagog.”

“We don’t share the same definition of what constitutes a golf course,” Maillé said.

The municipality continues to investigate and has hired a land surveyor to conduct further analysis, with results expected next month.