A longtime Rockland resident and local business owner is entering the upcoming Clarence-Rockland municipal election, saying he wants to help guide the city’s rapid growth while making sure residents in every part of the municipality feel included.
Sameer Chhibber is running for councillor in Ward 4, bringing nearly two decades of experience living, working and participating in the community to his campaign.
Chhibber has lived in Rockland since 2008 and has called Morris Village home with his girlfriend, Meagan Sarault, since 2023. Sarault was born and raised in Rockland.
Originally from Montreal’s West Island, Chhibber moved to Rockland at the age of 21. His early working years included jobs at Boston Pizza and Mac’s Milk before he began working at G.A.B.’s.
His father was already working at G.A.B.’s, and owners Guy and Chantal gave Chhibber an opportunity to join the business in 2010.
He started as a busboy and worked his way up to management. In 2018, Chhibber and his father purchased the business.
Since then, Chhibber says he, Meagan, his father and his father’s wife have worked to maintain G.A.B.’s traditions and its role as a gathering place in the community.
Over the years, his work in the hospitality industry has given him an opportunity to meet residents from across Clarence-Rockland during some of their most important moments — from anniversaries, birthdays, weddings and baby showers to funerals and other community gatherings.
Chhibber says he has also tried to remain involved outside of the business, supporting community and sporting events through donations, food sponsorships and other contributions.
He believes that experience has given him a unique perspective on the concerns and frustrations residents have about the municipality.
Why he’s running
Chhibber says his decision to enter municipal politics comes largely from conversations he has had with residents through his work in the hospitality industry.
He says he has heard growing frustration about the direction of the community, while also seeing firsthand how quickly Rockland and the surrounding municipality are developing.
Now, he wants to have a role in shaping that growth.
One of his biggest concerns is providing more opportunities for young people.
Chhibber says he frequently hears residents complain that there is not enough for children and teenagers to do in Clarence-Rockland.
He believes that keeping young people engaged and giving families more recreational opportunities is important to the municipality’s future.
“These kids are our future,” Chhibber says, arguing that the community needs to give young people reasons to stay and eventually build their lives in Clarence-Rockland.
Three priorities for Ward 4 — and the municipality
Although Chhibber is seeking to represent Ward 4, he says his vision extends beyond the boundaries of his ward.
His campaign is built around three main priorities: a stronger community, fiscal accountability and responsible growth.
Building a stronger community
Chhibber says Clarence-Rockland needs to find more ways to bring its communities together.
While he would represent Ward 4, he says he wants to work with councillors and residents across all wards to build what he describes as a stronger, more united municipality.
He points specifically to smaller communities such as Bourget, St-Pascal and Hammond, saying he has heard concerns that some residents feel left out.
His message is that every resident should feel they belong in Clarence-Rockland.
Chhibber says it doesn’t matter where someone was born or where they came from before moving to the municipality — if they have chosen Clarence-Rockland as their home, they should feel like they are part of the community.
He says he wants to help create a municipality where residents from every background and every community feel included.
Fiscal accountability
Chhibber also says taxpayers need to know their money is being spent responsibly.
He describes himself as someone who understands the value of hard-earned money and says municipal tax dollars should be treated as a commitment from residents to their community.
If elected, he says he would push for careful consideration of municipal spending and greater accountability for how taxpayers’ money is used.
His message is straightforward: residents work hard for their money, and their tax dollars should be spent properly.
Responsible growth
With Clarence-Rockland continuing to grow, Chhibber says development needs to involve more than simply building additional homes.
He wants to see what he describes as smart development, with parks, recreational spaces and other amenities being developed alongside residential growth.
The goal, he says, should be to create neighbourhoods and communities where families can live, gather and spend time together.
For Chhibber, responsible growth means planning for the people who will live in Clarence-Rockland in the years ahead, particularly children and families.
“I will always be someone who will listen”
Chhibber says his experience as a local business owner has taught him the importance of listening.
He says that if elected, he wants to remain accessible to residents and hear their concerns before making decisions.
He also says he hopes to set an example for young people in the community.
“I want the community kids to have someone to look up to,” Chhibber says, adding that he wants young people to see the value of becoming involved, giving back and trying to make their community a better place.
After nearly 20 years in Clarence-Rockland, Chhibber says he sees his decision to run for council as another way of continuing the community involvement that has been part of his life and business.
He says he wants to take the same approach he has taken through G.A.B.’s — supporting residents, participating in community events and helping bring people together — and carry that philosophy into municipal government.
As the municipal election campaign gets underway, Chhibber is also offering a message to the other candidates entering the race.
He wishes good luck to all candidates running to represent their respective wards, as well as those seeking the mayor’s chair.
For Chhibber, the campaign is ultimately about the future of Clarence-Rockland and what he believes can be accomplished when residents and their elected representatives work together.