Tashi Farmilo
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

MRC PONTIAC – The MRC Pontiac is calling on the Quebec government to reverse its cancellation of the RénoRégion program, which helped owner-occupants with limited means—many of them elderly or single-parent households—carry out renovations to address major structural deficiencies in their homes. Between 2023 and 2025, more than 35 renovation projects in the Pontiac received $640,000 in total funding under the program.

Despite the program’s impact, the province announced its termination earlier this month, prompting widespread concern from local officials. Citing privacy concerns, the MRC declined to release the number of people currently on the program’s waiting list in the Pontiac.

Without provincial backing, the MRC said it can’t provide an alternative. “The MRC only manages the application and approval process. We don’t have the financial resources to replace a program that’s exclusively the responsibility of the provincial government,” said Jane Toller, Pontiac warden.

The MRC is working with the Conférence des Préfets de l’Outaouais and encouraging local municipalities to adopt resolutions urging the government to reinstate the program. Toller noted a recent comment by the Minister on social media suggesting a willingness to “resolve the situation quickly.”

“We remain fully available to collaborate with stakeholders, and we look forward to a positive outcome as soon as possible,” concluded Toller.

As of April 23, the MRC hadn’t received an official response from the Housing Minister following its request to maintain the program.