Bonnie James
Local Journalism Initiative
MRC PONTIAC – The MRC Pontiac’s Council of Mayors (CoM) held its monthly meeting on March 19 at the MRC headquarters in Litchfield.
Alleyn-et-Cawood legal proceedings
Alleyn-et-Cawood (AC) has asked the Ministry of Municipal Affairs (MAMH) to cover the difference ($138,490) between the amount the MRC charged them ($289,148) in municipal shares for 2024 based on an inaccurate comparative factor and what they actually should’ve been charged ($150,657) according to the new assessment roll.
AC Pro-Mayor Sidney Squitti, replacing Mayor Carl Mayer, presented a resolution to council asking them to pause their legal action against AC (to recover the unpaid 2024 shares) until a formal response is received from MAMH.
Much discussion preceded the vote. Mayor Corey Spence (L’Isle-aux-Allumettes) opposed the pause, arguing the funds are needed for MRC operations. Squitti suggested using the MRC’s surplus in the meantime and asked what the plan was if the MRC loses in court. Mayor Sandra Armstrong stated, “It’s out of respect that we pay our bills.” Squitti maintained AC was willing to pay their shares but only the correct amount.
Council voted 13-3 to continue legal action against AC, with Pro-Mayors Robert Wills (Thorne), Squitti, and Mayor Jennifer Quaile (Otter Lake) supporting the pause. Bryson and Fort-Coulonge had no representatives present.
New meeting rules by-law
The new by-law containing the rules for MRC meetings was passed with a few changes from the draft. MRC Warden Jane Toller said the changes were a result of feedback from citizens groups including Pontiac Independent; Citizens of the Pontiac; Shawville activist and mayoral hopeful, Linda Davis; and Linda Lafortune.
The changes include:
• The ban on video recording and photography now excludes journalists and may be waived for others at the presiding officer’s discretion.
• Public Question Period has been renamed Question and Statement Period, now officially allowing five-minute statements.
• The second question and statement period may be extended by 20 minutes to a maximum of 30 minutes at the presiding officer’s discretion.
• Agendas will be published on the MRC website the Monday before meetings and posted
at the building’s entrance. Copies will be available in the meeting room and lobby on meeting night.
Warden Toller noted the by-law was based on Quebec Federation of Municipalities (FQM) recommendations following the resignation of 1,000 elected officials since 2021 due to harassment, abuse, and the increasing difficulty of being an elected official in today’s political climate.
Mayor Quaile and Pro-Mayor Squitti opposed the by-law. Quaile argued it failed to improve transparency, citing the lack of public access to resolutions before meetings. Squitti said the by-law missed opportunities to better serve Pontiac residents, adding, “This was a guideline. We could’ve really made it our own and we missed that opportunity. It could’ve been a lot more beneficial for the people of the Pontiac.”
The by-law takes effect in April, with a vote scheduled to open plenary sessions at that time.
High school firefighter training
Encouraged by the success of the Firefighter 1 program at École secondaire Sieur-de-Coulonge (ESSC), council will seek funding to expand the training to Dr. Wilbert Keon School and Pontiac High School. A grant from the Public Security Ministry will cover training costs, with the MRC funding any additional expenses.
MRC Public Security Coordinator Julien Gagnon said the program’s costs have been fully covered so far. However, the grant is only paid after course completion, meaning funding could be impacted if students drop out.
Of the 18 students who began the two-year program in 2023, 16 are set to graduate as certified firefighters this June. Gagnon noted that the program aims to address the shortage of volunteer firefighters in rural areas.
The next CoM meeting is scheduled for April 16.