Peter L. Smith

Matt Allard named Firefighter of Year

PETER L. SMITH
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

L’ISLE-AUX-ALLUMETTES – The annual Christmas dinner for the municipalities of Chichester, Sheenboro, and L’Isle-aux-Allumettes, as well as the Pontiac Ouest Fire Safety Service, was held December 6 at Harrington Community Centre.

Deputy Fire Chiefs Ian Payne and Mike Wood awarded Matt Allard with a plaque for earning Firefighter of the Year 2024 and pinned epaulettes to his uniform, signifying his new rank as lieutenant. They also presented outgoing firefighter Stewart Adam with a plaque recognizing his service and introduced all firefighters in attendance.

Payne spoke about new recruits who will start Firefighter 1 training in 2026. He and Wood listed some of their interprovincial partners and agencies they’ve worked with this year, including the Waltham and Mansfield fire departments, Laurentian Valley Fire Department, Pembroke Fire Department Marine Unit, Sûreté du Québec, Ontario Provincial Police, Quebec Paramedic, and Renfrew County Paramedic’s Sierra Team.

Mayors Donald Gagnon (Chichester), Doris Ranger (Sheenboro), and Corey Spence (L’Isle-aux-Allumettes) expressed appreciation to all firefighters for their dedication​.

Photo – Front left: Deputy Chief Ian Payne, Lieutenant Matt Allard, and Deputy Chief Mike Wood with fellow firefighters at the Christmas dinner, Dec. 6, in Chapeau. (PS)

Matt Allard named Firefighter of Year Read More »

Sheenboro council report: status quo for Trout Lake Road; council seat reduction rejected

PETER L. SMITH
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

SHEENBORO – Trout Lake Road’s ownership was back on the agenda for Sheenboro’s monthly council meeting, December 2, with residents continuing to advocate for a public consultation on the matter. Controversy arose in recent months when council decided to hand over ownership of 5 kilometres of the gravel road (in four non-continuous sections) to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests (MRNF).

Councillor Shamus Morris presented a motion for the municipality to rescind a previous resolution giving ownership to the MRNF; it failed following a 3-3 vote.

Morris also read a letter from taxpayer Mike Allard, requesting that council rescind their previous decision to give him time to form a road committee to obtain more information on the road’s ownership. The proposed committee would be composed of a council member, a representative of Trout Lake Campground, ratepayers from McGillivary Lake, Sheen Lake, Trout Lake, McDonald Lake, Pike Lake, and representatives from the Pingouin Club and the ATV club. “We can work together and fight for more grants through MRC Pontiac and some financial support from the municipality,” he said.

The road began as a colonization road in 1959 and would have remained so had the municipality not maintained it after 1993, according to correspondence received by property owner Mike Allard from the MRNF. The municipality, MRNF, and the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility (MTMD) are not legally obligated to maintain the road, but the municipality continues to offer assistance where possible since they are not in a financial position to maintain it in its entirety. Although logging companies use the road, they do little to maintain it, and stumpage fees are non-existent given the road’s current multi-use classification.

Council has stated on several occasions that it is always possible for ratepayers on Trout Lake Road to present their issues or projects to council and request assistance.

Council also discussed reducing council seats from six to four, which was defeated by a vote of 4-2​.

Photo – Trout Lake Rd. cottage owner Claire Rivet addresses council at the Dec.
2 meeting. (PS)

Sheenboro council report: status quo for Trout Lake Road; council seat reduction rejected Read More »

Sheenboro stands by Trout Lake Rd. decision

Peter L. Smith

Local Journalism Initiative

SHEENBORO – About 30 people attended the municipality’s monthly council meeting at the municipal hall on September 9 to ask further questions about Trout Lake Rd. and public security.

Ratepayer Greg Bertrand asked how council’s decision to transfer their portion of Trout Lake Rd. to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MRNF) will help the municipality grow and attract new families, a promise he said Mayor Doris Ranger made in an interview with CHIP FM during the last election. “I hope more families settle in Sheenboro, but I don’t have numbers at present,” said Ranger.

Ratepayer Mike Allard spoke of the Ryan Reform, published by Claude Ryan, a former provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs. The document was mentioned in the 1992 council minutes, which Allard said stated Trout Lake Rd. may belong to the municipality. The 511 Quebec map legend of 2023 shows Trout Lake Rd. as a local road, noted Allard.

Allard also said a municipal lawyer told council they should hire a notary to do a title search to determine legal ownership of the road. The cost according to council would be $300/hour.

Currently, the municipality still owns the 5 km, non-continuous section of the road, which council noted is a multi-resource road, meaning that the municipality has to get permission from the MRNF to perform work on it, according to Ranger. It could take up to a year for the transfer of the road’s ownership from the municipality to the MRNF to be complete.

In September, the municipality spent $1,500 on grading, $8,500 on ditching, and added another 15 loads of gravel to the road last week at a projected cost of $5,000 – $7,000.

Other ratepayers questioned the issue of paying for fire and police protection when access to Trout Lake Rd. could be an issue. Mayor Ranger explained that paying for both is mandated by the MRC. An Emergency Preparedness Plan is in place with neighbouring Chichester and L’Isle-aux-Allumettes, with rescue vehicles stationed at Pontiac Ouest’s main fire station for use if necessary.

Miscellaneous

The municipality voted to support Alleyn-et-Cawood’s Property Evaluation Task Force.

Simon Tessier, assistant director general, explained how the new joint website with Chichester and L’Ile-aux-Allumettes will work.

Photo – Trout Lake Rd. resident Greg Bertrand addresses council at the Sept. 9 meeting. (PS)

Sheenboro stands by Trout Lake Rd. decision Read More »

Waltham Council Report – Council accepts CMQ report on former DG’s wrongdoings

Peter L. Smith
Local Journalism Initaitive

WALTHAM: The regular monthly municipal council meeting was held Tuesday, September 2, at the town hall with about 35 ratepayers in attendance. MRC Pontiac Warden Jane Toller, Mansfield-et-Pontefract Mayor Sandra Armstrong, and Fort-Coulonge Mayor Christine Francoeur were also present.

Copies of the report compiled by the Commission municipale du Québec (CMQ) regarding the misconduct of former Director General Fernand Roy were made available to the public. Copies are also available at the municipal office. Council accepted the report and deposited it with Director General Annik Plant, committing to act on the recommendations put forth.

Other issues discussed included trailers and permits along the Black River Rd. Some members of the public expressed concern that permits were not being obtained or regulations followed. Council noted the concerns and agreed to look into them further.

Concerns were also raised over the visibility of the school bus in the sharp curve on Chemin du Traversier (Ferry Rd). Some suggestions included better signage, a conclave mirror, and asking the property owner to trim hedges.

All regular monthly meetings are open to the public and include a public question period.

Photo – The Waltham Municipal Council L/R: Councillors Leonard Godin, Ramona Marion, Brenda Landry, Mayor Odette Godin, Tyler Rochon, Brendan Adam (newly elected), Elwood Allard, and Director General Annik Plante. (PS)

Waltham Council Report – Council accepts CMQ report on former DG’s wrongdoings Read More »

Ratepayers request public consultation on Trout Lake Road

PETER L. SMITH

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

SHEENBORO – Ratepayers unhappy with the municipality’s decision concerning ownership of sections of Trout Lake Road attended the monthly council meeting on August 12 to request a public consultation on the matter. The municipality, which owns about 5 km of four non-contiguous sections of the gravel road, voted to hand over ownership of those sections to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), a decision that has upset ratepayers along the road.

The road began as a colonization road in 1959 and would have remained so had the municipality not maintained it after 1993, according to correspondence received by property owner Mike Allard from the MNRF. The municipality, MNRF and Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable (MTMD) are not legally obligated to maintain the road, but the municipality continues to offer assistance as much as they can since they’re not in a financial position to maintain it in its entirety.

During July’s meeting, councillors voted 3 to 3 to hand over the road’s ownership to the MNRF, with Mayor Doris Ranger breaking the tie in support of the transfer. Councillor John Brennan put forth a motion to rescind that decision at the August 12 meeting, which again ended in a 3 to 3 vote, with Ranger voting not to support Brennan’s motion to break the tie. As a measure of security, Sûreté du Quebec officers attended the meeting, which was expected to be tense.

Councillor Rick Bradshaw spoke. “Some council members believe there’s a conflict of interest with certain members and they’re not acknowledging it. They shouldn’t be able to partake in deliberations or vote on the matter,” he proclaimed.

The issue of how to maintain the four small and spread-out sections of road with limited finances and that of liability was cited by Council as the reasons behind the decision. The Club Motoneige uses the road in the winter, through an agreement with the MRNF, prompting the municipality to have added safety and liability concerns for the narrow road.

According to Marie-Joelle Côté, Ministry of Natural Resources (MRNF) communications advisor, they leave it to the MTMD to decide how maintenance is handled for roads under their responsibility. “Municipalities or MRCs can take charge of the maintenance and repair of certain multi-use roads. The MRNF then concludes a delegation agreement with them for a certain period on these specific sections. The road in question here isn’t the subject of such an agreement,” she clarified.

Currently, one permanent resident lives along the road in addition to other private property owners, an outfitter and a campground that uses the road. According to council, the municipality currently has 49 ratepayers that access their properties using Trout Lake Road. They contribute $25,051 in land taxes, equalling 4.6% of all taxes collected within the municipality.

Ranger suggested ratepayers concerned about Trout Lake Road form a committee and present plans or maintenance requests as they arise to council to see if they can help.

“The user-pay principle applies to multi-use roads located in forests on the state domain. However, programs and other financial assistance measures may sometimes be offered to users for certain eligible work on the construction, improvement and repair of roads and watercourse crossings. It’s therefore possible that some multi-use roads aren’t maintained if no one takes charge of them. Council has stated on several occasions that it’s always possible for ratepayers on Trout Lake Road to present their issues or project to council and request assistance. This is the only road in the municipality that had its own budget of $10,000 in 2024,” concluded Ranger.  

Ratepayers request public consultation on Trout Lake Road Read More »

Talking trash: incinerator town halls meet strong citizen opposition

Bonnie James
Lynne Lavery
Peter L. Smith
Local Journalism Initiative

MRC PONTIAC – The MRC has held four of five scheduled townhall meetings to present the initial business plan (IBP) for the proposed Energy-from-Waste (EFW) project, on March 25, 27, and April 3 and 9, with one more scheduled April 10, in Otter Lake. The plan had been contracted to Deloitte and their partner Ramboll at a cost of $120,000.

At each presentation, Allumette Island mayor, Corey Spence, presented a slideshow as well as several videos showing pros and cons of the proposed project; Warden Jane Toller was also present and responded to many questions.

On March 25, Mayors Donald Gagnon (Chichester), Doris Ranger (Sheenboro) and Odette Godin (Waltham) as well as several councillors and 125 citizens were in  attendance. On March 27, in Fort-Coulonge, mayors Christine Francoeur (Fort-Coulonge) and Sandra Armstrong (Mansfield) attended as well as approximately 60 citizens. On April 3 in Shawville, Mayor Bill McCleary was joined by Ed Walsh (Clarendon) and Brent Orr (Bristol) with over 120 people in  attendance. Attendance for the April 9  meeting in Campbell’s Bay was not available at press time and will be reported in the April 24 Journal.

Explaining waste management’s pros and cons

The slideshow started by explaining the difference between linear and circular economies.  Linear economies rely on a “take, make and discard” model of consumerism that is not sustainable, whereas a circular economy stresses reducing, recycling and reusing to save money and eliminate waste. There was also a video about a business called Eco-Maine that specializes in the circular model including recycling facilities, public education, a landfill and an EFW facility.

Mayor Spence went through some points recently presented by Dr. Paul Connett, a retired chemistry professor from New York, who has researched waste management issues since 1985.  Dr. Connett stressed an incinerator isn’t financially viable, is bad for the economy (reducing tourism) and agriculture and poses many health risks. Spence’s presentation questioned and countered some of Connett’s conclusions.

Presenting the Initial Business Plan

The second half of the presentation was an overview of the recently released initial business plan (IBP). According to it, and a bilingual handout, the MRC currently spends about $1.7 million annually to truck 5,300 tons of waste to the Lachute landfill. The IBP focussed on a facility that would require 400,000 tons of waste at a cost of up to $750 million, including a carbon capture feature.

A point was raised at the Shawville meeting that Ottawa, one of the proposed sources of garbage required to run the EFW, had recently decided to look into expanding their Trimm Road facility to enlarge their landfill along with an option of creating their own incinerator. Toller’s response was that the MRC was also looking at smaller options for the Pontiac’s facility even though all the facts presented were based on a larger model. According to Toller, project revenue and tipping fees would help pay for the facility.

The IBP recommended Design/Finance/Build/Operate/Maintain (DFBOM) as the ideal funding  structure, which would fund the facility 25% privately through investors and 75% publicly through the provincial and federal governments. At the Shawville meeting, Toller mentioned that Derek McGrimmon, from McGrimmon Cartage, had expressed interest in investing up to $50 million. Other funding sources suggested were from the Canada Growth Fund, Canada Infrastructure Bank, and the provinces of Quebec and Ontario; the only cost to local municipalities would be the usual user disposal fees.

There were challenges during the presentation due to poor screen resolution making the details hard to read and switching back and forth from slideshows to videos. Technical details were complex and confusing; several people asked for a hard copy of the IBP, with Toller stating one would be “available soon” or by “April 10”.

Most in attendance opposed

Many citizens and groups oppose the incinerator, believing it carries risks such as unnecessary debt, increased taxes, negative tourism impacts, and adverse effects on the environment and residents’ health. A man at the Shawville meeting asked for a show of hands of those “who don’t want this here”; the response was almost unanimous. Spence interjected asking, “How many are undecided?” with about a dozen people raising their hands.

Another point raised was the amount of garbage required to run the facility could create a spiral of more garbage instead of the desired reduction, noting the EFW project doesn’t tackle the garbage problem in the right order. Residents expressed a desire to see composting and recycling programs expanded throughout the Pontiac to reduce waste prior to making any decisions about residual waste. Toller replied that they are working on a plan and there will be more news soon.

Environmental and health concerns remain

The overall consensus of residents seemed to be that the initial business plan and Spence’s presentation missed the mark by failing to address potential environmental and health impacts of the project. The environmental assessment will not come until after the next step in the process, which is a more detailed business plan, at a cost of $250,000; Toller said those funds would not come from the MRC—they would have to come from the province and “potential interested parties”. Only then would the environmental assessment occur, along with a feasibility study; this would take up to 3 years and another $250 to $300,000.

Ron Hodgins, a farmer from Clarendon, who’s farm is very near the proposed Litchfield site, noted that it seemed a lot of work had gone into the presentation, but given the technical difficulties and many unanswered questions, his response was: “If this is the best the MRC can do to inform the public, then shame on you!” This brought loud applause and also a call from Judith Spence for a public referendum before anything else moves forward.

A student, Hayley Pilon, asked, “What has to happen so this doesn’t go ahead? How can we stop it?” Spence answered that people should stay engaged and talk to their local councils, but also stressed garbage is everyone’s problem. “We have to explore every option to deal with it,” he said. Toller also stated, “We will not move forward unless our proposed solution, whatever that may be, is healthy for everyone and acceptable to the general public.”

Talking trash: incinerator town halls meet strong citizen opposition Read More »

Scroll to Top