prefect

Marc Carrière elected to four more years as MRC prefect

Local Journalism Initiative / The Low Down / October 8, 2025 / Cantley, Chelsea, L’Ange-Gardien, La Pêche, Marc Carrière, MRC des Collines, Pontiac, prefect, Val-des-Monts

By Trevor Greenway

Marc Carrière has been reappointed for another four years as prefect of the MRC des Collines, and he says climate protection is among his top priorities.

Carrière was elected by acclamation on Oct. 3 after no one stepped in to challenge him for the prefect seat of the MRC des Collines regional government.

He said his first priority is to continue the climate work he started when he was elected in 2021.

“That will be one big issue for us and the six municipalities: we’re finishing our climate plan with Kitigan Zibi and all the wetlands plan and so on,” said Carrière. “So there’s a lot to do and we have to be resilient with all those environmental changes.”

The MRC des Collines worked with its six municipalities – Cantley, Chelsea, La Pêche, L’Ange-Gardien, Pontiac and Val-des-Monts – to establish a climate commission. One of its first orders of business was analyzing the region’s greenhouse gas emissions. The 2022 study found that road transportation was the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the area, accounting for 62 per cent of emissions. The next largest emitter was off-road transportation, accounting for 24 per cent. In 2022 the total emissions amounted to 318,095 metric tons of CO2 equivalent.

Carrière told the Low Down that work is underway to develop solutions to limit these emissions. He said the MRC is building a new eco-centre for hazardous waste and electronic waste drop off in Val-des-Monts, off the corner of Hwys 366 and 307. The $3 million eco centre is expected to be built next spring.

“It’s in the centre of the MRC, so it’s the perfect location,” added Carrière.

The MRC is also looking to become a leader in solar energy, said Carrière, as the land’s topography provides maximum exposure to sunlight. He said the MRC is working hard at building a new solar program that would allow it to sell energy to Quebec as a revenue stream.

“Quebec is looking for more and more energy, sustainable energy,” said Carrière. “We don’t have any potential for windmill power but we have a lot for solar panels. “I think the Outaouais could be a leader in solar energy.”

Other priorities include working on sustainable development and implementing the MRC’s social development strategy, which was finalized earlier this month and will aim to support local non-profit organizations in the region. Carrière said the MRC is also exploring the possibility of amalgamating fire departments, however that study is in its preliminary stages.

Carrière said that he was proud of the work he did in his first mandate, namely helping the region’s police service implement a mental health and domestic violence unit when dealing with sensitive calls or distressed individuals.

The MAINtenant ensemble program, implemented in 2021, sends social workers on domestic violence calls to help de-escalate encounters and ensure kids and women are safe. In 2023 the MRC and local police launched the MAINtenir le lien program, which pairs police officers with mental health experts during distress calls.

“We put on the domestic violence squad and also the mental health issues squad, and that’s a big thing for our citizens,” he said.

Carrière will be officially sworn in within the next 30 days.

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Rocher-Percé Prefect Samuel Parisé will seek a second term

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / May 14, 2025 / election, nelson sergerie, prefect, rocher perce

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

CHANDLER – Samuel Parisé announced his intentions on May 6 via a message on social media that he will seek a second term as prefect of the Rocher-Percé MRC in the November 2 election.

“It’s been a lot of learning. Being involved with the public and organizations is rewarding and enriching,” notes Mr. Parisé, who was just starting his career in politics when he was elected in 2021.

He says he is proud of the modernization of the Rocher-Percé airport, including the extension of the runway and the expansion of the terminal, as well as the fight against Quebec to allow MRCs to support the construction of rental housing.

However, he quickly learned early in his mandate that the political machine doesn’t move as fast as the will to act.

“When I realized that, I had to take a step back. We want to change things quickly, to put certain things in place, but sometimes things are bigger than us. Everything that has to do with the federal or provincial government is a mechanism. The administration is always present. They have directions and things in place. Changing this mechanism is a long-term job,” maintains the outgoing prefect. Even when decisions are made, they can be changed, as was the case with the rail refurbishment in the Gaspésie.

“We still believe this is an essential project both economically and for tourism,” says the prefect. However, the announced rule requiring residences to be 300 metres away from a railway line would have a significant impact in Rocher-Percé.

“It would have an impact on the development of housing and certain land. This is crucial for us. We must find the best agreement and the best way for these projects to coexist. We will continue all of our efforts,” he says.

Continuing the work already underway will be the key principle of a possible second term. “There have been steps taken in the housing crisis. It will definitely be a priority issue. We want to house our people adequately and safely,” says Mr. Parisé. The fight for the return of Réno-Région will also continue to enable low-income people to renovate their homes.

“If this basic need isn’t met, it’s difficult to think of other projects to revitalize our territory,” notes the outgoing prefect, while the MRC continues to rank at the bottom of the pack in terms of development.

“Things are improving demographically; we have people who want to come here, new talent to meet priority needs like health and local services. If we want to ensure continued development, we need to harmonize the reception of new people and the retention of those who currently live in the area,” analyzes Mr. Parisé.

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Guy Bernatchez will leave his position as Haute-Gaspésie Prefect in November

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / May 14, 2025 / caribout, haute gaspesie, nelson sergerie, prefect

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

SAINTE-ANNE-DES-MONTS – Elected in November 2021, the prefect of the Haute-Gaspésie MRC, Guy Bernatchez, has already indicated that he will not seek a second term. He made the announcement to give those interested in the position enough time to prepare prior to the election, which is six months away. Before joining the MRC, Guy Bernatchez was the mayor of Saint-Maxime-du-Mont-Louis from 2017 to 2021. He also ran for the Bloc Québécois in the riding of Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine in 2019 and 2021. “I’ve been in politics for eight years. It’s a multi-faceted responsibility that I’ve really enjoyed over the years, but I think I’ve covered the gamut and I have other career aspirations for the future,” says Mr. Bernatchez, who is a forest manager by profession.

At this time, with the caribou debate raging in Haute-Gaspésie, he doesn’t feel like he’s jumping ship in the middle of a storm. “Not really. My term isn’t over. Who’s to say I would have been re-elected? I don’t see it that way at all, quite the opposite.” I’ve worked hard to advance this issue in recent years. We’ve had this issue for decades. The person who gets my seat will continue to advance this issue,” emphasized Mr. Bernatchez.

The administrative staff will remain, along with the Table’s elected officials from Haute-Gaspésie. “I thought it would be better to announce it well in advance so that people could take a position, and I will complete my term,” he said.

The outgoing prefect would like to finalize the caribou file before leaving office. “I would like to continue working with local people and the Ministry of the Environment to find a scenario that would be most beneficial for the MRC and the users of the territory,” says Mr. Bernatchez. He will provide a more detailed assessment once his term is over.

Guy Bernatchez won the November 2021 election with 47% of the vote, defeating his opponent, Allen Cormier, who had been in office for 12 years. Mr. Cormier, who received 38% of the vote, makes no secret of his interest in a possible return to active politics.

“It deserves serious consideration. It’s a job I held with great pleasure and excellent results for 12 years. Unfortunately, I suffered defeat. I’m receiving a lot of requests from people. Many are requesting my presence for a future term. It deserves careful consideration before making such an important decision, but I won’t hide from you that I’m going to give it very serious thought,” admits Mr. Cormier.

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