William Dale

William Dale
Local Journalism Initiative

MANSFIELD – The Friends of Chutes Coulonge held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on August 11, marking another year of progress for the non-profit that has managed the historic site since 1992. The meeting brought together board members, funding partners, and community supporters to review finances, discuss governance, and outline ambitious plans for the years ahead.

Executive Director Brittany Morin said the past year was a milestone, as the park completed its first full year of year-round operations. “This was a big step for us,” she explained. “Becoming a four-season destination has always been a goal, and now we’re seeing how it can work in practice.”

One highlight was Timbercut Hockey, a new winter attraction blending mini-putt with hockey. Morin said the pilot exceeded expectations. “It was very successful,” she said. “Families loved it, and it gave us something new to offer in the winter. This year we’ll start earlier so we can run it for the full season.”

Looking ahead, Morin presented a five-year plan focused on expanding spring and fall programming while strengthening winter activities. “We’ve come a long way in building a year-round offer,” she said. “But there’s still work to do. The goal is to create experiences that keep people coming back no matter the season.”

Board members also reviewed bylaws, appointed directors, and presented the financial report. The Friends operate under a 25-year lease with the MRC Pontiac, running until 2044 at a symbolic cost of one dollar per year. An eight-member volunteer board governs the organization, supported by a director general, operations manager, seasonal staff, and summer students.

Part of the group’s mission is to preserve and interpret the site’s heritage. Once central to the Ottawa Valley forestry industry, the Coulonge Falls were bypassed by a log slide that kept timber moving downriver. Today, visitors learn that history through interpretive trails, exhibits, and tours, alongside modern attractions such as zip lines, an aerial course, via ferrata, yurts, and a children’s water park.

Morin said balancing recreation with history makes Chutes Coulonge unique. “We’re not just an adventure park,” she said. “We’re also a place that tells the story of this region and its forestry past. Our goal is to celebrate both.”

As the organization looks forward with a clear roadmap, the AGM reaffirmed the Friends’ dual role as guardians of local history and innovators in regional tourism. “We’ve been holding these meetings every year since 1992,” Morin said. “Each one is about accountability, but it’s also about vision. We’re proud of what’s been accomplished, and we’re excited for what’s to come.”

Photo – The Friends of Chutes Coulonge gathered for their annual meeting August 11 to review progress and discuss plans for future growth. (WD)

William Dale
Local Journalism Initiative

CAMPBELL’S BAY – SADC Pontiac (Community Futures Development Corporation) and the Pontiac Chamber of Commerce co-hosted a hands-on Google My Business (GMB) workshop on August 7 at Brauwerk Hoffman in Campbell’s Bay, aimed at helping local entrepreneurs strengthen their online presence and attract more customers.

Presented by David Bird of Bird’s Eye Marketing, the session guided small business owners through claiming, optimizing, and managing their Google Business Profiles — a key tool for improving visibility in local search results.

“If someone searches for a place to eat or a service in the area, you want your business to show up with accurate information, photos, and reviews,” Bird said. “If your profile isn’t claimed or updated, you’re missing an opportunity for customers to choose you over the competition.”

Participants learned best practices for posting updates, responding to reviews, and ensuring their information is current and engaging. Bird stressed that GMB is more than a listing — it’s a showcase for what makes a business unique, from products and services to hours and location.

The workshop also covered strategies for improving local search rankings, including effective use of keywords, categories, and photos. Bird noted that while artificial intelligence tools are beginning to integrate into profile management, the foundation remains solid, consistent information.

“For many small businesses in Pontiac — restaurants, retail shops, tradespeople — a strong Google Business Profile can be the difference between being found or being overlooked,” he said.

Attendees left with actionable steps to improve their profiles immediately and had the opportunity to ask Bird questions directly.

The event was part of SADC Pontiac and the Chamber’s ongoing efforts to provide practical training for local entrepreneurs, helping them adapt to a business landscape where digital presence is often as important as the storefront itself.

Photo – David Bird of Bird’s Eye Marketing leads a Google My Business workshop hosted by the SADC and the Pontiac Chamber of Commerce. (WD)

William Dale
Local Journalism Initiative

FORT-COULONGE – Hydro-Québec has begun a major public consultation process as part of its plan to build a new electrical substation—Poste de Coulonge—and a 120 kV transmission line stretching over 30 kilometers from the existing Cadieux Substation in Bryson to a new site in the Coulonge area. This large-scale infrastructure project aims to strengthen the region’s power grid, improve reliability, and support future growth in electricity demand.

The consultation process, which began earlier this year with municipalities in the Pontiac MRC, has now entered a broader public phase. An open house event on May 27 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Fort-Coulonge invited residents to learn about the project, ask questions, and provide feedback.

“What we’re doing today is part of a comprehensive and ongoing consultation,” Caroline Milliard, a Hydro-Québec spokesperson, explained. “We began meeting with municipal stakeholders early in 2025 and are now inviting the general public to engage with the proposed plan.”

Why the project is needed
The Coulonge substation and transmission line are key to modernizing the aging infrastructure in the region and increasing power system capacity. The existing Cadieux substation, originally built in 1964, has reached its limits.

“This investment will reduce outages and shorten their duration while supporting economic development and the electrification of transportation,” Caroline added.

The new infrastructure will bring high-voltage transmission lines farther north into underserved areas like Fort-Coulonge, Chichester, and Sheenboro—regions that have faced longstanding challenges with power reliability.

Proposed project details

• Substation location: The new substation will be located somewhere within a defined study zone in the Coulonge area. Criteria for site selection include distance from residential areas, flat and well-drained land, minimal visual impact, and low environmental sensitivity.
• Transmission line: A new 120 kV line will run from Cadieux in Bryson to the Coulonge area. Hydro-Québec is assessing potential routes based on land use, environmental concerns, and impacts to local landowners and industries such as maple syrup producers.

Consultation timeline and construction
The project is still in its preliminary study phase. No final route or substation location has been selected, but preliminary proposals are expected by fall 2025.

From 2026 to 2028, Hydro-Québec will focus on:

• Finalizing the route and lot selection
• Continuing environmental and geological assessments
• Securing required government authorizations
• Negotiating with impacted landowners

If all goes according to plan, construction is expected to begin in 2028 and continue through to 2030–2031, when the new infrastructure is scheduled to be commissioned.

Additional upgrades
This project is also tied to upgrades at the Cadieux substation, which will be modernized to support the new line. While the land is already owned by Hydro-Québec, additional regulatory approvals may still be required to proceed.

Community involvement
Hydro-Québec emphasized its commitment to community engagement throughout the process. Over 4,000 letters were sent to residents in the study area, and turnout for the open house included local mayors and citizens from surrounding municipalities.

“We understand our equipment isn’t invisible. But our goal is to do this with the people, not despite them,” said Milliard. “We want to minimize the impact while maximizing the benefits to residents.”

More information, including maps, press releases, and public notices, can be found on Hydro-Québec’s dedicated project website: hydroquebec.com/coulongesubstation.

Photo – Hydro-Quebec Spokesperson Caroline Milliard goes over a map of the study area for the new Coulonge substation project. (WD)