MATAPÉDIA – Following in the footsteps of the eastern sector, the western part of the Avignon MRC has initiated discussions regarding the establishment of an intermunicipal fire protection board.

Presently, the municipalities of Pointe-à-la-Croix, Matapédia, and the Plateaux sector already share the same service manager.

“The municipalities to the west of Pointe-à-la-Croix have met in recent weeks with a similar objective to that of the east,” says Nicole Lagacé, the mayor of Matapedia.

“For the fire chief, it’s four different budgets and four different accountability reports. We could amalgamate all that into a single budget for all the municipalities concerned,” says the mayor.

A study has been commissioned from Icarium, which had already conducted a study in the Avignon MRC.

“Right now, the work is done, and people’s safety is well established. However, I think we need to go beyond the status quo to improve our service. That would benefit everyone,” says Ms. Lagacé.

Each municipality with a fire station has committed, by resolution, to continue the analysis.

It’s hard to believe that any amalgamation would happen quickly.

“Obviously, it would have been easier to do it at the beginning of the year. At this point, it may be a little too late. We’ll see how we can pursue this, but the objective is to do it as quickly as possible,” she says.

“If it’s more efficient to implement it by January 1, it will be in 2025 but, in 2024, there is a likelihood that major decisions will have to be made,” she adds.