$428K to update Pontiac, Papineau land plans
Tashi Farmilo
Local Journalism Initiative
Published online July 16, 2025, at www.pontiacjournal.com
OUTAOUAIS – The Pontiac and Papineau MRCs will be updating their land use and development plans to reflect updated provincial guidelines with $427,928 from the Quebec government, aligning local planning with environmental and sustainability goals under the province’s National Policy on Architecture and Land-Use Planning (PNAAT). The funding was announced on June 30.
The Outaouais Regional Council on the Environment and Sustainable Development (CREDDO) will oversee the project, facilitating communication with the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg community to ensure Indigenous perspectives and biodiversity priorities are integrated into the planning process.
Funding will be distributed in stages, with an initial portion provided in 2024-2025 and additional disbursements scheduled through 2028. The initiative is one of 21 projects selected across eight administrative regions under the 2023-2027 PNAAT implementation plan, which will provide a total of $8.6 million to support municipalities in balancing development goals with environmental protection.
The first PNAAT was launched in June 2022, followed by the 2023-2027 implementation plan unveiled in June 2023, which outlines actions to advance Quebec’s vision for architecture and land use planning. The projects under this plan aim to provide municipalities with practical support for local planning, emerging from regional consultations and aligned with local ambitions.
For the Pontiac, the updated plans are expected to clarify zoning and land use frameworks, preserve natural spaces, and guide housing and development priorities while ensuring sustainable growth.
