Bonnie Portelance
Published in the Pontiac Journal on February 25, 2026.
MRC PONTIAC – The Council of Mayors (CoM) held its monthly meeting Feb. 19 at MRC headquarters in Litchfield. Warden Jane Toller opened the meeting with a moment of silence for recent tragedies in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., Kitigan Zibi, and the snowmobile accident in Mansfield.
TNO update
Council voted to renew its agreement with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests allowing the MRC to continue maintaining and repairing multi-use forest roads in its territory. The budget for the unorganized territory (TNO) includes $511,000 for infrastructure maintenance, of which $250,000 is reserved for maintaining priority-network multi-use forest roads, including Rapides-des-Joachims, Schyan, Bois Franc/Jim’s Lake, Picanoc/Osborne, Charette, Traverse Manitou, and Route 20.
Council also approved the purchase of a new pickup truck for the TNO to replace an older vehicle. The 4×4 F-150, to be purchased from Shawville Ford for $59,593, will be used to access isolated sites for inspections, infrastructure maintenance, environmental management, ad hoc interventions, and emergency response.
Committee updates: Tourism
A new Tourism Advisory Committee has been formed to advise the MRC on tourism development, make strategic recommendations, and support regional coordination of
promotional activities. Members include mayors Donald Gagnon (Chichester), Valerie Twolan-Graham (Bristol), Joanne Ralston (Bryson), and Jennifer Quaile (Otter Lake). Two representatives from the Pontiac Tourism Association will also sit on the committee; the first is Brittany Morin of SADC Pontiac, while the second seat remains vacant.
From the MRC, Tourism Development Officer Stéphanie Hébert-Potter and Sports and Recreation Officer Danelle Bourque will participate. Toller and Pro-Warden Raymond Pilon sit on all committees as ex officio members.
Waterway
The Waterway Committee recommended suspending the boat transport service for 2026. The service typically helps boaters navigate the Ottawa River by transporting boats around unnavigable sections.
The committee opted to pause the program to allow for an in-depth review and to address structural issues. Toller said Tourism Outaouais has expressed interest in helping promote the service.
Public safety
The Public Safety Committee received an update from Sûreté du Québec Sgt. Yves Martineau, who reported an increase in impaired driving in the region and urged
caution on the roads. He also outlined regional priorities for the year, including waterway and road safety, as well as patrols of ATV and snowmobile trails.
Environment
MRC Environment Manager Kari Richardson provided an update on the climate plan. The 2022 greenhouse gas emissions inventory has been completed and will be
compared with the previous inventory from 2017.
The inventory focuses on emissions from municipal buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure using data gathered from each municipality. An action plan to address
identified risks is being developed and is expected to be completed in March.
The committee also received an update from Environmental Coordinator Nina Digioacchino, who is drafting a bylaw outlining procedures for the new Éco Entreprises Québec (EEQ) recycling system. The bylaw will focus on curbside collection.
Mayor Quaile said members emphasized the need for clear guidelines that meet EEQ requirements while accounting for rural collection realities. The committee will meet with EEQ for clarification before revising the bylaw.
Immigration
Council approved submitting an application to the Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration under Phase 2 of its Community Support Program. The MRC is requesting $236,060 over three years to implement its immigration action plan, aimed at attracting and integrating immigrants.
If approved, the MRC would cover 25% of the costs, totalling $59,015, through administrative expenses and staff time.
Funding would support the designation of an immigration ambassador in each municipality and the development of centralized tools for community organizations working with immigrants.
Tourism update: Vanlife
Council approved $67,000 from the Regions and Rurality Fund stream two
(FRR 2) for phase two of the Route 148: Vanlife project. The phase includes strengthening the host network through municipal training, developing consistent communications tools, improving signage, increasing local awareness, and continuing to market the circuit at Vanlife events.
Interactive tourist kiosk
Council confirmed its interest in a project to install an interactive digital tourist
information kiosk at the MRC building. The Ministry of Tourism is offering funding and is currently gauging interest.
The outdoor kiosk would provide 24/7 access to local and regional tourism information, including access to content from Tourism Outaouais and Destination Pontiac. The
ministry would cover 90% of the project’s $54,831 cost, with the MRC responsible
for about $5,483 through FRR 2 funding.
Mayor Twolan-Graham also asked about funding to reopen the tourist information booth in Bristol and others at regional entry points in L’Isle-aux-Allumettes, Portage-du-Fort, Alleyn-et-Cawood, and Rapides-des-Joachims. Assistant Director General Terry Lafleur said funding may be possible, as the ministry has strong interest in supporting the Pontiac region.
The next Council of Mayors meeting will be held March 19 at MRC headquarters in Litchfield.
Photo : Last fall, the MRC issued a call for tenders for a sculpture to be added to its regional art collection. Council selected a piece titled “The Spirit of the White-Tailed Sky” by Keri-Anne Horvat (Chyzewsky) at a cost of $4,000. The sculpture will be mounted on the front wall of the MRC building. Dimensions shown in the rendering above are incorrect; the actual size will be eight feet wide by five feet high. (MRC Pontiac)
