Tashi Farmilo
Published online April 8, 2026, at www.pontiacjournal.com.
BRISTOL – Greg Graham has resigned from Bristol municipal council after 17 years, citing his opposition to ongoing deliberations over the potential sale of a 95-hectare municipal property to the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC).
“As council was going forward with further consideration of the offer to purchase the municipal land at 35 Pontiac Station by the NCC, I could not agree with the decision, nor countenance being part of any further discussions on what I regard as a great mistake,” Graham said.
The property, located along the Ottawa River east of the village, has been municipally owned since 1994. Council voted March 2 to continue deliberating on whether to accept the NCC’s purchase offer, defeating a motion to end those discussions. Graham was among the most outspoken opponents of the proposed sale, taking to social media in late January to urge council to reject the offer.
Graham said the Pontiac Station issue proved unlike any other disagreement he encountered during his time on council.
“For 17 years, although council disagreed on many issues, we found a way to come to a consensus and move forward. On this issue, there could be no consensus. Council never passed a motion agreeing to sell the property, so entertaining an offer to purchase is entirely backwards. This property has long been reserved for future use and enjoyment of the people of Bristol, giving access to the waterfront to those who may not be fortunate enough to own waterfront property. It would be a shame to lose it.”
The NCC’s offer was made in fall 2025. The Bristol parcel fits into a wider conservation corridor where the NCC, Ducks Unlimited and the provincial government already protect substantial adjacent land. The area also supports the largest known population of the threatened Blanding’s turtle in Quebec. The property includes river frontage and a beach but has no road access and can only be reached by water. It is largely designated as wetland.
Graham argued at a February council meeting that his concern was not about development, but about preserving future options, as a sale would prevent the municipality from building recreational or educational infrastructure on the land or guaranteeing ongoing public access.
“It was an honour to serve my municipality, and I wish the new council and mayor wisdom and a successful term.”
Photo credit Greg Graham
