As pro-mayor of Alleyn-et-Cawood (AC), I have spent countless hours advocating for fairness and transparency in how MRC Pontiac handles property evaluations. Despite months of meetings, media coverage, and lobbying, the warden and the Council of Mayors continue to ignore our valid, data-driven concerns and perpetuate an unjust system.
The property evaluation for AC was initially inflated by 370%. After extensive advocacy, this was reduced to a more reasonable 85%. However, the MRC insists on charging our municipal shares for 2024 based on the outdated and discredited 370%.
At the November MRC meeting, I directly asked Warden Jane Toller if the shares would be recalculated using the correct figure. Her response? “Not tonight.” How long must we wait for a resolution? It is unacceptable that we are still being charged based on a number the warden has publicly admitted is wrong. We proposed a bylaw to remove the comparative factor from share calculations, but the MRC countered with their own bylaw.
AC is one of the smallest and most financially challenged municipalities in the MRC, yet we are being asked to pay inflated shares for services we don’t receive. We already pay for fire services through an intermunicipal contract, and the MRC fails to take responsibility for waste management and composting, forcing us to manage our own programs. Additionally, we are charged for services like animal control, which have minimal relevance in a village of 200 people. And don’t get me started on
the administration’s salaries and new building renovations, which can’t even accommodate citizens for meetings.
Municipal services are either nonexistent or already covered by the municipality, yet we are forced to pay into a flawed system based on an incorrect evaluation. This situation is disrupting our budget, leaving us with no choice but to consider cuts to essential services while continuing to pay inflated shares. How can we explain this to our residents?
To the mayors of MRC Pontiac: It’s time to stop being complacent and demand fairness. You act as though this issue couldn’t affect your municipality! You ignored our petition to the National Assembly, and shortly after, your own evaluations increased, which will also impact your shares.
You were elected to represent your
communities and demand answers, not sit by while the warden leads without accountability. This issue affects the entire MRC, and it’s time for transparency and fairness. I will continue to demand answers for the people of AC, no matter how often I’m told, “Not tonight.”
Sidney Squitti,
Pro-Mayor, Alleyn-et-Cawood