Bonnie Portelance
Local Journalism Initiative
Published online July 1, 2026, at www.pontiacjournal.com
MRC PONTIAC – The Council of Mayors met June 18 at the MRC headquarters in Litchfield, announcing a contract for the bridge construction at the Chemin du Bois-Franc washout, approving funding for firefighter training equipment and several economic development initiatives, and adopting the 2026 budget for the PPJ trail.
Chemin du Bois-Franc bridge contract
MRC Director of Land Use Planning and Environment Jason Durand announced that Constructions DOMI Inc. of Dolbeau-Mistassini has been awarded the contract to replace the bridge at the kilometre 54 washout on Chemin du Bois-Franc. The company was the lowest bidder.
The contract marks another step toward restoring access along the important forestry road after heavy rain and spring runoff washed out the road at kilometre 54.8 in April.
Durand said engineering plans were expected to be completed the week of June 22 before being submitted to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests for review. Once approved, the contractor will order materials, although delays in obtaining steel H-beams among other items remain possible.
Durand said it is still too early to estimate when the bridge will open because several factors remain outside the MRC’s control. While the MRC expects to contribute about 10 per cent of the project cost, it has not yet been advised how much funding the provincial government will provide. Despite those uncertainties, Durand said the project continues to move in the right direction. “It’s looking good and we shouldn’t be worried about it,” he added.
Council also approved a contract worth up to $106,666.67, plus taxes, for repairs to two forestry bridge decks and resurfacing work on Chemin du Dix-Milles in Rapides-des-Joachims. Seventy-five per cent of the project will be funded through Quebec’s Sustainable Forest Development Program (PADF), with the remainder coming from the MRC’s TNO road budget.
Firefighting equipment for school programs
Council approved a $100,800 project, funded through the FRR3 Vitalization Fund, to purchase equipment for the MRC’s school-based firefighter training program at Pontiac High School (PHS) and École secondaire Sieur-de-Coulonge (ESSC).
The funding will be used to purchase properly sized personal protective equipment (PPE), including bunker suits, boots, gloves and other training equipment. Public Security Manager Julien Gagnon said the purchases will reduce the need to borrow equipment from local fire departments while ensuring students have gear that fits properly.
The program, launched at ESSC in 2023 and expanded to PHS in 2025, introduces students to the fire service while helping municipalities address long-term firefighter recruitment.
PPJ budget approved Council adopted a $371,920 budget for the Cycloparc PPJ, with funding supporting regular maintenance, infrastructure improvements, signage and continued development of the regional trail.
The budget includes $85,000 from the Regions and Rurality Fund (FRR2), $135,000 from the Véloce III program and $50,000 from the municipal shares, with additional FRR2 funding covering costs not eligible under Véloce III.
The resolution prompted discussion about the value of the investment.
Thorne Mayor Terry Murdock questioned whether enough people use the trail to justify the expense and suggested paving should be considered if municipalities continue investing in the network.
Sabrina Ayres, Socio-economic Development Coordinator, said updated statistics are currently being compiled, while MRC Director General Kim Lesage said trail use has increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Toller added that many cycling clubs prefer the existing stone dust surface,
noting that paving the 94-kilometre trail would cost about $5 million based on
figures prepared several years ago. She said that pavement would eventually require repairs and is not necessarily the best environmental option for the rural corridor.
Development projects move forward
Council approved funding for several projects aimed at supporting business development and tourism throughout the region.
The MRC awarded a $35,046 contract to Le Pic-Bois Cooperative to conduct a feasibility study on restoring the Castor Géant (Giant Beaver) Trail. The approximately 14-kilometre hiking and cycling trail connects Leslie Park and Parc des Chutes Coulonge but was largely abandoned after funding for ongoing maintenance never materialized. The study will examine options to restore and enhance the trail while evaluating its
long-term tourism and recreational potential. Leslie Park and Parc des Chutes Coulonge have both expressed interest in partnering with the MRC on the project.
An off-grid outfitting operation will receive up to $50,000 through FRR2 to convert its existing energy system to solar power with battery storage.
Another $15,000 was approved to help establish a laundromat in Mansfield to serve residents and travellers.
The Pontiac Forest Products Producers Board will receive up to $75,000 through Quebec’s Sustainable Forest Development Program (PADF) to support sustainable
forest management and development of the private forest sector.
Other business
During miscellaneous business, Clarendon Mayor Ed Walsh requested an update on the abattoir. Toller said the project is essentially complete but continues to await final approval from the Ministry of Environment.
“It’s just a bureaucratic issue,” she said, noting the MRC has asked Hull MNA Suzanne Tremblay (CAQ) to help move the file forward.
Lesage said staff have continued preparing the facility by testing equipment, producing steaks and sausages, and hiring two butchers.
“You can’t purchase yet, but it won’t be too long,” she said.
Elsewhere, council adopted its revised climate plan following public consultation and expects to submit it to the province by the end of July, allowing the MRC to apply for implementation funding.
Mayors also approved an application to the Ministry of Immigration for funding to implement the MRC’s immigration action plan over the next three years.
The Environment Committee is exploring options for a region-wide construction waste collection program and a future ecocentre or hazardous waste collection service. New recycling tags have also been developed to help educate residents when recyclable materials have not been sorted properly.
Council also approved an application to the federal New Horizons for Seniors Program to create two accessible outdoor rest areas at the MRC office and suspended Youth Council meetings until September after participation declined to four regular members.
Council will now break for summer, with the next public meeting scheduled for August 20.
Photo: Socio-economic Development Coordinator Sabrina Ayres presents the 2026 PPJ budget. (BP)
