MRC meeting – Mayors support end to gun registry

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Allyson Beauregard

MRC PONTIAC – Pontiac MRC’s 18 mayors met January 16 to discuss an agenda, including another study on PPJ use, a request for government help to revive Pontiac’s forestry industry (page 9) and an end of Québec’s gun registry.

Allyson Beauregard

MRC PONTIAC – Pontiac MRC’s 18 mayors met January 16 to discuss an agenda, including another study on PPJ use, a request for government help to revive Pontiac’s forestry industry (page 9) and an end of Québec’s gun registry.
Martin Bertrand, a teacher from École secondaire sieur de Coulonge (ESSC), and Guillaume Harvey, founder of the local Ski in School program, requested $1,000 to
sponsor a cross-country ski marathon where 15 ESSC students, accompanied by five supervisors, will travel 140 kilometres along the Ottawa River from Fort-Coulonge to Parliament Hill, February 25-27. Harvey also asked to discuss partnering with the MRC to create a promotional ski video for the region in the future. The request will be reviewed by the MRC’s investment committee.
Jeremi Vaillancourt, who recently filled a maternity leave position in tourism at the MRC, was hired as a Strategic Communications Advisor to replace Danielle Belec, who retired last summer. Three other applications were received.
Danielle Newman, MRC Director of Economic Development, explained the MRC’s donation and sponsorship policy has changed: the annual budget will be divided in two (January-June, July-December) to ensure funds do not run out early in the year; and the $1,000 funding maximum will be reduced to $500 to allow more people and events to benefit.
Maurice Beauregard (Campbell’s Bay) introduced a motion to look into a study on the PPJ trail’s usage, particularly in the summer, to determine its financial
benefits. “It’s to see if we are getting a return on our investment and if the trail’s expense is justified by the number of users,” he said. MRC staff will explore options for the study and report back to Council.
Council agreed to support a resolution developed by Potton, Québec (a municipality in the Estrie region) asking the province to abandon the gun registry introduced in January 2018 and instead direct the funds elsewhere (ie: mental health). Winston Sunstrum (L’Isle-aux-Allumettes) voted in opposition, stating he hasn’t been convinced the registry isn’t useful.
The MRC will again ask the province for $2 million to continue refurbishment of Bois-Franc Road in Mansfield.
Livewell cannabis report: Warden Jane Toller reported a message from Michel Lemieux, LiveWell Chief Administrative Officer, reiterating the company is
“committed to the Litchfield project” and that their focus
is on the Research and Development Centre; the Journal and other media received a very similar statement via email from David Rendimonti, LiveWell President. Toller said she hopes LiveWell will visit the MRC in the near future to detail their plans.
The next Council of Mayors meeting will be held February 20.