MRC meeting
Positive trends in waste management; $100K for the abattoir
Local Journalism Initiative
Published in the Pontiac Journal on April 23, 2025.
MRC PONTIAC – The MRC Pontiac’s Council of Mayors held its monthly meeting on April 16 at the MRC headquarters in Litchfield.
Warden Jane Toller announced that this would be the last Council meeting livestreamed on Facebook, due to the platform’s new policy of removing streamed videos after 30 days. Future meetings will be streamed on YouTube at www.youtube.com/@mrcpontiac920, where they will be stored indefinitely.
Another change introduced at the meeting was that mayors, rather than MRC staff, read the resolutions. This shift follows a new bylaw governing meeting procedures passed in March.
Civil security
Council approved the appointment of Civil Security Coordinator Julien Gagnon to the newly created position of Head of Civil Security. The promotion reflects increased responsibilities now falling to MRCs under Bill 50, legislation aimed at strengthening civil protection and
disaster resilience. It requires MRCs to take on greater roles in disaster risk assessment and emergency preparedness, including the development of regional resilience plans.
Environment Committee report
L’Isle-aux-Allumettes Mayor Corey Spence presented an Environment Committee report highlighting encouraging trends in waste management, with a steady reduction in waste production and a significant increase in recycling over the past few years.
Waste per capita dropped from 290 kg in 2021 to 261 kg in 2024, while recycling increased from 57 kg per capita to 72 kg during the same period. In total, the MRC produced 5,181 tonnes of garbage in 2024, down from 5,813 tonnes in 2021. Recycling totals rose from 1,143 tonnes in 2021 to 1,431 tonnes in 2024.
The reduction in waste was credited to greater awareness and prevention efforts.
While overall trends were positive, performance varied by municipality. Portage-du-Fort, Sheenboro, and Fort-Coulonge led with recovery rates above 35%, while Bristol, Rapides-des-Joachims, and Shawville lagged behind with rates of 15% or less. The recovery rate refers to the proportion of waste diverted from landfill through reuse, recycling, composting, energy recovery and other methods.
The report emphasized the need to maintain momentum and improve consistency across municipalities. The Committee plans to pursue greater results through education, better infrastructure, and incentives.
$100,000 for abattoir
The abattoir project is receiving a $100,000 funding boost, thanks to residual funds from the first stream of the Regions and Rurality Fund (FRR 1) dedicated to economic development.
Council’s resolution states the support will “help attract key expertise to lead the revival of the slaughterhouse, ensuring regional outreach and a tailored response to producers’ needs.” Of the total, $80,000 will come from FRR 1 and $20,000 will be provided by the MRC in human resources support.
After the meeting, Warden Toller said the opening of the abattoir has been further delayed due to equipment still on order from Germany. MRC Strategic Communications Advisor Francis Beausoleil said an update on the project is expected this week.
Forestry management funds
Through the Sustainable Forest Management Program (PADF), the MRC has been allocated $141,987 annually for 2024–2025 and 2025–2026. These funds will support sustainable forestry on residual forest lands, improvements to multi-use forest roads, and initiatives that promote forestry development or enhance regional forest strategies.
For 2024–2025, $50,000 will go to the Pontiac Forest Products Producers Board to support resource enhancement and implementation of regional strategies. The remaining $91,987 will be used by the MRC for multi-use road maintenance.
In 2025–2026, the full amount will go toward development of residual forest lands (TPI).
The next Council of Mayors meeting is scheduled for May 21.
