MRC meeting
Residents defend Waltham fire dept.; new director of finance appointed
Published in the Pontiac Journal on Aug 27, 2025.
Bonnie James Local Journalism Initiative
MRC PONTIAC – After breaking for the month of July, the Council of Mayors reconvened August 20 at MRC headquarters in Litchfield.
Rescue boat for Otter Lake
During the unorganized territory (TNO) portion of the meeting, council approved a $2,500 contribution from the TNO budget toward a rescue boat for Otter Lake, which is purchasing the vessel for just over $5,000. Otter Lake’s emergency services also cover parts of the TNO.
Public questions and statements
Fire services dominated the public question period. Waltham resident Dan Mousseau voiced concerns about a potential merger of Waltham’s fire department with Mansfield, fearing it could lead to the loss of the town’s only emergency service. He pointed to the 1998 ice storm that cut off Hwy. 148 as an example of how vulnerable the community can be, and argued that shutting down the local fire hall would leave residents at risk. Mousseau also raised questions about the impact on home insurance rates if coverage distances increased, and worried about taxpayers funding services from another municipality. He stressed that the department is actively recruiting and has several new applications pending.
Warden Jane Toller assured residents there are no plans to close any of the MRC’s 18 fire halls. She explained that council is considering creating four regional fire centres to share services and equipment, a move projected to save $7.1 million while improving response times. Toller said four meetings have been scheduled with municipal councils, including one in Waltham, to discuss the proposal.
Waltham resident Jordan Evans presented a petition and questions about draft fire safety maps, which she said were inaccurate. Toller accepted the petition but Pro-Warden Sandra Armstrong clarified the maps fall under the Public Safety Ministry, not the MRC. Shawville Mayor Bill McCleary added the maps are not official and will be refined by each fire chief before broad consultation.
Water safety was also raised by Campbell’s Bay resident Katelyn Bertrand, who urged council to promote initiatives such as life-jacket lending programs at popular swimming areas, wider access to swimming lessons, and training in water rescue.
New Director of Finance and Administration
Council appointed Andrea Lafleur as the new Director of Finance and Administration, replacing Annie Vaillancourt, who resigned in May. Lafleur previously served as Director General of Otter Lake.
Support for gas stations
Council moved to support local gas stations struggling to compete with lower Ontario fuel prices, where the suspension of the federal carbon tax has reduced prices by up to 20 cents per litre. Quebec prices remain higher under the province’s own carbon pricing scheme.
Council is asking the provincial government to update the compensation program for fuel sellers near interprovincial borders and is seeking an urgent meeting with government officials. The MRC also hopes to collaborate with other border regions to push for action.
Demanding action from Hydro-Québec
After another round of prolonged outages earlier this month, council demanded Hydro-Québec accelerate upgrades to the Pontiac grid. A recent report shows the region experiences the highest number of outages in Quebec. Toller has requested a meeting with
Hydro-Québec CEO Claudine Bouchard, insisting new infrastructure must arrive sooner than 2031. Council is also requesting a dedicated Pontiac line crew and more aggressive vegetation management along power lines.
Recyclable materials contract
Council awarded the contract for Lots 2 and 3 of recyclable materials collection and transport to Crush Waste Management of Shawville, formerly McGrimmon Cartage. The deal covers container collection from transfer sites, transport to the Tricentris sorting centre in Gatineau, and container rentals for municipalities without their own.
New roof for the Stone School
Toitures Boulet Inc. won a $51,295 contract (before tax) to replace the Stone School’s metal roof and redo caulking around windows, awnings, and other areas. Funding comes from a Regions and Rurality Fund (FRR 2) envelope
earmarked for repairs to the school.
The next Council of Mayors meeting is set for September 17.