MRC Pontiac descends the economic ladder – Third poorest in Québec

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Allyson Beauregard

MRC PONTIAC & MUNICIPALITY OF PONTIAC – The 2020 Panorama des regions du Québec was released in November, using data mostly from 2019. According to the report, the MRC Pontiac dropped three spots to the third poorest MRC in Québec in terms of disposable income per resident, down from sixth place in 2019; the MRC placed eighth in 2018, fourth in 2017 and second in 2016.
While the Québec average disposable income is $29,924 per resident, in the MRC Pontiac it was $24,605 in 2018, up from $23,879 in 2017 and $20,668 in 2013; Des-Collines-de-L’Outaouais’ is $32,217, compared to $30,916 in 2017 and $28,579 in 2013. La-Vallée-de-la-Gatineau ranked seventh poorest in Québec again this year with $24,971 per resident.
Population in the MRC Pontiac decreased to 14,141 in 2019 from 14,203 in 2018 and Des Collines’ rose to 51,378 in 2019 from 50,512 in 2018.
Compared to the 78.1% Québec average for workforce participation for those between 25 and 64 years old, the MRC Pontiac experienced a 64.3% participation rate in 2018 (slightly down from 64.4% in 2017); La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau is 62.3%; and Des Collines, 79.8%. In 2013, the rates were 62.2%, 60.7% and 79.3% for each MRC respectively.