Tashi Farmilo
Local Journalism Initiative
The MRC Pontiac has embarked on a comprehensive community engagement effort to address the region’s pressing housing shortage and to bolster the local agricultural sector through two targeted surveys. The initiative is aimed at collecting valuable insights from residents and business owners.
In an effort to tackle the acute housing crisis that significantly affects the local economy and service quality, the MRC has launched a survey focusing on housing needs and challenges. This critical situation has far-reaching implications, not only for homeowners and tenants, but also for employers who are grappling with an exacerbated labor shortage due to the lack of housing. The MRC’s survey seeks to gather comprehensive data on the community’s housing requirements to inform future planning and interventions. Interested parties are encouraged to voice their opinions and share their experiences from January 30 to February 29, 2024. The survey can be accessed directly via the link provided on the MRC’s website and Facebook page: https://s.surveyplanet.com/axmdb49z.
Parallel to the housing survey, the MRC Pontiac, in collaboration with consulting firm Mallette, is conducting a survey to develop the AgriSaveur Agro-Food Space. This project aims to stimulate the local agricultural sector by enhancing the availability of locally processed agri-food products. By understanding the level of interest among residents and business owners in expanding the region’s agri-food offerings, the MRC aims to identify viable opportunities for the sector’s growth. The survey is available from February 1st to February 15, 2024, and can be found at: https://fr.surveymonkey.com/r/MR2RN3P.
“The lack of housing in the MRC Pontiac is a critical situation that has a huge impact on the region’s economy and the availability and quality of local services,” the MRC emphasized, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Similarly, the initiative to promote local agri-food products through the AgriSaveur project reflects a strategic effort to leverage the region’s agricultural potential for economic development.
