Sophie Demers
Published in the Pontiac Journal on April 22, 2026
MRC PONTIAC – Finding a director general (DG) remains a challenge for a few municipalities in MRC Pontiac. Fort-Coulonge Mayor Pierre Cyr and Sheenboro Mayor Dorris Ranger say the role carries broad responsibilities and requires expertise in areas such as finance, project management, urban planning and administration, along with the ability to manage local challenges.
Sheenboro’s current DG, Ashlee Poirier, is leaving the position, and the municipality hopes to find a replacement by June 1. Ranger said the municipality is fortunate Poirier has agreed to remain in the role until a successor is hired.
“DGs are pretty scarce. I think it’s difficult for all municipalities to find a DG, including the MRC,” said Ranger. “Being a DG is stressful. It’s a heavy workload. They must manage everything the government has downloaded onto municipalities. Once council makes a decision, it’s up to the DG to get it done.”
Ranger added the workload can reach about 57 hours per week to meet provincial requirements.
Sheenboro is currently in a relatively stable position, with an assistant DG, an inspector, and its own accountant and auditors.
In Fort-Coulonge, the situation is different. The municipality’s DG had to step away on medical leave, leaving a temporary vacancy to fill. Cyr said this adds another layer of difficulty, as many professionals are reluctant to take on a short-term position. Despite the challenge, the municipality was able to hire Ken Bérubé as interim DG for the next year.
Fort-Coulonge is also looking to hire an assistant DG. Cyr said the municipality has received several applications and expects to fill the position in the coming weeks. It is also recruiting for an inspector position, combined with a project manager role to better meet operational needs.
L’Isle-aux-Allumettes is also seeking to fill an assistant director general position, highlighting the broader staffing pressures facing municipalities across the region.
“From what I’ve seen in my six months as mayor, the government is downloading more responsibilities onto municipalities without providing additional resources or training. It’s unacceptable,” said Cyr, adding that more flexibility is needed for municipalities with fewer than 5,000 residents. “The mayor should be able to take on more responsibility if a DG leaves, to help manage the administrative workload. Otherwise, we are left without a DG, and it becomes difficult to address issues.”
