‘In denial:’ Pontiac left out of new cell tower project
Djeneba Dosso
Local Journalism Initiative
MRC PONTIAC – When the Quebec government announced their plans to build 100 new cell towers in dead zone regions at the outset of summer, it excited rural residents and elected officials alike. However, fast forward to fall, many municipalities, including the Pontiac, are finding out they haven’t made the list.
The $170 million investment is the first phase of Premier François Legault’s high-speed connectivity plan which intends to build at least 79 cellphone towers by spring 2024. The plan targets poor connectivity or no-signal regions across the province.
“I’m very proud of the work accomplished so far to improve cellular coverage and I’m delighted to offer all residents, no matter where they are, a quality of life that lives up to what we have the right to expect in Quebec,” Legault stated in a press release.
However, it appears the promise of ‘offer [to] all residents’ isn’t universal, for now at least, as the Pontiac and several other rural areas needing cellular service have been left out of the plan. In hopes of finding a compromise, Warden Jane Toller suggested refurbishing existing towers while Pontiac awaits the construction of new ones. This suggestion was quickly shut down as monopolizing cellular service providers felt it wasn’t a priority.
“The suggestion to refurbish existing towers came through the province and was mentioned at a hydro meeting. So, I’m very concerned that the government approached Bell and Rogers to ask if they could collaborate using existing cell towers and the answer was they weren’t interested because they didn’t feel this is a priority area. But we certainly are,” said Toller.
While Toller admits this solution would’ve only been a Band-Aid fix, it would’ve been a step forward, offering temporary ease to a pressing issue. Much of the Upper Pontiac and areas of Portage-du-Fort, Bryson, and Quyon are low or no service areas.
“In emergencies, we’ve had times where people had no access to communication. It’s a public security issue,” she added, pointing to a car accident near Waltham a few years ago where someone had to travel to a place where they could get reception to call for help.
“It’s unacceptable and also very difficult for a lot of people here who are trying to run businesses from home or working virtually. We want to continue to revitalize and develop the Pontiac, attracting new residents—we’ve already had a population increase, but we want it to continue and to attract more business,” she pleads. “It’s absolutely necessary to offer Wi-Fi and excellent cellular service, and [these] cellular companies seem to be either in denial or extremely out of touch.”
Toller plans to discuss refurbishing existing cell towers with her council and move a resolution soon. She has received word that a Fiber Optic Program, funded by the government has already been rolled out across Quebec and will reach the Pontiac shortly. “So, I fully expect our cellular service [issues] will be addressed.” she concluded.
