Dear Editor,
In response to Todd Hoffman’s well-researched letter I would like to respond to his comments. First, I would like to thank Mr. Hoffman for raising many important facts and issues.
The terrazzo tile figurehead of Chief Pontiac-Ottawa Chief will remain on the floor of the MRC but with a simple cordoning off which was an inexpensive solution. The tile will last longer without traffic and it is also a requested sign of respect. To create the information on the wall above provides reading material of cultural/historical significance as people wait to renew licenses and other SAAQ services. I was recently given a former Region of Pontiac book which includes a story of Pontiac in French and in English, so most of the research has been done.
The historical information which will be provided in-house at small expense will focus on three questions. Who was Pontiac? What did he do? Why was our region named after him?
In terms of the Mayors’ Council and myself as warden, I want to assure Mr.Hoffman and all of the residents and businesses in the Pontiac that we are a bilingual region. The MRC Pontiac Mayors’ Council meetings are conducted in English with French translation. When the people of the Pontiac come to our meetings they are welcome to speak in English or in French. As an anglophone, I am committed to becoming bilingual as it is very important for me to be able to converse in both languages.
We need to stand behind all of our business people and reduce red tape and bureaucracy. We will petition other levels of government on your behalf to ensure that information is available in English and French.
Recently at André Fortin’s nomination meeting, he stated that wherever he goes in Quebec he will ensure that English is also spoken. To attract the world to the Pontiac to live, work and play we need to understand that although the working language in Quebec is French-in the rest of the world it is English. With Ontario as our closely situated neighbour we can only benefit through closer communication and collaboration.
I would like to invite Mr. Hoffman to allow the MRC Pontiac to help him in any way to ensure that he does not feel discriminated against and to help him open the doors with his future business endeavours.
Jane Toller
Warden MRC Pontiac
