Donald Teuma-Castelletti
GRAND CALUMET ISLAND
Jan. 20, 2019
Pontiac MP Will Amos’ meet and greet events made their way up to the MRC Pontiac on Sunday, where guests had the opportunity to speak directly to their federally elected representative.
Fifteen guests joined Amos at Grand Calumet Island’s Café de l’île, where he spoke on some of his accomplishments while representing the riding, as well as those of the Liberal Party of Canada, before answering questions from the public.
Amos began with a rundown of recent events in and outside the riding, including the appointment of a rural economic development minister to the federal cabinet, the party’s commitment to bringing high speed internet to rural areas, and his own private members bill urging the House of Commons to recognize the need for digital infrastructure in rural areas, which he submitted in early Nov. 2018.
As well, he discussed changes brought about to employment insurance under the federal Liberals, the lowering of small business taxes, and the impact of the Canada Summer Jobs program.
He touted these as interests of not just national, but local interest, as their impact can be felt throughout the reaches of the riding.
From there, he opened the floor to questions from the public.
Guylaine La Salle kicked things off with questions in regards to having historicmonuments recognized by the federal government and growing publicity for them. La Salle is a member of Groupe L’Île du Grand Calumet, who recently finished their Parc Cadieux project, highlighting the significance of Jean Cadieux’s fur trade route to the island.
Sphinx CEO Jeremie Ryan attended, to see if there was federal financial help for exploratory drilling, for the publicly-traded junior mining company. Amos explained that the help comes in the form of accelerated capital cost allowances.
Grand Calumet Island Mayor Serge Newberry also brought a number of questions with him. He asked about Amos’ engagement with the Lafontaine Islands park project, promoting local events to a wider audience, and how to fit the Ottawa River into developing a 2030 vision for land use management at the MRC level.
“The question is, how to promote it, protect it, and extract the value that it represents, I think, for our region,” said Amos, translating the question.
Amos explained that he is involved with the various groups work on the Lafontaine Islands park project, and has developed connections between other groups and appropriate bodies in the government to assist with it. He also detailed his commitment to promoting local events through social media and other means, to encourage larger audiences as much as he can.
As well, he offered advice for the various river groups to work together towards a singular goal, rather than a series of smaller initiatives. Amos also suggested revisiting the historical, conservational and commercial values of the river.
“We have 15 separate, little projects going on, without finding a way to tie them together,” he said. “When we tie them together and we work in a common direction altogether, we’re stronger.”
Finally, Amos wrapped up with encouraging everyone to continue the dialogue with him on any and all topics of concern, through social media and other means of communication.
