Municipality of Shawville warns residents about door-to-door solicitors
Connor Lalande
Shawville Oct. 2, 2023
The Municipality of Shawville has been cautioning residents about the presence of door-to-door solicitors in the area over the past week.
The solicitors say they are from the “Green Movement” and claim that they “have grants available to help property owners with renovations,” warned the municipality in a Sept. 25 Facebook post. Provincial and federal governments do offer homeowner grants for renewable energy systems and energy saving renovations to things like windows, doors and heat pumps, but Shawville Mayor Bill McCleary says that the solicitors have not obtained a permit from the municipality and are therefore breaking the law.
“All the municipalities in the Pontiac have a bylaw that you need permit from the municipality to go door to door,” McCleary said. “And these guys, they’re so well organized that they seem to hit one little neighborhood, but by the time they are reported, and enforcement will arrive, they’re gone.”
“It seems like they are targeting vulnerable seniors to try and get them to sign something,” McCleary said. “I’ve been told they get quite pushy.”
According to by-law 460 of the municipal code, “any door to door salesperson, in order to carry on his trade, must obtain a permit from the municipality.”
The permit, which is valid for two months, costs $100 for non-residents, $25 for residents, and is free for charitable organizations and non-profits.
Those found violating the provision can be fined $150.
McCleary encouraged the solicitors to obtain a permit if they wish to continue operating within Shawville and told THE EQUITY that such a permit would be identifiable by the municipality’s official letterhead.
“We would obviously have to check the references before we issue it. So, pay the fee and we’ll check you out and if you’re good, you’re good and if not, see you later,” McCleary said of the solicitors.
