The incinerator

Dear Editor,

I believe that virtually all politicians start out with the best interests of their voters in mind. But at some point, usually after completing a term or two, maybe after graduating to become Mayors, many reach a comfort zone where they forget about the people who put them there.

They begin to think that they are smarter and more savvy. They think they know what’s best for us. Their ego may grow, and any pushback from electors is met with a degree of resentment. They start to feel entitled and life becomes all about getting re-elected and protecting their legacy. I have seen it many times.

That, at least to a degree, is what I feel is happening in the current struggle between the MRC Mayors and the people, over the proposed incinerator. I call it an incerator on purpose, not EFW, because that’s only putting lipstick on a pig.

Rather than running away from this white elephant, the Warden and Mayors have invested $120,000 in a poorly done business plan, and stubbornly hang on to their dream of an incinerator utopia, in spite of the palpable growing resistance to their scheme.

The smart move would be to walk, or maybe run away. Fast. This whole idea is the biggest potential environmental and financial disaster that the Pontiac has ever faced. It’s time to listen to voters, swallow their pride, admit that they made a wrong call on this issue, and move on. In other words, wake up!

It’s a safe bet to say several political careers are hanging in the balance and headed into the dumpster over this concious effort to not listen to the people.

Gerry Bimm, Otter Lake

Lack of transparency

Dear Editor,

It was deeply concerning to see the rejection of the proposal for public attendance at MRC Pontiac mayors’ monthly plenary meetings (Motion to open plenary rejected, THE EQUITY, March 27, 2024).

In choosing to keep these discussions shrouded in secrecy, mayors are effectively shutting out their constituents from the governing process of MRC Pontiac. Such behavior is antithetical to the principles of democracy as it suggests a regime of dictatorship where decisions are made behind closed doors without regard for public input.

Even more alarming was the significant alteration of the resolution presented during the critical voting stage. Given that not only was the wording of this motion intentionally altered, but it was changed in a way that caused doubt and confusion among members regarding the actual proposal, we are left to wonder whether this was the intended outcome all along.

Who proposed the change to the original motion, and who seconded it? Did the council vote to approve altering the original motion before proceeding to vote on it? Considering that clarity and transparency in decision-making processes are essential for upholding ethical standards and ensuring that all members have a clear understanding of the issues at hand; why did council deviate from procedure?

The timely arrival of a last-minute letter by the MRC union representative read just before the vote, highlighting concerns about staff being involved in the political arena while working in a political office was, to say the least, a convenient contradiction, and only further adds to the sense of non-transparency and lack of credibility our elected office has shown.

Not only has this situation indicated the importance of public participation in holding elected officials accountable, but for the need to advocate for a governance structure that truly reflects the will and needs of the people.

Moving forward, it is imperative that these concerns be addressed. Denouncing this closed-door mentality in order to cultivate a more transparent and participatory government, where the voices of citizens are both heard and respected, are vital in restoring trust and integrity to the elected offices and decision-making processes. This is essential for maintaining the public’s confidence in their elected representatives.

As rate payers of the region, we have the right to be informed and engage in the policy discussions that directly affect our lives. Anything less undermines the democratic principles we expect our elected officials to uphold, and leaves us with no other avenue than to elect officials who prioritize representing the interests of their constituents over narrow views of power and control.

Pat Goyette, Fort Coulonge

Amy Taylor, Chapeau

Pontiac Independent

Some clarifications

Dear Editor,

I would like to bring to your attention some misinterpretations of council motions and expenses.

Does the MRC spend $1,700,000 on waste management? No. The individual communities manage and pay for their own waste disposal. The amount is the total of all their individual costs and comes from their taxpayers, not the MRC.

Did the individual communities vote to be a willing host, meaning the facility could be built in their municipality. No, here is what they voted for: “….THAT the Municipality of ______ supports establishing an energy-from-waste facility in the Pontiac, serving the Outaouais, the City of Ottawa and Renfrew County.”

Through this motion, those that agreed voted to establish an incinerator in the Pontiac somewhere, not in their individual communities. Which mayor will volunteer his community as the host? Has Litchfield agreed to be the host community as Warden Toller proposes? Has there been a motion to this effect at either government level from any community?

Will any mayor volunteer their community to be the site of the facility or agree to sign a contract on behalf of the individual community to be part of the conglomerate that will own or operate the burner? Will any mayor commit his community to a 30-year financial contract with requirements to send minimum waste tonnages to the facility at a fee? Would his constituents support this?

Poorly-worded motions have given the warden leeway to declare on television, radio and in presentations to other communities and to provincial government ministries that “We Want This!” She also claims that all the communities are willing hosts based on the resolution adopted by 12 which makes no mention of “willing host communities.”

The mayors of MRC Pontiac need to clarify their positions.

The mayors need to demand their copy of the Initial Business Case to give them the opportunity to examine it thoroughly and seek independent advice including that of their councils on its content before agreeing to any further steps. Relying on information second hand or on interpretations of the contents from the warden and her waste to energy committee would be foolish.

Better still, which mayors have the courage to say “enough” of this ridiculous proposal put forth by the warden and move and vote with a clearly worded motion to put an end to it?

Linda Lafortune, Otter Lake

Walk-in mental health clinic

Dear Editor,

I am writing to you in response to the article written by Camilla Faragalli (Pontiac youth facing significant mental health challenges post-pandemic, THE EQUITY, Feb. 21, 2024). I agree with the statements made that there are limited mental health resources in Pontiac County, mental health is stigmatized in rural communities, and that there are long wait times to see a mental health professional in Canada. Residents of Quebec may call 8-1-1 for mental health concerns, which is a general resource that directs clients to the proper service. Clients can speak with a healthcare professional or be directed to attend their local emergency department.

I believe that Shawville would benefit from a multimodal walk-in mental health clinic. Shawville is widely visited for several reasons by the Pontiac community, which would make it a good fit to host this clinic. Walk-in mental health clinics are like regular clinics but without scheduled appointments. Research has shown that walk-in clinics have reduced wait times in emergency departments. This would be a good incentive for the Shawville community since our local emergency department is smaller than urban areas.

The concern that there is a three-year wait to see a professional is valid. This is seen everywhere in Canada. A study has shown that physicians tend to gravitate towards urban areas when they start in mental health care. This puts a gap in mental health services in rural and remote communities because trained professionals only stay temporarily. Opening a multimodal walk-in mental health clinic would suggest the usage of other health care professionals. Why not nurses? Nurses can be a great resource, can give mental health counselling, and can refer clients to other mental health services.

The statement that mental health in Shawville is stigmatized is justifiable. Researchers believe it is related to rural residents’ valuing self-reliance, which poses a barrier to receiving mental health care. One way that a multimodal walk-in mental health clinic could bypass this barrier would be that clients could attend counselling when needed, rather than a traditional appointment-based clinic. Having a combination of in-person and virtual counselling would bring less stigma towards clients who accessed the multimodal walk-in mental health clinic.

We all know that in small towns, people like to see what others are doing. People even recognize other people’s cars, which would possibly deter people from visiting the clinic. By having a virtual choice, teens might feel more comfortable speaking to a mental health professional from their home. The professional could use a platform like Zoom or Teams.

I agree that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an increased need for mental health services among youth. Most agencies providing mental health services went virtual due to pandemic restrictions. Telehealth is a virtual service offered through technology that allows health professionals from urban centers to contact clients in rural and remote areas. This is what the provincial government uses to bring mental health services to clients in Northern Quebec. Telehealth being a part of the clinic’s service would help clients because it would reduce travel, decrease stress off local emergency departments, and enhance service delivery. This would help youth who cannot travel to a mental health clinic. A multimodal walk-in mental health clinic might be the solution to lessening the wait times to see a mental health professional.

Anna Rochon, 4th year BScN student, uOttawa in collaboration with Algonquin College waterfront campus