Feeling nostalgic for 2025? You’ll enjoy
THE EQUITY’s 2025 Year in Review. Over the remaining three weeks of January, we’ll take some time to look back on some of last year’s most memorable stories.
Apr. 2
CAQ tables largest budget deficit yet
In late March Quebec tabled its 2025-2026 budget which proposed $165-billion in spending and a projected deficit of $13.6 billion. Titled “For a strong Québec,” the deficit was pitched by Finance Minister Eric Girard as critical to supporting Quebecers through economic challenges induced by the ongoing trade war with the United States. But Pontiac MNA André Fortin said the majority of the province’s deficit can be attributed to mismanaged spending. “The $14-billion deficit is a structural deficit. It is not in response to potential tariffs,” Fortin said, noting the projected $13.6-billion deficit is the largest in the province’s history. “On the other [hand], they are cutting funding for healthcare and education, which are the two largest spending envelopes.”
Fort-Coulonge women’s hockey team hosts first tournament
The Fort-Coulonge women’s hockey group that formed in Dec. 2024 hosted its first hockey tournament in late March. The event saw a team from Gatineau and the newly formed Pontiac Meteors face off against two other teams formed with individual registrations. “It’s really cool to bring this to the Pontiac for the first time,” said Lisa Soucie, the founder of the women’s hockey group.
MRC survey finds half of Pontiac renters not on lease
MRC Pontiac published the results of a housing survey it circulated in the winter of 2024 to better understand housing needs in the region. The MRC’s economic development coordinator in charge of housing at that time, Rachel Soar-Flandé, said a standout result for her was that 55 per cent of tenants reported they did not sign a lease agreement with their landlord. Over 60 per cent of tenants surveyed said it was difficult to find accommodation, something she said is common, especially for newcomers to the region. “We know that there are quite a lot of underground rentals.”
Apr. 9
Otter Lake residents dream big
Dozens of Otter Lake residents gathered at the town’s recreation hall to share a potluck feast and map out their vision for what they would like their community to become. The collective brainstorming session was the first event hosted by Otter Lake’s recently formed Community Assembly, which founder Thomas Villeneuve hopes will become a space where residents can discuss community issues, as well as possible solutions. By the end of the session, the group of about 80 participants had come up with five priority areas to help focus the assembly’s efforts: local food accessibility, skills development, municipal collaboration, special events, and town beautification.
PHS student takes part in national youth forum
Bristol resident Josephine Hatton was one of 300 youth from across Canada who participated in the week-long Forum for Young Canadians National Summit in Ottawa. “We met with senators, members of parliament, and other decision-makers, gaining firsthand experience in civic engagement,” Hatton said. “I loved seeing the inner workings of the government. It was very interesting to me.”
artPontiac works on developing digital presence
In February, the MRC Pontiac awarded artPontiac $36,000 in provincial funding from stream two of the Fonds des régions et ruralités to redesign its website. “For artPontiac, establishing a modern and professional online presence is essential in today’s digital landscape to effectively promote and sell its initiatives and products,” said then-president of artPontiac Stephanie Pete in a press release. She added she hoped the digital boost would help the non-profit reconnect with some of the members it had lost in the years prior.
Apr. 16
PHS gets Greasy
Pontiac High School’s auditorium was transformed into the halls of Rydell High for five sold-out shows of the school’s musical production of Grease. Co-director Phil Holmes said he was happy to see some of his standout seniors get a chance to shine in leading roles, including Isaac Graham as Danny and Allie Benoit as Marty, another Pink Lady. “Benoit has been in four of my shows and she adds a wonderful character to what she does,” he said. “And then Isaac Graham, I imagined that he’d pull off Danny [Zuko] quite well and that he’d also be able to have fun with that role.”
English school boards celebrate ‘historic’ victory
The head of the Western Quebec School Board (WQSB) celebrated a decision from Quebec’s highest court after it found that sections of Bill 40, which would have abolished English school boards, were unconstitutional. In a unanimous decision handed down on Apr. 3, three judges from the Quebec Court of Appeal upheld a 2023 Superior Court ruling that declared several parts of the bill violated rights guaranteed under section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Executive director of the WQSB George Singfield said the result – which keeps English school boards intact with elected commissioners – was a huge victory, not only for English education in Quebec, but English rights as a whole. (Original story was reprinted from The Low Down).
Bristol says pier could reopen
A new engineering report presented to Bristol council on Apr. 7 advised the municipality could reopen its historic Norway Bay pier that summer if it completed work to meet certain environmental specifications. This was contrary to a study received the previous spring that recommended closure of the pier for safety reasons. “We had much more in-depth information than we were able to get with the first report,” said then-councillor Val Twolan-Graham, adding that the new report provided interim fixes that could be made so it could remain open while the municipality explored a longer-term fix.
Apr. 23
Wood producers board in ‘financial pickle’
The Pontiac Forest Products Producers Board is on a lifeline, its management shared at its April AGM, pointing to the dwindling numbers of local producers paying levies to the organization and the decrease in wood being pulled out of the bush as factors making it impossible for the marketing board to
break even year over year. “This year we may be okay, we might make a few dollars, but we do anticipate going negatively each year, until we get a mill in the area,” said general manager Cash Allard. He said that for the board to break even, Pontiac producers would need to sell 45,000 tonnes more than they did in 2024-2025 – a more than 50 per cent increase in production from the 80,000 tonnes produced last year.
Abattoir gets $100K for hiring manager, specialists
A motion passed at the council of mayors meeting on Apr. 16 allowed the MRC to contribute $100,000 toward helping the Coopérative de solidarité AgriSaveur du Pontiac to pay for external help, including a general manager and other more specialized positions. MRC Pontiac warden Jane Toller said after the meeting that $80,000 of the money was left over from last year’s FRR Stream 1 pool, while the other $20,000 is an in-kind contribution by the MRC.
THE EQUITY hosts Conversation with the Candidates
On Tuesday, Apr. 15, THE EQUITY hosted a conversation with the five candidates running to represent the Pontiac-Kitigan Zibi riding on Parliament Hill to better understand what they believe they can do for the slice of the riding between Breckenridge and Rapides-des-Joachims. THE EQUITY chose nine questions that reflected local priorities determined by responses to a public survey and by questions submitted to us through our website. Questions covered subjects of economic development, support for the agricultural sector, plans to fight climate change, healthcare and social services, seniors support, and Israel’s war on Gaza.
Apr. 30
Chatel wins second term
Pontiac-Kitigan Zibi’s incumbent Liberal candidate Sophie Chatel won her bid to represent the riding on Parliament Hill for a second term, bringing in 54.5 per cent of the riding’s vote (31,504 votes) in the Apr. 28 federal election, a significant jump in support from the 43.4 per cent she received in 2021. Conservative Party candidate Brian Nolan received 27.7 per cent of the vote (up from 20.6 per cent in 2021); Bloc Québecois candidate Suzanne Proulx won 10.4 per cent (down from 16.8 per cent), the NDP’s Gilbert Whiteduck won 5.0 per cent (down from 11 per cent), Green Party candidate Claude Bertrand won 1.3 per cent (down from 2.8 per cent), and People’s Party candidate Todd Hoffman won 1.2 per cent of votes (down from 4.5 per cent).
Valerie Henderson honoured for decades of community service
Bristol resident Valerie Henderson was awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal which recognizes volunteers for their service in the province of Quebec. Henderson lives in Norway Bay, across the street from the site of the now demolished Henderson store she ran with her family for several decades. She said she believes she was recognized for her efforts leading a weekly exercise class for seniors, something she did for over a decade, as well as the work she’s done tidying up trash in her community. She said that volunteering is something she’s always loved to do and plans to continue for as long as she can.
May 7
Violent wind storm strikes Pontiac
A powerful windstorm on Apr. 29 toppled trees, damaged homes and left more than 5,000 Pontiac residents without power. Winds reached up to 100 km/h, leaving communities from L’Isle-aux-Allumettes to Luskville in the dark. The Sand Bay area suffered extensive damage, with outages lingering in some areas for days. Hydro-Québec deployed dozens of crews, restoring power to most residents by (use date).
Minimal flooding impact in the Pontiac
High spring water levels along the Ottawa River caused little damage in the Pontiac in areas that were hit by floods in numerous previous years. Mansfield-et-Pontefract, L’Isle-aux-Allumettes and Waltham closed certain roads but reported minimal impacts to homes, with most residents prepared for flooding. Officials monitored conditions closely as levels peaked and began to recede, while municipalities made sandbags available and coordinated regional flood response efforts.
May 14
Flavours of Africa come to Mansfield
People looking to enjoy a home-cooked meal within eyesight of Mansfield’s historic red bridge were able to do so after the new Terrace du Pont Rouge restaurant opened in Mansfield-et-Pontefract. Four owners, including two from the African nation of Burundi, said the restaurant had been in the works for three years. The restaurant’s menu features traditional Quebec fare, as well as dishes from Africa. Owner Laurette Vaillancourt said the restaurant was packed for its opening weekend.
Pontiac High welcomes province’s cell phone ban
Pontiac High School principal Terry Burns said the full cell phone ban announced by the province May 1 would be easier to enforce than the existing in-class ban. The in-class ban permitted cell phones in the building but forbade students from using them in the classroom, so the school installed pouches at the front of every classroom where students would leave their phones. Burns said this system was challenging to enforce for teachers, and that a stricter system would be welcomed by the school community due to a prior study done by a teacher.
Bristol eyes June pier re-opening
The Municipality of Bristol said it was on track to re-open its landmark pier in Norway Bay in time for the summer cottage season, after keeping it closed due to safety concerns the previous summer. At a May 5 council meeting, the municipality announced it was hoping to install boat docks and ladders at the beginning of June, and that it would repair sinkholes that formed on the pier’s walkway. Patrick Byrne, president of the Norway Bay Municipal Association, said he was encouraged by what he heard at the meeting and what it would mean for his organization’s ability to use the pier for its programs.
May 21
Judd reps Pontiac on Parliament Hill
Pontiac High School student Ben Judd was one of 70 youth representatives from across the country who descended on the nation’s capital for the 4-H citizenship congress. Judd, who resides in Bristol, works on his family’s Starborn Farms and was in his tenth year with the Shawville 4-H Club. Judd participated in mock Senate debates on agricultural issues, met federal ministers and met new like-minded friends from across the country.
McLaren replaces Burns as PHS principal
Luke McLaren replaced Terry Burns as principal of Pontiac High School after Burns announced his retirement from education after two years at the school. McLaren first came to PHS in 2007, working in social studies and special education before taking the vice-principal gig four years ago. McLaren said he was looking forward to continuing to serve students, just like Burns did before him. “It’s the positive, caring connection with the students and that has to be seen at the admin level as well,” McLaren said.
Upper Pontiac hydro upgrades a big win, say local officials
Local officials said Hydro-Quebec’s (HQ) announcement to begin work on the Upper Pontiac’s power grid was a big win for the region’s development. HQ announced it will build a 120-25 kV substation in Fort-Coulonge, as well as rebuild the Cadieux substation in Bryson and update 30 kilometres of lines between the two. L’Isle-aux-Allumettes mayor Corey Spence said the updates are the difference between a cowpath and a four-lane highway to help electricity get from the nearest substation to the Upper Pontiac. “Now with this being in Mansfield there’s an area where industry can say, ‘Hey, we can pull power,’” he said.
May 28
Corriveau dance school presents The Wizard of Oz
Over 100 dancers took to the stage at École secondaire Sieur-de-Coulonge for three nights of performance in the Corriveau School of Dance’s annual year-end show. Dancers showcased a number of different styles including acro, ballet, jazz, hip-hop and swing, as well as a performance that told the story of The Wizard of Oz. The lead role of Dorothy was played by Olivia Draper, who performed several numbers throughout the evening. The Annabelle St-Cyr Memorial Scholarship was awarded to dancer Alexie Savoie-Morin.
New Hope church celebrates renos
The congregation and visitors of the New Hope Christian Fellowship Church in Shawville gathered after a Sunday service to celebrate the completion of recent renovations. Pastor Stuart Marples said the renos, which included an indoor ramp, would help improve accessibility for church members. “We wanted to make the building accessible for an aging population,” he said.
Quyon throws barbotte banger
The Quyon Legion hosted a second consecutive barbotte supper after not offering the event for at least a decade. The event featured volunteers hard at work deep-frying barbotte fish and french fries, and received a crowd of over 100 that packed the Legion building in Quyon. Volunteer Darlene Morris said the community had been asking for the event to return. Legion vice-president Glen Leach said the funds would be used to support veterans and help finance the construction of a back deck for the Legion.
June 4
PHS rugby girls claim third straight regional title
A girls rugby team from Pontiac High School claimed the RSEQ regional championship for the third straight year after the school’s Pontiac 2 team shut out its opponent in the final. The team was one of two the school fielded this season, and featured some of the program’s more junior players. The team defeated rival school Philemon Wright in the final, not allowing its opponent to score a single point. “It wasn’t a victory, it was a domination,” said head coach Phil Holmes.
RCMP Musical ride draws thousands
Canada’s iconic RCMP Musical Ride stopped at the Shawville Fairgrounds on June 1, entertaining thousands with a half-hour equestrian performance by RCMP officers. The event was hosted by the Pontiac Agricultural Society, which encouraged attendees to wear red and make a patriotic statement. Other performances during the day of festivities included square dancing performances from the Shawville 4-H club and an RCMP salute for longtime fair board volunteer Elwyn Lang.
Pontiac municipality secures $210K for park upgrades
The Municipality of Pontiac received $210,000 from the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais to finance updates to its Luskville and Quyon parks. The money, which came through a provincial regional development program, was to fund the first phase of upgrades to the parks, including the installation of a dog park and the insulating of washrooms in Luskville, as well as the installation of a net around the ballfield and a shelter for players in Quyon.
June 11
Couple re-opens Quyon mill
Isabelle Lajoie and Marc Bergeron of Bristol announced they were close to re-opening Quyon’s historic Egan mill as a functioning flour mill and local farm store. The building has stood on the site since 1906 but sat vacant since 2010, until Lajoie and Bergeron announced their decision to buy the mill in a municipal selloff. The couple planned to operate a mill as well as a cafe and restaurant, museum and farm store for other local goods. “I want to be an attractive pole for tourism,” said Bergeron. Pontiac mayor Roger Larose praised the project, calling it the “key” for Quyon.
FilloGreen fined for improper disposal of materials
Litchfield’s FilloGreen sorting centre was fined $125,000 last spring by Quebec’s environment ministry for improper disposal of residual materials dating back to 2018. A spokesperson for the ministry said an investigation found pieces of wood, plastic, cardboard and compostable materials mixed with plastic and cardboard had been dumped on the site in a place other than where their storage, treatment or disposal was authorized by the ministry. This violated the Environment Quality Act. FilloGreen disputed the context but pleaded guilty to remain in good standing, noting it had since obtained several permits and was operating within regulations.
Bethel Pentecostal celebrates a century
Shawville’s Bethel Pentecostal Church celebrated its 100th anniversary with a weekend of special events. Former and current parishioners gathered to share memories and music. The Sunday service featured guest speakers and reflected on the church’s past and future role in the community, highlighting its long-standing spiritual and social significance in Shawville. “There are people out there who need us, and we need to be there for them. May our heart beat for this community,” said pastor Ben Kjiersdam.
June 18
Quyon’s family centre loses biggest funder
A key social service provider in Quyon faced an uncertain future after losing nearly $200,000 in funding from Quebec’s Family Ministry. The Maison de la Famille’s board announced in a public meeting that the grant application had been unsuccessful, leading to staff layoffs, though programs continued with volunteer support. At the meeting, the board sought community support and ideas, committing to further updates while exploring new funding sources.
Four municipalities sign new fire service agreement
Bryson, l’Île-du-Grand-Calumet, Campbell’s Bay and Litchfield announced a shared fire service agreement that would come into force as of July 1 and would see firefighters from all four municipalities begin to operate as a single department. The Campbell’s Bay-Litchfield department had been responding to structure fires in Bryson and l’Île-du-Grand-Calumet since 2011, but with the new agreement will benefit from the resources of additional firefighters, trucks and equipment. Mayors from all municipalities said they believed the agreement would improve the service for their residents.
June 25
MRC awards first part of recycling contract
The MRC Pontiac awarded the first part of its recycling contract to Location Martin-Lalonde, Inc. for door-to-door recycling collection in eight Pontiac municipalities. This contract, worth just over $500,000, will be reimbursed by Eco Entreprises Quebec, a non-profit organization that took over the management of recycling across the province in Jan. 2025. Some municipalities will continue to operate their own door-to-door recycling collection while residents of other municipalities will use transfer sites.
L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet fetes St-Jean Baptiste
The Centre des Loisirs de l’Île-du-Grand-Calumet played host to the island’s annual party for Saint-Jean Baptiste, Quebec’s national holiday. The festivities featured the traditional activities of music, fireworks and kids’ activities, while also adding a drum circle and chair yoga. “Our main goal is to have something for every age group,” said RA president Tyler La Salle.
Pontiac grads bid farewell to high school
Students from across the Pontiac celebrated the conclusion of their high school careers in ceremonies organized in their respective towns. Forty-five students at École secondaire Sieur-de-Coulonge, 65 students at Pontiac High School and 19 students at Dr. Wilbert Keon School all celebrated via ceremonies that featured speeches from both students and teachers.
