The Municipality of Alleyn-et-Cawood held its monthly council meeting on Sept. 8, passing a resolution requesting a review of school bus routes for local children.
During public question period, resident Tracey Moore, a school bus driver and trustee with the Western Quebec School Board (WQSB), spoke about the long bus travel times experienced by local children attending both Queen Elizabeth Elementary School in Kazabazua as well as high-school students attending St. Michael’s High School in Low. She said that some children were spending upwards of an hour and a half on the bus each way to school.
“I went to Kaz last week to their meeting, and explained that this service from the Western Quebec School Board is not acceptable for the rural areas,” she said.
Council passed a resolution, originally drafted by the neighbouring municipality of Kazabazua, urging action from the WQSB for routes going to Queen Elizabeth.
The resolution states that changes to the bus routes have resulted in students from Alleyn-et-Cawood spending approximately 1.5 hours each way. It requests that the WQSB review the current routes and “explore possible alternatives to reduce the amount of time students spend travelling by bus, including the possibility of establishing a dedicated or more direct route for students from this area.”
THE EQUITY has reached out to the WQSB regarding school bus times, but was not able to secure an interview in time for publication.
MRC shares dispute
During the public question period, a resident asked about the status of the municipality’s legal dispute with the MRC over its unpaid 2024 shares.
Mayor Sidney Squitti said that an agreement with the MRC had been reached but added that they weren’t able to discuss details.
“We have reached an agreement, and the matter is, as far as we’re concerned, settled at this point in time,” she told THE EQUITY after the meeting. “If and when we can divulge information, we will, but at this time we’re not able to.”
When asked if she was pleased with the outcome of the legal proceedings, Squitti said that she was pleased the matter was concluded.
“We’re happy that the matter is settled and that it’s over and we can move on,” she said, adding they would still be seeking compensation from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MAMH).
In 2024, following the sale of a number of lots in the municipality for over their assessed value, the municipality saw its projected property evaluations jump significantly, causing its municipal shares to jump by more than 150 per cent between 2023 and 2024. Shares are the money, determined by property values, that municipalities pay to the MRC for services. The municipality disputed the elevated amount and refused to pay, also filing a petition with the MAMH to intervene.
In January 2025, the MRC Pontiac council of mayors voted to take legal action to recover the 2024 shares, plus interest. In July 2026, a judge dismissed the municipality’s arguments, calling them “legally unfounded.” Squitti and director general Isabelle Cardinal had a private meeting with MRC Pontiac warden Jane Toller and director general Kim Lesage on Aug. 27 to discuss the case, and the options going forward.
Road work planned for chemin Copeland Evans
Residents got an update from council about the work set to begin on chemin Copeland Evans, a section of which has been impassable since a washout in April. There is currently a detour in place via chemin Harrison.
Cardinal explained in an email that there was a second washout that occurred at the same place in July, which set back the repairs.
“The hydraulic study has already been completed. However, following the second beaver dam failure and washout in July, it became clear that additional assessments were necessary before proceeding with the permanent repair,” she wrote. “We are now moving forward with the next phases, including civil engineering, geotechnical work, and the necessary environmental and ministerial authorizations. The objective is to ensure that the permanent solution properly addresses the conditions in the area and reduces the risk of facing the same situation again in the future.”
She said that they would be opening up a single-lane temporary fix for the time being, while they conduct the relevant studies for a permanent fix, which they aim to complete next year.
“We do not yet have a final construction date or confirmed cost, as these will depend on the completion of the engineering work, final design, and required authorizations. Once we have more definitive information, we will provide an update to residents.”
