Two more partners that previously provided some form of support to Quyon’s Maison de la Famille have suspended it.
In a letter sent to the Maison de la Famille in April, the Municipality of Pontiac notified the social service organization it would no longer be allowing it to use the municipality’s space in the Quyon Community Centre free of charge. The non-profit organization had previously used this space to run a walking group and pickleball club for the community.
The letter said the municipality made this decision after learning Outaouais public health provider CISSSO had decided to “temporarily suspend efforts aimed at organizing services in collaboration with [the] organization.”
“In this context, and in the interest of sound management of municipal resources as well as alignment with the orientations of our institutional partners, the Municipality must temporarily suspend free access to its facilities for your organization,” the letter reads, noting the decision could be reassessed once the Maison de la Famille’s situation has stabilized.
In June 2025, the family centre’s board of directors shared that its former director general had failed to secure the $200,000 two-year grant from the province’s Ministère de la Famille that has historically been used to pay salaries. As a result, the board had to let go of the family centre’s employees.
Soon after, Centraide Outaouais pulled its usual support of around $20,000, citing concerns that without the funding from the province, the centre could be at risk of closure.
Since then, the non-profit organization has been without a director general. The board has been able to hire one employee to assist with some program delivery. Directors have spent the past year fundraising and working to get the family centre’s financial and administrative files in order so they can eventually re-apply for the critical grant.
“Hopefully things get fixed in a year, that would be fine,” Mayor Roger Larose told THE EQUITY. “We want to work with Maison de la Famille, as long as they get the [grant] and all that stuff. [ . . . ] In the meantime, we’re going to take over some activities.”
The walking group had previously been offered free of charge, and the pickleball was at a cost of $2 per person per session. In 2026, the Maison raised the cost of these activities to $1 per session for the walking group and $3 per session for the pickleball.
“This decision was made in the context of a significant reduction in funding and ongoing operational pressures,” the board of directors wrote in an email to THE EQUITY.
“Since both groups are part of the Family Centre’s programming and are covered under its insurance, it was considered equitable that all participants contribute, even minimally, toward associated costs.”
But Larose said he heard from members of the community who were frustrated with these increases.
“Right now, the big problem I have is lots of money is going in there, but things were supposed to be free for the citizens,” Larose said. “Now they start charging the people. [ . . . ] For us, it’s a non-profit organization. They shouldn’t be charging the people for something you should be using a grant from the government.”
Larose said the municipality will be running these groups for the time being.
CISSSO’s conditions for collaboration ‘not met’
The municipality’s letter to the organization indicated that both CISSSO and the Corporation de Développement Communautaire (CDC) du Pontiac had proposed support measures, but Larose said he understands the Maison de la Famille has been unwilling to accept the support or recommendations being offered.
“When they get things settled right, we’d be open to work with them any time, but right now, they need help, and they’re going to have to let the people help them,” he said. “If they don’t work with CISSSO, nothing will happen.”
In an emailed response to THE EQUITY, CISSSO explained that previously, its collaboration with the Maison de la Famille has included referring families to available services, supporting the service organization through a community organizer, and working jointly with local partners to support vulnerable families.
CISSSO also made an annual contribution of approximately $2,965 to support certain activities, including the Y’APP (“Nobody’s Perfect”) program, which supports parents in developing parenting skills and reducing isolation.
The healthcare network said it attempted to continue these collaborations with the non-profit, but that on Mar. 18 it notified the organization it would be suspending these efforts.
“As with any collaboration, certain conditions are required, including governance, accountability, and communication with partners. In the current context, and based on the information available, these conditions were not met to allow the continuation of the collaboration,” the email said.
The Maison de la Famille board of directors confirmed it had received recommendations and offers of support from both CDC and CISSSO, but that they did not align with “current operational realities, governance priorities, or the specific needs of the families we serve during this period of transition.”
“Decisions have been made with a focus on maintaining stability and ensuring that any changes are sustainable,” the board wrote. “We remain open to constructive collaboration that respects the Maison’s mission and capacity.”
CISSSO said a new service agreement has been established with a community partner to continue providing services to families in Quyon.
