I was invited to attend the June 2024 special meeting of the Alleyn et Cawood council with residents about the issue of a potential 370 per cent increase in their property evaluations. There was great concern and emotion expressed as the assumption in the room was that every property would have the same increase. The issue of removing the comparative factor was presented by their committee (the comparative factor is calculated yearly based on the real estate transactions from the year before and multiplied by the standardized value of your property).

I was asked what the MRC Pontiac could do about the situation. I reminded them of three things. First, when they would receive the correct information on Sept. 15, I believed that there would not be a 370 per cent increase across the board. Second, they could start a petition and give it to André Fortin to present to the Assembly (although, the chance of the province changing the method for provincial assessment would be unlikely.) Third, that the MRC had the ability to create a new bylaw. Our evaluation staff had reached out to all other MRCs to see what methods they used.

The tri-annual evaluation for 2025, 2026 and 2027 was based upon the real estate transactions from July 1, 2023 and prior. Last Friday on GONET, the accurate information for all properties in Alleyn et Cawood became available. The increase was 85 per cent, much less than 370 per cent. To put it in perspective, other Pontiac municipalities had increases of 65-70 per cent last year.

It was good to see so many community members attend our council meeting. The community had written a bylaw which they wanted us to vote on. However, there is a municipal process for new bylaws, and so we tabled our notice of motion which was the first step. We will now consider what is the best way to move forward in ensuring fairness to all municipalities. This could include looking at the comparative factor and the way municipal shares are currently paid to the MRC.

Andrée Laforest, Minister of Municipal Affairs, has received the petition of 3,000 names and Jacques Demers, President of FQM (Fédération québécoise des municipalités) has said this is an issue facing many MRCs. We have an FQM meeting this week in Quebec City and many mayors will attend. I will speak with Jacques Demers and Andrée Laforest. Through Alleyn et Cawood, this issue has been brought to the forefront from MRC Pontiac.

Finally, I want to assure you that the elected MRC Council of Mayors and our MRC staff are doing their best. We need to take the time to get this right. Please have faith in your elected council who are taxpayers. We understand that new investment and development are vital to our region, but we also need the Pontiac to remain affordable for everyone.

Please call me with any of your concerns.

Jane Toller, Warden, MRC Pontiac

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