Why do we have SWAT teams?
SWAT stands for special weapons and tactics. They’re called in when the normal police procedures are not cutting it and extreme measures are required.
When Pontiac MNA André Fortin announced the formation of an economic SWAT team for the Pontiac, we were told that normal procedures weren’t working and we needed extreme measures.
The goal of the economic SWAT team is to identify, attract and contribute to projects that will spur economic growth in the region.
The sense of urgency was apparent at the SWAT team’s first meeting.
“The idea is to take these projects and feed them up,” said Pontiac MNA André Fortin in March of 2017. “And make sure they don’t face undue red tape and government over-regulation but also to make sure that they are treated with a sense of urgency.”
Urgency. That is a word that often goes hand-in-hand with the economic SWAT team.
At the MRC Pontiac council meeting on Feb. 21, the council of mayors approved a motion to solicit tenders from private companies who can act as a prospector for industries.
The MRC has already completed a study examining the strengths of the region and what businesses would be best suited to the area.
Industry prospectors approach companies that fit the bill and try and attract them to the region.
According to MRC Pontiac Economic Development Director Emilie Chazelas, the MRC needs a private company because the MRC doesn’t have the human resources to carry this out itself.
It makes sense for the MRC to look into what business potential there is in the region and try and attract businesses that fit in that framework.
But not when there is another group set up to do just this.
It seems the private company that the MRC will hire and the much-touted economic SWAT team will be doing the same thing as one another.
If the goal of the economic SWAT team is to attract businesses and projects to the Pontiac, then why is the MRC looking to spend money on a private company that, by the sounds of it, will be doing the exact same thing.
The Pontiac is often reminded that it is the fourth poorest region in Quebec. We only have a limited amount of tax dollars to go around. Some municipalities have had to delay fixing water treatment facilities because of a lack of funds.
And now we’re told that the MRC absolutely has to spend money on a private company to accomplish the stated goals of the economic SWAT team.
It would be shocking if nobody from the MRC spoke with Fortin and other members of the economic SWAT team before approving this initiative.
Although Chazelas said that both the MRC and the economic SWAT team were working together, details were scarce.
Considering several members of the MRC council of mayors sit on the economic SWAT team, you would have thought they’d realize this.
Either nobody from the MRC has spoken to the economic SWAT team or the left hand has no idea what the right hand is doing.
Either way, this doesn’t seem like an efficient use of taxpayer money.
Chris Lowrey
