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January 16, 2018

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Seniors speak up at public consultation

The Equity

Donald
Teuma-Castelletti
CAMPBELL’S BAY
Jan. 15, 2018
MRCs and municipalities across the province can expect some visitors in the coming weeks, as a consultation tour for local road networks has been launched.
Pontiac MNA and Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification, André Fortin, made the announcement that this tour would be happening with the purpose of addressing a variety of road management issues.
“A well-maintained road network is certainly crucial to the safety of our citizens, and as such, a primary concern for our local municipalities,” said MRC Pontiac Warden Jane Toller, as she introduced and thanked Fortin. “As a key element of the tourist experience, we cannot forget its impact on our local tourist industry.”
“We think this will be an excellent opportunity for municipalities, for MRCs, to present their visions and to propose simplifications and improvements,” said Fortin.
Fortin has enlisted Chapleau MNA Marc Carrière and Côte-du-Sud MNA Norbert Morin to tour the municipalities and consult with regional politicians. The hope is that a broad range of voices across the province can be heard in what they need, as the local road network program is reviewed.
Those who speak with the representatives will be asked to submit comments and proposals for how they can best be helped.
“In my opinion, if understanding the various programs that I just listed for you is difficult, how can we ensure that you get the maximum out of the financial aid that’s available,” said Fortin, on the purpose of the tour.
These consultations are being held in accordance with the expiration of seven financial assistance programs for roads on March 31, 2018. Fortin and his colleagues are seeking to understand how beneficial these programs have been, where difficulties lie for municipalities in receiving financial assistance, and what can be done to improve the programs, before the programs are renewed.
The tour will see 25 MRCs visited, with over 100 municipalities represented, in a tour that began on Jan. 15.
The tour was launched by Fortin to a room of mayors and local representatives from across the Outaouais region at the MRC Pontiac in Campbell’s Bay.
“What we want now are some more flexible programs, effective programs that reflect the realities of different municipalities,” said Fortin.

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