A resolution was tabled and passed concerning the possible scenario of flooding on the Ottawa River and the potential for a federal order shutting down all river activity, as was the case in 2019.

The resolution’s purpose was to ensure that “whitewater tourism operators … are [fully] consulted prior to any and all navigational bans on the Ottawa River.”

While an Ontario township had already requested that Canada’s Minister of Transportation exclude whitewater companies from being impacted by a potential ban, the MRC’s resolution was simply to ensure consultation takes place.

Following the resolution’s tabling, both L’Ile du Grand Calumet Mayor Serge Newberry and Mansfield et Pontefract Mayor Gilles Dionne pointed out that there were good reasons for not allowing boat activity in the midst of catastrophic flooding.

Newberry said that it can be difficult to conduct rescues on the river if there is other activity going on, and Dionne said that another reason for the ban is because sandbags can be washed over if the river’s tide is influenced by boats.

The resolution was ultimately passed, although L’Ile du Grand Calumet was added to the list of relevant parties who should be consulted prior to a river activity ban.

MRC fire and public safety coordinator Julien Gagnon introduced a resolution of support for a resolution that was adopted by the MRC Vallée de la Gatineau regarding SOPFEU’s decision to move its administrative services from Maniwaki to Val D’Or.

Gagnon explained that the moving of services would result in job loss in Vallée de la Gatineau, and Toller added that it would impact Pontiac residents who travel to the Maniwaki area for forestry work. The resolution was passed.

Finances

A resolution was passed for the hiring of Jean-Pierre Valiquette to assist in land use planning. The contract will be starting next month and extending until the end of the year, with Valiquette’s services being used for 15 hours each week. The money for the hiring has already been accounted for in the MRC’s budget.

According to Director General Bernard Roy, Valiquette has a bevy of experience in land planning in many different municipalities.

MRC economic development director Cyndy Phillips began her slate of recommendations for the MRC with a resolution sending a $180 contribution to Ecole Sieur de Coulonge for its annual yearbook.

Following that, Phillips tabled a resolution recommending that the MRC grant a $20,000 subsidy for the startup of a tourism business, as well as recommending the extension of a seperate grant until Oct. 31, 2021.

Next was a resolution that would adopt a list of grants to be paid under the emergency assistance small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) program that was presented by the investment committee. The SME aid program is offered by the MRC through funding from the Ministry of Economy and Innovation.

All of Phillips’s resolutions were passed by the council.

A resolution concerning the MRC’s 2021 lawn maintenance contract was put forth and passed, with Jardin Éducatif du Pontiac being awarded it.

The contract is worth $3,900 with an estimated work amount of three hours per week at a cost of $50 per hour, over a 26-week period.

Swisha nearly fully vaccinated

Rapides des Joachims Mayor Jim Gibson brought positive news to the council during the early going when he explained that the CISSSO had sent health care staff to the remote community to vaccinate people aged 65 and older at the beginning of April.

Speaking with The Equity afterwards, Gibson explained that Pontiac MNA André Fortin and CAQ’s minister for the Outaouais Mathieu Lacombe were both instrumental in helping organize the process.

“I got word within three days [CISSSO were] coming up so we had to do a rush job,” he explained. “Everybody got knocked on the door by all the councillors and if they weren’t home we left a letter saying it would be April 1 to get vaccinated.”

Of the roughly 140 people in the village, Gibson said that 86 people showed up to get their first vaccine dose on the day, with just one eligible person opting to stay home.

Gibson said he was unsure when the CISSSO were coming back to complete vaccinations of the rest of the adult population.

Miscellaneous

The final resolution of the night was one of support for an MRC Maria-Chapdelaine resolution regarding a “Request to decentralize Quebec’s health care system to promote local governance.”

The resolution was similar to one that had been passed by the council several months prior. A copy of Wednesday’s resolution was to be sent to Fortin, Lacombe, the minister of health and social services, each of the Pontiac’s municipalities and the Federation of Quebec Municipalities.

Before the end of the meeting, Toller explained that the Lac a L’Epaule meeting, a closed yearly gathering for the council that typically happens at the beginning of the year, would ultimately be scheduled for the beginning of May.

While Toller was holding out to have it occur in-person, she conceded that public health restrictions would mean that it would have to be held virtually.

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