CALEB NICKERSON
CAMPBELL’S BAY
Aug. 14, 2018
Last Tuesday, Pontiac MNA André Fortin was at the MRC offices in Campbell’s Bay to announce a 10 per cent increase to a provincial fund for local projects.
Known as the Territory Development Fund (FDT), over $1 million in grant money is available in the Pontiac alone, to be used for projects put forward by local councils. Fortin announced that MRC Pontiac would be getting an additional $104,665 for the 2019/2020 fiscal year, bringing the maximum available amount to $1,143,857.

Several local mayors, pro-mayors, councillors and director generals were in attendance, where all looked pleased to have more resources they would be able to work with.
“This is really to give powers back to the municipalities,” Fortin said. “Municipalities are more than just local administration, they are a level of government. We’ve started using the phrase municipal governments instead of municipalities.”
“It’s always tough for you guys to say no to somebody, to say come back next year, or maybe, ‘We’ll give you this much but not the full amount you asked for,’” he continued. “A lot of projects were able to move ahead because of the FDT, the residence Meilleur in Chapeau comes to mind. There is quite a list every year and hopefully we can continue to add to that list.”
Pontiac Warden Jane Toller was pleased with the new funds and thanked Fortin for taking the time to make the announcement in person