Demonstrators call for more funding for community groups
A coalition of community organizations from across the Pontiac demonstrated outside the MRC building on Feb.22 to demand the government of Quebec provide them more funding, pictured above.
This action was just one part of a week of demonstrations across the Outaouais region organized by Table régionale des organismes communautaires de l’Outaouais (TROCAO).
All groups present at the protest expressed concerns that the services they provided to the public were under threat due to the lack of investment from the provincial government.
Quebec Liberals discuss Bill 21 and 96, and priorities for Pontiac
With the lifting of covid restrictions the leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, Dominique Anglade, MNA for the Pontiac André Fortin and the MNA for Hull Maryse Gaudreault held a media roundtable to discuss the Liberal Party’s priorities for the Outaouais region on Thursday.
THE EQUITY took the opportunity to ask questions concerning the liberals’ intentions around Bill 21 and Bill 96.
“Regarding Bill 96, we’ve been bringing a number of amendments to it to change some of the things that have been presented in this bill, specifically healthcare access for English-speaking Quebecers,” said Anglade.
Judge rules Shanks not criminally responsible for abduction of newborn
On March 23, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice found Shawville mother, Nicole Shanks, not criminally responsible for the abduction of a newborn child last Mother’s Day.
Judge Julie Bourgeois agreed to a joint submission at the recommendation of a psychiatrist from The Royal, Ottawa’s mental health centre. “I can hardly imagine a more difficult moment for these two moms, and quite frankly I’m so impressed with these two moms’ resilience and strength,” said Judge Bourgeois as she made her ruling.
The Panthers Return
The Pontiac Panthers played their first basketball games since the most recent COVID-19 restrictions began to lift, pictured right.
Both the male and female teams played visiting teams at the Pontiac High School gym.
The boy’s team played the Érabliere Jaguars and won with a score of 34 to 26.
The girl’s team played the Nicolas-Gatineau Phénix and won 22 to 17.
Fires claimed two homes in Luskville.
One fire occurred at a home at 319 Cregheur St. on Feb. 28 in the afternoon.
Though the exact cause of the fire is unknown it is suspected to have been caused by a dryer catching fire, according to the Municipality of Pontiac Fire Chief, Kevin Mansey.
The family was unharmed, but their dog perished in the fire.
The house sustained heavy fire and smoke damage, and has been deemed inhabitable.
Another house fire occurred in Luskville on Thursday Feb. 24 on Stanton Road.
The fire appeared to have been caused when a chimney set the outside of a home on fire.
The house sustained significant damage, but the resident was unharmed and is staying with friends.
Pontiac Community Players now a non-profit.
Pontiac Community Players, a local community group of actors, has just achieved non-profit status. THE EQUITY sat down with president of Pontiac Community Players, Greg Graham, to discuss how the group started and what it means to now be a non-profit organization.
Municipality of Pontiac exploring possibility of joining MRC Pontiac
A motion to explore the possibility of joining the MRC Pontiac received unanimous support at the regular meeting of the Council of the Municipality of Pontiac (MoP) on Feb. 8.
The resolution requested a presentation to the council by the lawyer who was involved in the successful bid by the Municipality of Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette to leave MRC des Collines and join another MRC.
22-year-old man arrested for dangerous driving
While police officers of the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais were checking for speeding drivers, they detected a vehicle traveling at 160 km/hr in a 90 km/h zone on March 10 at approximately 5:45 a.m., on Hwy 148 in the Luskville region.
Disregarding multiple warnings such as flashing lights and the siren, the driver refused to stop and continued driving westbound, according to a police press release. Due to the dangers of the situation, police did not attempt to chase the vehicle and instead notified the police from the Sûreté du Québec in the Campbell’s Bay area.
A few minutes later, a 22-year-old man from Gatineau was arrested in the Municipality of Bristol. The man was arrested for dangerous driving and flight under the Criminal Code, according to the press release. It also stated that the man will receive several tickets under the Highway Safety Code for a total of $6,390 and 41 demerit points.
Pontiac Agriculture Society begins planning for Shawville Fair
The Pontiac Agriculture Society held its annual general meeting on Thursday night. The meeting was held in-person at the Shawville Arena and was attended by about 30 people.
During the proceedings, the society elected its board of directors who will oversee the organization and planning of this year’s Shawville Fair.
Vaughan Bastien, pictured left, was elected as the president of the board by acclamation.
“We’re going to go back to the old style,” said Bastien about his thoughts about how the fair is going to go this year. “The QR codes are gone so we don’t have to worry about that and our entertainment is going to be bigger and better.”
Disco on ice in Chapeau
A disco skate event was held at the Upper Pontiac Sports Complex in Chapeau on Saturday, which saw dozens of families skating to music and a light show.
The event was organized by volunteers with West Pontiac Connects and was sponsored by the MRC Pontiac with funding coming from the Quebec government through the Entente de développement culturel. The disco skate was DJed by Danse Mobile.
Pontiac community shows support for Ukraine
Businesses, politicians, churches and community members from across the Pontiac have been expressing support for the people of Ukraine as the war in eastern Europe wages on.
This support is coming in a variety of forms.
The Pontiac Home Bakery in Shawville set up a fundraiser for the Canada-Ukraine foundation Humanitarian Appeal through the selling of blue and yellow cupcakes, with 50 per cent of the proceeds going to the foundation. They also set up a donation jar, where 100 per cent of the proceeds go to the foundation.
At the MRC Pontiac Regional Council on March 16 the region’s mayors unanimously passed a resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine and expressed support for gestures of solidarity with the Ukrainian people. The resolution also called on the government of Canada to take all necessary measures to make Russia abandon “its bellicose attitude.”
At the same meeting Warden Jane Toller also stated she heard from at least two people in the Pontiac who would be willing to host Ukrainian refugees.
Pontiac MP Sophie Chatel, who has recently been banned from Russia along with 313 other members of the House of Commons tweeted in French “I carry this appointment to the list of “persona non grata” in Russia as a mark of honour!”
Both her and Pontiac MNA André Fortin have been vocal about their support for Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict.
On March 19, the Pontiac Ministerial, which is a cross denomination organization representing churches from across the Pontiac, held a Prayers for Peace service at the Shawville United Church.
