Caleb Nickerson
CAMPBELL’S BAY
Oct. 23, 2017
On Oct. 23, the five candidates for warden of MRC Pontiac gathered at St. John’s Elementary School in Campbell’s Bay for a discussion about the social services and organizations in the region, hosted by the Table de développement social du Pontiac (TDSP).
Organizer and TDSP coordinator Arnaud De la Salle explained that the table hosts a monthly discussion on issues surrounding social services in the Pontiac with officials and representatives from a wide variety of groups such as the Western Quebec Literacy Council, Bouffe Pontiac, L’Entourelle women’s shelter and more.

“We want to be known inside the Pontiac community, as a table where problems can be discussed,” he said. “We have a discussion about programs, financing … We want [the candidates] to know that they should be involved too.”
Each of the candidates acknowledged the importance of the various social programs offered by those around the table and vowed to work to improve Pontiacers access to them.
The representatives from each organization got a chance to go around the table and lay out their priorities for the coming year and any challenges that stand in their way.
De la Salle was pleased with the event’s turnout as well as the responses they received from the would-be wardens.
“We’re working to bring in more people and I think it’s starting to pay off a little bit,” he said.
The table’s next big event is their economic breakfast in December, where they invite local businesses out to join the conversation.