Dear Editor,

March 8 is International’s Women’s Day when we celebrate women’s accomplishments and the next steps needed to enhance women’s rights. We, at Pontiac Voice, wish to thank . . .

the first responders, essentially women, for the extraordinary work done during this pandemic.

Unfortunately, in the Pontiac, we are still fighting for women’s rights. Sadly, our fellow Pontiacers still must exile themselves in order to give birth. The lack of obstetrics deprives women the support of their families, of their medical team that have followed their pregnancy and the security of a being close to the hospital. It is quite incredible that in the 21st century, we are still fighting to get services, in proximity to their home, in order to respect a woman’s right to a safe birth without compromising their mental and physical health.

We will resume our actions to get the obstetrics ward back as soon as this pandemic is under control.

The Facebook page Voix du PONTIAC- PONTIAC Voice was created in January 2017. Our membership is, as of now, around 3,000 members. This enables us to reach about 40 per cent of the households from the former territory of the Pontiac Health Services which encompassed the Pontiac MRC and the Municipality of Pontiac.

Josey Bouchard

Official Spokesperson for the

Committee PONTIAC Voice