June
Amos caught urinating on camera
Pontiac MP Will Amos found himself in international headlines for the second time in as many months, after he was caught urinating on-camera during a committee meeting on May 26.
Late the following day, Amos put out a statement addressing the incident. “Last night, while attending House of Commons proceedings virtually, in a non-public setting, I urinated without realizing I was on camera,” the statement reads. “I am deeply embarrassed by my actions and the distress they may have caused anybody who witnessed them”.
Maison des Jeunes recognized by Centraide Outaouais
On Friday afternoon, representatives of Centraide Outaouais were in Campbell’s Bay to present the Maison des Jeunes du Pontiac with the 2020 “Coup de Coeur” award. Centraide, known as the United Way in English, presents the award every year to one of their partnered community organizations throughout the entire Outaouais region. Community Development Director Stéphanie Ayotte presented the award to MDJ Coordinator Stéphane Durocher. “Every year we have volunteers that visit our non-profits and last year the Maison des Jeunes du Pontiac was strongly recommended for all the work they do in the community, [their] communities, because they’re almost everywhere in the Pontiac. They help a lot of people,” she said.
Volunteers search river for body
An unsanctioned search was held on Saturday to recover the body of a man who went missing on Feb. 12 while snowmobiling on the Ottawa River near Chapeau.
Robert Chartrand, 30, is presumed deceased after his helmet and snowmobile were recovered by searchers, as well as tracks leading to open water. His body has not yet been recovered.
Glenn Ranger, the organizer of the search, told THE EQUITY on May 28 that he and some others had been conducting searches on their own time, but thought the extra manpower would be helpful.
Pont Blanc Beach’s opening in sight
Pont Blanc Beach in Mansfield et Pontefract is within weeks of opening for its second summer after a successful opening season last year, with beach organizer Guillaume Lavoie-Harvey tentatively targeting around June 22 for the opening date.
Lavoie-Harvey said that he and others from the non-profit organization behind the beach’s inception, Coopérative Aventure Hélianthe, have already organized the beach space with regard to benches and picnic tables. He reckons that many people see the beach while driving through and are already prepared to don their swim trunks and go for a dip.
The beach had a lifeguard on duty in the afternoons during last summer’s weekends, which he said they wanted to have to make families feel more safe about letting their kids swim and relax. In general though, Lavoie-Harvey said that any visitors to the beach should know that they are ultimately swimming at their own risk.
Coroner’s report finds 2019 Quyon accidental death preventable
A Quebec Coroner’s Office investigation has found that the drowning death of a 72 year-old Quyon woman that occurred as a result of a washed out road in April 2019 was preventable.
Louise Lortie Séguin was driving home from a friend’s house in the early hours of April 20, 2019 when her vehicle fell into a deep crevasse that had formed from a chemin Bronson-Bryant culvert being washed out in the Municipality of Pontiac (MoP). She was pulled from her car before being transported to the Pontiac Hospital in Shawville, where she was pronounced dead at 4:48 a.m.
Prior to Séguin’s fatal accident, a 911 call was made to the MRC des Collines emergency call centre at 2:32 a.m. by a couple to relay that they had tried to drive down Bronson Bryant but had discovered the collapsed road, according to the report completed by coroner Dr. Marie Pinault. The crevasse was later measured as being roughly 21 metres wide and nearly eight metres deep, with a strong current and rain influencing the swelling creek below.
Man found dead in apparent work related accident
A 59-year-old man was found dead on Île du Grand Calumet on the morning of June 1 from what appears to be a work related incident.
Police were called to a wooded area near 2 chemin Derouin at about 10 a.m. Attempts were made to resuscitate the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
“It looks like a work related incident because the man was in the woods chopping trees and you can notice that they were fresh trees that were cut near the victim,” explained Sûreté du Québec Sgt. Marc Tessier the following day. “An autopsy will be done in the next couple of days to determine the cause of death. It could be work related or the man could have had [a medical emergency]. There’s nothing criminal about that incident.”
Mobile vaccine clinics set up, second dose timeline sped up
Mobile vaccination clinics have made their way into the vaccination picture throughout Pontiac, with one being established in Fort Coulonge as early as June 3.
The regional health authority, the CISSSO, announced the introduction of four walk-in vaccination clinics across the Pontiac.
According to CISSSO media relations agent Patricia Rhéaume, the clinics are hoping to recruit the assistance of the residents who had previously informed MRC Pontiac Warden Jane Toller of their willingness to assist in implementing mobile vaccination clinics. “The [clinics] that will go on different locations in the Outaouais will be staffed with six people (four vaccinators and two [service aids]). It is also encouraged to use local people, when possible,” Rhéaume wrote in an email response to THE EQUITY.
Flags at half-mast after discovery of mass grave in Kamloops
Flags across the Pontiac are flying at half-mast at the request of Warden Jane Toller after the discovery of a mass grave at a former residential school in Kamloops, BC.
A press release sent June 1, 2021 by the MRC Pontiac stated: “In order to honour the 215 children whose remains were recently found at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, BC,” flags across the 18 municipalities of the MRC will be lowered to half-mast for 215 hours. One hour for every victim.
“Today we honour these children along with the many other Indigenous children who never made it home, the survivors, and their families,” the release stated
Treasure hunt on Calumet
Families took to the roads of Île du Grand Calumet on Saturday to scour the sprawling region for clues, as part of a treasure hunt put on by a community organization.
The Group L’Île du Grand Calumet is a volunteer group that has been organizing community events on the island for some time.
They focus on the history of the island and the restoration of various historical sites.
“We’re doing a fundraiser, the Group de L’Île du Grand Calumet,” explained Vice President Jeanne McTiernan. “We promote ancestral roots and the historical part of L’Île du Grand Calumet.” She said that there were numerous tasks set up all across the island that would introduce participants to areas of the island that they might not be familiar with.
Body recovered from Ottawa River
The body of a Chapeau man was recovered from the Ottawa River near Allumettes Island on June 11.
Police were called to a section of the river near Allumettes Island, where civilians had spotted the body at around 9:45 a.m. “The body was transported to Montreal for a positive ID, it could take some time because we weren’t able to ID the person right away,” said Sûreté Du Québec spokesperson Sgt. Marc Tessier.
The family confirmed on social media that the body is that of Robert Chartrand, 30, who went through the ice while snowmobiling near the Chapeau bridge on Feb. 12.
Amos reprimanded by House speaker
Pontiac MP Will Amos was reprimanded by the House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota on June 7 for his second videoconferencing mishap, where he was caught urinating on camera.
Rota called the second incident serious and advised his colleagues to be mindful when participating in the virtual parliamentary proceedings.
“We have often reminded Members that virtual sittings are an extension of House proceedings and that their conduct must follow our rules and practices, even when participating from a distance. As soon as an MP logs in to a virtual session and opens their camera, it is considered to be, for all intents and purposes, in the House. The reported facts are not contested and constitute a serious breach of the rules of decorum and an affront to the dignity of the House.”
Non-essential travel to Ontario back on June 16
With the Outaouais having entered the yellow zone designation on June 14, interprovincial restrictions for inter-provincial travel are being lifted as of June 16, according to both Ontario and Quebec officials.
The change in colour signals multiple changes:
• Indoor gatherings permitted with occupants from two households
• Up to 50 people allowed at funerals
• Up to 250 people allowed in a place of worship
• In-person dining permitted with occupants of two households
The Pontiac service area (RLS) had 26 active cases as of June 14, with a cumulative total of 387 being listed by the CISSSO, the regional health authority. This marks an increase of 11 active cases and 21 cumulative cases from last Monday.
Kids skate into summer
La Maison des Jeunes du Pontiac hosted a skateboard workshop and kids from all over the MRC got a chance to try out the recently installed skateboard ramps and quarter-pipe.
Colony Skateshop and School installed the new gear. Owner Randy Pedersen and team members Lyle Stressman and Zach Anthony were on hand to teach the kids ranging from four to 14 how to skateboard. It was a hot day, but that didn’t stop more than 15 kids and their parents from showing up for the workshop.
Kids got the chance to learn the basics from standing on the board to “duck-walking.” Pedersen has been involved in skateboarding for 35 years. A teacher by trade, he has combined the two proving workshops and other programs. During his time skateboarding, he has seen it go from a fringe sport for boys to an inclusive one for all ages. At Saturday’s workshop, it was evenly mixed with 50 per cent boys and girls for both sessions
Tensions over border checkpoint, forestry at MRC meeting
In a discussion on the reopening of the provincial border, several mayors complained about the OPP’s treatment of Quebecers crossing into Ontario, stopping any car with Quebec plates while letting Ontario-plated cars pass without issue.
L’Isle-aux-Allumettes Mayor Winston Sunstrum blamed Warden Toller for the problems at the border, saying that the issue dates back to March 2020 – when Toller, alongside other wardens of the Outaouais, came out in favour of closing the border.
“I’m not happy at all,” said Sunstrum. “I’m totally disgusted with those police checkpoints.”
Toller claimed she was not responsible for the closures and that such things are not within her power, attributing responsibility to Ontario Premier Doug Ford for his handling of the situation.
‘An accident waiting to happen’
“This is an intersection that simply isn’t safe,” said Pontiac MNA André Fortin. In a statement to local media on Friday,
Fortin outlined his concerns about the safety of the western end of the divided section of Hwy 148, where the two west-bound lanes are reduced to one lane and where vehicles enter and exit the commercial strip in Luskville. Fortin was speaking at a media briefing he convened jointly with Joanne Labadie, the mayor of the Municipality of Pontiac, held in the parking lot of the commercial strip beside Hwy 148.
Fortin said that west-bound vehicles approaching the end of the four-lane section are often going too fast to deal safely with vehicles that are turning into or leaving the commercial strip along the side of the highway, and that there are incidents where vehicles exiting the parking lot have turned left into the oncoming lanes.
“To me, this is an accident waiting to happen,” said the MNA.
Health care workers hit picket line for better working conditions
A group of around 20 people gathered at the Pontiac Community Hospital on June 21 carrying flags and signs bearing the logo of the Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé service sociaux (APTS).
They were made up of professionals and technicians in the province’s public health and social services system who were out on strike for the third time this month, with another day of striking taking place the following day, June 22. The workers at the hospital were all employees at the Pontiac establishment.
Previously, the workers took to the picket line on June 7 and 8 with the goal to “improve our working conditions so that our public health care and social services network is able to attract new employees, retain experienced staff, and eliminate the labour shortage that is currently putting services to Quebecers in jeopardy,” APTS communications manager Maxime Clément wrote in an email.
Shawville resident takes his writing to the Big Apple
Shawville native Connor Stephens is getting the opportunity of a lifetime in New York City.
Earlier this year, Stephens was helping a few of his friends complete their university applications. Through editing their work, he was reminded of his love of writing.
Late one night, Stephens was scrolling through Facebook when he stumbled upon an advertisement for The School of the New York Times.
The program is called Gap Year, it is a six-week program with the School of the New York Times. Each week, students will have the opportunity to explore a different section of the newspaper where they will gain hands-on experience and meet top people in the industry.
MRC Pontiac releases Vision 2030
Over a year in the making, MRC Pontiac’s new strategic development plan was adopted at the last meeting of the MRC Council of Mayors in mid-June, and an English version was released last week.
Entitled Pontiac Vision 2030, it replaces a previous strategy known as Vision 2020. The strategy lays out a path forward in the face of a number of challenges confronting the Pontiac – an aging population, loss of local services, a median income among the lowest in Quebec and low economic diversification since the 2008 forestry crisis.
The opportunities envisioned by the strategy fall into seven categories: tourism, culture and heritage, economic growth, agriculture, socio-economic development, the environment and forestry.
July
ARAWQ criticizes Quebec’s use of the Notwithstanding Clause
The Regional Association of Western Quebecers (RAWQ) issued a press release on June 30 in support of equal recognition of English and French in Quebec.
This comes after the Quebec government tabled Bill 96 in May, which proposes adding clauses to the Canadian constitution that recognize Quebec as a nation and that it’s official language is French.
RAWQ criticizes the Quebec government’s use of the Notwithstanding Clause, saying that “individual rights must not be stampeded by a government’s continuing use of the Notwithstanding Clause to promote collective rights.”
Delta variant enters the Outaouais with four cases
In a July 2, 2021 press release, CISSS de l’Outaouais stated there have been four confirmed cases of the highly contagious Delta variant.
They noted the cases are not related to an outbreak and the four individuals have already completed their self-isolation. Regional active figures continue to trend downwards, as the Outaouais had 63 active cases (12,524 total, 12,245 recovered) as of July 5, 2021, down 54 from June 28.
There were just three hospitalizations at the designated COVID-19 centre in Hull, with zero people in intensive care. The regional death toll did not rise from last Monday, and stood at 215 as of July 5.
Gatineau ER still closed for most patients
After closing for several days, Gatineau’s emergency facility opened its doors to some patients under its new reopening plan.
The ER is open, but it is only open for pregnant women, children under 17 and for emergency mental health services. For all other services, the ER has been closed indefinitely. Patients are urged to use the urgent care facility of Papineau Hospital or Hull Hospital.
Gatineau Hospital is the fourth-largest hospital in Quebec and the closing of its urgent care services caused shockwaves throughout the medical system in Western Quebec, leading to overflows while increasing stress on other emergency rooms including those in Papineau and Hull.
Sheenboro celebrates ‘Canada Day, the COVID Way’
To celebrate Canada Day, Sheenboro residents decorated their homes and drove through the town on floats.
Residents were invited to decorate their homes by the Sheenboro Recreation Association (RA), which gave out Canadian flags and mugs that read, “Canada Day, the COVID way.”
Live music – including local fiddlers, and guitar players – was set up at two locations so residents could stop in and listen while checking out decorations around town. According to Jean Gleason of the Sheenboro RA, they decided to celebrate by decorating houses and with floats because it made it easier to social distance.
Control of snowmobile trail comes close to resolution
A long simmering dispute between the Municipality of Pontiac (MoP), the Pontiac Snowmobile Drivers Association (PSDA) and the National Capital Commission (NCC) looks set to come to a close over the next few weeks.
Ownership of Curley Lake road has long been in dispute, and as such, who had ultimate responsibility for it became a major bone of contention. Labadie said that finally in late 2020 after seeking advice from their lawyers, a final agreement was settled. The agreement would cede full control of the road to the NCC for which the municipality would be compensated.
A place called Netherleigh
Phillip Holmes struggled with allergies while growing up. As an only child, he was expected to take on the family business of farming. The farm, called Netherleigh, has been in the family for more than a century.
When he was two, a bull jumped over him. “So my parents were terrified and kept me away from the animals. I got a pony when I was three, and I ended up in the hospital with asthma.” Holmes says he loved farming, he was a member of the 4H, but his allergies often made it impossible. It was hard, but he showed up. He never imagined that he could take on the task when he was older.
Bristol Fire Department raising funds for rescue boat
The Bristol Fire Department is trying to raise funds to buy a boat for performing water rescues.
In the past two years, the department has received three calls to perform water rescues. In these situations, they’ve had to borrow boats from the police department or use commercial boats, which are not made for these types of rescues.
“Usually if we get called out for stuff like that, it’s not a nice day,” said Alex Mahon, who has recently taken courses in water rescues. “It’s a real eye opener. A lot of things will be done differently going forward.”
The department estimates that the boat itself will cost $30,000. They say they already have some equipment – such as life jackets and throw lines – but beyond that, the boat will be equipped with the bare minimum to start with. In a boot drive earlier this month, the department raised $5,000 of their $30,000 goal.
Canadian border opening to U.S. travellers
On July 19, 2021, the government of Canada announced its plans to reopen borders to American travellers. Starting on August 9, U.S. visitors that have been double vaccinated are no longer required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Even still, double vaccinated Americans will have to provide proof of a negative test result within 72 hours of arrival at the Canadian border. Double vaccinated travellers from other countries will be allowed to enter Canada starting Sept. 7, 2021, following similar restrictions.
Regional active figures continue to trend downwards, as the Outaouais had 20 active cases (12,586 total, 12 351 recovered) as of July 19, 2021, down five from July 12. There were zero hospitalizations at the designated COVID-19 centre in Hull, with zero people in intensive care. The regional death toll did not rise from last Monday, and stood at 215 as of July 19.
Chimney collapses onto truck after accident
A truck driving south on Hwy 303 near Portage du Fort went off the road and crashed into a nearby house on Saturday morning. “It was coming towards Shawville from Portage, then it crossed the road and went through a ditch and then it hit the house,” said Shawville-Clarendon Fire Chief Lee Laframboise.
THE EQUITY wins QCNA awards
THE EQUITY received multiple awards at this year’s Quebec Community Newspaper Association’s (QCNA) Better Newspaper Contest.
Community newspapers across the province submitted their works from 2020 to the QCNA to be judged on their writing quality, editorial sections, design quality and more. In a July 15 QCNA press release covering the winners, THE EQUITY received overall newspaper, writer and photographer awards.
MRC Pontiac receives funding for new green initiative
The MRC Pontiac is receiving funding through a new province-wide green initiative. In an attempt to combat the effects of climate change on Canadian communities, the new Municipal Green Initiative Fund is investing in low-emission solutions. The plan hopes to create jobs and invest in “Canada’s low-emission energy future”.
The plan is being carried out by Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural resources and Joanne Vanderheyden, President of the federation of Canadian Municipalities. They hope to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the quality of water and land in Quebec. The total investment will be $442,150.
August 2021
For sale sign on Quyon’s CLSC building causes serious concern in the community.
Last week the building leased by Quyon’s CLSC was put up for sale by its owner with no notice to tenants or anyone else in the community.
The reaction from the community was swift, with many fearing the CLSC would eventually be closed. So, last Friday, a hasty press conference was called with MNA André Fortin and Doctor Ruth Vander Stelt in attendance.
For the last two years, the building owner, Joanne Marcotte, has been trying to get CISSSO to sign an updated lease agreement. The current lease has not been updated in 20 years, according to Fortin.
Marcotte would not say why she had put the building up for sale in an interview with THE EQUITY. But she did express frustration with delays in dealing with CISSSO. She was adamant, however, that CISSSO is not delinquent on its rent payments.
Bryson family fun day raises funds for recently-built lighthouse
Last Saturday, the Bryson Revitalization group held their annual family fun day.
The goal of the event was to have a downsized version of their usual fun day, allowing the community to come together while still abiding by public-health restrictions.
“This is kind of a scaled down version of what we did before COVID, it used to be much bigger,” said Cliff Welsh of the Bryson Revitalization group.
Bryson revitalization is a community organization that seeks to keep community spirit strong and complete various projects in Bryson. This year, the family fun day acted as a fundraiser for the town’s newly built lighthouse. Welsh encouraged anyone that has a chance to check out the lighthouse, which is located at the Bryson boat launch.
‘Running out of time to avert climate crisis’ – U.N.
A report published Monday by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) forecasts that there will be no end to warming trends until the emissions of greenhouse gases cease.
In a statement also released on Monday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the report as ‘a code red for humanity’.
“The alarm bells are deafening, and the evidence is irrefutable: greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel burning and deforestation are choking our planet and putting billions of people at immediate risk,” said the SG.
The IPCC assessment is the sixth it has issued since the Geneva-based organization was created in 1988 to examine the science and assess the risks associated with climate change.
In a parallel process, governments gather each year for a meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to develop plans to address the challenges inherent in a warming planet. The 26th meeting (COP-26) will be held in Glasgow this November.
Amos will not seek re-election
In a statement issued Sunday, Pontiac MP Will Amos announced he will not be seeking reelection.
The announcement comes after last month’s meeting with local media when Amos announced a return to full duties following two Zoom incidents, one in which he appeared naked on-camera and the other in which he was seen urinating into a coffee cup. In the meeting, Amos explained that he was placing more importance on not doing too much at one time.
“Upon reflection with my family, I am not closing the door to politics and elected public service in the future,” wrote Amos in his statement on Sunday. “But I have concluded that the time is not right for me to launch into another election campaign and I want to explore other avenues that enable a better work/life balance.”
In an interview with THE EQUITY, Amos explained that he does not currently have plans for the future of his political career and is instead focusing on his family. He does, however, intend to continue to be present within the region.
Quebec adopts vaccine passports
By Sept. 1, Quebec will implement a vaccine passport system province-wide.
The Quebec health minister Christian Dubé announced the plan and provided details on its implementation during an August 10 press conference.
For most of the summer vacation period, the COVID-19 infection rates in Quebec have trended downward, but “unfortunately the virus is not going on vacation,” he said.
Due to rising infection rates, primarily because of the much more contagious Delta variant, the province has decided to introduce a passport system as it promised it would do earlier in the summer if COVID-19 infection rates increased.
Guitar and fiddle show in mural park
Campbell’s Bay residents gathered near Mural Park last Wednesday for a musical performance from Cathy Scullion.
Scullion played both guitar and fiddle, performing a number of her own songs. One of which was “Dance with an angel,” which she explained she wrote for her mother after she passed away last year. Some other songs were inspired by her experience growing up on a farm in Gatineau or her family’s history.
Battle of the cattle: Shawville Fair dairy show to feature both Holsteins & Jersey cows
This year’s Shawville Fair dairy show will feature Jersey cattle as well as Holstein cattle for the first time since 1985.
Director Lee Stanley said that so far, there are about 30 head of cattle for each class. He added that after the first place is selected from each category, a supreme champion will be selected from between the top Holstein and Jersey cattle.
Mayors to launch Bill 96 petition
The first in-person meeting of the MRC Council of Mayors since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic was held last Wednesday evening in the Lions Hall in Bryson, with all 18 mayors and the warden in attendance.
The meeting was streamed online over Facebook live, a practice which is set to continue going forward. The meeting got off to an awkward start with a 45-minute in-camera session on an undisclosed subject during which the public, the media and some of the MRC staff were required to wait outside. The warden also stepped outside during the session.
Among the key features of the meeting, once the public session resumed, was the decision by the council to launch a petition in response to changes to Quebec’s language laws proposed under Bill 96.
The petition asks the Government of Quebec to:
• “Remove from Bill 96 all articles that could have a negative impact on English-speaking citizens and bilingual communities.”
• “Ensure that students can study in the language of their choosing in the course of their post-secondary education.”
• “Ensure that the provisions of Bill 96 do not cause an administrative burden on small businesses and ensure a 50 per cent English French employee ratio when hiring.”
‘The spirit of Sand Bay’: Community hosts weekend of fun
The Sand Bay Association’s annual fun day had enough fun to last the whole weekend, with events spread out across both Saturday and Sunday.
The weekend’s events included a flotilla of community boats, sand castle building, a community parade, tie-dye on the beach, an Amazing Rac style scavenger hunt, a live music beach party and fireworks to wrap up the weekend. There were also games and lunch sold by Billy T’s on the beach.
“It’s a great community and we like to keep it that way,” said Barb Shoobert, who helped organize the parade. Shoobert has attended the fun day since she was a little girl and said that the goal of the weekend has always been to “put a smile on people’s faces.”
September
Doctors advocate for health care to be managed locally
The Quebec Association of Doctors for the Decentralization of the Health System (RQMDSS) held a meeting on August 27 to advocate for decentralized management of healthcare in Quebec.
Since 2015, all healthcare in the Outaouais has been centralized and is overseen by CISSSO, which is located in Gatineau. Following the adoption of Bill 10 (also known as “Barrette reforms”) the 18 regional health agencies were merged in an effort to reduce expenses and bureaucracy. However, this has had a deleterious effect on rural communities, and several prominent physicians are drawing attention to some of the problems that have resulted from centralization of healthcare administration. “Healthcare in the Pontiac has lost or seen a reduction in its ability to provide obstetrics, urology, gynecology, oncology, microbiology and X-ray services,” said Dr. Vander Stelt, a local physician. Jane Toller was another vociferous critic of the changes resulting from Bill 10, stating: “Since the change of Law 10, there’s been a huge difference. Our obstetrics department is closed. We can’t have babies in the Pontiac.”
A local Facebook group ‘Pontiac Voice,’ was started for people to express concerns about the way hospitals are being managed. Spokesperson Josey Bouchard has asked that Bill 10 be reviewed to establish whether its objectives have been met.
COVID-19 Update: The Outaouais enters the fourth wave
Quebec’s COVID vaccination passport system made its debut this week after hackers were able to replicate the vaccine QR codes of Premier François Legault and Health Minister Christian Dubé. A week prior, Dr. Brigitte Pinard, Acting Director of CISSSO, confirmed the Outaouais was now in the fourth wave of the pandemic. Regional active cases doubled again as the fourth wave continued in the Outaouais which had 173 active cases (12,995 total, 12,534 recovered) as of August 30, 2021, up 91 from August 23. There are seven hospitalizations at the designated COVID-19 centre in Hull, with zero people in intensive care. The regional death toll did not rise that week, and has been at 215 as of August 30.
Candidates spar over economy, climate change and democracy
Less than two years following the previous election, federal candidates for the Pontiac riding participated in a debate hosted by local radio station CHIP FM. All five announced candidates were invited, but Bloc Québécois representative Gabrielle Desjardins was unable to participate. The debate was mostly in French, and covered various local and federal issues. Candidates were invited to respond to pre-submitted questions from CHIP FM’s listeners. Only 30 members of the public were present due to COVID-19 restrictions. NDP candidate and NDP Pontiac riding association president Denise Giroux was the only incumbent, seeking to be reelected to represent her Pontiac riding. Neophyte political candidates Shaughn McArthur, of the Green Party, Michel Gauthier of the Conservatives, and Sophie Chatel of the Liberals were onstage to make their first public impression on the citizens of the Pontiac.
We’re back!
Shawville Fair made its return this year, following last year’s cancellation due to COVID-19. While navigating never-before-seen restrictions, the Fair featured classic events, such as the dairy and beef shows, 4-H steer auction, and horse pull. This year’s Fair also saw the return of familiar favourites, including the demolition derby, the classic car show, live music, midway rides, food and snacks, and more.
MRC releases election details
The MRC announced the opening of the seat of warden was officially open to electors in the MRC. Officer Bernard Roy requested that nominations for the position of warden be filed to his office between Sept. 17 and Oct. 1. Residents of the TNO were invited to vote at their “assigned polling station” between 9:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. on either Oct. 31 for advanced polling day or Nov. 7 for polling day.
Indigenous day comes to the Fair
On September 4th, The Shawville Fair celebrated its first Indigenous Day in its165-year history. By noon, hundreds of members of Indigenous communities from across the region were in attendance, some taking to the stage. Canadians of all stripes were also there to watch demonstrations and enjoy the fair. Following the dance demonstration, Emcee Greg Dreaver of Metawasis, Sask.,Treaty 6 Territory spoke with THE EQUITY: “There was no such word for war in our language before the settlers came. You could only describe a conflict as a crooked peace that needs to be straightened. And today, we see that happening here with responsibility. No guilt, no shame. Face responsibility, take responsibility, let’s put something out that everybody can participate in for the betterment of all. Let’s let the Native leadership come out and have their say and let them speak, and they were given that. Here’s the stage; take it away.” His concluding thoughts on the Indigenous Day celebrations at the Shawville Fair: “More has to be done, but it was done here today in Shawville.”
Two candidates in the race for Pontiac warden
Current warden Jane Toller and former warden Mike McCrank announced their candidacies for warden of the MRC Pontiac in the upcoming election. Jane Toller was a municipal councillor in Toronto from 1998 until 2006. In 2012, she purchased her ancestral home in Fort Coulonge and developed the site as an inn, restaurant and conference centre. Ms. Toller announced her plan to run for a second term during a press conference in Fort Coulonge on Monday afternoon.
Mike McCrank served as a municipal councillor in Litchfield for eight years, and then as mayor for another 20. As mayor, he was elected warden by his peers, the other mayors within MRC Pontiac, and served for almost 14 years from 2000 to 2013.
Quebec says health care workers have until Oct. 15 to get vaccinated
On Sept. 7, during the province’s daily COVID-19 briefing, Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé announced that all healthcare workers who are not fully vaccinated by Oct. 15 will be suspended without pay. “We cannot accept health care workers putting vulnerable people at risk,” Dubé said. Increases in regional active cases are up sharply this week in the the Outaouais as the latest data shows 263 active cases (13,329 total, 12,851 recovered) as of Sept. 13, 2021, up 77 from Sept. 6. There are nine hospitalizations at the designated COVID-19 centre in Hull, with three people in intensive care. The regional death toll did not rise from last Monday, and stood at 215 as of Sept. 13.
Mansfield firefighters adopt green lights
Last month, volunteer firefighters from the Mansfield Fire Department began using flashing green lights in personal vehicles when responding to emergency calls. According to the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, a green light is a courtesy that helps make firefighters more visible in emergency situations: “It doesn’t consider a personal vehicle as an emergency vehicle, but it’s just asking the other users on the road for courtesy to let them pass whenever they see a vehicle coming with a green light on,” said Mansfield Fire Chief Pat Bertrand.
Bertrand added that drivers are not required to pull over for vehicles with green lights, but are encouraged to do so. He noted that firefighters are required to take a course before being issued a light.
Mansfield is the first fire department in the MRC Pontiac to start using the flashing green light.
Suicide prevention intiative announced in the Pontiac
A local mental health non-profit is one of 10 early adopters in a nationwide suicide prevention initiative. The Connexions Resource Centre is the only mental health non-profit organization in Quebec to have been chosen to participate in the Roots of Hope project.
In a s tatement, the resource centre said the Roots of Hope initiative “is a community-led project that aims to reduce the impacts of suicide within the community.” The project, funded by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), seeks to encourage grassroots and local efforts aimed at suicide prevention.
Last October, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) released its annual report and cited multiple examples of the strain on mental health caused by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Caitlin Foy, Connexions Community Outreach Coordinator for the Pontiac, said Canada’s health information line, 811, had been overloaded during the pandemic. “Social isolation is also getting to people,” Foy said.
Connexions’ primary mission is to serve and promote the health, well-being, and vitality of the English-speaking population of the Outaouais.
Toller breaks log jam on forestry vote at MRC Pontiac Mayors’ Meeting
A resolution relating to forestry caused consternation at this month’s Council of Mayors meeting, when Warden Jane Toller called for a vote on a resolution to contract consulting firm Nova Sylva a contract to create a strategic forestry plan for the MRC Pontiac. The firm had presented an offer of service at the closed-door plenary meeting in August.
Speaking to the motion, L’isle aux Allumettes Mayor Winston Sunstrum presented his concerns, which he had provided in writing to the Council before the meeting. Sunstrum explained that his own research led him to believe that Nova Sylva had limited experience with developing forestry action plans and believed that other companies might be better suited to serve the MRC’s needs.
He added that the company’s offer of service mentioned only three sawmills, and did not address other forestry-related projects — such as the Pontiac Regional Industrial Park or bio-refineries.
Sunstrum said that he had concerns over political influence involved in the contract, and called for a halt to forestry items until the new mayoral term. “I suggest that we shelve all resolutions dealing with forestry until a new council of mayors is elected,” he said.
Despite concerns raised, the vote was held. A tie-breaking vote was cast by Toller in favour of moving the project forward.
Car crashes into Campbell’s Bay home
On Wednesday, a speeding car rounded a corner, slamming into the Cambell’s Bay home of local fiddler Catherine Scullion. Scullion, whose home was damaged in the incident, wasn’t home at the time, but came upon the crashed vehicle and first responders at her house after she returned from running errands.
The male driver and female passenger were not seriously injured though they were taken to the hospital in Hull in separate ambulances. First responders had to use the jaws of life to free the driver, removing the entire roof of the vehicle in the process.
Celebrating 40 years of the Try Like Terry run
Pontiac’s Terry Fox run came to an excellent finish last Sunday. Due to COVID-19, last year’s event was held virtually. Runners submitted weekly totals, which were then tallied at the end of the week and plotted on a virtual map tracking Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope and published in THE EQUITY.
This year, with COVID restrictions easing, the long-time organizers and former PHS teachers Rick Valin and John Petty decided on a hybrid version. They kept the virtual map but also held a 10 km race on Sunday. In non-COVID years, the usual crowd of more than a hundred racers huddled together and started down the road as a group.
But, again, due to COVID, this year featured staggered starts where runners hit the pavement any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. It was a big community event this year with donations from Joanne’s Valumart and Giant Tiger; and with help from the Lion’s Club who ran the barbecue with all proceeds going to the Terry Fox Foundation.
Quebec to inject $1B into public healthcare network
Quebec Minister François Legault announced a plan to address the severe nursing shortage in the province, during his Sept. 23 press release. Legault stated that his government knew they had to modify the collective agreement in conjunction with union demands petitioning for better work conditions and salaries. But the pandemic, he said, has exacerbated imbalances between nurses’ work and home lives. The agreement would end mandatory overtime requirements and offer nurses better scheduling options as far as working evening, nights and weekends shifts, and give retention bonuses to nurses.
Suspension of nurses without pay to intensify staffing issues at Pontiac hospital
The double vaccination deadline for health care workers across the province will exacerbate staffing shortages at the Pontiac Hospital. On Sept. 7, Premier François Legault and Health Minister Christian Dubé held a press conference outlining the government’s plan requiring all health care professionals across the province to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 15. Chanatel Dyelle has worked at the Pontiac Hospital for 11 years and as an RNA in general care for the past eight. “It’s gonna be hard on staff if nurses are suspended without pay,” Dyelle said. We’re already working short-staffed. Our rooms are all full. We’re constantly full; we never have an empty bed for more than a day.”
“I have worked 29 of the last 30 days,” Ladouceur added.
The year in review continues next week.
