Tensions between Pontiac residents and MAMH
Tensions between Pontiac residents and MAMH
Approximately 350 people made their way to the Campbell’s Bay Recreation Center yesterday afternoon to voice their opinion at the public consultation regarding the changes in the flood zones.
The map outlining the new flood zones in question, which was published by the government earlier this week, has raised concerns of citizens and elected officials across the Pontiac. During the public question period of last night’s meeting, Father Tim Moyle of the St-Alphonsus Parish in Chapeau asked about the trust the citizens should be giving to the government.
In regards to question the credibility of the map, a few mayors of the MRC asked that the government to consult them and visit the affected municipalities, to create a more “realistic” mapping of the territory. The mayor of Mansfield-et-Pontefract, Gilles Dionne, took advantage of this consultation to file a resolution and gave out a revised map by his municipal team.
The Mayor of l’Isle-aux-Allumettes, Winston Sunstrum, also asked that the ministry visits his municipality.
It may be important to note that the MRC Pontiac expects the CAQ government to look into the reasons that caused the floods in 2017 and 2019. As for the Mayor of Campbell’s Bay Maurice Beauregard, he stayed brief in his comments, saying that his 10-year-old son “could do better” by designing the special intervention zone.
The timing of this new draft law announced by the Quebec Government was also the subject of many concerns raised by residents affected by these changes in flood zones. Regional spokespersons for the ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation du Québec indicated that the draft law, announced on June 17th, will be tabled “in mid-July” this year. Comments in regards to changes in the decree can be done up until August 19th. The government also announced Thursday morning that “adjustments” will be made to the cartography of the targeted locations, in order to “reflect the reality more accurately”.
According to MNA Pontiac André Fortin, it is “hard to believe” that a new map will be established in two weeks, taking into consideration the suggestions of the Pontiac citizens.
The Warden of the MRC Pontiac, Jane Toller, praised the mobilization of the citizens of Pontiac at the meeting last night and hopes that their suggestions will be taken into account when adjusting the map.
Note that more than fifteen mayors of the MRC Pontiac, as well as the mayor of the municipality of Pontiac, Johanne Labadie, attended last night’s meeting.
