Environment
Sugar bush operator discusses early start to season
While the recent run of warm weather might be welcomed by many in the Pontiac, it is causing some challenges for maple syrup producers in the area. Hélène Alary, owner of Sucrerie Alary in Luskville, told CHIP 101.9 that while this year’s temperatures were unusual, this isn’t the earliest they’ve had to start boiling sap […]
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Community members gather to oppose waste incineration project
Around 100 people gathered at the Campbell’s Bay RA Hall on Saturday (March 2) for an information session opposing the waste incineration project that is being explored by MRC Pontiac. The idea to build a facility in the area to incinerate the Ottawa region’s waste has been spearheaded by Warden Jane Toller, and council voted […]
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MRC Pontiac officials reiterate their opposition to Chalk River disposal site
Yesterday, MRC Pontiac council reiterated their opposition to the recent licensing decision authorizing the installation of a “near surface disposal facility” at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ Chalk River site. The statement comes the same day that citizens groups, opposition politicians and First Nations took to parliament hill calling for the federal government to intervene and halt […]
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Pontiac MP Sophie Chatel discusses Chalk River decision, year ahead
Following a French-language interview with CHIP 101.9 Director François Carrier, Pontiac MP Sophie Chatel also answered some questions in English, discussing the recent decision to greenlight the NSDF project at Chalk River Laboratories and also her plans for 2024. She said that while she is not an expert on nuclear safety, she was disappointed that […]
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Nuclear Safety Commission approves low-level waste dump at Chalk River
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced yesterday (January 9) their decision to modify the operating license of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ (CNL) site at Chalk River to allow for the construction of a “near surface disposal facility” (NSDF). The NSDF project has been in the works for years, with CNL having initiated the environmental assessment […]
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Winter storm watch in effect, snow expected Tuesday
Environment Canada has issued a winter storm watch for the Pontiac as snow is expected Tuesday into Wednesday morning. “Heavy snow with significant snowfall amount, strong winds and blowing snow are expected especially from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Snowfall amounts ranging between 20 and 40 centimetres are possible,” the statement reads. “Areas from the […]
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Warm January weather brings advantages and concerns for local farmers
This start of 2024 is giving rise to a rare, even unprecedented situation in the Pontiac. This is the case for farmers who, some, have proceeded to cut part of their fields at this time of the year given the length of the hay and the mild temperature. One of the farmers in question is […]
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After record-setting fire season, SOPFEU seeks recruits
Quebec’s provincial forest fire fighting agency SOPFEU is in the midst of its annual recruitment period, following the most destructive summer of wildfires in its recorded history. Melanie Morin, a communications officer in SOPFEU’s western region, said that after a quiet spring, they saw more forest burned this season than the last 20 years combined. Things […]
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Local farmer participates in UPA demonstration in Quebec City
A Pontiac farmer took part in a large demonstration in Quebec City last week along with other members of the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA). The demonstrators, numbering in the hundreds according to Radio-Canada, marched to the National Assembly ahead of the UPA’s annual general meeting. CHIP 101.9 spoke with David Gillespie, a local UPA […]
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MRC Pontiac council approves $9.8 million budget
At the MRC Pontiac’s monthly council of mayors meeting last night (November 22), council approved a budget of $9.8 million for 2024. In a press release, the MRC noted some highlights from this year’s document: Total MRC Pontiac expenditures: $9.8 million Grants and revenues from services: $5.5 million Expenditure by department: • Administration: $1,970,209 • […]
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