Michel Gauthier asks that the general management of the SOPFEU to remain in the Outaouais

Michel Gauthier asks that the general management of the SOPFEU to remain in the Outaouais

The spokesperson for the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) in the Outaouais and the candidate for the riding of Pontiac, Michel Gauthier, published an open letter to the societe de protection des forets contre le feu (SOPFEU), supporting the MRC de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau in its efforts so that the process of reorganization of SOPFEU, that is to say the transfer of the regional management from Maniwaki to Abitibi, can stop.

According to Mr. Gauthier, this reorganization would be a loss for the MRC de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau and for all of the Outaouais.

“An important economic drain for one of the poorest MRCs in Quebec, which ranks 102nd out of 104 in the economic vitality index. Where is the plan for this supposed reorganization? Where are the documents supporting this choice? It has not even been demonstrated that this trip brings any advantage to SOPFEU, “declared Michel Gauthier.

“Regardless of the level of government involved, we cannot remain insensitive to this situation. The economic future of a region is at stake. Nothing in SOPFEU’s approach can justify removing one of the jewels from the Vallée-de-la-Gatineau and the Outaouais. of its regional pride and part of its economic health, ”insists Michel Gauthier.

A recent decision by SOPFEU recently asked to move its regional directorate from the Maniwaki base to that of Val-d’Or. The move prompted a strong reaction from the Unifor union representing salaried workers at the main base in Maniwaki, which said it vigorously opposed the change in governance that the SOPFEU board announced.