The MRC Pontiac finds itself embroiled in a contentious debate over its handling of the proposed incinerator project, which has sparked significant controversy due to a perceived lack of transparency and accountability from municipal officials.
At the heart of the issue is the refusal of MRC Pontiac Mayors to furnish citizens with a comprehensive business plan detailing the intricacies of the incinerator project. Despite repeated requests for access to information by concerned citizens’ groups, these demands have been met with denials, exacerbating tensions and raising serious questions about the openness of the decision-making process within the municipality.
Compounding matters further, the projected costs associated with the incinerator project have surged dramatically from an initial estimate of $450 million to a staggering $825 million, with the inclusion of carbon capture technology, or $605 million without such measures. This significant escalation in costs has not only raised eyebrows but has also fueled skepticism among residents and activists regarding the financial viability and justification of the project.
Amidst mounting concerns, a pivotal moment occurred during a tense Q&A session held at a March 25, 2024 MRC town hall meeting. Here, members of the community, led by Judith Spence, spokesperson for Citizens of the Pontiac (CoP), voiced their profound concerns, particularly regarding the potential health implications stemming from the incinerator project. With a background as a naturopathic doctor and registered nurse, Spence raised poignant questions about the conspicuous absence of health studies and the apparent lack of involvement of Health Canada in the decision-making process.
In response to these pressing concerns, Mayor Corey Spence sought to reassure attendees by highlighting the incorporation of health information presented by Dr. Paul Connett into the project’s planning. However, Judith Spence swiftly rebuffed these claims, asserting that the municipality’s exclusive reliance on Dr. Connett’s presentation raises significant doubts about the impartiality and comprehensiveness of the health assessment.
Further exacerbating the situation is the revelation that the Deloitte-Ramboll business plan, commissioned by the MRC Pontiac, contains no substantive information concerning the potential health and environmental impacts of the proposed incinerators. This glaring omission has only served to deepen suspicions among the populace, who remain adamant in their demands for greater transparency and accountability from municipal officials.
Despite assurances of full transparency, citizens have been left in the dark, with neither written nor electronic versions of the business plan being made available to them. Moreover, the manner in which town hall meetings have been conducted, characterized by limited access to information and superficial reviews of the project, has only further stoked fears of decisions being made without genuine public scrutiny.
As the controversy surrounding the MRC Pontiac’s incinerator project continues to escalate, residents and activists alike are doubling down on their demands for transparency and accountability from municipal officials. With the specter of decisions being made behind closed doors looming large, the community remains steadfast in its insistence on being fully informed and engaged in matters that stand to profoundly impact their health and environment.
(Written by: Emma Butler)