The MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent is holding seven public consultation meetings in different municipalities over the next month as part of the revision process for the region’s land use and development plan.
The meetings will focus on the wording of a strategic vision statement that was approved by the regional council in November. The statement was drafted following an extensive consultation process aimed at involving the public in determining the region’s cultural, economic, environmental, and social development over the coming years.
“The mobilization resulting from this reflection highlighted the concerns and values of the community at the beginning of the review process,” said MRC project manager Claudia André. “The choice of targets, means, and courses of action in the land use and development plan can therefore be more consistent with the wishes of the population,” she explained.
Through this co-construction approach, which included structured workshops, outreach tools, and active community participation, the MRC was able to identify key development issues, document territorial dynamics, and develop a collaborative strategic vision.
This new round of consultations will not repeat the work that has already been done. The goal instead is to clearly explain how the vision statement was developed, including the decisions that were made and the logic behind them, and to provide an opportunity for citizens to react, ask questions, express any concerns, and suggest adjustments. In a statement, the MRC explained that while this approach recognizes and respects the work that has already been done, it opens the door to critical and constructive validation before the statement is finalized.
The public consultations will take place in French; however, the MRC has confirmed that participation is open to all individuals, and participants may speak in their preferred language. “Comments, questions, and briefs submitted will be analyzed with the same attention and consideration, in accordance with the principles of citizen participation,” said André, who notes the seven meetings were designed to reach local communities and promote inclusive participation.
“This approach allows the MRC to reconcile its duty to set an example in the use of French in its official communications with its fundamental values of inclusion, collaboration, and democratic participation, for the benefit of the harmonious development of the territory, in a spirit of listening, dialogue, and collaboration,” André explained.
Two consultations have already taken place in Hinchinbrooke and Dundee. The next meetings will take place on March 5 at the Centre Communautaire Carole-Tremblay in Sainte-Barbe, on March 9 at the MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent in Huntingdon, on March 10 at the Centre Culturel Dr. Marc Hétu in Saint-Chrysostome, on March 16 at the Saint-Anicet town hall, and on March 23 at the town hall in Ormstown. All five meetings will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Individuals and organizations who are unable to participate in the evening consultations may submit their comments to the MRC in writing before 4 p.m. on April 1.
Once the consultation period has ended, the regional council will adopt a finalized statement. The revision process for the land use and development plan will continue from there, said André, with the goal of submitting a first draft in 2027.