Marc Carrière re-elected warden of Des Collines by acclamation

Tashi Farmilo

Marc Carrière has been re-elected as warden of the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais by acclamation, after no other candidates submitted their names before the October 3 nomination deadline.

Under Quebec law, when only one candidate runs for a municipal office, that person is declared elected without a vote. This process is known as an acclamation. Carrière first became warden in 2021, the same year the MRC adopted universal suffrage for the role. Prior to that, the warden was chosen by a vote among the region’s mayors. The change allowed all eligible voters in the MRC to cast a direct ballot, part of a broader shift toward greater regional accountability.

This marks Carrière’s 10^th election win since entering public life in 1992. “I don’t know why no one ran against me,” he said. “I hope it’s because I’ve done a good job. I still enjoy the work, and I’m committed to serving residents as I always have.”

The MRC des Collines includes Chelsea, Cantley, La Pêche, Val-des-Monts, Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette, Pontiac, and L’Ange-Gardien. As warden, Carrière chairs the council of mayors and represents the MRC at the regional and provincial levels.

Looking ahead to his new term, Carrière said one of the top priorities will be updating the MRC’s master land-use plan, which serves as the foundation for regional development. “This is what MRCs were created for in the first place,” he said. “The master plan guides everything: agricultural zoning, urban boundaries, areas for development. We’re part of the northern ring around Gatineau, and growth pressures are intense. Managing that responsibly will be a major issue in the coming years.”

Carrière also pointed to environmental planning as a continuing focus. “We’re finishing our climate plan and developing a biodiversity strategy with Gatineau,” he said. The MRC also plans to build a new eco-centre next spring. “It will be a place where residents can bring items that cannot be left at the curb, like batteries, electronics, or hazardous waste,” he explained.

Housing affordability remains a challenge across the region. “There are not many rentals available, and the ones that exist are expensive. Businesses are struggling to find workers because people cannot afford to live here,” Carrière noted. Some areas, like Chelsea and Quyon, already have water and sewer services in place, making them more viable for new housing. “There is land elsewhere too, but no services. You need infrastructure first,” he said.

Carrière is also advancing a plan to position Des Collines as a leader in solar energy production, a file he says he is personally passionate about. “It is good for the environment, but it can also help diversify our revenues,” he said. The MRC is targeting closed landfill sites and gravel pits for future solar installations. “These are lands that are not used for anything right now. We want to give them a second life.”

Another longstanding issue involves the cost of policing. “We are the only MRC in Quebec with our own police service, but we receive no provincial subsidy. Residents pay 100 per cent of the cost,” he said. “Other municipalities that use the Sûreté du Québec get up to half their costs covered. We are working with others to push for a more equitable model.”

Carrière also highlighted ongoing investments in cultural infrastructure. In Val-des-Monts, the historic Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue church in the Perkins sector is set to be transformed into a multi-purpose cultural centre. Fundraising efforts are underway to support the project, which aims to preserve the heritage building while creating space for arts, events, and community gatherings.

With nearly 200 employees and a $40 million annual budget, Carrière said the scale of the organiszation demands full-time attention. “It is a big responsibility, and I think it is important that the warden is dedicated only to the MRC,” he said. “And yes, I still love the job.”