Elected Officials from the MRC d’Argenteuil, the MRC de Papineau, and the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) gathered today at Le Chenail Cultural Centre to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Friendship Agreement, an innovative interregional partnership.
Ratified on August 30, 2012, in Thurso, the Agreement aims to enable the three regions to work towards the development of frank and sincere relationships as well as to maintain privileged ties through various activities that facilitate mutual understanding and knowledge of each territory. It also encourages the creation of natural and strategic alliances in the areas of culture, heritage, recreational tourism, education, sports, the environment, and social commitment.
“To ensure the development of our communities, it is essential that our territories work together and demonstrate a collaborative spirit,” explained the Reeve of the MRC de Papineau, Benoit Lauzon. “By allowing regional leaders to exchange ideas and take concrete actions, the Friendship Agreement represents the very essence of this collaboration that has lasted for more than a decade.”
During the ceremony, the many accomplishments of the past decade, including the signing of the Friendship Agreement, the launch of the Cycl-O-Route, the Ottawa River Protection Declaration, and a partnership with the Ottawa Riverkeeper, were highlighted. As part of this partnership, nine shoreline cleanups were conducted and an app that allows for self-collection and quantification of the amount of garbage collected was launched.
“We are proud to have joined the MRC de Papineau, the MRC d’Argenteuil, and the United Counties of Prescott and Russell in supporting their efforts to protect the majestic Ottawa River,” added the Riverkeeper and Executive Director of the Ottawa Riverkeeper, Laura Reinsborough. “These communities have been able to look beyond geographical boundaries to protect a shared jewel.”
The event also provided an opportunity for regional elected officials to hold a cake-cutting ceremony, followed by discussions about the Agreement’s priorities, which had not been possible since the beginning of the pandemic.
“Despite the pandemic, our communities have continued to rely on collaboration and mutual support to ensure the safe implementation of our watershed protection efforts,” said the Warden of the UCPR, Daniel Lafleur. “I sincerely believe that the Friendship Agreement has come into its own during these challenging times, and we have every reason to celebrate our successes.”
“It is obvious that over the past ten years, the Friendship Agreement has had many positive effects on our respective territories,” added the Reeve of the MRC d’Argenteuil, Scott Pearce. “Always with the objective of improving the quality of life in our communities, we are committed to continuing our collaboration and the implementation of meaningful projects.”
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Picture (from left to right): Daniel Lafleur, Scott Pearce, and Benoit Lauzon.
For information:
Olivier Berthiaume
Chief of Staff and Communications Coordinator
United Counties of Prescott and Russell
613 675-4661
[email protected]
Lucie Lafleur
Communications Advisor
MRC d’Argenteuil
450 562-2474, ext. 2306
[email protected]
Jessy Laflamme
Communications Officer
MRC de Papineau
819 427-6243, ext. 1410
[email protected]
Matthew Brocklehurst
Communications Manager
Ottawa Riverkeeper
613 321-1120, ext. 1001
[email protected]