The Pontiac RCM is located in the western part of the Outaouais region in Quebec, along the Ottawa River and bordering Ontario. Its territory stretches from riverside municipalities to the vast unorganized territory of Lac-Nilgaut, which is made up mainly of forests, hills, and lakes. The RCM’s administrative headquarters are located in Campbell’s Bay. Travel time to Gatineau varies depending on the municipality of departure, with some communities being much closer than others.

The Pontiac RCM includes 18 municipalities as well as one unorganized territory, the Lac-Nilgaut TNO. The municipalities are: Alleyn-et-Cawood, Bristol, Bryson, Campbell’s Bay, Chichester, Clarendon, Fort-Coulonge, Île-aux-Allumettes, Litchfield, Mansfield-et-Pontefract, Otter Lake, Portage-du-Fort, Rapides-des-Joachims, Shawville, Sheenboro, Thorne, and Waltham.

The territory combines agricultural areas in the south with vast forested zones in the north. The RCM council brings together the mayors of all these municipalities.

In the Pontiac RCM, English is the language most often spoken at home by the majority of the population. A significant portion of residents speak French as their first official language. This reflects a bilingual linguistic context, although English predominates in many municipalities when it comes to home use.

The main road access routes in the Pontiac RCM are Routes 148, 301, and 303. These highways cross many municipalities, making it easier to travel by car throughout the territory.

A key transportation hub, the Pontiac Transportation Hub, has been established at the intersection of Routes 148 and 301 North. It includes a bus stop, carpooling facilities, and electric vehicle charging stations, supporting intermunicipal travel.

Public transit is provided by TransporAction Pontiac, offering an alternative to driving alone for certain trips. However, due to the size of the territory and the rural nature of many areas, the car remains the most commonly used mode of transportation for most travel.

• The Félix-Gabriel-Marchand Covered Bridge, the longest covered bridge in Quebec, is a unique heritage symbol of the region.
• Coulonge Falls Park offers spectacular scenery, featuring waterfalls, a canyon, hiking trails, and lookout points. The site also provides adventure activities such as ziplining, an aerial course, and via ferrata.
• The PPJ Cyclopark is a 92-kilometre trail developed along a former railway corridor. It passes through riverside landscapes, forests, and several villages, making it a popular destination for cycling and hiking.
• The RCM’s rivers, lakes, and forested areas make it easy to enjoy canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and nature observation. The territory attracts visitors seeking an authentic, natural environment.

The Pontiac RCM offers a wide range of outdoor activities year-round, both in summer and winter:

• Hiking and cycling, including road biking, mountain biking, and trail riding, notably along the PPJ Cyclopark, which runs through the territory.
• Canoeing, kayaking, and recreational boating on the Ottawa River, as well as on local rivers and lakes, allowing visitors to explore scenic landscapes and aquatic environments.
• Adventure sports and family-friendly activities at Coulonge Falls Park, including hiking, via ferrata, ziplining, canyon exploration, lakes, and nature trails.
• Fishing, hunting, and nature stays, particularly in areas such as ZEC Pontiac, which are popular with hunting and fishing enthusiasts.
• In winter, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing in designated areas, depending on snowfall and accessibility, to enjoy forested and winter landscapes.

The diversity of the territory, with its forests, rivers, lakes, and trail networks, makes it a top destination for all types of outdoor activities, whether visitors are seeking adventure, relaxation, or full immersion in nature.

The Pontiac RCM is served by the CISSS de l’Outaouais. In Shawville, the Pontiac Hospital and CHSLD provides emergency care, hospital services, and community health care. Several municipalities also benefit from local clinics or service centres that offer basic care and outpatient services.

For more specialized care, residents may need to travel to facilities located outside the RCM.

The economy of the Pontiac RCM is built on several major pillars:

• Forestry, particularly in the rural and northern areas of the territory.
• Agriculture, especially in certain municipalities in the southern part of the Pontiac.
• Local services and retail businesses located in villages and small municipalities.
• Tourism, based on nature, outdoor activities, hunting, fishing, and heritage.

These sectors form the core of economic activity in the Pontiac region.

In the Pontiac RCM, daily life takes place primarily within small rural communities. Residents have access to local services such as neighbourhood shops, schools, libraries, arenas, and family-oriented activities. These facilities contribute to a strong sense of belonging and community spirit.

For more specialized services, such as advanced medical care, major retail, or post-secondary education, residents may need to travel to urban centres outside the RCM, depending on the municipality in which they live.

The Pontiac RCM is served by both a French-language and an English-language school system. The Centre de services scolaire des Hauts-Bois-de-l’Outaouais provides French-language education, while the Western Québec School Board offers English-language education to some students in the region.

For college or university studies, students generally attend institutions located outside the RCM, in cities such as Gatineau, Ottawa, or Pembroke, depending on their situation.

The Pontiac RCM is governed by a council made up of the mayors of its 18 municipalities. The warden, elected by universal suffrage by the population of the territory, chairs the council and represents the entire RCM. The RCM’s administrative headquarters are located in Campbell’s Bay.

The RCM is responsible for several regional powers, including land use planning, residual materials management, economic planning and development, and the coordination of fire protection services for certain municipalities.

The Pontiac RCM places strong emphasis on protecting its natural environments, including forests, lakes, rivers, and wetlands. It ensures sustainable, regulated, and planned forest management. The RCM is responsible for managing waterways, which helps protect aquatic habitats and maintain water quality.

Waste collection and processing are coordinated at the regional level to promote recycling and reduce environmental impact. Finally, the RCM encourages habitat conservation, biodiversity, and the adoption of sustainable development principles to reduce its ecological footprint and support an environmentally responsible future.

The Pontiac RCM is focusing its efforts on several key development areas:

• Revitalizing village cores to sustain local life, services, and community activity.
• Developing recreational and tourism infrastructure to support nature-based tourism, outdoor activities, and local attractions.
• Supporting sustainable agriculture to encourage environmentally responsible practices and ensure the long-term viability of farms.
• Promoting residential attractiveness by improving access to housing, family services, and quality of life in rural settings.
• Supporting rural entrepreneurship and the local economy to diversify activities beyond traditional sectors.

These initiatives are carried out in collaboration with municipalities and various regional partners.

One of the most important events in the RCM is the Shawville Fair. This annual agricultural fair features livestock exhibitions, rides, live shows, agricultural competitions, family activities, and local crafts. It attracts many visitors each year and is a must-attend event for the community.

The RCM also hosts other well-known events, including the Shawville Country Jamboree, a long-established country music festival, and the Bristol Farmers and Artisan Market, a seasonal market showcasing local artisans and producers.

In addition to these events, several municipalities occasionally organize artisan markets or cultural and community activities depending on the season. These events may vary from year to year.

The Pontiac RCM and SADC Pontiac support local economic development by offering financing, guidance, and advisory services to entrepreneurs and businesses. They assist with business start-ups, expansions, and transfers across various sectors such as agriculture, tourism, retail, and industry.

The RCM also encourages structured projects aimed at revitalizing the territory, which helps attract new families. This includes supporting local businesses, maintaining and developing local services, and improving quality of life within communities.