The Town: Mattawa’s mayor releases a roadmap for growth, repairs and emergency readiness

On a cold morning in council chambers, Mayor Raymond Bélanger unfolded a print copy of his State of The Town Address and read passages that moved between practical repairs and longer-term ambition for the town. In the first minutes he laid out a new strategic plan, staff changes, and infrastructure work that will shape the town into the coming years.

What did The Town address reveal about Mattawa’s priorities?

Mayor Raymond Bélanger told council that work on a strategic plan is complete and will guide development from 2026 to 2030. “We are careful to ensure the right structures are in place to support where we are today and where we plan to be in the future, ” he said, framing the plan’s vision as “A growing and resilient community that is healthy, vibrant, and strong. ”

The address highlighted ongoing local projects: Main Street improvements that council will continue to work on through 2026, and a multi‑phase reconstruction of Dorion Hill. Phase one of the Dorion Hill reconstruction was completed on August 28, 2025; phase two, which saw streetlights installed, was finished at the end of last year; and phase three, connecting Dorion and Belanger Roads, was completed in December 2025.

How is the town addressing services, emergency planning and local costs?

Bélanger said the town will press ahead with an effort that has lasted decades: an exit from the Cassellholme Board of Management. He explained that having the Algonquin Nursing Home in Mattawa makes contributions to the Cassellholme Board an unnecessary expense, a point councillors have raised. The town will share the legal costs required to pursue the exit equally with Papineau-Cameron, Calvin, and Mattawan.

The address also reflected lessons from last year’s storm: after the June 21, 2025 downburst that devastated Samuel De Champlain Provincial Park, Calvin Township asked to use the Mike Rodden Arena as an evacuation centre. Papineau-Cameron later listed the arena as an emergency shelter in its official plan, and Mattawa’s council agreed to that designation.

Who has changed roles in the town’s administration, and what does that mean locally?

In 2025 three municipal employees retired: Lynne Bastien, Jim Aucoin, and Barry Jackson. “Council sends best wishes to all three, ” Mayor Bélanger said. He announced internal appointments and new hires to fill operational roles: Sheri Wabie became Parks and Recreation Supervisor, Mark DeWaal took the role of Public Works Supervisor, Natalie Gravelle and Michael Gaudet joined as clerks, and Case Jones became the town’s new labourer. Those personnel moves, the mayor said, will support the delivery of services and the projects outlined in the strategic plan.

Bélanger also spoke about town identity and signage. A new Mattawa sign is planned because the current sign has not been updated since 2016. He wants the population number on the sign to better reflect the 2021 census figure of 1, 900 and said, “As your mayor, I promised to do everything in my power to grow that number. ” He noted that work on sign changes involves the Ministry of Transportation, which controls the signage.

What comes next and how will residents see it on Main Street?

The mayor acknowledged that a recorded video of the address experienced technical issues but indicated the content will be made available as soon as possible. In the meantime, the address serves as a roadmap for council actions in 2026: completing Main Street projects, advancing the Dorion Hill work that is already at phase-completion milestones, pursuing the long-running Cassellholme exit, and tightening emergency-shelter arrangements with neighbouring townships.

Those plans are anchored in the strategic plan’s vision for growth and resilience, and in the personnel changes meant to deliver daily services. For residents who walk Main Street or watch the arena in an emergency, the mayor’s words translate into visible repairs, signage, and a small but steady re‑shaping of civic life.

Back in the council chamber where the address began, the mayor folded his print copy and left it on the dais. The projects—big and small—remain on the council’s agenda, awaiting the next season of work in the town.