March 31, 2016: Ville de Métis-sur-mer signs "promesse d'achat"
The municipality of Métis-sur-mer has signed the necessary paperwork (the "promesse d'achat" or purchase agreement) to indicate its willingness to acquire the Mitis Point Lightstation under the Canadian Heritage Protection Act of 2008. This action will move forward this long process after several years of due diligence required for surveying and checking for any legal rights of native groups or private individuals. Moreover, since different parts of the site were under the responsibility of two federal ministries (Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Natural Resources Canada), substantial and sustained efforts were required to create a single site for the cession to the municipality. During this process, it was discovered that one of the buildings on the site was built on land expropriated in the 1950s and this part of the site (including the assistant keeper's house which was built on the expropriated land). The sales agreement allowed for the original owner (or his family) to buy back the land should it ever be sold. This option has been exercised by the family, and this part of the site is now a private residence.
August 27, 2012: Ville de Métis-sur-mer offered Pointe-Mitis Lighthouse
The Ville de Métis-sur-Mer has received a positive response from the federal government on its proposal to acquire the Pointe-Mitis Lighthouse under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act. The proposal was prepared in collaboration with a local neighborhood association (Association des Résidents de la Pointe du Phare de Métis-sur-Mer [ARPP]) and Heritage Lower Saint Lawrence (HLSL), the regional heritage group that made the original petition for heritage status for the lighthouse in 2010. The Ville’s proposed business plan will encourage scientific, artistic, and cultural use of the site, including twice-monthly public access to the grounds organised by the town and HLSL. Although the site is being offered to the town at no cost, years of little use and minimal maintenance has left the lighthouse, outbuildings and associated infrastructure in poor condition, requiring a substantial initial investment to refurbish the site. The federal government has offered a grant of $100,000 towards this purpose, and the Ville is exploring other sources to help finance these costs, including a major funding campaign led by ARPP to seek contributions from private donors, businesses and foundations as well as solicit support from the general public. The city will make its final decision this fall, and if the project moves forward, the site could be partially functional as early as summer 2013. Further information on this project can be obtained by contacting Stéphane Marcheterre (Ville de Métis-sur-Mer) at 418-936-3255, Barry James (ARPP) at 514-576-5883, or Alexander Reford (HLSL) at 418-936-3239.
The municipality of Métis-sur-mer has signed the necessary paperwork (the "promesse d'achat" or purchase agreement) to indicate its willingness to acquire the Mitis Point Lightstation under the Canadian Heritage Protection Act of 2008. This action will move forward this long process after several years of due diligence required for surveying and checking for any legal rights of native groups or private individuals. Moreover, since different parts of the site were under the responsibility of two federal ministries (Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Natural Resources Canada), substantial and sustained efforts were required to create a single site for the cession to the municipality. During this process, it was discovered that one of the buildings on the site was built on land expropriated in the 1950s and this part of the site (including the assistant keeper's house which was built on the expropriated land). The sales agreement allowed for the original owner (or his family) to buy back the land should it ever be sold. This option has been exercised by the family, and this part of the site is now a private residence.
August 27, 2012: Ville de Métis-sur-mer offered Pointe-Mitis Lighthouse
The Ville de Métis-sur-Mer has received a positive response from the federal government on its proposal to acquire the Pointe-Mitis Lighthouse under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act. The proposal was prepared in collaboration with a local neighborhood association (Association des Résidents de la Pointe du Phare de Métis-sur-Mer [ARPP]) and Heritage Lower Saint Lawrence (HLSL), the regional heritage group that made the original petition for heritage status for the lighthouse in 2010. The Ville’s proposed business plan will encourage scientific, artistic, and cultural use of the site, including twice-monthly public access to the grounds organised by the town and HLSL. Although the site is being offered to the town at no cost, years of little use and minimal maintenance has left the lighthouse, outbuildings and associated infrastructure in poor condition, requiring a substantial initial investment to refurbish the site. The federal government has offered a grant of $100,000 towards this purpose, and the Ville is exploring other sources to help finance these costs, including a major funding campaign led by ARPP to seek contributions from private donors, businesses and foundations as well as solicit support from the general public. The city will make its final decision this fall, and if the project moves forward, the site could be partially functional as early as summer 2013. Further information on this project can be obtained by contacting Stéphane Marcheterre (Ville de Métis-sur-Mer) at 418-936-3255, Barry James (ARPP) at 514-576-5883, or Alexander Reford (HLSL) at 418-936-3239.
