BLACK RIVER-MATHESON – Making sure residents are in the know is top of mind for Matheson.
The township has launched a communications survey aimed at closing what officials say may be gaps in outreach. A new pilot program is also making sure the Mennonite community is receiving information.
Gilles Giguère, the township’s CAO and director of public services, said the survey was created after hearing feedback from residents who felt communication could be improved.
“As we listen to our residents all the time, we still feel like some residents feel like there’s a gap in how we communicate information,” he said.
“So as a township, we really want to zone in on how do people want to receive information, so that we can ensure that whatever methods of communication we are using are user friendly to our residents.”
The survey asks residents whether they feel informed about township updates, how they currently receive information, and how they would prefer to receive updates in the future.
Paper copies of the survey are available at the township office, arena and library, and officials are also distributing copies across neighbouring communities.
The survey will remain open until the end of April, with the possibility of an extension depending on participation levels.
He added that filling it out is critical to ensuring the results reflect the broader community.
“The frustrating part sometimes, when you do a survey, is you’ll get 30 people reply,” he said. “So with a population of 3,000, how do you actually digest that information? We’re hoping to hit a lot more people with this one.”
Giguère noted that while social media is widely used, it may not be the preferred method for everyone.
“We might think Facebook is our best method of communication, but maybe that’s the fourth option that people want to see,” he said. “Maybe they want to see it on our website or in the local newspaper. We’re not sure.”
The township’s geography is also a challenge.
Black River-Matheson includes several communities — including Shillington, Val Gagné, Ramore and Holtyre.
“We can’t just put information at town hall and believe that we’re reaching everyone,” he said. “We’re made up of a bunch of small communities, so we have to figure out how to get to everyone.”
‘Pony Express’ supports outreach efforts
As part of broader communication efforts, the township has also launched a pilot project known as the Pony Express.
The initiative focuses on reaching members of the Mennonite community, which has grown to roughly 100 families over the past decade.
Under the program, township staff prepare printed updates and deliver them to a designated community member.
“We actually prep a flyer, so to speak, and deliver it to one resident from the Mennonite community, who then the very next day gets on his horse and buggy and goes to every Mennonite house and drops off this flyer,” Giguère said.
The pilot project is expected to run throughout 2026 and has already received positive feedback, he added.
“As much as the world is evolving, in some ways we’re going back in time,” he said. “But we’ve had great feedback immediately.”
By Marissa Lentz-McGrath, Local Journalism Initiative
Original Published on Apr 06, 2026 at 17:09
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