Dignitaries from Magog and the Memphremagog MRC welcomed six Haitian municipal representatives during a visit organized by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) as part of the Canada-Haiti Municipal Cooperation Program (PCM). The delegation was accompanied by Michel Taché, Director of the Program and Nora Benamra, FCM Project Officer. Magog Mayor Vickie May Hamm gave a presentation of the city and the various stages of its downtown revitalization and Merry House development projects. She noted that visitors have been particularly interested in the City's willingness to increase citizen participation through public opinion polls and consultations. They also liked the idea of organizing information meetings for merchants and the general public before launching projects. These are interactive processes that can be applied to the Haitian municipalities, because they stimulate community involvement, exchange, and the collective approval of community projects. "We know that there are major reconstruction projects in several parts of Haiti. Municipalities have a vital role to play in helping vulnerable local communities as a result of the earthquake and other destructive events that have affected this country in recent years. Just like here, municipal representatives are an important intermediary between citizens and the central power," Hamm said. See full story in the Wednesday, March 7th edition of The Record.
Memphremagog greets Haitian municipal delegates
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