Pontiac residents still face weak cell coverage despite election pledge

Four years after Quebec’s Coalition Avenir Québec promised to complete the province’s cell network, major gaps remain in the Pontiac region of western Quebec. Local fire chief Patrick Bertrand says poor reception creates daily problems for emergency response, including dropped 911 calls, limited access to dispatch tools and difficulties finding information needed at fire scenes. He says coverage in some areas has improved, but large dead zones still exist, especially along Highway 148. The province has said two new towers are planned for the region by 2028, while residents and local officials continue to press for better service they view as a public safety issue.