Haut-Saint-Laurent MRC launches new website

The Haut-Saint-Laurent MRC unveiled a streamlined and dynamic upgrade to their website on May 3, which will serve as a new communications platform adapted to new media for citizens and visitors to the region alike.

"We are extremely proud," said Louise Lebrun, the Mayor of Sainte-Barbe and Prefect for the MRC, upon reflecting on the process to update the look of the MRC, which began four years ago but only really got underway last year with the forming of a committee and creation of a new logo. The website, which had become obsolete, was completely redesigned and optimized with user friendliness in mind and an emphasis on photographs and imagery.

News, events and services are now easier to access. Publications and resources have been grouped on one page and will be filtered according to the visitor interest. The MRC mandates, plans and policies still occupy an important space on the site, and visitors will be able to rely on a frequently updated news section to follow the MRC’s progress on important projects. The website is also now integrated with social media platforms as well.

The municipalities have their own portal on the website, which aims to compliment the information available on each municipality’s own site, by featuring photos and short descriptive texts. Interactive maps and videos will be added as they become available.

A work in progress

The contract to create the new site was awarded to Valleyfield-based Agence Zel following a call for submissions, and the total cost is expected to be under $25,000.

"There is still a lot of work to do, but at least it is now live," said Anick Lacroix, the Communications Coordinator for the MRC. "The site responds to a need that was often expressed by the community during public consultations to transparently inform residents while at the same time highlighting the dynamic nature of the region," she noted.

At the moment, the website is available only in French, however the complete translation of content is set to begin in the coming week. The site may take extra time to load depending on traffic and internet speeds as it is still in production, however access for all residents is extremely important to the MRC and Lacroix is working to ensure the site is as optimized as possible.

Have a look for yourself at www.mrchsl.com.