When comparing municipalities, the first number people often consider is the population. It’s easy to assume that more residents mean more resources, more services, and more importance. But that’s a narrow view—and it doesn’t reflect the full picture of a municipality's reality.
The Municipality of the Township of Potton is a large, rural municipality with a unique set of responsibilities. And while it may not have the population of a major city, it has something just as valuable: resilience, self-reliance, and a deep commitment to serving its community.
More Than Just Numbers: What Really Matters
Here’s why we need to look beyond population when comparing municipalities:
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Land Size: Potton spans approximately 250 square kilometres. That’s a vast territory to manage—more roads to maintain, more signage to install, more snow to clear, and more emergency services to coordinate. These are real responsibilities that don’t shrink just because the population is smaller.
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Road Infrastructure: With hundreds of kilometres of roads, Potton must invest in year-round maintenance, upgrades, and safety measures. This ensures accessibility for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
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Water and Sewer Services: Unlike urban centers with centralized infrastructure, Potton’s water and sewer services are available only in two specific areas: the Mansonville village core and the Owl’s Head sector. The rest of the municipality relies on private systems, which adds complexity for residents and planning alike.
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Emergency Services: Potton provides fire protection and first responder services locally, ensuring rapid response across its wide territory.
Because Potton is far from major urban centers, it must be more self-sufficient.
Understanding Municipal Finances: A Public Tool You Can Use
The Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation (MAMH) offers a valuable online tool that allows anyone to explore the financial health of Québec municipalities. You can see:
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Property Value (Valeur foncière): A key indicator of a municipality’s economic base.
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Estimated Population: Useful, but just one piece of the puzzle.
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Tax Revenue and Debt Levels: These indicators demonstrate how municipalities finance services and manage long-term obligations.
This tool helps residents understand how their municipality is performing and where their tax dollars go.
A Call for Broader Understanding
Municipalities like Potton aren’t just small towns—they’re dynamic communities with big responsibilities. When we compare municipalities, let’s consider:
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How much land do they manage
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What services do they provide
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How self-sufficient they must be
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How they support residents across a wide area
Population is just one metric. Let’s celebrate the full story.
Potton is proof that strength isn’t always measured in numbers—it’s measured in commitment, creativity, and care. And that’s something every resident can be proud of.
For more information:
The city/suburb contrast: How can we measure it?