Fall 2007 - Regional Association of West Quebecers

The Regional Association
of
West Quebecers
www.westquebecers.com
Fall Newsletter
Fall 2007
RAWQ
within this issue
RAWQ and the Community Network
President’s Message
2
From the CLCO desk
4
New Residents
4
RAWQ remembers
Our Veterans
5
Interviews with veterans
6, 7 & 8
Letters to the Editor
10
Make your voice count
for Health & Social Services
11
OHSSN NEWS
14
RAWQ Listens
to Youth Interview
16
WQCC courses
18
APICA Website to be in
18
English soon
Drug Awareness and
Education
RAWQ on “Our Point of
View”
19
RAWQ Arts
Learning to Fly
20
Act Co Still Growing
21
Cultural & Social Activities
20 – 24
Art in the Pontiac
24
Theatre Wakefield
25
Winter Fiddle Camp
26
Membership Survey
Summary
27
RAWQ is not alone but a member of
the Quebec Community Groups
Network by Nancy Peppy
Board of Directors
What does this mean? It means that the same struggles the Anglophone community faces in Western
Quebec are faced by communities all throughout
Quebec. By being part of a provincial network we
have access to other resources and are able to learn
about successful projects elsewhere.
Kevin Drysdale
Noel Gates
Donna Murphy-Gowling
The Quebec Community Groups Network is a notfor-profit organization bringing together 22 Englishlanguage community organizations across Quebec
for the purposes of supporting and assisting the development and enhancing the vitality of the Englishlanguage minority communities, as well as to promote and support the use of the English language in
Quebec. This is undertaken principally through cooperation in the prioritization and development of
projects and through the promotion of an effective
coordinated approach.
The QCGN encourages and promotes participation
by government departments and agencies for the
development of the English-language minority communities. QCGN promotes cooperation with provincial, regional and municipal government authorities
in order to support and assist the development and
enhance the vitality of the English-language minority
communities. The QCGN also aims to promote
dialogue and mutual understanding between the
linguistic communities in Canada.
Continued on p.3
Bill Cameron
Annie Dallaire
Larry Newman
Antonia Papadakou
Nancy Peppy
Shaun Peppy
Philip Perry
Gilles Poirier
Mary Tessier
Executive
Nancy Peppy
President
Antonia Papadakou
Vice-President
Noel Gates
Secretary
Donna Murphy-Gowling
Treasurer
Check it out on the RAWQ
website
www.westquebecers.com
Fall Newsletter 2007
Message from the President
I
have heard many times someone say that there
are three and not two certainties in life. Death,
taxes and change. In our last newsletter I was
extremely pleased to announce Richard
Turcotte had been hired as the new Executive
Director of RAWQ. Sadly I now announce his
resignation due to health reasons. However, for the
short time Richard was with RAWQ his enthusiasm
and vision for RAWQ was contagious and inspiring to
RAWQ’s Board of Directors.
On a happier note, another change for RAWQ is the
hiring of our new Community Liaison and
Communications Officer, Cynthia Turpin. Cynthia
will be an excellent addition to RAWQ. Just two
months into the job she has achieved great strides in
updating our computer systems, as well as RAWQ’s
website. Her enthusiasm and energy towards her new
role is wonderful and she has already put forward or is
working on new ideas for membership, fundraising
and creating new partnerships. With the absence of
an Executive Director Cynthia is doing great in
representing RAWQ to the many people who phone
or walk into the RAWQ office. Further on in the
newsletter you can read Cynthia’s profile. If you
haven’t already met or talked to Cynthia take a minute
to do so.
RAWQ’s Board of Directors has also seen changes.
We welcome the addition of two new Board
Members, whom I am sure many of you will
recognize. They are Phil Perry and Larry Newman,
both of whom bring with them a great deal of
knowledge in respect to the Outaouais region, its
communities, it’s government, education, health and
social issues. Another change and with much regret is
the resignation of David McColl. There are still seats
available on the Board of Directors and we welcome
any new additions.
Should you want more
information on what it means to be a Board Member
and/or how you may contribute to the great work
identifying its needs and then acting on them, don’t
hesitate to call me at 819-684-6382.
Something that has not changed is our focus on our
goals.
As a reminder these goals are:
1. To build and maintain RAWQ’s organizational
capacity.
2. To increase RAWQ’s visibility.
3. To maintain RAWQ’s support role for cultural
activity.
4. To maintain RAWQ’s support role for health and
social services.
5. To inform, mobilize and advocate on behalf of the
community.
6. To encourage youth to be active participants in The
West Quebec Community now and in the future.
Even with the staff turnaround RAWQ has faced in the
last five months, the Board of Directors has not lost
sight of the many portfolios it has; from discussions with
The City of Gatineau regarding more information and
services in English, the closing of English programs at
the Université du Quebec en Outaouais, expanding the
nursing retention program, the OHSSN project (see
report pg. 13), community awards, response to
government changes that affect the English-speaking
community and many more.
However, all of this can’t and won’t be achieved without
the support, the ideas, the partnership and the
participation of the citizens of the Outaouais
community. So if you have just a few hours to give and
one or more of the above goals strikes a chord in your
heart please call Cynthia at the office, 819-682-9602 and
she will connect you to where you can help.
Have a safe and happy holiday.
Nancy Peppy
President
RAWQ is doing in serving and supporting the
English-speaking community of the Outaouais by
Page 2
Fall Newsletter 2007
Continued from p.1
Priority sector activities of the QCGN are Arts, Culture and Heritage, Communications, Economic
and Development, Education and Training, Government and legislative affairs and Para-public Services, Health and
Social Services, Human Resources, Infrastructure Support and Development, Rural Issues, Sports and Recreation, and
Youth (stay tuned for further reports about a new Youth Committee that has just been formed, of which RAWQ’s
past president, Shaun Peppy is a member). These sectors are addressed through advocacy in the areas of legal issues,
language issues, political and constitutional affairs; community participation including networking, showcasing and recognition; planning, coordination; communications; and research including demographic and strategic analysis.
Currently its members are:
Black Community Resource Centre
www.blackyouthproject.org
Coasters Association
www.coastersassociation.com
Committee for Anglophone Social Action
www.casa-gaspe.com
Community Health and Social Services Network
www.chssn.org
Council for Anglophone Magdalen Islanders
www.ilesdelamadeleine.com/cami
English Language Arts Network
www.quebec-elan.org
English Speaking Catholic Council
www.catholiccentre.ca/escc
Heritage Lower St. Lawrence Megantic
English-speaking Community Development Corporation
www.mcdc.info
Neighbours Regional Association of Rouyn-Noranda
http://neighbours-rouyn-noranda.ca
North Shore Community Association
www.quebecnorthshore.org
Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network
www.qahn.org
Quebec Association for Adult Learning
http://doe.concordia.ca/qaal
Quebec Drama Federation
www.quebecdrama.org
Quebec Community Newspapers Association
www.qcna.org
Quebec Federation of Home and School Associations
www.qfhsa.org
Quebec Farmers’ Association
www.quebecfarmers.org
Townshippers’ Association
www.townshippers.qc.ca
Quebec 4-H
Regional Association of West Quebecers
www.westquebecers.com
Voice of English-speaking Québec
www.veq.qc.ca
Youth Employment Services
www.yesmontreal.ca
However to quote the current president of QCGN Robert Donnelly “The QCGN can only be as strong as its members, and this is a critical time; we are in the midst of major changes, new Membership approaches and Governance
implementation. Until last June, membership in the QCGN was limited to not-for-profit organizations that were a)
promoting the vitality of the English-speaking communities of Quebec and b) receiving funding from the Department
of Canadian Heritage. (PCH) That is no longer the case. At our Annual General Meeting last June, QCGN’s members
decided unanimously to expand membership.
Respondents to the Virtual Community Resource Base survey done by QCGN asked to identify their areas of interest
and rank them, in order of priority.
The results were as follows:
Education-----------------------------81.82%
Arts, Culture, Heritage--------------81.82%
Social Services------------------------77.27%
Volunteerism-------------------------72.73%
Health Care------------------------------63.64%
Economic Development--------------50.00%
Senior Citizens------------------------- 18.18%
Access to Government Service------ 77.27%
Page 3
Fall Newsletter 2007
From the CLCO Desk
H
ello everyone
I introduced myself as your new CLCO for the Regional Association of West Quebecers a few weeks ago but allow
me to recap.
Originally from Nova Scotia I have lived in several areas in Canada. A few years after graduating with a B.A from
Acadia University, I was a volunteer with Canadian Crossroads International and taught English as a second language in the Ivory Coast. Shortly after returning to Canada, I lived in Montreal, then Quebec City and the Eastern
Townships respectively before moving to the Outaouais area. Since coming to this area in the early 1990s, I have
worked extensively as a trainer mainly in the public sector and then as a teacher with the Western Quebec School
Board in the Aylmer sector of Gatineau. I have also worked as a volunteer for several local community organizations.
Members and other associations are enthusiastically pulling together to improve and expand the services that the
RAWQ offers to the English-speaking community of the Outaouais. I am interested in hearing your ideas and welcome the time and energy that you can contribute to these endeavours. Please contact me at the office at
819-682-9602, or at clco@magma.ca
Cynthia Turpin
New Residents
T
he Outaouais is experiencing phenomenal
growth. Many new residents may be looking
for assistance in different aspects of daily life.
Their concerns include such things as schooling and
daycare for their children, to finding a doctor or a
clinic, where to get bus schedules and passes and so on.
They are hoping to have gainful and enjoyable lives as
new residents in the Outaouais.
What does this have to do with you? As a member of
The Regional Association of the West Quebecers, you
can direct them to the New Residents’ package that is
available free of charge at RAWQ either through the
website.
http://www.westquebecers.com/
Community_Outreach/NRP/NRP_home.htm or by
sending an email to clco@magma.ca or by calling the
office at 819-682-9602.
The Regional Association of West Quebecers is
offering this free information package as part of an
outreach program for new English-speaking residents
Page 4
to help them access Quebec government services in
English and connect them with the community.
The package includes information on how to access
health and social services, the education system, child
care, key government toll-free numbers, community
groups, volunteer opportunities, and interesting
information on various activities and services offered
throughout the Outaouais.
If you were ever a new resident anywhere you might
remember those who smiled at you, gave you a hand
when you needed one and explained things that you
found confusing. Even a seemingly small gesture can
make a great difference to someone who does not
know where to go or call for help. Now’s your chance
to welcome a new resident who may simply be looking
for guidance but may have difficulty understanding
French. With the holiday season right around the corner, please remember that:
Kindness is a language that the deaf can hear
and the blind can see.
Volume 1, Issue 1
Fall Newsletter 2007
RAWQ remembers our Veterans
Remembrance Day in Aylmer
The Regional Association of West Quebecers
On November 11th this year, RAWQ’s president,
Nancy Peppy placed a wreath on behalf of the
association in respect to those who served our
country in the time of war. The ceremony, one of
many going on in the Outaouais, was held at the
War Memorial on Principale Street in Aylmer.
The War Memorial in Aylmer
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
Veteran Mr. Patrick Murphy; former President of the Royal
Canadian Legion in Aylmer
Photos by Dave McColl
Page 5
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.
Fall Newsletter 2007
RAWQ remembers our Veterans
By Cynthia Turpin
T
he Second World War started in 1939 but it
was not
until 1941
that
National Defence
decided to recruit
women. Marjorie Evis
joined up the first day
of recruitment and was
one of the first nine
women in Toronto to
do so. Marjorie has been
a resident of Aylmer for
51 years.
After working at
Chorley Hospital in
Toronto, she was then
Marjorie Evis
posted to Ottawa. Ranking as a staff sergeant in Ottawa,
Marjorie agreed to revert to the rank of Private
to go overseas.
Marjorie considered herself one of the lucky ones
because she had relatives there to visit whenever it was
possible to get a pass for a leave. She remembers how
the English opened their doors to “the Canadians”.
Marjorie remembers the bombings of the V1s and the
V2s very clearly during which everyone went to the
shelters.
“I was one that checked the roofs for
fires and debris between
the bombings”.
Soon after the war, Marjorie was posted to Germany
1945 where she worked as a Field Information Agency
Technical outside of Frankfurt and in 1950, Marjorie
was called up to serve in army headquarters to establish
the Canadian Women’s Army Corp. (CWAC).
Always active, Marjorie is currently volunteers as a
dispatcher and deliverer for Meals On Wheels three
mornings a week and enjoys playing cards in the
Aylmer Friendship Club.
She went overseas in 1942 and arrived in a port in
Scotland on November 5th, 1942; sixty five years ago.
“We traveled by train to London
and were given a box lunch that
I still remember, maybe because
we were often a little hungry.”
Marjorie and the others arrived in London in a real “peasouper” kind of day and were picked up by army trucks.
They were greeted at their barracks with a very welcomed
hot meal and then assigned to their rooms, eighteen in
each. In 1940 the Canadian Military Headquarters in
London was bombed but repaired by the time Marjorie
Evis was posted there and worked as a stenographer in G
branch. In 1943 she graduated from Officer Cadet
Training Unit. (OCTU) as a 2nd Lieutenant and then
worked in research and development. In 1945 she took
on the role of senior Canadian liaison officer in combined
Page 6
Marjorie is on the left with her pack holding her gas
mask and respirator while talking to a friend in Scotland on November 5th, 1942.
Fall Newsletter 2007
The RAW Q remem bers ou r Veterans
RAWQ remembers our Veterans
We Never Stopped Dancing
By André Duchesne
(adapted from the Aylmer Bulletin
by Cynthia Turpin)
W
hen we speak of
veterans, we
usually think of
men. We forget
that many women also took an
active part in the Second World
War. Nano PennefatherMcConnell, who spent most of her
life in Aylmer and is now 87, is such
an example. At 22, she went into
service oversea with the Royal
Canadian Air Force.
“In September, 1939,
when the passenger ship
Athenia was sunk by
German submarines, my
hopes that some peaceful
solution could be found to
stop Hitler’s invasions
sank, too.”
In 1941, the Canadian army
established women’s branches and
were ready to accept women
recruits. I was ready for something
challenging, and so the Air Force
was for me.” Mrs. McConnell was
soon stationed in London. She
recalls, “We would be dancing with
a man one weekend, and the next
he would be gone forever.
“We had to keep going,
and for our own sanity,
we kept dancing.”
Hence the title of her book, We Never
Stopped Dancing.
Mrs. McConnell has vivid
memories of so many airplanes
taking off every day to bomb
German cities. That made her
painfully conscious of the effect of
war.
“Younger generations don’t seem
aware of the destructive effect of
war,” she said.
We should do everything to
prevent war “because it does not
solve things.” It took her many
years to get over the war after she
came back to Canada. Writing her
memoirs was a sort of therapy to
work out the post-traumatic stress
of her war experience.
World War II veteran Nano
Pennefather-McConnell at
Michabou Bookstore, presented
and signed copies of her book on
November 10th.
Page 7
Nano Pennefather-McConnell
Update from Nano:
The book-signing at Michabou
Bookstore was very successful
with seven books sold and five
more ordered by Michabou. I
have had several more requests
from people who read the article
in the Bulletin.
There seems to be a renewed
interest in hearing personal stories
about missions in which Canadian
armed forces personnel have been
involved following recent reports
about the lack of government
support for families of service
men and women and the denial of
compensation to personnel who
were injured or harmed during the
various missions since World War
II, especially the current Afghan
mission.
“Have we learned
anything from the past
about the devastating
effects of war ?”
Fall Newsletter 2007
RAWQ remembers our Veterans
A Sailor and His Ship
By Kevin Drysdale
T
his is a Remembrance Day story that is as
much about the ship as it is about the sailor
and veteran that sailed on her. Their careers
in the navy began within months of each
other and effectively ended for both of them at the
hands of a German U-boat at 5:17 pm on August 22,
1944.
The sailor is Guy Jobin, the eldest of ten children
whose family, in 1936, would move from Chandler in
the Gaspe to Masson and then Buckingham. Like many
dislocations in the 1930s this move was prompted by a
search for employment and a future for a growing
family. Already bilingual, Guy would attend a French
school in Masson and then, as the eldest son and in
keeping with a Quebec tradition of that era, would later
enroll in a preparatory school for priests in Ottawa.
One can only imagine the disappointment of his
parents when, at the end of his second year, Guy
announced that rather than become a priest he wanted
to enlist in the Canadian Navy! Guy freely admits that
his prime motivation for enlisting was driven by a
desire for adventure.
Guy’s father would nevertheless insist that his son
complete his secondary education at the Buckingham
High School to improve his English, a useful asset in
this largely unilingual branch of the Canadian military.
That condition met; one day late in June of 1942 Guy
would borrow his father’s car for the trip to the Navy
Recruitment Center on Rideau street in Ottawa. Within
ten days he was in basic training on the Plains of
Abraham in Quebec City and for the next year and a
half tested his bilingualism in his duties as naval MP at
various bases throughout the Maritimes and Quebec.
Guy claims he became proficient in those months at
dealing with drunk and disorderly situations in both
official languages.
Page 8
Some
two
months after
Guy Jobin had
e n lis t e d
in
O t t aw a ,
in
T a c o m a ,
Washington the
keel was laid
for a U.S.
Bogue
class
escort carrier.
Veteran Guy Jobin
The
USS
Endisto would be launched 140 days later in March
1943 and on September 7, 1943, under terms of the
British-U.S. lend-lease agreement, the White Ensign
was hoisted and the Endisto became HMS Nabob.
On October 15th, Cdr. Romer (R.N.) was relieved by
Captain Horatio Nelson Lay, OBE RCN, and the
Nabob sailed for Vancouver for modifications to
meet Admiralty standards. In early December 1943,
Able Seaman Jobin, along with 450 other Canadian
seamen, was assigned to what would come to be
known as the first Canadian manned aircraft carrier.
Nabob’s ship’s company of 750, excluding the Air
Department and squadrons, was provided by the
Royal Canadian Navy. Nabob was still a British naval
vessel however, the terms of the lend-lease agreement
under which she was supplied, precluded her transfer
to the Canadian government.
To this day, that train trip across Canada, from New
Brunswick to Vancouver stands out as one of the
highlights of Guy Jobin’s stint in the navy.
In March of 1944, the Nabob, equipped with twelve
Grumann Avenger aircraft sailed through the Panama
Canal for New York City. By this time Able Seaman
Jobin had received gunnery training at the U.S. Naval
Fall Newsletter 2007
RAWQ remembers our Veterans
Base San Diego which resulted in his assignment to a
flight-deck battery on the Nabob. On this leg of the
voyage to Britain, Guy recalls an incident that saw the
Canadian contingent of the Nabob participate in a sitdown strike over the poor British rations provided for
the ship’s crew. The situation escalated to the point
where the Prime Minister’s office intervened to ensure
that the Canadians would be provided with their bacon
and eggs and coffee!
Nothing prepared the Canadians for the devastation
resulting from repeated bombings that they witnessed
on arrival in Liverpool at the end of May. Guy recalls
being equally overwhelmed at the buildup of arms and
equipment that seemed to cover every spare piece of
ground that was not required for the movement of
vehicles. Guy also recalls that everyone aboard the
Nabob knew that D-Day was imminent when on June
1st all-shore leave was cancelled and the ship’s crew
were lined up to ‘volunteer’ to participate in a blood
donor clinic.
The Nabob would not participate in D-Day but would
be assigned to a Canadian base in Scotland from which
it would patrol in both the Irish and North Seas as part
of the British Western Fleet. The Nabob would also
participate in convoy duty along the coast of Norway
and up to Murmansk, bringing ammunitions and
supplies to the Russians. During the months of July
and August the warships of these convoys would also
attempt to find and engage the German Battle Ship
Tirpitz (sister ship of the Bismark) which was stationed
along the coast of Norway and always a threat to allied
ships. It was during one such operation on August
22nd 1944 that U-354, in defense of Tirpitz, launched
torpedoes at the Nabob. Guy Jobin remembers clearly
seeing the first one miss and the terrible explosion
which resulted when the second blew a 32 foot square
hole just aft of the engine room. Six minutes later a
third torpedo would strike HMS Bickerton and she
quickly sank. By this time the Nabob was 15 feet down
in the stern with 30 fatalities and 40 injured. What
would follow would be a heroic attempt to save a ship.
Following an evacuation of personnel to lighten the
vessel, a ‘volunteer’ crew of 150, Able Seaman Jobin
amongst them, would remain on board to attempt to
salvage the crippled Nabob. By sealing compartments
they were able to prevent the ship from taking on more
water and by jettisoning cannons and ammunition they
gained back 11ft in the stern, however the ship was still
without electricity and power. The fleet commander
gave the ship until 11 pm to get their engines up and
running failing which the vessel would be evacuated and
sunk. Guy Jobin recalls that they were able to restore
some power shortly after 10 pm. Nabob was able to
make way under her own steam, three knots being the
maximum speed. It took the Nabob and her salvage
crew five days to return to her home base at Scapa Flo
on the coast of Scotland
Able Seaman Jobin sustained injuries resulting in
paralysis in his legs that ended his participation in the
war and he returned to Canada. His disability resulted in
his obtaining retraining as an accountant and eventually
a career with the Gatineau Power company and still later
with Hydro Quebec. Guy would marry Jeanette
Clarkson in 1958, a union from which four children
would follow. Following his retirement Guy participated
in the production of a book about the Nabob and her
crew. He was also elected president of the St. Jerome
Legion and awarded a life-time membership of that
branch. Guy currently resides with Jeanette in the Hull
sector of Gatineau and occupies his time maintaining
contact with comrades and friends. His children and
grandchildren pursue his passion as a self-declared
amateur historian. In 1995, at a ceremony held in
Montreal, Guy along with fourteen other Quebec Nayy
veterans, received a medal from the Russian government
in recognition of their participation in keeping the
supply lanes open to the Soviet Union during WW II.
As for the Nabob, upon arrival at Scapa Flo the British
Navy decided it would be too expensive to repair her
and as a result she became a source of spare parts for a
sister ship, HMS Puncher, for the remainder of the war.
Ironically, after being resold twice she would emerge in
1952 as the German cargo liner MV Nabob, a training
vessel for their merchant marine. In that capacity she
would eventually return one day to her original home
port of Vancouver and on that occasion would be
visited by a number of her original crew.
Page 9
Fall Newsletter 2007
Letters to the Editor
I said no, I am not giving out my account number or authorizing the $500 over the phone.
Scammers
By Mary Tessier
On the evening of October 29, 2007, I received a
phone call stating that I had won an eight day holiday
that included a Caribbean cruise.
The telemarketer asked me to confirm my name and
address. I did.
The caller rambled on and said that the only requirement was that I attend a ninety-minute presentation. I
enquired whether this was tied into an option to buy a
holiday resort time share.
Telemarketer: Yes, but …
Mary: These are usually very high-pressured presentations and what happens if I buy into it? Will I be
stranded?
Telemarketer: Oh, no about 1 in 4 do not buy, like
himself. He then described the holiday, three days and
two nights in Orlando near Disney Land with a day
pass to it. Two days and one night at Daytona beach
and a three day all inclusive cruise in the Bahamas. He
asked my preferences for the hotel accommodations.
The “gimmick” finally came. I was passed on to someone else, Dan was his name, to confirm my FREE
HOLIDAY.
Before my documents could be sent they would require
$500 for two people. He asked if these charges would
be made to my Master Card or Visa and without thinking, I would probably use American Express. I never
thought to ask why I would have to pay $500 if I had
won a free holiday. Dan asked who I usually traveled
with and I responded saying my mother or friends. He
thought it would be good for my mother. I said I didn’t
think so because she is 88.
Dan told me that I could put the $500 on my American
Express card. I said no, I was not prepared to spend
that amount of money right now for something like
this especially since Christmas is right around the corner. He said that I could pay American Express over
several months. I again said no, not at this time. He
said that I had up to three years to take the holiday.
Dan said he already had my American Express number
and that I just did authorize him to charge my account!
I said no and slammed down the phone, very upset and
felt panicky. I immediately called American Express and
told them to please watch my account. They said that
they could not do that but that I must monitor my own
account. They will investigate if I noticed any unusual
charges on my card but they did not say if I could get the
money back. They also said that if I ever got these calls
again, to say “I am not interested” and hang up.
So if you get a call that you have won something especially if you have not entered any contests and it sounds
too good to be true, that’s probably because it is.
RAWQ’s Response
Identity theft: an increasingly popular crime in
Canada with recent advances in technology. It
involves stealing, misrepresenting or hijacking the
identity of another person or business and provides
an effective means to commit other crimes. Vital
information needs to be acquired in order to
complete the impersonation.
You can report any suspicious calls to PhoneBusters at the same toll free number in the Canada or
the United States.
Phonebusters: Toll Free in Canada and the U.S.
A. 1-888-495-8501
http://www.phonebusters.com/english/index.html
Can you detect fraud?
See how good you are at identifying fraudulent
practices by taking the online quiz ABCs of fraud
on the website of the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police.
http://www.abcfraud.ca/
Page 10
Fall Newsletter 2007
Make your voice count
for health and social services in your community
by KathyTeasdale
Chair, Advisory
Committee to the
Outaouais Health and
Social Services Agency,
Access to Services in
English (OHSSN).
T
here are
some very
positive
things happening in the
world of health and
social services in the
Outaouais for the
English-speaking
population (ESP).
There has never been a
better time for the ESP
to get in on the ground
floor of planning for
access to services in
English in the Health
and Social Services
sector.
With the recent
reorganization of the
Quebec health system
comes a rare
opportunity for the ESP
to communicate with
their Centre of Health
and Social Services
(CSSS). We have five
CSSS in the Outaouais
that must produce a
plan (clinical project)
for the delivery of
health services in nine
different program areas.
Along with that, they
are required to consult
the population of their
territory, including the
ESP, regarding the
access to services and
the perceived gaps in
particular areas of
health services.
neighbours to participate.
It will be well worth your
time to come out, speak
up, and contribute
constructively to health
plans in your locale. If
we, the ESP do not speak
up, we can’t complain
down the road that we
had no input or weren’t
consulted.
To accomplish this,
some CSSS will call for
public consultations.
Others will do a survey.
Some will issue
particular invitations to
community groups,
churches and others.
Only good things can
come out of such
participation: raising
awareness, planting seeds,
putting local needs on the
table, finding creative
solutions and so on. Use
the opportunity because it
might not come along
again for many years.
Watch the local papers
for invitations to public
meetings.
If you receive or notice
such an invitation by
whatever means, you
are encouraged to
respond. Not only
respond, but, invite
your friends and
The OHSSN online
newsletter will also have
alerts about upcoming
public forums, put
yourself on the mailing
list by contacting
dlanyi@magma.ca
Invitation to
a meeting
Dr. Gilles Aubé invites all
interested in health funding
and its
(in)adequacy to a meeting.
L'Outaouais à l'Urgence 2
will have a petition in
English to sign. A mission
statement will also be
available.
The meeting is on Tuesday,
Dec. 4th at 6 pm at the CSN
offices at the corner of
St-Réné Bd and Main St. in
Gatineau (Gatineau Ward).
Questions can be directed to
Marthe Robitaille PhD,
media spokesperson at
819 - 771 - 2626
For more information
contact:
Community Liaison
Officer
Cynthia Turpin
Email: clco@magma.ca
Phone: 819-682-9602 or
Toll Free: 1-877-733-0177
Page 11
Fall Newsletter 2007
THE PAPINEAU AND DISTRICT HOSPITAL AND SENIOR CITIZEN’S FOUNDATION
REACHING OUT TO
THE ENGLISH–SPEAKING COMMUNITY
By Bill Cameron
T
he Papineau and District
Hospital (located in
Buckingham) was
founded in 1906, and
today serves patients from over 30
rural municipalities, primarily in the
Papineau County. Communities
served by the hospital include:
Thurso, Papineauville and
Montebello along the Ottawa
River; Notre Dame de la Salette,
Val des Bois and Poltimore along
the Lievre River; as well as the
municipalities of Mayo and
Mulgrave and Derry. The
combined population of these
communities is approximately
50,000.
One of the major challenges facing
a rural hospital, in addition to the
shortage of doctors, is keeping
abreast of the latest technologies
and acquiring up-to-date
equipment. In order to support
the hospital’s efforts to acquire
specialized medical equipment and
technology, the Papineau and
District Hospital and Senior
Citizens’ Fondation was founded
by a group of hospital
administrators in 1990.
From its inception, the
Foundation reached out to the
English-speaking population of
the region. Many of our readers
may be not be aware of the fact
that, around Buckingham and the
rest of Papineau County, there are
a number of enclaves that are
predominately English speaking.
So one might ask how this
successful partnership with the
English community was
established? It was done through a
spirit of openness, cooperation
and general good will. The
Foundation reached out with an
open hand to the leaders of the
English community. Anglophones
were actively solicited to
participate in Foundation
activities, both from a
management perspective, as well
as actively encouraged to
participate in volunteering
activities. Language was never
considered a barrier. Care was
taken to ensure Foundation
correspondence was mostly in
both languages making the
message clear that the hospital
belonged to the entire community
and the Foundation supports
quality health care for all.
In response to this overture of
good will, the local English
population has responded in kind,
both through financial support
and active participation. As an
example, one of the Foundation’s
past presidents is Murray
Dunnigan, an Anglophone who,
after a 5-year term, recently
stepped down as President of the
Foundation. He still sits on the
Board of Directors and plays an
active part in the Foundation’s
activities. Other members of the
English community have also
been approached to sit on
Foundation sub-committees and
have done so.
… done through a
spirit of openess,
cooperation and
general good will.
The Foundation
reached out with an
open hand to the
Continued on p. 13
Page 12
Fall Newsletter 2007
… REACHING OUT TO THE ENGLISH –SPEAKING COMMUNITY
Continued from page 12
In addition, a number of
Anglophone volunteers at the
hospital boutique run by the
Foundation, are involved in other
fund-raising events. At a recent
breakfast sponsored by the
Foundation to thank its volunteers
for their support, it was surprising to
hear almost as much English being
spoken as French.
Members of the English community,
made an important point: in dealing
with the Foundation, they felt both
welcomed and appreciated by the
majority for their efforts and
support.
Reaching out in good faith always
produces results and is a good model
to follow. To date, through a
collective community effort, the
Foundation has raised over 3.3
million dollars, which is pretty
unique given the fact that there is a
very small corporate base to draw
from in the communities served by
the hospital.
For the English-speaking
community, this sign of good faith
on the part of organizations such as
the Papineau Foundation places a
genuine responsibility on them to
become involved in community
activity. To keep our community
vibrant and relevant, we need to be
always seeking ways to be actively
involved in community
organizations in our respective
communities.
...it was surprising to hear almost as much English
being spoken as French.
Drugs & Health Products
Advisories, Warnings and Recalls
Information Source: Health Canada
Health Canada believes that staying informed can help you stay healthy.
To this end, the Department posts safety alerts, public health advisories, press releases and other notices related to therapeutic health products from industry to health professionals, consumers and other interested parties.
What information is available?
⇒
Advisories, warnings and recalls about marketed health products,
⇒
The Canadian Adverse Reaction Newsletter (CARN), a quarterly
publication providing information about adverse reactions and
safety alerts to health care professionals,
⇒
MedEffect e-Notice, a free e-mail service that distributes CARN, as
well as e-mail notices of all issued advisories, warnings and recalls,
and
⇒
The Adverse Reaction Database, which includes information about
reported adverse reactions.
A complete listing of Health Canada issued advisories, warnings and &
recalls can be found in the About Health Canada section on their site.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/advisories-avis/index_e.html
If you have a question you can contact the
Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate
Quebec Operational Centre
Telephone (450) 646-1353
Toll free: 1-800-267-9675
Fax (450) 928-4455
QOC-COQ@hc-sc.gc.ca
Page 13
Fall Newsletter 2007
OHSSN NEWS
Within RAWQ’s OHSSN Project there
are Local Action Committees at work!
By Danielle Lanyi (OHSSN Coordinator)
R
ecently, members of the Local Action
Committee in the Centre de santé et de
services sociaux (CSSS) Papineau area
adopted a new name and the following
mission statement: The Papineau Health and Social
Services Network (PHSSN) provides awareness to
English-speaking residents of the CSSS Papineau
territory on health and social services by actively
collaborating with the public and community health
care providers. a
At their next meeting in December, this new local
network will begin developing its action plan to
address the specific health and socaial services needs
of their territory.
Last June, a health and social services information
session hosted by the PHSSN, the OHSSN and the
CSSS Papineau drew 50 area residents. One of the
concerns expressed by the participants was the lack of
diabetic classes. As a result, the Buckingham CLSC
will be giving a diabetic class in the coming year.
We are also extremely pleased to announce that the
CSSS Papineau has designated a representative from
the Buckingham CLSC to participate and assist the
PHSSN in its endeavours. It’s a pleasure to welcome
Brigitte Massé-Dassylva, Community Organizer for
the Buckingham CLSC, to the PHSSN.
The Low / Kazabazua Local Action Committee is
also interested in hosting a health and social services
information session in their area and are in the process
of seeking collaboration from their local CLSC. As
well, the Low Seniors’ Club expressed interest in
applying for funding from the Ministère de la Famille
et des Aînés to increase the diversity of their activities.
Funding from this program would permit seniors from
this area to participate in activities such as swimming,
bowling and cultural excursions, which are not available
in their area. A health component would also include
sessions with qualified health professionals and
recreational instructors . With the assistance of the
OHSSN, an application was submitted last week and we
are hoping for a positive response.
Concrete and positive results from these Local Action
Committees clearly demonstrate that there are many
benefits for local residents to actively participate on
Local Action Committees to improve the overall health
and wellbeing of their communities. The OHSSN is
available to assist communities in the Pontiac, des
Collines and Gatineau CSSS areas to establish their
respective Local Action Committees.
New funding from the Community Health and
Social Services Network (CHSSN) for a Public
Health Project
The 2006 CHSSN-CROP survey tells us that in the two
previous years, 20.7% of English-speaking Outaouais
residents received information on public health
prevention and promotion programs from the public
health system. This new funding will allow the OHSSN
to gain extensive knowledge of existing public health
programs that are available in both languages and to
identify the public health priorities of the Englishspeaking community in the region. Our objectives are
to collaborate with the Regional Public Health
Department to increase information in English and to
adapt and deliver a public health program in English. I
am very pleased to welcome Monica Thibault, who will
be the Special Project Coordinator for this new project.
This month, we will be attending the Annual Public
Health Conference in Montreal to learn more about
Public Health priorities and
strategies in Québec.
Continued on p. 15
Page 14
Fall Newsletter 2007
OHSSN NEWS
Continued from p. 14
A survey to assess the public health priorities for
English-speaking residents in the Outaouais will be
sent to you in December and we look forward to
your support and responses.
Update on the McGill Nursing Retention
Project
at
Heritage
College
Last fall, Heritage College developed an enhanced
French curriculum for Nursing Students to provide
the opportunity for students to practice their French
language skills in a safe environment and to increase
their knowledge of medical terminology. The second
component of this enhanced curriculum will be
implemented in January 2008. This fall, six Nursing
students successfully completed a stage at the
Gatineau Hospital. Evaluations from both the
students and the institution were very positive.
Clearly this project has already demonstrated a high
level of success and those involved look forward to
ongoing collaboration among all partners. At the
moment we are waiting to hear if funding for this
project will be renewed by Health Canada for 200809. The overall provincial evaluation for all of these
projects has been extremely positive and we hope
that this will influence the decision-makers to extend
the funding for this great initiative.
At the WQSB offices, 170 Principale, Aylmer. Dawn
Crutchett, a Certified Grief Educator and Counsellor,
will be the guest speaker. These sessions are very
interactive as participants have the opportunity to ask
questions.
The Access Program was revised by the Regional
Advisory Committee for Access to Health and Social
Services in the English language last fall and has just
received final approval from the Department of
Health and Social Services. The Regional Advisory
Committee for Access to Health and Social Services,
which is an advisory body to the Agence de la santé
et des services sociaux de l’Outaouais, is now in the
process of developing an action plan to implement
the Access Program. More news to follow in another
newsletter.
There are many initiatives underway to improve
access to information and health and social services
for the English-speaking population in the
Outaouais. The new and updated OHSSN website is
scheduled to launch in early December.
If you have any questions about the information provide please contact the RAWQ office at
819-682-9602 or e-mail dlanyi@magma.ca.
Upcoming Videoconference on Grief and
Loss
The OHSSN will be hosting a videoconference on
Grief and Loss on Tuesday, December 4th, 2007
from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM at the Western Quebec
Get Involved to Make a Difference!
The Regional Association of West Quebecers
invites you to participate on one of our committees
dealing with various activities such as
communications, community outreach, fundraising, health and social services,
education, residents and cultural affairs.
Page 15
Fall Newsletter 2007
The RAWQ Listens to our Youth
Straight From My Heart
By Theoneste Nyirimpeta
(Young Prince)
Gatineau, Quebec
F
or me, there are
many
definitions in
the word
freedom.
“At the age of six
I knew what
freedom wasn’t”.
I moved here to the
Outaouais a few years ago
but I grew up in Africa
and have travelled and
seen many cultures. The
freedom we have in
Canada isn't necessarily
the same as in other
countries. People need to
know that, especially
when they travel. It is
very important to know
the political situation of
the country you are in.
Even if you go the States,
some people think it must
be like Disney world; it
isn’t. There are some
countries where people
are put in jail for just
giving their opinion about
a president. "No freedom
of speech" at all.
Philosophically speaking,
freedom means to be you,
yourself.
I grew up in Rwanda. The
war came and took away
almost everything I loved.
It shattered my family,
my happiness; it took my
dad. It took away my
freedom. At the age of six
I knew what freedom
wasn’t.
I am glad to be in a
country where I can sleep
in a safe place at night
and I have a chance to
become what I hope to
become. The most
important thing is to live
life as you imagine it can
be. Like the saying goes,
"We only have one life"
and we need the right to
live it well and the way
we wish it to be. I am not
talking about those who
disrespect the laws and
the rights of others.
I am talking about the
best side of freedom. If I
wished to be a
professional athlete, I
have the freedom to work
towards that dream.
have the freedom to do
that because I have a
positive attitude in a
place where I am free to
aspire to what I wish to
become. So, it's very
important to me, when I
wake up in the morning
to be grateful for all the
freedom I have to do all
the things that I love to
do, go to school; see my
family and friends. I have
the freedom to do that
every morning and I
wish everyone had the
same opportunity to
enjoy his/her freedom,
‘cause then we would all
be singing and jamming
in this world. One of my
favourite sayings is "Live
each day as if it were
your last."
Here in Quebec, Canada
I am living it; living the
freedom that people
fought for, for years,
years ago. They fought
and died so that we
could be free and I will
always remember that.
Thank you
I started singing for fun
with some friends and
now I record and mix
tracks with my beats and
Page 16
Theo
Fall Newsletter 2007
Public Notices
Public Notice
Invitation from the City of Gatineau for Public Consultation
Title: The public meeting on the draft municipal policy on cultural diversity
Date and place: Wednesday, December 5 at 7:00 p.m. in salle Giguère, at the Cabane en bois rond, located at 331,
boulevard de la Cité-des-Jeunes (Hull sector). More information at
http://www.ville.gatineau.qc.ca/prenez_place/consultations_publiques_diversite_culturelle.en.htm
Residents who are interested will be able to share their views on the draft policy by providing their comments at the
meeting. They also have the option of submitting their suggestions and comments through the municipal Web site no
later than Friday, December 14, 2007 by:
Fax: 819-595-7138
E-mail: prenezplace@gatineau.ca
Energy Efficiency Show of Gatineau
Seeks sponsors, partners, exhibitors and lecturers
GATINEAU, Tuesday November 27th, 2007 – Manufacturers, researchers, public and paragovernmental organizations
and all other organizations working in the field of energy efficiency are invited to take part in the Energy Efficiency
Show, on March 28th and 29th 2008 at the Hotel Holiday Inn Plaza la Chaudière of Gatineau. If interested in becoming financial partners, lecturers and/or exhibitors, communicate with the Regional Council on the Environment and
Sustainable Development of Outaouais (CREDDO) between now and January 1st at 819.772.4925 or by consulting
the following Web site: www.creddo.ca. The show is directed to the general public and to contractors in construction/
renovation. The objective is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by means of energy efficient methods of residential construction and consumption. Reducing energy costs also for the consumer makes for a winning situation
all around.
Neighbourhood conflicts find
RESOLUTION in Gatineau
On September 20, 2006, Resolution offered its services for the first time to the Aylmer sector.
Following very encouraging results, Resolution is expanding.
RAWQ will keep you informed in each newsletter.
A working committee made up of various partners, formed by
L’Alternative Outaouais, invites you find out about RESOLUTION,
a free neighbourhood mediation service which mobilizes citizens.
For information please call
Diane Lagueux, project coordinator
L’Alternative Outaouais
819.664.0727
Page 17
Fall Newsletter 2007
Western Quebec Career Centre
Courses starting
Space is
February 4, 2008
limited.
Accounting
Please
Health, Assistance
and Nursing
register as soon
as
100
Frank Robinson
Gatineau, QC
possible
to ensure
Medical Secretary
Western Quebec
Career Centre
your
J9H 4A6
(Aylmer Sector)
Tel: 819-684-1770
Fax: 819-684-5350
place.
Starting a Business
APICA English Website coming in 2008!
The administrative council of
The Association of Professional, Industrial and Commercial Merchants of Aylmer
(APICA) is proud to announce their unanimous decision to prioritize
the translation of the APICA website into English to accommodate the Englishspeaking community. This translation is a priority that is
scheduled to start in 2008.
RAWQ thanks you APICA!
Page 18
Fall Newsletter 2007
Drug Awareness and Education
sions, personal thoughts on the use of drugs and a
testimonial from a young student who had been using pot for a year and the impact it had on her, her
family, her friends and peers.
Video Launch “Our Point of View”
by Nancy Peppy
O
n Wednesday, November 21, 2007 I attended a
film about local teenagers sharing their opinions
and thoughts on the subject of drug awareness
entitled “Our Point of View” which was screened at the
Cinema d’Aylmer. In acknowledgement of National Drug
Awareness Week the Western Quebec School Board
(WQSB) under the auspices of Polly Green, WQSB’s
Drug Awareness and Education Coordinator, invited
many to the formal evening to view the short documentary.
The evening began with an introduction from Polly
Green giving the history of how the documentary came
about. Before this video was developed an American
video was being used as the resource tool to open up discussion on drug awareness with students. Many of the
students commented on how the scenarios in the video
don’t happen here, that it didn’t appear realistic. Thus the
idea was born to make a video, using students within our
own community, and then use this video as the resource
tool within the WQSB to open discussion with students
on drug awareness.
As with any project, funding was the first obstacle to
overcome. With the help of ENRICH (English Network
Resources in Community Health) and Christ Church Aylmer, the video became a reality. The next obstacle was
deciding which students would be selected to participate.
What were needed were students who had different attitudes and perceptions regarding drugs. Finally ten students from Grades 7 to 10 were selected and with the expertise provided from a local director/filmmaker, Michael
Moore from Aylmer, the video was started.
There were no practice runs. The video consisted of
Polly Green asking questions to the students for their
thoughts, describing different scenarios where young people came face to face with the decision of whether to use
drugs or not and how they could say “no”; group discus-
Page 19
During the evening we were also introduced to Erika
Tomkinson, now at the WQSB assisting Polly
Green. Erika was formerly with Operation Go
Home working with youth in Ottawa.
The evening ended with a local parent’s heartfelt
story about his son who was greatly affected the first
time and only time he tried pot. His son went into a
coma after using pot and for years was affected by
psychotic episodes. It turned out he was one of ten
percent of youths who have an allergy to marijuana
and are affected this way when using pot. He went
on further to tell the story of a friend whose son is
still in a vegetative state after using pot. His one advice to parents was to love your children unconditionally because you never know what could happen.
The evening ended with a thank you from the WQSB
to Polly Green and Michael Moore for their excellent
work in making this valuable resource tool that will
be used with the youth of our community.
In my view “Our Point of View” was a success and
hats off to Polly Green for her initiative and follow
through and to the students of the video for their
courage and participation. Polly Green had many
others to thank: George Singfield and the staff of
D’Arcy/Symmes for their support and providing the
facilities for the filming, the WQSB for their support,
the parents of the children for allowing them to participate and for the many businesses that provided
the food and refreshments to make the evening a
success.
If as a group you are interested in viewing or using
the video please contact Polly Green at the WQSB at
819-684-2336 ext. 339.
Fall Newsletter 2007
RAWQ Arts
LEARNING TO
FLY:
doing everything you think you must. I had to ask myself, “What do I really want to do?” I was startled to realize, I didn’t know! I wrote not so much about living with
cancer, but about learning to really live – to fly!
A Healing
Journey with
Cancer
By Sheri Croft
Come to the edge,
No we will fall –
Come to the edge –
No, we will fall!
“No cure; treatment
palliative.”
He pushed them, and they flew.
Guillaume Apollinaire
Devastation.
The diagnosis, lung cancer. I’m never sick! They didn’t
know the cause. Not smoke related.
Academic.
So I began the ordeal of chemotherapy and a frantic
search for any other helps.
Healing is not the same as curing. It may encompass a
cure, but healing is more. It is to find harmony, meaning, gratitude and peace with life, no matter where it
leads. It is a journey of the soul, one meant for all of us.
I wanted healing – and a cure!
Keeping a journal helps me to reflect on life, to learn
how God may guide me. I follow a Christian path, but
I believe in a God of wonderful diversity. Others may
follow a path of a different faith, or even one through
the woods where nature’s beauty may speak a word of
wisdom.
I tried naturopaths, homeopaths, acupuncture, special
drinks, avoiding sugar, dairy, whatever else was suggested. I became exhausted! Gradually, I settled and
sorted. My way became more clear, and simple. Eating
well, some exercise – but most important, choosing to
do what I enjoyed, where I felt a sense of ‘good energy’
– activities I looked forward to with happy anticipation,
not dread. It’s said you can ‘should’ yourself to death,
I tried desperately to stay in control. I hated being
‘needy’, but I needed to accept all the love I was given,
for love heals. Cards and calls and soup – and gifts from
my grandchildren. “This is a magic rock, Nana,” Megan,
then five, told me, presenting me with one she’d decorated. “Do you know why it is magic? It’s because Sheridan and I kissed it.” Her sister was three.
“Nana, you should wear your wig; you’re more yourself,” one remarked. Indeed, healing is about becoming
oneself. Such a push to ‘fly’ isn’t always necessary – but
sometimes it helps! No trauma is ever a blessing – but
what we learn through it can be, and in sharing, we may
shed some light on one another’s path. I hope my book
may do this. I ended my story after a year of treatments.
I am now on another treatment, but enjoying life.
Sometimes I still struggle with my own advice, but I am
grateful for the many friends who keep me on track.
Trusting is not waiting for a miracle. It is taking a step
forward to ‘choose life’, even with an uncertain future.
So we bought kayaks, even though they weren’t in the
budget. The quiet joy that comes is the miracle.
Learning To Fly: A Healing Journey With Cancer by Sherie
Rusler Croft Bibliography included. $15.00 at Michibou Books Glenwood Plaza or contact Sherie at 819682-6943, jackcr@sympatico,ca Questions or comments
always welcome.
Page 20
Fall Newsletter 2007
ACT Co Still Growing
The Cast
Guylaine Roy, Anthony McColl, David McColl, George Singfield, Shawna McSheffrey, Jack
Croft, Peggy Henderson, Hannah Gorham-Smith, Rick Henderson.
who murdered Percy Symmes and Bobby Joe McGee in
the basement of the school.
FAMILY FEUD… Aylmer Style
By Joyel Singfield
Over 150 people enjoyed community theatre with a twist
this weekend with ACT Company’s first Murder Mystery
Dinner Theatre production of FAMILY FEUD…
Aylmer Style. The Company was thrilled to have two sold
out evenings at Symmes/D’Arcy McGee School where
the Symmesonian room was transformed into an elegant
dining room. The parents of the Symmes/D’Arcy McGee
School band manned the bar, and all profits from this
aspect of the evening went to their fundraising efforts.
The story, written and directed by two teachers from the
Aylmer, Shaun Toohey and Cindy Beaton with a friend,
Shawna McSheffrey, centred around the fictitious
descendants of Thomas D’Arcy McGee and Charles
Symmes, the secret love affair of children from these
feuding families, and the fortune teller who managed to
bring back the ghost of Elvis while trying to reach
Thomas D’Arcy McGee himself. Confused? Well, so was
the rest of the audience as they laughed their way through
the evening, searching for clues to unravel the mystery of
The crowd was given an opportunity to assist the inept
security guard to try and solve the crimes. At each
performance the best detectives in the audience who
solved the crimes were rewarded with a chance to win
the door prize.
Both evenings left the audiences wanting more, and
ACT Company will seriously consider this type of
performance again, with the success of this first venture.
Once again, the company is pleased to see so many from
the community out enjoying theatre and wanting to get
involved.
The Company is planning a Workshop on January 19th,
2008 to encourage members to branch out and explore
production areas, including everything from the
technical aspects of lighting and sound, to directing and
producing a play. Details will be available at www.
actcompany.ca soon so stay tuned….
A sequel is in the works!!
Page 21
Fall Newsletter 2007
In Family Feud – Aylmer
Style
Peggy Henderson
George Singfield
Rick Henderson
Hannah Gorham-Smith
Cultural and Social Activities in our Region
In Aylmer
In Cantley
Until December 9 Between Shadow and Light. Exhibition by Wakefield potter Lee Hutchinson at the
Espace Pierre-Debain in Aylmer. The artist explores
the play of shadow and light on her hand-carved vases
and cachepots.
The Espace Pierre-Debain is located at 120 Principale
in the Aylmer sector.
Open: 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Monday to Friday, and
noon to 4:00 pm. on Saturday
Christmas Traditions at the Historic Grange
Admission: free
For information: please phone 819-685-5033 or e-mail
to tourangeau.louise@gatineau.ca, or visit the website
at www.gatineau.ca/diffusion
Fundraiser Concert for St. Vincent de Paul
December 15 at 7 PM Christ Church Aylmer
101 Symmes Street, Christmas Carols and Lessons
by the choirs of Christ Church Aylmer and Aylmer
United
and guests; Directed by David Irving
Admission: Free will offering at the door
for St. Vincent de Paul
80 Chemin Summer, Cantley
Monday, December 10, 7:30 pm
Members of The Gatineau Valley Historical Society
and friends, and all interested in history...are invited to
share an evening of carols, music and Christmas treats in
the historic ambience of The Grange. All ages welcome.
Please bring your voice or a musical instrument to join the
piano and singing. For the Potluck Table, a plate of your
favourite seasonal treats. Please bring a copy of your original recipe(s) if they were used. Directions to The Grange of
the Gatineau, or info about this event:
email phillips.margaret@gmail.com
or phone Margaret 819-827-1969
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Fall Newsletter 2007
Cultural and Social Activities in our Region
In Chelsea
"THE WATER IS WIDE"
Castenchel Choir of Chelsea's Fall Concert
Saturday, December 1, 7:30pm, St Stephen's Church
"THE WATER IS WIDE"
Advance tickets $10: call 819-459-3787 - or
Sherie Croft 819-682-6943 ($15 at door)
The theme of "water" connects 15 choral selections for
this concert. We experience our mystical relationship to
the sea and our need to respect the ocean environment
in the introit to the "Celtic Mass for the Sea", by Scott
MacMillan. "La Mer" and "Je Voudrais Voir La Mer"
speak of the changing beauty of the sea and its eternal
pull on the human spirit. Also included are popular
folkloric arrangements.
In Gatineau
November 9, 2007 until January 9, 2008.
Grey Truths. Exhibition of oil paintings by Reid
McLachlan at the Centre d’exposition Art-Image. The
Centre is located in the Maison de la Culture, 855,
Boulevard de la Gappe, Gatineau.
Exhibition hours: Tuesday to Friday, 1:00 pm. to 5:30
pm.; Saturday & Sunday, noon to 4:00 pm
For information call 819-243-2325, or visit the website
at www.maisondelaculture.ca
December 3- Jan. 7 2008
Stephan Scrak Oil paintings
January 7- Feb 4
Richard Todd photography
February 4- March 3
Xavier Dany Girard recent works
In Hull
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Wednesday December 5, 2007, 7:15 p.m.
Our Lady of the Annunciation
189, rue Archambault St. (Hull Sector) Gatineau featuring Chorale CASTENCHEL Choir
Directed by Gary Dahl
Amanda Hodgson with Marietta Fraser and Marjorie
Decaire, Joan Sullivan Eady
The Notables Don Kavanagh Kristina Da Costa, Tom
McSwiggan Greg T. Brown Cathy
& John Dubé
Hosts: Patricia Cassidy & John MacKillop
Reception & Door Prizes Tickets: $10 /Billets: 10$
Information /Renseignements: 819-778-2827
In Mansfield
Festival of Lights – Chutes Coulonge
Dcember 1-2, 2007 - Mansfield
Visit the falls in their entire winter splendour in a holiday
atmosphere illuminated by thousands of Christmas lights!
Music and fun for all the family.
For information please
Phone: 819-683-2770 or write to
info@chutescoulonge.qc.ca
Or visit the website www.chutescoulonge.qc.ca,
Chutes Coulonge
100 promenade du Parc des Chutes,
Mansfield
In the Pontiac
Pontiac Artists at Café 349,
Main Street, Shawville
November 5 – December 3, 2007
Shared Genes, Distinct Visions by father and daughter
artists, Michael & Genevieve Neelin
December 3- January 2
Pontiac Artists’ Association Group Exhibition
Exhibitions at Gi Gi’s Café
1259 Hwy 148 Campbell’s Bay QC
November 5 – Dec 3
Landscapes of the Pontiac in water colours and acrylics
by Kathleen Ranger
December 29. The Mick Armitage Band will be the
special guest at the Metagenesis Band Reunion in
Renfrew. At Renfrew Wing, 164 Argyle Street, Renfrew.
Take the San Antonio Ranch Bus from McCann’s Chips
in Quyon or Atkinson’s Bar in Shawville (bus reservations confirmed by November 1). Limited tickets at
Page 23
Fall Newsletter 2007
Cultural and Social Activities in our Region
$15.00 from Peggy Sheppard at 819-647-5915, Sandra
McCann at 819-458-2771 or Kathy Young. For information or to have tickets mailed call 613-228-9178.
Visit the Band website at
www.mickarmitageband.com
Art in the Pontiac
By Dale Shutt
It is shaping up to be another busy year for the
Pontiac Artists’ Association, its volunteers and
projects. Following on the heels of a very
successful group exhibition “Dam Art! du
Barrage” and “Art in the Park” in September, the
committees for the Pontiac Artists’ Studio Tour
and the Pontiac School of the Arts have already
held their first planning sessions.
Next year’s Tour dates will be June 7, 8 & 14, 15.
The Tour will feature 15 artists in 15 studios
including one new artist and one returning
participant. For the second year the Tour will
make use of the Stone School in Portage-du-Fort
for one of the artist’s exhibits. Information about
the Tour and the artists can be found at www.
pontiacartists.com
Planning is underway for the 4th summer session
of the Pontiac School of the Arts. Classes will be
held over four weeks from July 5 – August 3 at
the Stone School in Portage-du-Fort. With the
outstanding success of the school so far
(enrolment up 30% this year and 50% last year)
the committee is preparing for even larger
numbers in 2008. We will continue with our
scholarship program, young artists program and
adult courses and are planning fall courses as
well. The final list of course descriptions will be
available in January. Information about the
school and course details can be found at
www.pontiacschoolofthearts.com .
Page 24
Seminar
DISCOVER YOUR OWN INNER PEACE
December 1st & 2nd, 2007
(9:30 am Saturday to 5:00 pm Sunday)
Au Grand Coeur (formerly Au Grand Bois) Ladysmith, Quebec
An experiential weekend seminar in releasing
cellular memory
Addressing behavioural patterns that may be pulling
you under:
Rabia Crease Wilcox and Bob & Marlene Neufeld
throw you a line from the newly released Under the
Titanic Workbook.
Visit www.marleneandbob.com
Bob Neufeld, M.Ed.: Invites others to explore their
learning edges.
Cost, including meals and accommodation: by your
generous donation (suggested donation $225 - $355)
To register please call Arleen at 819.647.3522 or email
agb@magma.ca
Discussion Group
Heart + Soul Light Centre + Spiritual Frontiers
Canada, Present "Spirituality Evenings" 2008
Wed. Jan. 30, Christ Church Hall, Aylmer 7:15 pm. "
Reframing our Attitude Towards Dis-ease. What is
Healing Anyway? Contact Judith Matheson at
819-684-3099 .
March 28 at Ottawa Citizen Bldg., Ottawa "Religion
and Inter-faith Relationships - Our Spirituality in
Action."
May 21 Christ Church Aylmer, "Ecology and Environment, Healing Mother Earth."
June 18 Ottawa Citizen Bldg., Ottawa "Celebrating
Indigenous First-Nations Spirituality."
www.spiritualfrontiers.ca
Fall Newsletter 2007
Theatre Wakefield
In Wakefield
The Travesty of King Beer: The Final Village Power Play; A Play By Scott V. Hébert-Daly & The Wakefield Players
For mor e information please check the website:
The Debate
Pierre Plak - Éric Hébert-Daly
Assistant Crabtree - Gisèle Lamontagne
Crystal Wedgewood - Gwen Shea
Ed Ens - Scott Hébert-Daly
The Candidates
Pierre Plak - Éric Hébert-Daly
Moonbeam Pott - Marilyn Smith
Willem Pott - Rink de Lange
Ed 'Billy-Ray-Jim-Bob' Ens - Scott Hébert-Daly
Crystal Wedgewood - Gwen Shea
All in Favour: The entire cast. Front left to right standing
Stewart
Wedgewood,
Geoff
Aucoin, Dee
Void, Emila
Koberg, Pierre Plak, Éric
Hébert-Daly
Sitting at table
at right
Mummy
Page 25
Fall Newsletter 2007
Winter Fiddle Camp
N.B. Kathleen Small is one of our newest members
The Program
The camp will start on Friday afternoon with
registration followed by dinner, and finish
by 4 pm on Sunday afternoon.
First Canadian Grand Masters
Participants are divided into small groups, each
with its own fiddle or piano instructor. In addition,
workshops on technique, styles and tunes will be given
by the instructors.
There will be a concert Saturday evening, followed by
one of the best jam sessions known at any fiddle camp.
Everyone may join in. The cost to the general public will
be $5.00. Preferential seating will be given to those attending the fiddle camp.
What you will learn
WINTER
FIDDLE
CAMP
Featuring
Traditional
Québecois music
The emphasis is on playing by ear; however, some music
is available.
The 2008 Winter Fiddle Camp is a weekend workshop and
will be held Feb. 29, March1 and 2 at the beautiful Camp
des Voyageurs Tim Horton in Quyon, Quebec, located in
the Pontiac Bay of the Ottawa River, about 50 kilometres
upstream from Ottawa/Gatineau.
This is an opportunity to learn from some of the
Fiddle: Michel Mallette, Stéphanie Labbé, more to come...
best musicians in Québec in a comfortable and
Piano: Guylaine Gagné
relaxed setting, where you can have fun while
Tuition, room and board - $380.00
you learn.
Tuition and meals $225.00
The camp is designed for fiddlers and pianist to
learn traditional tunes and piano accompaniment.
Tuition only $180.00
If you love traditional fiddling and have a basic
knowledge of playing, this camp is for you. Piano
players should have a basic knowledge of piano
and chords.
Camp des Voyageurs Tim Horton, Quyon, Québec
Friday February 29 to Sunday March 2, 2008
Presented by the Canadian Grand Masters
Fiddling Championship
For more information contact:
In order to be able to follow the instruction in the
Kathleen Small (819) 682-6821
workshops, a minimum of one year’s experience
is highly recommended. If the student requires
WinterFiddleCamp@canadiangrandmasters.ca
supervision or a chaperone, this will not be an
www.canadiangrandmasters.ca
appropriate workshop for him/her.
Page 26
Fall Newsletter 2007
The Regional Association
of
West Quebecers
www.westquebecers.com
What is the Regional Association of West Quebecers?
The RAWQ is a politically non-partisan communitybased organization that serves the English-speaking
population of West Quebec.
How do we serve the community?
53 rue Principale
Gatineau (Aylmer),
Quebec
J9H 3L4
Phone: 819-682-9602
Fax: 819-682-4033
Toll Free: 1-877-733-0177
Email: wq@magma.ca
www.westquebecers.com
•
As a portal for the English-speaking community to
access government services in our language
•
As a resource group for informed political action
•
As a resource center for information and referral on
health and social services, education, cultural and
community services as well as ensuring language
rights
•
As a facilitator of cultural, historical and social
activities
•
As a principal link to the Quebec community groups
network for the English-speaking population of the
province (QCGN)
Membership Survey Summary
By Shaun Peppy
This past summer 125 of our members completed an online survey allowing them to provide their views on
RAWQ’s business and a glimpse of their interests and concerns in the community. On behalf of the Board
and staff I would like to thank all of you who took the time to complete the survey. The survey results will
provide RAWQ’s Board of Directors and staff with some valuable insight that will allow the association to
improve its services to members, increase its impact in the community, and set future priorities and plans.
The results of this survey will be released in two stages. The first is a preliminary report which is included
with this newsletter and posted on westquebecers.com. This report summarizes and interprets the survey
responses and highlights some interesting trends in the data. In an effort to keep a dialogue going, anyone
wishing to comment on this report or provide any further insights is more than welcome to do so by
contacting our office.
Once the preliminary report has been thoroughly reviewed and assessed by the RAWQ Board of Directors
and the membership has had the opportunity to comment on it, a subsequent report will be issued in the
Winter of 2008 detailing actions that will be taken by the association in response to the survey.
Page 27