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Newsletters
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May
2001
News from your Community Association! 
A complete copy of this newsletter, with pictures, is available in Word
format. Please Please click here to
download the newsletter. (newsletter-may.doc
- Word File, 3.8M)
The President's MessageRichard Henderson As I wrap up my second year serving as President of RAWQ, I am left with one overarching impression of the Outaouais region: it's big. I mean REALLY BIG. I had visited practically every corner and thought I knew it well until I was given the mandate to serve the English-speaking community of the region through RAWQ. I may have known many things about the Outaouais before, but one thing I have learned over the past two years is that the English-speaking community of this region is practically inscrutable. In fact, the truth be told, this region does not have just one English-speaking community but rather it has several diverse English communities. Each community of English-speakers has its own unique environment and history. Some are so integrated into the larger French community as to be indistinguishable. Others still reflect the hardy pioneer stock from which they were born. Many are city dwellers and a large number live in our rural areas. Regional Association of West Quebecers however has been there at the service of these communities for almost twenty years, acting as the political watchdog and trying to reach out to each community to help it thrive as a unique part of life in Quebec. So much has changed in twenty years and RAWQ is changing too. Lisa Bishop has left the organization for a challenging new position as Communications Officer for a national agricultural association. Her devotion and hard work will be missed and we wish her all the best in her new challenges. Julie Coulson now takes the helm as our new Executive Director of a new Regional Association of West Quebecers that has increased its staff and is planning a move to a new location after fourteen years in Hull. The other new staff member is Kathy Teasdale who takes on the job of Community Liaison Officer. Her preoccupations will include fundraising, membership and project development as well as implementing a new communications strategy. The office will be moving to a beautiful Heritage home on Main Street in Aylmer. The Mackay House, at 53 rue Principale, will provide more space for our staff and our meetings and will give us better access to our community. We are excited at the opportunities that this move will provide for RAWQ. At this very accessible location we trust that we can be a more user-friendly resource center for the English-speaking community and we hope to welcome an increase in walk-in traffic. We will continue to work at building the networks needed both within our region and throughout the province for the economic and cultural health of English-speakers. And, of course, we will continue to try and put out the political fires that seem to continually consume our environment as citizens of Quebec. In this the year of the volunteer, I would like to thank all those who have given their time freely on behalf of our communities. I would also like to urge those of you who are looking for an interesting new challenge to step forward as a volunteer to build on their work for the benefit of your community. A RetrospectiveBy Lisa Bishop In late January 2001, I tendered my resignation as Executive Director of Regional Association of West Quebecers, so that I might pursue new opportunities elsewhere. It was arguably one of the hardest decisions I've had to make. It meant leaving a network of people who demonstrate an incredible commitment and dedication to enhancing the vitality of the English-speaking community of the Outaouais. It meant leaving coworkers and colleagues with whom I've shared laughter and vents, sorrow and glee and from whom I've learned so much. I'm grateful to all with whom I have had the pleasure of working. The lessons I've learned throughout my time at RAWQ will stay with me for the rest of my life. Moving to the region from Montreal several years before I joined the team at RAWQ gave me a new perspective and understanding that there might well be vast differences between the English-speaking communities throughout the provinces. Upon starting at RAWQ, I learned that what I thought was theory was true. I learned more about this incredible province, its uniqueness, its beauty and its people, of all cultures, of all languages. In an effort to discover more about Quebec, I was fortunate to have many opportunities to travel to places I might never have found myself. I learned that the differences between the English-speaking communities are indeed vast and that the needs for each are very different. While we share the same need for recognition, consideration and fundamental rights, we all have different needs according to the areas where we live. From the roaring sea near the Lower North Shore to the majestic beauty of Percé rock, from the peaceful tranquility of the Eastern Townships to the aromatic apple orchards in the Chateauguay valley, from the history of Quebec city to the beaches of the Magdalen Islands, this province has so much to offer the world. The commitment of the membership of Regional Association of West Quebecers and its sister organizations around the province is centred around preserving our differences while at the same time enhancing our common interests. It's about celebrating the differences between our two official language communities, as well as those within the English-speaking community itself. It's about celebrating who we are, as individuals and as communities. I am pleased to have played a role, no matter how small, in the enhancement of the vitality of the English-speaking community. I will preserve my memories forever. I wish all the best to all of you. God speed. Meet the New Executive DirectorBy Julie Coulson A very warm hello to all of you Regional Association of West Quebecers members I have yet to meet. I am very pleased to be serving the membership as your new Executive Director. Here at the office, we are very excited to be putting out this newsletter, the first in a while. Kudos to Kathy Teasdale for her perseverance in soliciting articles, writing, and editing, and with the board's input, making those tough format and content choices. What is my vision for Regional Association of West Quebecers? The construction of Heritage College's new gym is one project which it will be very satisfying to see come to fruition. This campaign fits nicely into RAWQ's mandate. It has been a pleasure working with the dedicated faculty, parents, and students, helping with media releases and organizing meetings. Most of you hopefully mailed the postcard, which we printed and distributed, to François Legault, Quebec's Education minister. I am optimistic that the provincial government cannot continue to stonewall us, and will honour their agreement to provide adequate facilities to our young people. Another direction I see where RAWQ can make some headway is in membership. Compared to some other English-language community associations in Quebec, Regional Association of West Quebecers has managed to attract as active members only a fraction of the potential population. There are lots of reasons for this, but I am committed to doing all I can to invite people in the Outaouais to access our services, contribute as volunteer Board members, and be in contact with the association. The new office in Aylmer at 53 Principale will be a more inviting space, where I hope community members will feel comfortable expressing their concerns and dreams for the region. We want to know what we can do for you! We are here only for you! In closing, I'd like to extol the virtues of the area. I believe the Outaouais is one of Canada's best-kept secrets: a handful of communities with rich historical roots sprinkled across a landscape of mountains, farms, and rolling hills, along the great Ottawa River. Having been away from the Outaouais for university, some travel and work experience, I have gained some perspective, and I think the region compares to BC's coast for lifestyle and natural beauty, to Alaska for the freedom in the life you can choose, and to Europe in its access to world-class culture. The people who live here benefit from the richness of what the area has to offer, and in turn offer their individual strengths to the communities they have chosen. I am impressed with the constructive activism and informed opinions of the current volunteer Board. I'm sure the incoming Board members will bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm. I look forward to speaking with you over the phone, or meeting you at the Annual General Meeting June 14 at Vorlage, or seeing you at the office someday. First Move in 14 Years!As much as we love the old place…we're moving! As of July 3, 2001, Regional Association of West Quebecers will be located at 53 Principale in Aylmer, Quebec. We will occupy the ground floor of this beautiful Heritage house. In Discover Aylmer's Heritage published in 1993 by the Aylmer Heritage Association, our new office site, the George McKay House (1903) at 53 Main Street is pictured with a coach house, stables, landscaped yard, garden, orchard, and a beautiful wrought iron fence surrounding the property. Mr. McKay was a successful businessman who ran his father's sawmill in Quyon before coming to Aylmer. Regional Association of West Quebecers is proud to become part of the history of this fine home. The present floor plan allows for a reception/communications area, a staff room with fridge and sink, an enclosed office for the Executive Director, and another office that will house the Communications Director in addition to serving as the Board Room. This move will allow us to host our Board of Directors' meetings in the office, rather than at the present meeting site, the Heritage College Board Room. An elegant rotunda and veranda on the south and west side add to the ambience. There is plenty of parking in the back and on Principale itself. We look forward to seeing you at our Open House 5-7 p.m., Friday September 21. Our Best Wishes and Congratulations to Ms. Julie Coulson in the celebration of her marriage to Mr. Josh Fine, to take place in the Gaspésie, June 30, 2001. Volunteers!We are always in need of volunteers for our Committees, Board of Directors and Projects. If you would like to help out on individual projects or ongoing committees, please call Julie at 777-0177 From Our Archives…The Birth of Regional Association of West Quebecers "Offical Opening Ceremonies and Founding Meeting of 'Regional Association of West Quebecers' ". ...was the 10:30 a.m. listing in the program for the 'Festival - Wrights of Spring' held April 30, 1983 at Philemon Wright High School in Hull. That makes Regional Association of West Quebecers officially 18 years old this spring! This first festival, of the 'Wrights of Spring', was planned to bring together many area communities to participate in and display their Heritage and share in celebrating each others talents in the Arts and Crafts, Music, Literature, and Education as well as to launch the new 'Regional Association of West Quebecers'. From all reports the festival was very successful. Mr. Kevin Drysdale was recently quoted as saying about the festival, "Yes, we had that school rocking!" This new organization was to be the successor to the English Cultural Resource Centre (CU-RE) founded in 1981 by a small group of dedicated citizens. CU-RE had originally been formed to identify common problems, to pool resources, initiate projects and promote the contribution of Anglophones in the region. At a conference in the fall of 1982, the English speaking community expressed the need for a strong organization to support and promote the English speaking population in the Outaouais region. Thus was Regional Association of West Quebecers born. Sources: Clippings from the Pontiac Journal and The Equity, included in the debriefing file of 'The Wrights of Spring' RAWQ Archives What Have We Been Up To in the Community?The most recent community effort at Regional Association of West Quebecers (RAWQ) has been directed at contributing to the campaign for the building of a Gymnasium at Heritage College. RAWQ supports the 'Gymnasium Action Project' with media related and administrative services. This has taken the form of press releases, letter writing, a postcard campaign, distribution of posters, liaising with the action committee, rallying community support and providing meeting logistics. Other services to the community have been given to non-profit associations in the form of translations for their publicity and letters. This has been done for the St. James Centre, Hull and for the Mt. O'Brien association, Danford Lake (see related articles). As well we worked with the Pontiac Wagon Train to provide them with a summer student worker. We have encouraged excellence in the Arts and Public Speaking in the Youth Sector by sponsoring awards for the overall winner of the Annual Spring Art Exhibition, Heritage College, and the Elementary School Public Speaking Contest at the Western Quebec School Board. This year's overall winner of the Art Exhibition is Chrissy Lebel of Poltimore. In the Elementary Public Speaking Contest, 1st place went to Nicholas Major of Pierre Elliott Trudeau School, Hull, 2nd place to Ann Murphy-Buske of Greater Gatineau Elementary School, Gatineau and 3rd place to Genevieve Horwood, South Hull Elementary School, Aylmer. Congratulations and well done all! We continue to sponsor the 'Help Kids' page in the student agendas distributed at all Western Quebec School Board Secondary Schools. This page lists the emergency and contact numbers for students who are in need. As well, we contribute to the 'Pontiac Artists Studio Tour' helping them with the publication of their brochure. In the political arena we continue to lobby our local MNAs and government ministers on the many issues confronting the English Speaking Population of the Outaouais. Our President and Vice President made a well-received presentation to the Estates General on the Future of the French Language. The Executive Director held All Candidates Meetings for the Fall Federal election. The Executive Director recently gave a presentation to the City of Ottawa regarding bilingual services. One of our Directors belongs to the 'Democracité' committee fighting against amalgamation. We continue to be a resource centre, helping to bring together local expertise with expressed needs within the community. We also help individuals make contact with the right government services. All in all, a busy time since last Spring. Regional Association of West Quebecers is much more than people realize. Do you remember when…RAWQ sponsored 'Grassroots the O.A. Cabaret' An Regional Association of West Quebecers Production'? The newsletter was called 'The Bridge'? ENRICH(English Network of Resources in Community Health) This non-profit organization is doing some wonderful work with our youth in the Outaouais. Three volunteers, Shirley Smyth, Carolyn Belzile, and Sheilagh Murphy work non-stop to provide several programs in the community. 'Aware, Prepared and Linked' is aimed at 13-17 year olds. It is an 8-week summer program offered to a maximum of 12 youth that are deemed at risk. HELP (Healthy Education Lifestyles Program) aimed at Secondary Schools covers 10 themes over the course of a school year. PACT (Partners Against Crime Team) is a prevention program for juveniles. Hats off to these ladies who work tirelessly in our community for the betterment of our young people! St. James CentreBy Kathy Teasdale During this year of its 100th anniversary, St. James Anglican Church on Du Portage in Hull finds itself using its resources to reach out to the community. While the congregations of St. James and St. Bernard de Clairvaux continue to use the building as a place of worship, it is undertaking to establish a centre within the church that will provide space for community activities. While still in the developmental stage, St. James Centre is already used by Radio-Canada and the Classical Music Series (Ottawa) for concerts, and Alcoholics Anonymous from both linguistic groups utilise meeting space. St. James Centre's immediate focus is looking for partnerships within the community with groups who have need of rental space and whose work aligns itself with a Christian philosophy in the areas of social services, the arts or spirituality. There is meeting and performing space available, suitable for seniors' groups, theatrical and musical groups or others. A small working group at the centre is undertaking to find funding for renovations and seeking out mutually advantageous partnerships. That is, the church receives some rental income while serving a need within the community. The centre also has long term goals in the areas of senior housing, parish nursing, daycare and as a resource centre. If you need rental space for a single activity or on an ongoing basis, please consider St. James Centre, 62 Promenade du Portage in Hull as a potential answer to your needs. Contact Robert Bigras at (819) 770-5853. Regional Association of West Quebecers is providing support through translation services, dissemination of information, and participatory support of upcoming celebrations for their 100th anniversary. Community Capacity Building with the Outaouais CEDECBy Tina Michaud The Outaouais Community Economic Development and Employability Committee (CEDEC) is making tremendous progress within the long-term process of revitalizing English-speaking communities throughout the region. Through the perseverance of many dedicated volunteers, several dynamic grassroots initiatives have sprung to life in the last year as the Outaouais CEDEC hones its ability to motivate and organize communities to take charge of their own assets and potential. CEDECs originated from a unique partnership formed in May 1998, when the National Human Resources Development Committee for the English Linguistic Minority was created to enable government and community representatives to work together in order to enhance the vitality of Quebec's English-speaking population. The National Committee is comprised of a Community Table (delegates from the eight English-speaking regions) and a Government Table (representatives of HRDC). Each of these eight English-speaking regions is represented by a CEDEC, which are supported by a Regional Economic Development Officer (REDO). CEDECs are not money-driven - they are community-driven and are comprised of volunteers throughout the area who act as valuable community facilitators - they help communities take inventory of their assets and they encourage these communities to make development plans and take action to achieve their goals. CEDECs act as catalysts for change through a proactive approach to community development. The Outaouais CEDEC, like all other CEDECs throughout Quebec, is a networking body for community action which is made up of volunteers from Wakefield, Aylmer, Thorne, Chelsea, Otter Lake, Hull and Shawville. The REDO, Tina Michaud, supports the work of the Outaouais CEDEC by keeping the volunteers in touch with each other, the rest of the community and also the other CEDECs throughout Quebec. The Outaouais CEDEC's vision for 2001/2002 is to make the talents, experiences and energies of its volunteer members, partner networks and staff available to English-speaking groups, organizations or individuals by: partnering with existing initiatives; helping facilitate development of new initiatives; advocacy on behalf of ES initiatives with government departments (municipal, provincial and federal), businesses and others; and sharing information to support ESC in rural and/or urban communities with our primary focus being on the rural community. Working groups have been formed to fulfill these initiatives. The Outaouais CEDEC and REDO have achieved many accomplishments, particularly with their involvement with Danford Lake's Mount O'Brien project. (see article)The REDO, along with other key players, facilitated the formation of an association that will preserve this area of land and generate tourism as a nature preservation park. CEDEC has also had success involving their partnerships with the Wakefield Youth Centre and with the involvement of the Quebec Farmers Association were instrumental in obtaining a grant for community radio and the establishment of a community radio network for the ESC. New partnerships are emerging in Quyon, Luskville, Allumette Island, Mulgrave and Derry, and Mayo with plans being made to conduct outreach sessions in these communities. For more information on the Outaouais CEDEC, please contact:
Community Joins Together to Build a ParkMt. O'Brien Association By Michele Sura A beautiful piece of Crown land lies to the west of the village of Danford Lake in the Municipality of Alleyn-and-Cawood in the MRC Pontiac. Some area residents hope to see it turned into a wilderness park. Since January 2000, a group of volunteers, along with a few governmental partners, have been working to create the future Parc Mont O'Brien in a spectacular 9000-acre region .The area contains streams and creeks, mixed forests, Lac O'Brien and Mont O'Brien (elev.1150'). Mont O'Brien area has always been much loved and used by local area residents. It had become difficult to access. Around the same time, Community meetings were being arranged and led by Tina Michaud, the Regional Economic Development Officer, to look at ways to establish something in the region that would benefit all of the community. Participants began to look at ways of opening up the Mont O'Brien area. When it was discovered that the Mont O'Brien area was scheduled to be logged between 2000-2005 discussions were accelerated. A Steering Committee for the future Mont O'Brien Association was formed and letters patent applied for. The Mont O'Brien Association was officially formed in December 2000 with a
mandate to:
The success of the Parc Mont O'Brien Project so far has been the result of the hard work of a number Association volunteers plus the contributions of a number of other organizations. Regional Association of West Quebecers has generously provided three translations. The Regional Economic Development Officer of the Outaouais Regional CEDEC has been instrumental in providing the Association's volunteers with much needed informational support and guidance. As have the staff the MRC Pontiac, the local CLD and the Fort Coulonge office of the Ministry of Natural Resources. The Municipality of Alleyn-and-Cawood has provided both human and financial support, and most recently, a building lot development project, called Parc Miljour, which lies just north of the Mont O'Brien area, has generously agreed to provide the Association with an easy route into the region. For more information on the Mont O'Brien Association and the future Parc Mont O'Brien or if you would like to become involved in the creation of the Parc, please contact its president Michele Sura at (819) 467-2835. Our Provincial PartnersRegional Association of West Quebecers is not alone in its efforts to serve and support the English Speaking Community. We belong to the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN). This group meets 3 times yearly in different areas of the province to obtain information, link on issues facing the English Speaking Community and exchange ideas. At this Provincial level efforts are made to coordinate the voice of the English Speaking Minority of Quebec. The QCGN has a secretariat which is responsible for the internal and external communications of the 9 Regional Associations (English language associations like RAWQ working throughout the province) and 9 Sector Groups (like the Quebec Farmers Association or the Quebec Federation of Home and Schools) that form the network. The QCGN secretariat is not, however, the spokesperson for its member groups. The other organization that RAWQ works closely with is the Community Economic Development and Employment Committee (CEDEC). A volunteer committee that employs a Regional Economic Development Officer (REDO) who works within the community. The REDO works to put together funding sources and needed expertise with community development efforts. There is a CEDEC and REDO for each region in Quebec. (See related articles) Job Opportunities Opening up in the Federal Public ServiceBy Kiki Papaconstantinou The Quebec Community Groups Network, QCGN, in partnership with the Federal Public Service Commission, is "networking" with community organizations to get the message out to the public about positions in the federal public service! A community committee has been established to help make this connection between English-speakers and the federal public service. It is a well-known fact that within the next ten years there will be an abundance of openings as the work force becomes older and employees take retirement. Now is the time for young English-speakers to act! The federal public service is looking for people in many government departments and agencies. Some of the departments or agencies looking for candidates include: Agriculture & Agri-Food, Canadian Forces, Industry Canada, Public Works and Government Services. Positions vary, skills requested vary and there are language requirements ranging from bilingual imperative to English only. If you are interested in applying, why not check out the following sources: Internet: Daily job postings appear on the federal government web site; check into it: http://jobs.gc.ca Infotel: The automated telephone service; in both Montreal and Quebec City with toll free numbers and telephone access for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Montreal
Quebec
For more information about the QCGN Project, contact:
Community Directory ProjectWe are very please to report that the 'Community Directory of English Services and Institutions of the Outaouais' will be ready for publication and distribution this fall. Work started last summer with the collection of data and has continued this spring with verification and formatting. This much loved and coveted Directory was last published in 1992. Regional Association of West Quebecers is able to undertake this publication with the support of Canadian Heritage Project Funding. It's the Dog Days of Summer - but is there an Election on the Horizon?By this time next year we Quebecers could be facing a referendum following an election. We hate to use that 'R' word, but with the most recent change in leadership at the Quebec Premier's Office, there is a strong possibility that we could be looking at a new REFERENDUM on Sovereignty (not association) by Spring 2002. Of course, this would follow on the heels of a Fall Provincial election. Members of Regional Association of West Quebecers need to be vigilant, watching the political goings-on this summer. We're very suspicious of the money that is suddenly available for a new school in Val Des Monts and for the extension of Highway 50 to Thurso. These are obvious signs of preparation for an election as project money creates a favorable environment for sovereignty and the Parti Quebecois. Graham Greig, Chair of the Board of Directors at Regional Association of West Quebecers, says, "This is a serious era we're moving into on the Quebec political scene. Should we be faced with a fall election, be assured Regional Association of West Quebecers will be on the front lines working hard to get the vote out." So while you're relaxing in the hammock on a summer's eve, keep an eye open to the changes in the wind. Antipasto Garden SaladFor those lazy, hazy, days of summer 1 stalk broccoli, broken into florets
Prepare all the vegetables. Boil the carrots 2 minutes. Add, one at a time broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans. Water must continue to boil. Boil for 3 minutes. Add the snow peas. Boil 30 seconds. Skim all the vegetables from the water and drop into ice water to cool. Drain thoroughly, place in a large bowl. Add mushrooms and red pepper (or tomatoes). Prepare the marinade (below) and pour over the salad. Chill for 2 hours or more, stirring once or twice. Drain before serving. Marinade
Recipe from: Foods International Cookbook: Dominion Stores Upcoming EventsJune 14, 2001
July 2, 2001
September 21, 2001, 5-7 p.m.
A complete copy of this newsletter, with pictures, is available in Word
format. Please Please click here
to download the newsletter. (newsletter-may.doc
- Word File, 3.8M)
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