The RAWQ Report

New Interim Director

I have been Executive Director (ED) of West Quebecers for 2 years. I look forward to embracing my new station in life as I begin my maternity leave. Every woman has a different approach to how they want to manage their work-life balance when they have a baby, and I'm very happy to be able to choose my ideal. Thank you to the Personnel Committee and Board of the Regional Association of West Quebecers for their support. We have all worked together to ensure the transition will affect the association with the least negative impact possible. I am confident, and I know many of you will agree with me, based on what you know of his commitment to the association over the past years, that the association is getting a great interim ED in Rick Henderson. Rick has deep roots in the Outaouais, and has shown himself dedicated to and effective at making his considerable contribution to the region.

My colleague at West Quebecers, Communications Officer Kathy Teasdale, who manages the RAWQ Report columns, suggested I offer some wrap-up thoughts on the English-speaking community in West Quebec, and across the province, based on what I've learned from being submerged in the issues (I remember well my sink-or-swim initiation to those issues at the start of the job!).

The vitality of the English-speaking community is often cause for concern. However, one thing that will make a lasting impression from my time at West Quebecers is the vitality of the members themselves of that community. Hundreds of thousands of English-speaking Quebecers may have decided to leave la belle province for greener pastures in the rest of Canada in terms of being free of laws like 101, or for economic reasons, but the people who have stayed behind are good-natured, open-minded, bilingual, and necessarily have a great sense of humour! I've appreciated these qualities about the members of the Board of the association, as well as my fellow EDs from around the province at the other regional associations and sector groups of the Quebec Community Groups Network.

Equally, the fraternity of French-speakers in the community has made an impression. Most French-speaking Quebecers sympathize with the trials of English-speakers, for whom the protection of the French language in a North American sea of English has meant their rights to use the language and culture of their - and indeed of the province's heritage - has been at times jeopardized. The special fraternity of the majority of French-speaking Quebecers is something that English-speakers should not forget, especially if they find themselves in a confrontational situation with one of the minority of French-speakers who find satisfaction in using the province's laws to bully English-speakers. It is frustrating to find oneself in such a position to be sure, but don't let the anachronistic attitudes of a few miserable troublemakers sour your taste for Quebec and the vibrant, wonderful culture of its majority.

In my job I have had the pleasure of working with several young Quebecers who by their involvement with associations like West Quebecers are developing their attachment to the region and the province. Even if educational opportunities beckon outside the region, I hope they and other young people recognize the beauty and assets of our region and, like I did, decide one day to come on "home" to a region with so much to offer, and where they will have so much to offer in return.

Lastly, I would mention getting to know my immediate community as something I will definitely take with me. The opportunity to get to know a range of community organizations in existence (including this one) and the services they work tirelessly to provide, the functions and personalities in municipal politics, and the different flavour that each town in West Quebec imparts to life, are things I appreciate about this job. It has been at times a steep learning curve, with real rewards at the end of the day.

Parting comments from Julie Coulson Fine, Executive Director

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