Contract 400119680 ESTABLISHED • MAY 1975 VOLUME 45 / NO 7, FEBRUARY 20, 2019 $1.50 (Tax included) 50 Plus Games to be held in the Matapedia and Plateaux area Gilles Gagné former Gaspesians living away, to the visitors of the MATAPEDIA: – The 50 Plus area and to New Brunswick- Games will be held in Mata- ers. pedia and the Plateaux area One important aspect of between June 13 and June 16 the 50 Plus Games is fund- this year. Up to 1,000 partic- ing, as the budget reached ipants in 22 sports and leisure $200,000. Although the or- activities are expected to par- ganizing committee can ticipate in the games, which count on a solid contingent of also require the involvement a dozen sponsors, some of 250 volunteers. money will come from a The selection of that area ticket draw offering a chance for the games caps a collabo- to win a brand new Honda ration between the five vil- car. lages of Matapedia, “Last year, we sold Saint-André, Saint-Alexis, 13,000 of the 14,000 tickets Saint-François and L’Ascen- we had for sale. This year, we sion-de-Patapédia, explains would like to sell 14,000

Nicole Lagacé, mayor of Photo: Courtesy of Audrey Bastien tickets. They are only $6. Part of the sales, $2 per Matapedia. The 50 Plus Games offer a wide variety of sport, leisure and cultural events. “We started discussions ticket, is handed out to the re- about the games last year. I gion’s Golden Age clubs. was finding the issue quite organize the games alone. We favour a healthy lifestyle and ing the games. The goals are Last year, we gave $24,000 important because staying needed the five villages, as that is part of this area’s to promote a healthy lifestyle to the clubs,” explains active corresponds to my val- they all have their specific habits. In fact, people aged and also break some people’s Jacques Rivière. ues. It was also evident that strengths,” says Ms. Lagacé. 50 and over are our most ac- isolation.” The coordinator of the our little village of Avignon MRC pre- tive citizens here,” he says The registration period is games is Audrey Bastien. Matapedia couldn’t fect and Saint- with a grin. open and will end on April She works for Unité ré- Alexis mayor Games board member 29. It is open to the residents gionale loisir et sport, the or- Guy Gallant is Jacques Rivière says the of nine MRCs, namely Avi- ganization in charge of the also glad to event is multifold. “We have gnon, Bonaventure, Percé event. “It is important to un- support the sports, but also leisure and Rock, Côte-de-Gaspé, Haute derline that the games in- f o u r - d a y cultural activities. It implies Gaspésie, the Magdalen Is- clude a number of cultural event. volunteer team work in order lands, Matanie, Mitis and activities. There are activities “The games to achieve one goal, organiz- Matapedia. It is also open to for everybody,” she says.

Gaspé mayor gets partial win regarding tourism consultation Nelson Sergerie for the years 2020 to 2025. officials and the stakeholders Considering the economic of the Gaspé Peninsula will GASPÉ: – After asking the importance of tourism in the have a private meeting with Quebec government to hold area, Daniel Côté had initially the minister in Matane. a meeting in the Gaspé criticized the Quebec govern- “We will have a meeting Peninsula as part of a ment’s lack of respect be- directly with the minister province-wide round of con- cause there was no meeting without being paired with the sultations pertaining to planned in the administrative Lower Saint Lawrence. For tourism, the mayor of Gaspé, region of the Gaspé Peninsula me, it is a satisfying compro- Daniel Côté, has obtained a and Magdalen Islands. mise, given the circum- partial victory. Matane is located in the stances,” indicates Mr. Côté. The consultation’s online Lower Saint Lawrence re- It was too late to add a calendar shows a stop in gion, administratively speak- meeting date specifically for Matane on April 8 to consult ing, but considered to be in the Gaspé Peninsula. Minister with those in the Gaspé the Gaspé Peninsula tourism Proulx is conscious of the dif- Peninsula and Lower Saint region. After advocating his ferences between the two re- Lawrence regions in order to cause with Caroline Proulx, gions and is committed to elaborate on the sector’s who is minister of Tourism, coming to the Gaspé Penin- Photo: N. Sergerie economic growth strategy the situation evolved. Elected sula over the summer. Tourism has a $366 million economic impact on the coast. Discussing the regions Thierry Haroun businesses. In this electoral terms of transportation in the therefore stay in a region like year, we must go from words Gaspé. “'The best way to the Gaspésie which would GASPÉ PENINSULA: - As to actions because there’s so make sure that your economic help the region in terms of de- the Federal House of Com- much to be done.” (The com- development grows is to have mography and in the long- mons recently returned to ses- plete press release is avail- adequate transportation infra- term these workers can attract sion, the Conseil du patronat able on the CPQ’s website in structures and a state-of-the other members of their fami- du Québec (CPQ), a board French only.) When Spec at- art web network and so forth lies and thus build a commu- that represents 70,000 busi- tempted to reach Mr. Dorval, in order to reduce distances nity in your region.’’ nesses in the province of he was in Europe, however, and facilitate communica- Quebec, sent a clear message we were able to speak with tions between work places.” Reducing premiums to the Liberal government: the CPQ’s Chief Economist, Asked what she thought make our economy more Norma Kozhaya, in order to about Mexicans that work in Lastly, in order to encour- competitive. obtain regional information in the fishing processing plants age and financially support In a January 27 press re- terms of economic develop- on the Gaspé in order to com- training in the workplace so lease Yves-Thomas Dorval, ment. Photo: CPQ pensate for the lack of a work that employees stay up-to- the CEO of the Conseil du pa- “It is clear that the devel- Norma Kozhaya force in that industry during date with their trade, Ms. tronat, said “The Federal gov- opment of the province goes the high fishing season, Ms. Kozhaya is asking the gov- ernment must demonstrate hand and hand with the de- and workforce and when I say Kozhaya, appeared to under- ernment to reduce the Em- that it understands the chal- velopment of its regions and this, it concerns your region, stand the situation. “Yes, of ployment Insurance Program lenges of today’s businesses, in respect with each region’s the Gaspésie, where these is- course, these temporary Premiums. “In fact, we could in and outside the country, by reality, challenges and sues are a reality,” she said workers from other countries reduce the premium paid by implementing measures and strength. It is clear that the re- over the phone. is a solution. It’s even better both employees and employ- incentives favouring a better gions have their own chal- Ms. Kozhaya seemed well if these workers can become ers and invest that money in competitive climate for our lenges, such as demography aware of the challenges in permanent residents and training programs.” GALT PROJECT: News Gaspé has many questions briefs Nelson Sergerie

GASPÉ: - Gaspé is addressing Fighting for your rights a series of questions in a letter Thierry Haroun that the town sent to the Min- GASPÉ PENINSULA: - Droits et Recours en santé mentale Gaspésie- istry of the Environment as les-îles (Mental Health Rights and Appeals) is ready to organize get- part of the environmental as- togethers in the region. The get-togethers would aim at taking sessment for the Galt project. stock of people’s challenges, issues and other problems with Cuda Oil and Gas an- health establishments. “We invite people who are faced with men- nounced at the beginning of tal problems and who have had challenges with the health sector the year its intentions to oper- to talk and exchange during those gatherings. We, as an organiza- ate the site located in the for- tion, can tell them how we can get involved, support and accom- est on the unorganized pany them in their appeal or other complaints. We offer our territory of the Côte-de-Gaspé services in English also,” states Annick Lepage, executive director MRC, 20 kilometers west of of Droits et Recours, located in Caplan. “We are ready to go wher- Gaspé. The environmental as- ever people want to meet. It could be in Chandler or Gaspé, for sessment for that venture example. Those who are interested are invited to call us at 1- 800- began on January 2. 463-6192,” she added. For further information on the organiza- The town council ap- Photo: N. Sergerie tion’s services please refer to their website at droitsetrecours.org. proved the document on Feb- The town of Gaspé is asking questions about the Galt project ruary 4, although it was sent that Cuda plans to exploit. in advance in order to make tection of the Bay of Gaspé, that he has done his research Chief Manon Jeannotte resigns the February 2 participation the modes of transport and thoroughly?” The process for Gilles Gagné dead line. storage of the extracted oil and a BAPE usually includes a GESPEG: – Chief Manon Jeannotte, who has lead the Mi’gmaq “We want to be given the the water and air quality. round of public meetings dur- community of Gespeg for the last three-and-a-half years, has an- right time on all potential im- “We are asking questions ing which people can ask nounced on her professional facebook page that she is resigning pacts, whether positive or because we want it to be stud- questions and are supposed to for personal and family-related reasons. It was posted on Febru- negative and have the assur- ied as part of the environmen- get answers. ary 7 and Ms. Jeannotte has not given interviews since. She had ance that everything that can tal impact study,” states Mr. In an email, the Ministry been elected to head the 20th band council in 2015. She has not be done to minimize the risks Côté. of the Environment reports provided any additional explanation regarding her post. She men- associated with the imple- The elected official hope receiving “several hundred tions that her term was gratifying for her professionally and per- mentation of such a sector is that a BAPE (Bureau d’audi- comments,” on the consulta- sonally. She praises the collaboration and the open mind of several put in place,” said Mayor ences publiques sur l’environ- tion. Cuda Oil and Gas will other leaders, non-Natives and Natives, including the mayor of Daniel Côté. nement) on the project will be receive the document on Feb- Gaspé Daniel Côté, the mayor of Percé Cathy Poirier, the mem- The elected officials in held in Gaspé. “The elements ruary 22. Comments will then bers of the Gespeg band administration staff, as well as the em- Gaspé want answers regard- need to be studied in greater be posted on the Environmen- ployees of the Mi'gmawei Mawiomi Secretariat and Mi'gmawei ing the landscape, the protec- depth. I can get verbal re- tal Assessment Registry soon Mawiomi Business Corporation. She also expresses kind words tion of the York River, the sponses from the developer, after that date, the ministry for regional Chief Ghislain Picard of the Assembly of First Na- impact on the salmon, the pro- but what guarantees do I get says. tions of Quebec and Labrador.

THEGASPESPEC . COM

Page 2, February 20, 2019 - Spec Attracting manpower Ariane Aubert Bonn Police report GRAND RIVER: - The Percé Rock MRC will hold an em- ployment day on April 25 in On February 15, Randie Nappaaluk, 21, from Bonaventure ap- Grand River. peared at the New Carlisle courthouse and was sentenced to a The arena will be packed one-year prison term by Quebec Court Judge Andrée Saint- with employers looking for Pierre. She is charged with aggravated assault, uttering death manpower. The director of the threats towards her 26 year-old boyfriend and having stabbed his Percé Rock Local Employment dog 16 times. Judge Saint-Pierre took into account the fact that Centre, Caroline Marcoux, every day of preventive time served counts for 1.5 day of regular says that the needs are real. time. Considering that she has been in custody since August 16 “By 2021, we will have to fill she has 89 days left to serve, starting February 15. 10,600 jobs in the Gaspé Photo: A. Bonn Peninsula and Magdalen Is- Judge Saint-Pierre also took into account some provisions of the lands,” she emphasizes. Jean-François Tapp (honourary president); Émilie Bourque- law related to First Nations people and the young woman’s violent Approximately one hun- Bélanger, president of the Percé Rock Chamber of Commerce; childhood during which she was sexually assaulted. dred exhibitors are expected Annie Tapp, of the Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi; Caroline Mar- from the Percé Rock MRC sec- coux, director of the Percé Rock Local Employment Centre Randie Nappaaluk entered a plea of guilty in the fall, an admis- tor. and Gino Cyr, mayor of Grand River. sion that convinced Crown Prosecutor Maxime Rocheville-Par- adis to drop the initial charges of attempted murder and forcible Employees to recruit could be developing projects, event will be chaired by Jean- confinement. Originally from Nunavik, Randie Nappaaluk will but, no, they must first add François Tapp, co-owner of the have to undergo a period of therapy in order to deal with an al- The same reality prevails at members to their team. We are Coin du Banc Base Camp. As cohol consumption issue once her prison term is over. the Percé Rock Chamber of in a context where we have to an employer, he recognizes the Commerce, where president recruit the workers, where the importance of having an effi- Her boyfriend received severe cuts to his back but was released Émilie Bourque-Bélanger companies steal the employees cient team for the survival of from the hospital during the days following the incident. The dog mentions the challenges faced from one another. Sometimes, companies, and that is why he was treated by a veterinarian. by businesses looking for staff. without the necessary staff, the has chosen to accept this hon------“Currently, many entrepre- future of some companies, es- ourary presidency. The activity Five Gaspesians were arrested on February 14 by Sûreté du neurs are focused on finding pecially SMEs (small and will take place at the Des- Québec officers during a thorough drug operation called Oursin employees instead of working medium-sized enterprises), can jardins Sports Centre in Grand (sea urchin). Those five Gaspesians either appeared in court the on their own businesses. They be compromised.” The 2019 River. same day or the following morning to face drug-related charges. It was the third such operation to be conducted in less than two months by the Sûreté du Québec in Eastern Quebec.

Concerted effort taking O’Neil Aubut (63), Édith Parent (54) and Kelly Aubut (26), all from Fox River, were charged with trafficking, drug possession shape among elected officials and plotting in order to sell drugs. They appeared at the Percé Nelson Sergerie of Elected Officials for the He says that the regional con- courthouse and were released under conditions. They will return Gaspé Peninsula and Mag- sultation goes back to the pred- to court on March 11. Pierre Brotherton (40), from Gascons, GASPÉ: - If development on dalen Islands (CRÉGÎM) per- ecessor of the CRÉGÎM, the also faces charges of drug trafficking, possession for the purpose the Gaspé Peninsula is to con- mitted the region to develop its defunct Regional Council of of trafficking and plotting in order to sell drugs. Florian Aubut tinue, the elected officials must own development tools, many Concertation and Develop- (57) from Fox River is charged with trafficking. Their first court work together in order to have of which still exist today. ment (CRCD). appearance took place in Rimouski. more political clout with the Working together has re- “We started from a very governments of Quebec and sulted in the developement of collaborative element that is A total of 32 people were arrested during the February 14 opera- Canada. regional tools including the in- the CRÉ with its employees tion, most of them in the Lower Saint-Lawrence area. People That is the message that the termunicipal transportation and all the actors who met were also arrested in New Brunswick and one in the Lévis area. former Member of the Na- board that provides public every month until a moment The bust resulted in the seizure of six kilos of cocaine, 232,000 tional Assembly for Gaspé, transit and shuttle services be- when we fell completely in the methamphetamine pills, $640,000 in cash, 23 firearms and eight now regional development tween the various Orléans Ex- dark,” says Mr. Côté. vests with Hells Angels insignia. Sûreté du Québec officers are counselor Gaétan Lelièvre, press terminals; the The five prefects are work- still looking for four additional suspects. launched in front of the rid- intermunicipal energy board ing together more often now, ing’s Parti Québécois activists which operates wind farms and meetings are being held SQ investigator Guy Lapointe says that the gross revenue of that in Gaspé riding on February 1. with partners that pay hun- with the mayors of the primary Eastern Quebec drug-selling network is believed to be approxi- “Our challenge is first to dreds of thousands of dollars municipalities, along with the mately $2.4 million for a period of four months. The “tax” paid mobilize, to consult and to pre- in royalties each year to the executive directors of the to the Hell’s Angels amounted to $500,000 during that period. pare to present our strategic municipalities; and the elec- MRCs in addition to setting up ---- files to governments. We have tronic communications net- an annual general meeting. The premeditated murder trial of Jérémie-Viktor Lagacé, 24, a new government in Quebec work, a high-speed internet “We are trying to resume from Saint-André-de-Restigouche, will start on April 1 at the New and I think there is a nice win- network that serves the Gaspé the dialogue. The problem is Carlisle courthouse. He is accused of the murder of French dow to re-submit our files,” Peninsula. that we do not have the money tourist Fabrice Durand which occurred on August 22, 2017, in the says Mr. Lelièvre. The consul- “As work to be done, we that the CRÉ had at the time to Chute à Picot trail in Saint-André-de-Restigouche. The trial will tation was undermined during must increase the number of hire the staff to help the elected start with the selection of jurors. Defence attorney Marcel Guérin the election of the provincial economic players to support officials. We have one re- has requested a second forensic assessment of the firearm that is Liberal government in 2014. the current leaders. We must source to take care of the en- for now considered the weapon used by the accused. That expert In 2015, Premier Philippe renew our defence level arse- tire region, whereas at the time task should be carried out before the beginning of the trial. Mar- Couillard had put the axe to nal in the region and stand to- of the CRÉ, we had 34 to take cel Guérin has also asked for and obtained the transfer of his the CRÉ (Regional Confer- gether to defend our stakes,” care of all the files,” states client to the Sorel prison, as he resides in that area and such prox- ence of Elected Officials), in- said Mr. Lelièvre. Mayor Côté. He admits that imity will help with the preparation of his defence. cluding that of the Mr. Lelièvre would have been Gaspésie-Îles-de-la- Putting the region on the 100% right a year ago, “but we Madeleine, in an attempt to right track are regaining the consensus we achieve a balanced budget. lost.” Former CRÉGÎM president Examples of and current mayor of Gaspé, concerted effort Daniel Côté believes that after a three-year setback, the re- The Regional Conference gion is mobilizing once again. Page 3, February 20, 2019 - Spec

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inet in October. The same stubbornness seems to characterize Commentary the recent orientations taken by François Legault and Gilles Gagné Education Minister Jean-François Roberge in the pre- kindergarten file. Mr. Roberge seems to emulate for- I enjoyed reading Gary Briand's letter to the editor mer Liberal Minister Gaétan Barrette, who wanted to about Adams Restaurant, an icon in Gaspe and a bit personally manage all of Quebec’s hospitals. The of history about the Adams Family. Hope we can keep new Education Minister wants to rule every school, the restaurant for many more years. Also I wish to or so it looks. congratulate the Adams family for their involvement in The Quebec’s subsidized daycare system for children the Gaspé economy. honeymoon is aged between zero to five is envied by almost every- Michael Sheeham, one in Canada’s other nine provinces. The children Gaspé, Quebec being cut short are cared for by qualified staff in buildings designed François Legault’s Coalition avenir Québec govern- for them while many schools are experiencing a On February 5, I was reproached for only answering ment performed well during its first 100 days of power. shortage of qualified teachers. questions in French during Question Period in the Premier Legault showed respect by putting empha- Implementing a larger pre-kindergarten system in House of Commons by a fellow francophone Member sis on his government’s capacity to listen to the peo- schools that are not adapted to those services is ex- of Parliament from Quebec. ple’s needs. pected to cost $700 million, according to the CAQ Being a linguistic minority in Ottawa is not always In the Gaspé Peninsula, it meant announcing be- government. Some outside experts predict that it will easy. I attend meetings where the informal conver- fore Christmas grants that were ready for important cost twice as much. sations are mainly in English, I walk around and projects such as the upgrading of the Gaspé, Grand Why show that kind of hurry then, if the cost re- mainly get served in English. During my first year as River and Sainte-Anne-des-Monts airports. It was a mains unknown, if experts feel that subsidized day- MP, I made it my mission to learn English in order to promising start, especially considering that François cares are ideal for kids of that age and if those be able to communicate with my English-speaking Legault had used the region as a scapegoat to get daycares could ideally take the slack and offer im- constituents. Since 2015, I have been following Eng- votes in other parts of Quebec during the last cam- proved services at a lesser cost? lish courses in Ottawa on a weekly basis. I have paign. If it is just to fulfill electoral commitments, it is stu- made a lot of progress since my election and I am However, the last 30 days of that government pid. Although everybody agrees that more emphasis currently able to keep up with most English conver- have been way less promising. We could say that has to be put on children’s education, after years of sations, however, my English is not perfect. My un- they were awful. The immigration file, the pre-kinder- under-investment by the previous governments, no- derstanding of the language and its nuances is garten and some questionable statements have body can hold a grudge against the CAQ regime for growing but the notion of expressing myself in English eroded the long honeymoon François Legault’s team implementing measures that would reflect the reality – especially on important and complex matters that seemed destined for. instead of sticking to strict political promises. affect Canadians across the country – is not some- By wiping the slate clean of 18,000 pending immi- Since mid-January, the CAQ government has thing that I am comfortable with at this time. It is just gration files, the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) gov- acted the way the Jean Charest government acted like many of my colleagues who are learning French ernment not only left people in complete disarray following the 2003 election and after eight-and-a-half but mainly express themselves in English in their of- regarding projects some of them had been working years of Parti Québécois tenure. Voters wanted a ficial functions as MPs and Ministers. on for years, it also showed a terribly unfair style of change, but not necessarily profound change. About 50 years ago, the Official Languages Act governance. Jean Charest started implementing a number of came into force making French and English our two Already criticized for its goal of reducing the num- reforms that had not been explained and sometimes official languages. While almost half the ministerial ber of immigrants greeted annually in Quebec, the not even mentioned in the March-April electoral cam- cabinet in Ottawa is unilingual anglophone, I am the CAQ government added a layer that could translate paign. Before the end of 2003, he faced such an up- only minister who can only speak French. This is a into long term mistrust with regards to the province’s roar that he waved goodbye to his beloved challenge, however, my colleagues and I do not let immigration process, as if that system needed that. private-public partnerships and started a round of fo- language be a barrier to our work. Quebec already experiences a problem of keeping rums in order to reconnect with the population. I empathize with English-speaking Gaspesians as immigrants more than a few years. The addition of a In 2003, Jean Charest had won the election with a I know that being a linguistic minority can be a strug- value test will further complicate things. surprising electorate support of 46%. He won the gle, nonetheless, I strongly believe that francophones The government will spend $18 million to reim- March 2007 election by a small margin, and led a mi- and anglophones should not be divided and should burse the would-be immigrants swept by Bill 9’s nority government until December 2008. not divide themselves based on language. Whether it measure trashing the 18,000 pending files. Wouldn’t On October 1, François Legault was elected with is French across Canada or English across Quebec, that money be better spent by accelerating the pro- 37.4% support. It is significantly less than Jean it is important to promote both official languages. We cessing of those files? The amount doesn’t include Charest’s score in 2003. A recent study carried out by all need to work together to reinforce minority-lan- preliminary work carried out by civil servants to es- sociologist Claire Durand indicated that only 17% of guage communities, offer better access to French- tablish that list. That undetermined amount of money the people who voted for the CAQ did so as a sign of language services outside Quebec, and promote was consequently spent to no avail. general appreciation for the party’s policies. bilingualism. So far, Premier Legault and his minister responsi- So François Legault is on thin ice. He won the Since the incident in the House of Commons, my ble for the immigration file, Simon Jolin-Barrette, have election mainly because the electorate wanted colleague from the opposition has made official shown deplorable stubbornness at negating the rele- change, because people were tired of the Liberal apologies. I accepted the apology on behalf of every vance of instilling flexibility to their decisions. We are Party or because they voted for the lesser of the par- linguistic minority in Canada, as I believe that we far from the common sense and respect recom- ties. There is consequently no room for arrogance should not be victims of personal attacks based on mended by the CAQ leader after appointing his cab- and blindness in that government. our language. Instead of putting someone down for struggling in a given language, we should instead en- courage and support those who make the efforts to JOURNALISTS: learn both of our official languages. Geneviève Gélinas, As a country, our diversity is our strength and our Thierry Haroun CONTRIBUTORS: two official languages are at the heart of our Cana- Cynthia Dow, dian history, culture and identity! Wendy Dawson, Jeanie LeLacheur Diane Lebouthillier 208-B Gérard D. Levesque Publisher: News Editor: Office Manager Diane Skinner MP for Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine New Carlisle, Que. 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The Publisher's liability Secretary: Maria Chatterton Directors: (Taxes included) for other errors or omissions in connection with any advertisement is strictly limited to publica- Hayden Sams, 1-year (paper or digital): $46 tion of the advertisement in any subsequent issue or the refund of any monies paid for the adver- Bonita Annett, Bethany Paetkau, 6-months (paper or digital): $25 tisement. Patricia Ste-Croix Annett Outside Canada: Published every Wednesday by: 1-year paper $165 digital: $46 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. Les Publications de la Côte Inc. We acknowledge special funding from the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications. (Sea-Coast Publications Inc.)

Member of: Gaspé’s Home Page: QCNA , CARD 208-B Gerard D. Levesque, New Carlisle www.gogaspé.com

Page 4 - February 20, 2019 - Spec Would a ferry be useful for the Gaspé? Nelson Sergerie with the situation the STQ North Shore. “It seems to me Daniel Côté, believes that the ect manager.” Above all, he bought a temporary ship, the an idea that deserves to be arguments are there to justify wants a suitable ship and not a GASPÉ: - The relief vessel MV (motor vessel) Apollo, studied. There is such a big a crossing, including making flat-bottomed vessel like that the Société des traversiers built in 1970 while waiting to saga at the Societé des traver- Anticosti Island more accessi- Nordik Passeur des Groupe du Québec (STQ) wants to ac- get its hands on the MV Saare- siers. How can we make the ble. The mayor reminds us Desgagnés which was used quire in order to replace the maa, built in 2010, currently operations which surround the that it is the STQ and the So- between 1994 and 1996. The F.A.-Gauthier at Matane located in Germany. recent purchase of the latest ciété du plan nord who are experiment had ended because would be welcome on the tip ships profitable. I will see how managing the issue. “The of a lack of profitability. “The of Gaspé Peninsula. Interest we can change the file,” says tourism argument is there, the ships were temporarily or- The saga is never ending on the tip the Gaspé riding Member of argument of making Anticosti dered for the Matane-Côte- with that ship which has expe- the National Assembly, Mé- Island more accessible is Nord ferry. I have the rienced all kinds of failures The Saaremaa, when it is ganne Perry-Mélançon. there, creating a loop between impression that these are ships since being commissioned in not assigned on the other five national parks, everything that could be suitable,” says the summer of 2015. The lat- routes on the St. Lawrence, The idea of is there. An additional service the mayor. The question has est setbacks date back to De- could be used as a pilot proj- using a ship on the St. Lawrence will not already been raised to the gov- cember when it had azimuth ect between the Gaspé Penin- hurt. The ball is in the camp of ernment, but Mayor Côté re- thruster problems. To deal sula, Anticosti Island and the The mayor of Gaspé, the Société du Plan Nord proj- mains cautious.

TIMELINE:

The Matane-North Shore ferry saga Gilles Gagné during stormy days. People

wanting to reach the other

GASPÉ: - The Société des tra- shore with their vehicle were versiers du Québec (STQ) forced to make a 900 kilome- will most likely purchase the tre detour via Quebec City.

Saaremaa, the long term pinch Given all the problems expe- hitter for the F.A-Gauthier rienced in organizing tempo- ferry. The F.A-Gauthier has rary solutions, hundreds and experienced a series of prob- probably thousands of drivers lems since its delivery by Ital- resorted to that option be- ian shipbuilder Fincantieri, in tween December 17 and Feb- April 2015. The building cost ruary 14. of that ship was $175 million. In the meantime, the STQ Up to 128 technical prob- Photo: Canadian Coast Guard learned that the F.A.-Gauthier lems were detected during the will be out of service until Au- MV Apollo and CCGS Henry Larsen. F.A.-Gauthier’s first seven gust. The manufacturer of the

months of service, some of Vacancier, would replace the pected on January 2 without Some adjustments were also thrusters is based in Finland

them attributable to normal F.A.-Gauthier, but only on any possibility of extension. required on the ferry ramps. and only had one spare. The adjustments for a new ship but January 7 and no later than In January, the STQ an- Another Magdalen Islands second one will have to be many troubles that are not ex- February 2. It left the users of nounced that a temporary re- ship, the CTMA Voyageur, manufactured since they are pected from a brand new ship. the Matane, Baie-Comeau and placement ship had been took over for eleven days, but custom-made. The 133 metre-long vessel Godbout ferry service without found. Built in 1970, the many of its trips were can- The STQ has found an- kept accumulating problems a ship during the Christmas Apollo, linked Saint-Barbe, celled due to bad weather or other ferry to replace the and the situation reached a holidays. A plane shuttle was Newfoundland and Blanc ice conditions. Apollo, the Saaremaa. That peak on December 17, 2018, a organized between Mont-Joli Sablon, Lower North Shore In addition to that, the ship is based in Germany and week before Christmas, when and Baie-Comeau, a $1 mil- and was operated by Labrador CTMA Voyageur is a freight should cross the ocean before some of the ship’s azimuth lion temporary solution. It did Ferries. That company re- ship that can only carry ten the end of March. Chances are thrusters were sidelined be- not solve the problem for the cently bought another ferry in passengers, the drivers of the that she will replace the cause of vibrations. people who needed their vehi- Europe. trucks that crossed during the Apollo by April 20. Its capac- It was announced during cles on the other side of the When the CTMA Va- few trips that occurred during ity of 120 cars and 600 pas- the following days that the Saint Lawrence River. cancier left Matane as ex- that short span. So the STQ re- sengers is above the Apollo’s ship would be out of commis- The Rivière-du-Loup- pected, on February 2, the sumed the plane shuttles be- 80 cars and 300 passengers, sion for weeks. The STQ indi- Saint-Siméon ferry was used Apollo was still running tests tween Mont-Joli and but well below the 180 cars cated then that a ship from the by a number of people, but the in order to allow the new crew Baie-Comeau between Febru- and 800 passengers of the Magdalen Islands, the CTMA seasonal service ceased as ex- to become familiar with it. ary 2 and February 13, except F.A.-Gauthier.

Distributors of petroleum products: diesel, furnace oil, stove oil, gas and motor oil

HEAD OFFICE: Bonaventure Chandler Gaspé 125 Route 132 125 Route Leblanc 216D Montée Sandy Beach Bonaventure, QC G0C 1E0 Pabos, QC G0C 1K0 Gaspé, QC G4X 2B3 Tel.: (418) 534-2777 Tel: (418) 689-2595 Tel.: (418) 368-8777 Fax: (418) 534-4210

[email protected] Proud to serve you! IN BUSINESS FOR 35 YEARS

Dr. Pascal Cyr BILINGUAL Optometrist SERVICE

LENSES CRAFTED ON THE PREMISES MEMBER PASPÉBIAC: 104 Gérard D. Levesque Blvd West • 418­752­5553 OF Dr. Stacey Starrak CHANDLER: 260 René Lévesque Blvd East • 418­689­5553 Optometrist MARIA: 435 Perron Blvd West • 418­759­5553

Page 5, February 20, 2019 - Spec Reflections by Diane Skinner Flowers Nature Cleans What do you do during a winter storm day when you are stuck inside, after you have eaten all your Storm Chips? (By the way, Storm Chips are a real thing made by the Covered Bridge Potato Chips company in New Brunswick.) You might want to clean your house! Mother Nature, bless her, can provide the products necessary to do so. Using these cleaners might cost you less and help save the environment. It can also mean less irrita- tion from strong odours and is gentler on your hands. Worth a try. Lemons Cutting boards: If your wooden or plastic cutting board is stained, slice a lemon in half, squeeze it, and rub it over the board. Allow the lemon to do its thing for 15 minutes or so. Rinse. Stamp honours Taps: Lemon juice can dissolve the lime build-up around taps. Squeeze the juice around the area and leave it on all day. Place emergency some paper towels around the taps. Then simply wipe them with a damp rag. responders Laundry: Instead of bleach, add half a cup of lemon juice to Patricia Ste-Croix the rinse cycle to whiten whites. PERCÉ: - Rocher Percé Legion Hands: If you are preparing raw fish or seafood, rub your hands Branch 26, President Lloyd Roussel, received a framed with lemon juice. This really works. Cooks who prepare oysters print of the Canadian Armed Forces stamp from Lisa Ducross, an employee at the Bara- swear by it. chois de Malbaie post office. Plastic containers: When you store spaghetti sauce in a plastic The Canadian Armed Forces stamp is one of five postage stamps that pay tribute and container it often stains it. This look is less than ideal, so rub recognize Emergency Responders and the life-saving work of these dedicated men and lemon juice on the stained parts. Dishes: If you have a sink full of greasy dishes, after adding women. The collection was designed by William Lam and illustrated by Shiro Nishiguchi. your dish detergent, add a few squeezes of lemon juice. This will cut the grease and smell lovely too. Cooking oils, including sunflower and olive oil can be used to “renew” dried out wood furniture. It cleans and lessens the look of scratches. GOGO FORFOR AA Stainless steel appliances: Put a small amount of oil onto a cloth and rub away. This may keep fingerprints to a minimum ModernModern andand AffordableAffordable as well, but will give your appliances a new, shiny appearance. Wood furniture: Mix the juice of a lemon (lemons again!) and WellWell designeddesigned 2 cups of olive oil. Shake, shake, shake it. Apply to wooden fur- niture with a soft clean cloth. This is cheaper than most store- QualityQuality homehome bought furniture polishes. Cast iron pans: The price for these pans has dropped recently, so you might want to try one out if you have not already. First you “treat” the pan before using it. Scrub with soapy water and dry well. Spread a thin layer of vegetable oil over the pan. Place it in the oven at 375 degrees and leave it there for one hour. Allow to cool. After using, if you see cooked-on food that is dif- ficult to remove, make a paste with vegetable oil and coarse salt. Scrub. Rinse. Hands: If you are a messy painter, rub a little vegetable oil on your hands and then wash with soapy water. Vinegar is an amazing product and so inexpensive! Salt on your boots or shoes: Water alone will not get rid of the salt stains. Put some vinegar on a cloth and rub. Coffeemaker: If you have a Keurig coffeemaker this is a must. Pour all water out of the tank and fill it half full of vinegar. Brew several cups without inserting a K-cup. Let the vinegar work in- side the machine for a couple of hours. After, fill the tank with clear water and continue brew cycle until the reservoir is empty. Eventually the water coming out will be free of vinegar. This works and you will find that your machine brews hotter after- wards. Representative Dishwasher: Pour about one cup of vinegar into the dish- Dream it! Build it! Live it! Robert Bilodeau washer and run through a cycle. All surfaces will be clean and CHOOSE AN HMC BUILT HOUSE disinfected. Factory-built, sheltered from the weather using a method Drains: You can clean your drains by pouring a cup or two down which reduces costs and production time offering the highest a drain and allow it to sit. After a half hour flush down with hot quality standards and the best energy efficiency water. For build-up in the drain add baking soda as well and allow it to fizz up. Then flush with hot water. IMAGINE YOUR HMC HOME A move in ready home with the decor Floors: Add half a cup of vinegar to a pail of warm water to of your choice and designed the way you want, no hassles, no worries clean floors – but DO NOT USE on marble or wood floors. Windows: Mix half cup of vinegar and four cups of water and a wee bit of Dawn dish soap (a personal favourite) and put in a large spray bottle. Spray windows and use newspapers, yes news- papers, to clean your windows. Be prepared for the next time you are snowed in. Buy 1 877 666-3168 lemons, cooking oil and vinegar. Do not forget the Storm Chips! RBQ:hmcmaison.com 8000-7883-06

Page 6, February 20, 2019 - Spec Valentine’s Day New Carlisle has awesome winter scenes of mother na- ture and “Valentine’s Day” can touch that rich thread of warmth. When February 14 rolls around, many find kindness within their hearts. Many small towns on the Gaspé residents can capture that Valentine symbol in their hearts forever. We must remember that the most beautiful things in the world are not seen or touched. They can only be felt within our hearts. A “Valentine” symbol of cupid, can fill our hearts on that special day. Valentine’s Day is often celebrated with special moments and gifts. The best token on Valentine’s Day is that true friendship and it does not have to to be classic or homemade as its cherished from one’s heart. Keep in mind that a Valen- tine is your heart, your soul and your treasure for today, tomorrow and forever, as you are everything. Ken Ross, New Carlisle, Quebec

Photo: J. LeLacheur Little ways to show your love Linda and her “all blue winter” scenes that don’t make you blue at all. all month long (NC) Expressing your love doesn’t need to be reserved just for Valentine’s Day. Show you care all month with little touches that I’ll Tell You a Story will let that special someone know you are thinking of them. Jeanie LeLacheur Whether it’s your significant other, friend or family member, per- DOUGLASTOWN: - Douglastown’s Linda Drody is about to hit the scene again with an- sonal gestures like writing a note on their coffee cup or warm- other original artistic idea. ing up their car can let them know they are special to you. I’ll Tell You a Story is a unique literary experience illustrated using Linda’s paintings. If you are planning a night in, make movie night pop by sub- The story of the Christmas Carol Service in the Cap aux Os Church is told by a Grand- bing a bowl of popcorn for a special treat like these salted mother and one sees the story unfold through the eyes and mind of her grandson David. caramel popcorn bars. Made with Orville Redenbacher mi- It includes scenes from an actual service and one might recognize some of the true to crowave popcorn, which is made without any artificial colours, life characters who will remained unnamed (to in the name of suspense and anticipation). flavours, or preservatives, they are a delicious blend of sweet and Its also a walk through of the history of the Gaspé church and the early settlers and salty, perfect for a night on the couch with your favourite person. Christmas traditions including going to church with a horse and sleigh. Ingredients: The book has a very specific purpose and in itself will be a gift to many. All the prof- - Non-stick cooking spray its generated through book sales will go to two local cancer foundations. Linda has two - 1 bag (82 g) Orville Redenbacher simply salted microwave popcorn in mind that she will donate proceeds to but is waiting to contact them before making it - 40 small pretzel twists, coarsely broken (1 cup broken pieces) - 2 tablespoons (30 mL) un- public. salted butter Linda explains that she will assume a third of the costs related to having the book pub- - 20 caramels unwrapped lished and, as all the profits will be donated, hopes to receive some help and have it ready - 1 tablespoon (15 mL) water for sale this summer. - 1/8 teaspoon (1/2 g) salt The storybook which she sees becoming perhaps a Christmas tradition to be shared by - 3 cups (360 g) miniature families is filled with love and the spirit of the season. It looks candidly at our human- marshmallows ness in wanting to give and sometimes being relieved when we don’ t have to. (As David - ¼ cup (30 g) peanut butter decides his remote control car would not be useful to the baby Jesus, and decides to open Directions: his heart instead.) It takes a look at fears through the shepherds and their visit from the 1. Spray large bowl, rubber spatula and 13x9-inch Angel of the Lord, and is a gentle reminder of what is important in the Christmas season. (33x23-cm) baking dish with cooking spray. Prepare popcorn ac- Linda’s Studio Muse art gallery which is a delightful experience of color and history cording to package directions. Remove all un-popped kernels is open to the public upon request and appointment can be set up by calling 418-368- and place popped corn in large bowl. Add pretzel pieces to bowl. 4774 or an email to [email protected] will allow an appointment to be set up. 2. Melt butter over medium heat in medium saucepan; add Many of Linda’s paintings have a special Gaspé flavour: fishing boats, horse drawn caramels, water and salt. Heat 5 minutes or until caramels melt cart, barns, lighthouses, churches and the scenery that makes the coast an artist’s dream. completely, stirring occasionally. Add marshmallows and peanut Studio Muse is worth the visit where you’ll even get to see first hand her newest creation butter; heat 1 to 2 minutes more, stirring until blended.3. Pour which combines Van Gogh’s techniques and her own personal style. Congratulations to a caramel mixture over popcorn mixture. Toss with rubber spat- talented lady who is generously giving back to her community through her time and tal- ula to coat. Press into baking dish. Cool completely. Cut into 24 ents. bars. Quentin Condo nominated for Indigenous Music Awards Gilles Gagné

GESGAPEGIAG: – Gesgapegiag’s Quentin Condo is nominated for the Indigenous Music Awards, which will be presented on May 17 at the Club Regent Event Centre, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He is nominated in the best new artist category. The list of nominees was released on February 12 and he does not have many details about the event yet. “I’m hoping that I get a chance to perform at the award ceremony!” says Quentin Condo. Meanwhile, Gaspesians will have an opportunity to see his band, the Rez Doggz soon. “I’m doing a tour in the Gaspesie in March with other Indigenous artists. We will be on March 21 at Naufrageur in Carleton, March 22 in Mont Louis and March 23 in Douglastown, with E Scandalz from Kahnawake and Daybi from Win- nipeg,” points out Quentin Condo. Another interesting twist in the career of the band will occur at the beginning of the summer. “I was just contacted to open for The Snotty Nose Rez Kids in Montreal on June 21. These guys are huge in the Indigenous music Photos: Eric Brisson scene,” he adds. Quentin Condo. Page 7, February 20, 2019 - Spec New Richmond shop gets rare certification Gilles Gagné chance and sent him the money. The machine arrived NEW RICHMOND: – New shortly after at the shop. It did- Richmond’s Rail GD shop has n’t look like much from the recently received a certification outside, and I am pretty sure from the Association of Amer- that an average person would ican Railways. The B-32 certi- bet that its value didn’t surpass fication allows Rail GD to $300, but we installed it and it repair air brake valves. works,” explains Joey Cyr. Rail GD’s management “The only precaution we worked on getting the certifica- have to do with that machine is tion for two and a half years. to prove to an AAR inspector Only one other independent when the last calibration was shop in Canada has received carried out and respect the the same certification, Red norms. It is much simpler than River Air Brakes of Winnipeg. with the digitized machines. The other holders of the certi- The old machines are rare to fication in Canada are part of a find though. We know about limited number of railroad Photo: G. Gagné that,” he concludes. companies operating their own Joey Cyr recently showed business people the old machine bought last year in Nebraska. The Association of Ameri- shop. can Railroads (AAR) is an in- “We wanted the certifica- The shop’s primary cus- save a lot of money by requir- The Rail GD testing ma- dustry trade group that tion because we put emphasis tomers as far as air brake ing the services of certified chine used to overhaul the primarily represents the major on quality here, not on quantity. valves are concerned are shops like Rail GD, where lo- brake valves comes with a freight railroads of Canada, It was difficult to obtain. It also mostly mining and aluminum comotive or railcar valves can good story. Mexico and the United States. allows us to open doors with producers operating their own be repaired instead of changed. “A brand new machine Meanwhile, the restoration some railway companies. They railway, like Rio Tinto and “Our advantage, compared costs US$160,000. It is a digi- of VIA Rail’s first of four din- come here for their air brake Arcelor Mittal, or a company to other shops, is the turn- tal machine that has to be ing cars at Rail GD is progress- valves and end up asking us to hauling ore for a mining com- around time, not the price. It is checked and fine-tuned elec- ing well. Joey Cyr recently do something else. We sold a pany, like Tshiuetin Railway, a the time elapsed between the tronically several times yearly. showed the new minister re- locomotive engine to one of firm administered by the Innu moment a railway company It was a costly option. The old sponsible for the Gaspé Penin- our customers because of the communities of the North sends us the valves and the mo- mechanical machine costs less sula, Marie-Ève Proulx, and a valves,” explains Joey Cyr, di- Shore and Labrador. ment they get them back after and, oddly enough, doesn’t re- group of Bay of Chaleur area rector general of Rail GD. Railway companies can we have repaired them. We are quire the same monitoring business people the evolution faster than the shops belonging from outside inspectors. We of that work. Never too late to prevent suicides to the OEM (Original Equip- can caliber it ourselves. While “The first car is longer be- Thierry Haroun ment Manufacturers) mem- looking for an old machine, we cause it is considered like a GASPÉ PENINSULA: - Québec’s National Suicide Prevention bers,” says Joey Cyr. received a message from a man pilot project. There are numer- Week may be over, but it’s never too late to talk about this social So far, the certification has living in Nebraska, claiming ous tests and plan changes. The problem, says the Gaspésie Health and Social Service Centre, espe- created four full-time jobs in a that he had one to sell. He other three cars will go much cially since numbers in the region are higher than the provincial rate. section of the Rail GD shop. wanted US$50,000 for it, faster,” explains Joey Cyr. The numbers Air brake expert from Mon- payable before shipment. We The VIA Rail contract is At the provincial level, there were 12.1 suicides per 100,000 habi- treal, Lionel Gingras, who is checked on Google map and $16.4 million for the complete tants in 2016 compared to 18.3 for the Gaspésie and Magdalen Is- now retired, previously oper- found out that he was living in refurbishment of four dining lands region. “But let’s be prudent concerning our region because ated his own shop, Lionel Air a kind of castle on top of a cars. It is Rail GD’s biggest of the margin of error and our low demography (which is just over Brakes, He provides advanced mountain. We had no time to contract since the company 90,000 habitants),” says Nancy Gédéon, spokesperson for the CISSS training for the New Richmond go there and check if he was built the New Richmond shop de la Gaspésie. Other numbers show that in the province there employees. telling the truth. We took a in 2012. were 1046 suicides, which is 104 fewer suicides than the previous year. More specifically, 803 of those suicides were men (18.6 per 100,000 inhabitants) and 243 suicides were women (5.7 per 100,000 Tithe collection campaign 2019 inhabitants). The documents, obtained by Spec, also show the sui- I share to announce Jesus Christ! cide rate is stable for women and for adolescents aged 15 to 19. The Capitation (or tithing) is the traditional means rate is also stable and even diminishing among men aged 20 to 29. through which the Church raises the money it needs For men aged 50 to 64 the rate has been stable for the past ten years, to sustain its essential pastoral and administrative but it remains the age group where the rate is the highest. The low- services in the Christian community. The tithe est rate concerns the youth aged 10 to 14. Another important sta- enables the parish to offer the following: tistic shows that approximately 28,000 Quebecers aged 15 and over •Liturgical celebrations have attempted suicide and 188,000 have seriously considered an • Baptisms attempt. The lowest rates in terms of region are the Montreal and •Weddings Laval administrative regions and the highest is Nunavik, Abitibi- •Funerals Témiscamigue, Chaudières-Appalaches, Mauricie and Centre-du- •Faith education Québec regions. •Community prayer • Accompanying the sick and the lonely Preventing suicide and accessing services • Anointing the sick “First, let me say that talking about suicide saves lives. That’s the • Help couples in their vocation theme of the prevention week,” says Ms. Gédéon. “It’s so impor- • Family and youth pastoral tant to say things as they are, to speak out. People, parents and fam- •Maintenance of churches ily members have to pay attention to those who seem fragile and •Maintenance of cemeteries they should never be afraid of asking this crucial question: Are you • Church assemblies thinking of committing suicide?” •Secretarial work In our region there are many services available. “Go to your CLSC and someone will help you, there are experts available for Your donation will first serve to proclaim Jesus Christ, make Him known and loved and served. francophones and anglophones alike and please keep this number Together, let us take the missionary turn in which we all commit ourselves for the mission that in mind: 1-866 277-3552 or simply call 811 and one last thing, there will make of our communities, living communities! are workplace seminars that are offered called Acting as a Sentry. They are so helpful.” Do not forget to ask for your charity receipt from your parish. Let’s donate generously to the tithe collection 2019!

Page 8, February 20, 2019 - Spec nnouncements... A MCLELLAN: George Brian February 24, 1966 - December 24, 2018. Card of Thanks OBITUARIES Cherished son of George and Helen of New Rich- mond, Quebec. Left to mourn his mum; brother, David; sister, Heather, relatives and many, many good friends. He will be sadly missed by anyone who was fortunate enough to get to know him.

I N M E M O RY

On January 27, 2019, our beloved mother Helene Cormier passed away. This was a very sad and unexpected way for us to begin the New Year. In the face of such an important loss in our lives, many people have shown great generosity, compassion and warmth that have helped ease our pain. To these people, we wish BiLLiNGSLEy: Anna Elizabeth (nee Palmquist) to express our heartfelt thanks. We will always Anna Elizabeth Billingsley (nee Palmquist) passed remember the kindness that you have shown away peacefully at the Stevenson Memorial Hospital us during this difficult time. on Saturday, February 9, 2019. She was in her 85th Melanie and Heather Dixon year. Loving mother of Kenny, Bernie, the late Frank, Michael, Maureen (Blinston), Gary and Lorrie BRENNAN: Carmelle (Brideau) (Poirier). She is sadly missed by her seventeen grand- In fond and loving memory of my wife who kids and eleven great-grandkids. Dear sister of Bill, passed away February 14, 2007. Dorothy, Donald, Judy, the late Elsa and the late Jean. I have lost my soul’s companion, The family received family and friends at the Thomas A life linked with my own; Order your announcement online at Funeral Home, Alliston, Ontario on Tuesday, Febru- And day by day I miss her more, thegaspespec.com ary 12, at 12 noon. A service was held in celebration As I walk through life alone. of Anna’s life at 1 p.m. in the chapel. In lieu of flow- Always loved and remembered by husband Frank ers, the family would appreciate donations in Anna’s and family. memory to the Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foun- dation, 200 Fletcher Cres, Alliston, ON, L9R 1W7. DUMARESQ: Gail We little knew that day God was going to call your name. Classic In life we loved you dearly. In death, we do the same. Memorials It broke our hearts to lose you. Four Generations QYou did not go alone. of Monument Craftsmen ForMONUMENTS part of us went with you P. FOURNIERSinceSince 18461846 Grenier & Grenier HIGHESTTremblay QUALITY & Barriault, - BEST PRICES notaires inc LAWYERS The day GodGUARANTEED called you home. QUALITY GUARANTEED QUALITY Notaries & legal counsel You left usTel: beautiful 418-892-5312 memories. MONUMENTS, MARkERS, CEMETERy LETTERiNG, Réal Grenier, b.a.ll.l. Your love isCell: still 418-355-4799 our guide A Division of MGI LASER DESiGNS AND PORTRAiTS Réal Grenier, b.a.ll.l. A Division of MGI Gilles Tremblay, notary And [email protected] we cannot see you, Jules Grenier, b.a.ll.l. Serge Barriault, notary Jules Grenier, b.a.ll.l. You are always641 Forillon at our Blvd,side. Gaspé, Que. SALES REPS: WE ALSO REPLACE Gaël Tremblay, notary Our family chain is broken, 96 Gérard D. Levesque Blvd, P.O. Box 519 FOUNDATIONS, AND Albert Burton - New Richmond 418-391-6526 96 Gérard D. Levesque Blvd, P.O. Box 519 And nothing seems the same, 1119B19B Perron Blvd West, New Richmond, Que. FULLY New Carlisle (Quebec) G0C 1Z0 But as GodPROVIDE calls us one CLEANING by one, StevenTel.: (418) Imhoff392-5282 •- Fax:New (418) Carlisle 392-6155 418-752-6041BILINGUAL Tel.: (418) 752-3308 • Fax (418) 752-6935 E-mail: [email protected] SERVICE The chain ANDwill link REPAINTING. again. Alexis Normandeau - St. Jules 418-759-3270 Loved and missed always. Ron and the Family.

By Appointment BOUDREAU: Carl We are sad to announce the passing of Carl This advertising Boudreau on January 14, 2019, at the age of 90. Born LES SERVICES INVESTORS LIMITÉE* in Glen Levit, New Brunswick, he spent most of his Richard Ste Croix space could Denturologist adult life in New Richmond, Quebec. He leaves to Tel: 418-368-5481 ! Construction and repair of dentures. Gérald Bourdages Tel: 418-368-5481 be yours mourn his wife Carol Barter, his daughters Roxanne Financial Planner We also make dentures on implants. and Representative for Fax: 418-368-1782 and Shauna, his granddaughters Micaela and Mutual Funds Mackenzie, his sister Joyce Archibald and sister-in- E-Mail: [email protected] 9 Adams Street, Gaspé Tel.: (418) 368-1525 law Tony Boudreau. He will live forever in our hearts. 9 Adams Street, Gaspé Tel.: (418) 368-1525 Quebec G4X 1E5 Fax: (418) 368-1542 A member company of Power Corporation

Q OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK - FREE DELIVERY MONUMENTS P. FOURNIERSince 1846 OPEN 7 DAYSGrenier A WEEK & Grenier- FREE DELIVERY Tremblay & Barriault, notaires inc LAWYERS GUARANTEED QUALITY ForageNotaries & Moreaulegal counsel Inc. Tel: 418-892-5312 418-392-9501 Going beyond and reliable since 1982 Cell: 418-355-4799 Réal Grenier, b.a.ll.l. A Division of MGI MathieuGilles Mercier Tremblay, notary- Driller/Owner [email protected] Jules Grenier, b.a.ll.l. 641 Forillon Blvd, Gaspé, Que. Serge Barriault, notary 500-102, AVENUE DAIGNEAULT, CHANDLER, QUE. Gaël Tremblay, notary WE ALSO REPLACE - Artesian Well Drilling 3 Rue Cerisiers 96 Gérard D. Levesque Blvd, P.O. Box 519 FOUNDATIONS, AND - Budgetary Price Electricity - Plumbing Gaspé, Québec G4X 2M1 119B Perron Blvd West, New Richmond, Que. FULLY New Carlisle (Quebec) G0C 1Z0 Automation Tel. (418) 368-5425 Tel.: (418) 392-5282 • Fax: (418) 392-6155- Bilingual Service Tel. (418) 368-5425 PROVIDE CLEANING BILINGUAL Tel.: (418) 752-3308 • Fax (418) 752-6935 Industrial computing E-mail: [email protected] - RBQ: 5672-1467-01SERVICE Industrial computing Fax (418) 368-7290 AND REPAINTING. - RBQ: 5672-1467-01 Counter sales 98 ROUTE 132 WEST, PERCÉ, QUE. Counter sales www.groupeohmega. com [email protected]@gmail.com Page 9, February 20, 2019 - Spec

By Appointment Distributors of petroleum products: diesel, furnace oil, stove oil, gas and motor oil This advertising Richard Ste Croix LES SERVICES INVESTORS LIMITÉE* HEAD OFFICE:space could Bonaventure Chandler Gaspé Denturologist ! Construction and repair of dentures. Gérald Bourdages Tel: 418-368-5481 125 Route 132be yours 125 Route Leblanc 216D Montée Sandy Beach Financial Planner Bonaventure, QC G0C 1E0 Pabos, QC G0C 1K0 Gaspé, QC G4X 2B3 We also make dentures on implants. and Representative for Fax: 418-368-1782 Mutual Funds Tel.: (418) 534-2777 Tel: (418) 689-2595 Tel.: (418) 368-8777 E-Mail: [email protected] Fax: (418) 534-4210 9 Adams Street, Gaspé Tel.: (418) 368-1525 [email protected] Quebec G4X 1E5 Fax: (418) 368-1542 ProudA member to serve company you! of Power Corporation IN BUSINESS FOR 35 YEARS

OPEN 7 DAYS ADr. WEEK Pascal - FREECyr DELIVERY Forage Moreau Inc. Optometrist 418-392-9501 Going beyond and reliable since 1982 Mathieu Mercier - Driller/Owner 500-102, AVENUE DAIGNEAULT, CHANDLER, QUE. LENSES CRAFTED ON THE PREMISES - Artesian Well Drilling PASPÉBIAC: 104 Gérard D. Levesque Blvd3 West Rue Cerisiers • 418­752­5553 - Budgetary Price PASPÉBIAC: 104 Gérard D. Levesque Blvd West • 418­752­5553 CHANDLER:Electricity 260 - Plumbing René LévesqueGaspé, Blvd Québec East • G4X418­689­5553 2M1 - Bilingual Service Dr. Stacey Starrak CHANDLER:Automation 260 René Lévesque BlvdTel. East (418) • 418­689­5553368-5425 Optometrist - RBQ: 5672-1467-01 Optometrist IndustrialMARIA: computing 435 Perron Blvd WestFax • 418­759­5553(418) 368-7290 98 ROUTE 132 WEST, PERCÉ, QUE. Counter sales www.groupeohmega. com [email protected]

Distributors of petroleum products: diesel, furnace oil, stove oil, gas and motor oil

HEAD OFFICE: Bonaventure Chandler Gaspé 125 Route 132 125 Route Leblanc 216D Montée Sandy Beach Bonaventure, QC G0C 1E0 Pabos, QC G0C 1K0 Gaspé, QC G4X 2B3 Tel.: (418) 534-2777 Tel: (418) 689-2595 Tel.: (418) 368-8777 Fax: (418) 534-4210 [email protected] Proud to serve you! IN BUSINESS FOR 35 YEARS

Dr. Pascal Cyr Optometrist

LENSES CRAFTED ON THE PREMISES PASPÉBIAC: 104 Gérard D. Levesque Blvd West • 418­752­5553 Dr. Stacey Starrak CHANDLER: 260 René Lévesque Blvd East • 418­689­5553 Optometrist MARIA: 435 Perron Blvd West • 418­759­5553 COAST ROUND-UP COAST ROUND-UP: $5 per week CLASSIFIED: $6 per week

of the main course and you will Development Committee and next meeting. We are looking 7:30 p.m. All are welcome to COAST ROUND-UP be responsible for a side dish. Barachois Recreation Centre. for ideas and donations that will come and listen to a message of Please confirm your participa- enable us to continue to func- hope shared from the Bible. No POINTE-NAVARRE: tion on facebook or call 418- PORT DANIEL: tion and to fulfill our commit- cost and no obligation. Contact Shrine of Pointe-Navarre 368-0288. Three Star ment to honour our veterans. Klinton Jacques or Steve Shultz February 25: One hour of February 24: Community Golden Age Club We are trying our best to keep at 438-820-2886. Call or text. Taizé beginning at 7 p.m. will be breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10:30 Every Wednesday: Petanque our Legion running. We have held at the shrine of Our Lady of a.m. A contribution of $8 per from 7 to 9 p.m. Cost $3. Come had to reduce our opening CASCAPEDIA-ST-JULES: Pointe-Navarre. You will experi- adult and $4 per child (5-11 and join the fun and learn a new hours to Saturday afternoon and 50+ Club ence through music, silence, years old) would be appreci- game! for special events. You can sub- Every Thursday: Dame de songs and prayer, a time of re- ated. February 23: Military Whist mit your ideas at the meeting or Pique at 1 p.m. $5 per person. laxation and spiritual enrich- February 24: Do In Workshop beginning at 8 p.m. phone the Legion President Every Tuesday: Bingo begin- ment. from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. March 16: St. Patrick’s Day din- Laura Flowers at 418-752-6799. ning at 7 p.m. Welcome to all. Based on the philosophy of the ner. February 23: Potluck supper GASPE: five elements of Chinese medi- March 18: Annual Meeting at NEW CARLISLE: from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Gaspé Cancer cine, the DO IN offers a differ- 1:30. Bible Chapel Services (storm date: February 24) $12 Foundation AGM ent perspectivie on the health of March 23: Military Whist at 8 Sunday: Breaking of Bread for per adult and $8 per child under February 24: The AGM for the a human being. Voluntary con- p.m. Believers - 9:30 a.m.; Sunday 12. Gaspé Cancer Foundation will be tribution. Bring your mattress night service - 7 p.m.; Wednes- held at 1:30 p.m. at the Royal and comfortable clothes. HOPE TOWN: day: Bible Study and Prayer - 7 CASCAPEDIA-ST-JULES: Canadian Legion, 197 rue February 27: Annual meeting Community Centre p.m. “You Must Be Born Again.” Royal Canadian Legion Jacques Cartier. Your attendance of the Douglastown Day Camp March 9: Military whist begin- Br. 172 would be very much appreci- at Trachy Hall beginning at 7 ning at 8 p.m. NEW CARLISLE: The Royal Canadian Legion, ated. Thank you for your ongo- p.m. Curling Bonspiel Branch 172, meets monthly ing support. Tuesdays: Zumba from 7-8 HOPE TOWN: The Linda Lemore Curling Bon- every third Saturday at the Le- p.m. $10/class. Hope Baptist Church spiel (Tournament) will be held gion located at 55 Gallagher St. GASPE: Wednesday: Yoga for women Hope Baptist Church welcomes on the weekend of March 15- St. Paul’s Anglican Church There are two groups 5:15 to you. Sunday School for all ages 17. GESGAPEGIAG: Winter Sale 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. at 9:45 a.m. and Corporate N.A. Meetings March 2: The friends of St. $17/class (drop in). Requires Worship at 11 a.m. on Sundays. NEW CARLISLE: N.A. Meetings held every Tues- Paul’s Anglican Church in Gaspé minimal experience in yoga. Prayer Meeting and Bible Study St. Andrew’s day at 7 p.m. at the Mawiomi will be hosting a winter sale Bring your mat. at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. Anglican Church Treatment Centre, located at 85 starting at 9 a.m. The sale will Young Peoples for grades 7-11 March 5: Pancake supper from School Street in Gesgapegiag. be held in the basement of St. BARACHOIS: at 7 p.m. on Fridays. 305 Route 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the base- Everyone welcome! For more Paul’s Church at 216 Montée Legion Branch 261 132 West, Hope Town, 418-752- ment of the church. Adults $7 information call 418-759-3522. Wakeham (the yellow church). Every Monday: The Royal 5838. and children $4. Everyone wel- There is something for everyone Canadian Legion, Branch 261, come. ROTARY CLUB WINNERS including homemade baking, will be having a bingo at 7 p.m. NEW CARLISLE: The winners for the week of new and nearly new items, toys, at the Legion. Heritage New Carlisle NEW RICHMOND: February 10 are: Nicole Babin, games, etc. Free refreshments Every Tuesday: Sandbags February 23 and March 2: Flea Market Marielle Gallant, René Durette, will be available. from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Learn the basics of quilting with New clothing has arrived, $1 Lyne Arsenault, Arthur & Berta Every Thursday: Darts from 7 artisan Violette Arsenault. Dur- each. Good, hot meal at noon. Harrison, Marlène Miville and GASPE: p.m. to 9 p.m. For more infor- ing this quilting bee, which con- Free. Donations accepted. We André Gauthier. Gaspé County mation contact Lloyd Roussel at sists of three full day sessions, also give away hundreds of Women’s Institute 418-645-3700 or 418-645-2786. one quilt will be crafted by a items every week. To donate or Since 1846 March 16: Bake sale from 10 groupTremblay of people &who Barriault, each work notairesobtain inc furniture, please call UNITED CHURCH GUARANTEED QUALITY a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Carrefour BARACHOIS: on a Notariessquare. & The legal finished counsel quilt 418-392-5161. Open on Fri- Sunday, February 24 Tel: 418-892-5312 in Gaspé. Recreation Centre will be auctioned and the pro- days and Saturdays from 10 10:30 a.m.. Hope Town Cell: 418-355-4799 March 2:A DivisionThe Barachoisof MGI Recre- ceedsGilles will Tremblay, be donated notary to the a.m. to 3 p.m. at 248 Perron [email protected] MALBAY:641 Forillon Blvd, Gaspé, Que.ation Centre will be holding an LindaSerge Lemore Barriault, Brown notary Founda- Blvd, New Richmond. MalbayWE ALSO ACW REPLACE 18+ money bingo at 7 p.m. tion. GaëlCost: Tremblay, $25. To register: notary her- July 27: AllFOUNDATIONS, Saints by the SeaAND Bilingual. Over $600 in cash [email protected], by CASCAPEDIA-ST-JULES: Tea, Crafts and Bake Sale at the prizes. 119B Perron Blvdphone West, 418-752-1334New Richmond, Que. or face- FULLY Bookroom ANGLIGAN PROVIDE CLEANING Tel.: (418) 392-5282 • Fax: (418) 392-6155 BILINGUAL Malbay Hall from 10:30 a.m. to Every Saturday: From E-mail:11:30 [email protected]. SERVICEPlease be advised that the book- 2:30 p.m. AND REPAINTING. a.m. to 1:30 p.m, soup, hot- room has reopened. CHURCH dogs, sandwiches, dessert, tea NEW CARLISLE: DOUGLASTOWN: and coffee will be served. From Royal Canadian Legion CASCAPEDIA-ST-JULES: OF CANADA Community Centre 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., there will be February 23: Cribbage tourna- Bible Meetings Sunday, February 24 February 22: Traditional music card and board games for all ment. Registration at 12:30 p.m. The community is invited to a By Appointment New Carlisle and dance workshop from 7:30 ages and sliding (crazy carpets Tournament starts at 1 p.m. $10 series of Bible meetingsThis held in advertising10 a.m. Morning Prayer p.m. to 10:30 p.m. provided). Raffles held weekly. per person. Bring a partner. the Cascapedia St-Jules Com- Port Daniel February 23:RichardWild Supper Ste at CroixLunch and activities free for all March 5: General Meeting munity Centre (55 Route space Gal- 10could a.m. Holy Eucharist 6:30 p.m. Discover the unknown ages. Sponsored by: Mountain- at 7 p.m. We are urging our lagher) on Sunday, February Denturologist ! meats of Construction our forests! and For thisrepair viewof dentures. Golden Age Club, Legion members and any member of 24, at 3:30 p.m. and also onbe PARISHyours OF GASPé first dinner beaver will be in the Branch 261, Barachois and Area the community to attend the Wednesday, February 27 at We also make dentures on implants. Sunday, February 24 spotlight. The evening will take St. Paul’s - Gaspé place around a meal and discus- DEADLINE FOR THIS PAGE: THURSDAY AT 4 P.M. 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist 9 Adams Street, Gaspé Tel.: (418) 368-1525 sions will focus on the life of the Quebec G4X 1E5 Fax: (418) 368-1542 animal. Your host will take care Please send your ad to: [email protected]

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK - FREE DELIVERY Forage Moreau Inc. 418-392-9501 Going beyond and reliable since 1982 Mathieu Mercier - Driller/Owner 500-102, AVENUE DAIGNEAULT, CHANDLER, QUE. - Artesian Well Drilling 3 Rue Cerisiers - Budgetary Price Electricity - Plumbing Gaspé, Québec G4X 2M1 - Bilingual Service Automation Tel. (418) 368-5425 - RBQ: 5672-1467-01 Industrial computing Fax (418) 368-7290 98 ROUTE 132 WEST, PERCÉ, QUE. Counter sales www.groupeohmega. com [email protected] Page 10, February 20, 2019 - Spec

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Dr. Pascal Cyr Optometrist

LENSES CRAFTED ON THE PREMISES PASPÉBIAC: 104 Gérard D. Levesque Blvd West • 418­752­5553 Dr. Stacey Starrak CHANDLER: 260 René Lévesque Blvd East • 418­689­5553 Optometrist MARIA: 435 Perron Blvd West • 418­759­5553 On the lighter sid... Roasted Red Pepper, Sun-Dried Tomato & Feta Topped Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1⁄2 cup My Grandma’s Greek Dressing (see below) 1⁄3 cup diced charred red bell pepper (see below) 1 tablespoon minced sun-dried tomatoes 1 tablespoon brined capers, rinsed and drained 1 tablespoon minced fresh flat leaf parsley 1⁄4 teaspoon kosher salt 1⁄8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 3⁄4 cup crumbled feta cheese 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 tablespoon olive oil

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Place the chicken in a medium bowl or large resealable bag and pour the Greek dressing over the top. Marinate the chicken on the countertop for 20 minutes. (Any longer and the lemon Congratulations to John Renouf who was the winner juice will start to break down or cook the chicken.) In a medium bowl, combine the bell pep- of Spec’s hunting contest drawn on October 23, 2018. per, tomatoes, capers, parsley, salt, black pepper and feta. In a 12-inch cast-iron or other oven safe skillet, melt the butter with the olive oil over Jared Flowers and medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and let any excess marinade drip Isaac Dupont-Walker who back into the bag. Place the chicken top-side down in the skillet and sear for 4 to 6 minutes. were the winners of the Turn the chicken over and divide the pepper and feta mixture over the top. Slide the skillet Halloween Colouring into the oven. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Carefully Contest sponsored by transfer the chicken to a platter and let it rest for 5 to 6 minutes before serving. Family Ties. My Grandma’s Greek Dressing (Makes 3⁄4 cup) 1 large clove garlic 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed in your palm 1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt Jared 1⁄4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper 1⁄4 cup fresh lemon juice, strained of pulp and seeds 1⁄2 cup olive oil Pass the garlic through a garlic press into a glass jar or resealable storage container. Add the oregano, salt and pepper. Pour in the lemon juice and olive oil. Shake. Pour. Store the salad dressing in the refrigerator, but pull it out 10 to 15 minutes prior to using to warm up the so- lidified oil, or run the jar under warm tap water. Store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 months. Charred peppers: Grill: Heat a grill to medium-high. Place a pepper (or peppers) on the grates, close the lid and let it char for 5 minutes. Rotate and repeat this process until all sides are charred. After 12 to 15 minutes, the skin should be black and blistered. Gas stovetop: Using metal tongs, hold the pepper over a medium-high flame, rotating it to create an even char. Oven: Preheat the broiler to high and crack the oven door. Place a washed pepper on a foil- lined, rimmed baking sheet and slide it under the broiler, rotating it every few minutes until it is charred. Isaac

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Page 11, February 20 2019 - Spec Motel Interprovincial owner invests $3 million Gilles Gagné just a bit less in the winter. It includes part-time employees CROSS POINT: – The owner and students in the summer,” of Motel Interprovincial, Gra- he says. tien Thériault, will invest $3 The expansion project will million in the expansion of his also benefit from a $750,000 inn. He will add 27 rooms, a loan from Investissement spa, a conference room, a Québec. training room and will im- Canada Economic Devel- prove existing services such opment is also handing out as the bar and a completely $42,900 to the Club sportif rebuilt restaurant. Marquis de Malauze, the Once the new wing will be snowmobile club based in ready, he will tear down the Cross Point, for the acquisi- present Pastali restaurant. tion of a third groomer. Twelve motel rooms will be “We maintain 180 kilome- torn down first because the tres of trails. We start in Es- new building will require that Photo: G. Gagné cuminac and go west all the space, and some more. way to a midway point be- Mr. Thériault bought The administrator of Motel Interprovincial, Émilie Pitre, left, and motel owner Gratien Théri- tween L’Ascension, in the Motel Interprovincial in 2002 ault, right, showed Member of Parliament Rémi Massé how the expansion project will change Matapedia Plateaux area, and from the Bujold family. He the setup of the motel, which will in fact become a hotel, with two storeys from one end to the Albertville in the Matapedia has been investing in it since other. The hotel will have the shape of an “L” when the project will be completed in July. Valley. We also groom an- and more importantly over the other trail going towards last seven years. He added 17 again. In the winter, the idea start the construction site sula trails,” he told Gratien Sainte-Marguerite, also in the new rooms in 2012, and 16 is to offer snowmobilers all about April 20. Thériault. Matapedia Valley. It is a very more in 2015. Those two ad- the services they want under “We are getting ready in With 60 comfortable good year but it is also very ditions were added to the 12 the same roof. Once their day the meantime. The sections of rooms and a new restaurant demanding, because of the existing rooms of the motel. is over in the trails, they don’t the new wing will be prefab- by the summer, he feels that snowfalls and some freezing “We will tear down the old feel like going out again to ricated in a plant. We are he will be in a position to rain episodes,” points out motel rooms first, and build have supper,” points out Mr. launching the call for tenders greet his share of the growing Germain Leblanc, president the new restaurant and the 27 Thériault. now,” explains Mr. Thériault, Gaspé Peninsula tourist clien- of the snowmobile club. additional rooms in that Over the last decade, Cross who holds a general contrac- tele. “The region greets record The Club sportif Marquis space, but perpendicular to Point has developed its posi- tor’s licence. He is therefore numbers of tourists as years de Malauze has already ac- the 33 rooms we have added tion as an important Gaspé able to do much of the work pass. That’s why we are in- quired its third groomer, it re- since 2012. The rooms will be Peninsula gateway point for himself. vesting,” adds Mr. Thériault. quiring an investment of located on the second floor. snowmobilers and ATV en- Motel Interprovincial will Motel Interprovincial pro- $71,500. Like other snowmo- Once that new section will be thusiasts. receive a $950,000 loan from vides jobs for 40 people. “Our bile clubs of the Gaspé Penin- ready, we will tear down the “Between January 15 and Canada Economic Develop- peak of 40 employees comes sula, trail maintenance is current restaurant,” explains March 15, snowmobilers ment for that venture. Mem- during the summer but it is assured by volunteers. Gratien Thériault. compose 50% of our clien- ber of Parliament for the He is pleased with the tele,” states Mr. Thériault. On riding of Avignon-Mitis- clientele increase he has seen a week day, it is common that Matane-Matapedia, Rémi in Cross Point since buying 20 to 25 snowmobilers will Massé, was on hand for the Motel Interprovincial 17 stop for lunch. There are at February 14 announcement of years ago. least as many snowmobiles in the project. “Our occupancy rate is the parking lot as there are “Your enterprise is located 43% on a year long basis. The road vehicles. in an important area for snow- average in the Gaspé Penin- The restaurant will only mobile tourism. It is an access sula is 40%. So we stand close for a week during the for snowmobilers coming above average. Every expan- transition period between the from New Brunswick and sion has led to a clientele in- old section and the new wing. other points in the Maritimes crease, so we are expanding Gratien Thériault intends to to discover the Gaspé Penin-

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