Courtesy
Attendees of the recent caucus meeting at the National Cycling Centre in Bromont included Don Warnholtz (Townshippers’ Association), Kandy Mackey (Director General, Eastern Townships School Board), Sébastien Lebel-Grenier (Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Bishop’s University), Denis Kotsoros (Executive Director, Townshippers’ Association), François Bonnardel (MNA, Granby), Isabelle Charest (MNA, Brome-Missisquoi), Geneviève Hébert (MNA, Saint-François), Fadéla Hamou (Townshippers’ Association), André Bachand (MNA, Richmond), Sophie Nagle (Phelps Helps), and Katie Lowry (Director General, Phelps Helps)
Caucus meeting fosters collaboration in the Eastern Townships
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
In an effort to strengthen connections within the Eastern Townships, Denis Kotsoros, Executive Director of the Townshippers’ Association, shared insights into a recent caucus meeting with MNAs from the region. Held Jan. 17 at the National Cycling Centre in Bromont, this gathering brought together key English-speaking and community organizations alongside provincial representatives to discuss shared challenges and foster collaboration.
“This is the first time in a long while that the Townshippers’ Association was invited to such a meeting,” Kotsoros said. He credited the pandemic for breaking long-standing lines of communication, stating, “We had to start over, rebuilding trust and confidence with political leaders after years of disconnection.” He noted that prior to this outreach effort, many political figures had little to no contact with English-speaking community organizations. “It wasn’t just us. COVID isolated many organizations,” he explained, adding that the pandemic’s fallout caused a significant lapse in advocacy efforts.
The meeting featured representatives from several organizations, including Kandy Mackey of the Eastern Townships School Board, Don Warnholtz of the Townshippers’ Association, Katie Lowry and Sophie Nagle from Phelps Helps, and Principal and Vice-Chancellor Sébastien Lebel-Grenier of Bishop’s University. Political attendees included MNAs Isabelle Charest (Brome-Missisquoi), François Bonnardel (Granby), Geneviève Hébert (Saint-François), and André Bachand (Richmond).
Discussions focused on socio-economic concerns impacting both the English-speaking population and the broader region. Kotsoros highlighted pressing issues, including the aging population, youth out-migration, and growing poverty. “Our communities are facing reduced entrepreneurial activity and financial instability,” he said. He elaborated that the English-speaking community often serves as a “canary in the coal mine” for Quebec’s broader social challenges. “What’s happening to us now will happen to the general community in five to ten years,” he warned, citing their minority status as a factor that magnifies the effects of socio-economic shifts.
A recurring theme was the need for comprehensive data to guide solutions. “We’re pushing for a statistical portrait of the English-speaking community at the MRC level across the Eastern Townships,” Kotsoros revealed. He explained that while anecdotal evidence highlights critical challenges like declining youth retention and economic stagnation, concrete statistics are necessary to secure targeted funding and design effective policies. “Data is power. Without it, we’re just guessing,” he said, adding that this effort would involve collaboration with both federal and provincial governments.
Key contributions were made by organizations like Phelps Helps, which highlighted a $140,000 budget shortfall, and Bishop’s University, which expressed concerns about the community’s dwindling youth population. “Our youth are leaving, and it’s not just about opportunities elsewhere. It’s about the lack of support structures here,” Kotsoros emphasized. These sentiments resonated with François Bonnardel, who inquired about how socio-economic conditions were affecting graduation rates. “The fact that he’s asking these questions shows they’re paying attention,” Kotsoros noted.
The meeting also acknowledged positive strides during the pandemic, particularly the Quebec government’s decision to continue funding local newspaper advertising. Kotsoros praised the move, noting, “Local papers are essential to the health of a community. They are one of the institutions that hold us together.” He shared that this decision had long-term benefits for English-speaking communities, where newspapers remain a vital source of information.
Despite lingering challenges, Kotsoros expressed optimism about mending relationships with political leaders. “Building trust ensures that even when disagreements arise, we’ll know who’s on the other side of the table,” he said. He emphasized that the outreach effort is about more than short-term collaboration. “It’s about ensuring that when tough conversations happen, we can move forward together, knowing we’ve built mutual respect.”
Kotsoros also highlighted broader socio-economic trends affecting the region. He described a growing phenomenon of asset-poor seniors who face increasing difficulty maintaining their properties. “Our seniors can’t keep up with property taxes, renovations, or basic upkeep,” he said, explaining that the sale of family homes often leads to money leaving the community entirely. “This isn’t just an English-speaking issue; it’s a community-wide challenge,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of addressing these systemic issues before they worsen.
Geneviève Hébert expressed her satisfaction after the meeting in a comment provided to The Record Jan. 20. She highlighted the value of the discussions, stating, “It was an opportunity to connect and address the socio-economic realities of the historical English-speaking community in the Eastern Townships, particularly its youth.”
Kotsoros said this pivotal meeting marked a step forward in addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by the region. By fostering open dialogue and collaboration, the Townshippers’ Association and its allies are aiming to set the stage for long-term solutions to benefit all communities in the Eastern Townships.