Bonnie James – Local Journalism Initiative

FORT-COULONGE – The Pontiac Chamber of Commerce held its 2nd Annual Black Tie Gala at the Pontiac Conference Centre in Fort-Coulonge on April 6. More than 100 tickets were sold for the event. The evening featured a dinner of salmon, chicken cordon bleu, and roast beef with entertainment by comedian Eric O’Brien and DJ Erica Energy. Attendees had the chance to have their photo taken on the red carpet with the Chamber’s backdrop. The event was sponsored by CHIP FM, Caisse Desjardins des Rivières de Pontiac, and SADC Pontiac.

The gala was emceed by radio journalist and comedian Eric O’Brien. MRC Pontiac Warden Jane Toller was the first speaker and welcomed the crowd, followed by Chamber President Sébastien Bonnerot.

A special tribute was paid to François Carrier, who recently announced that he was leaving his role as Director General at CHIP FM to take on the same role at Le Droit, Ottawa and Outaouais’ daily French language newspaper. Mayors Sandra Armstrong (Mansfield-et- Pontefract) and Christine Francoeur (Fort-Coulonge) presented Carrier with a gift basket and thanked him for his tireless support of and dedication to their communities. CHIP FM’s Caleb Nickerson, Geneviève Gagnon, and Eric O’Brien all spoke of the impact of Carrier’s mentorship and support and how much they enjoyed working with him.

Pontiac MP Sophie Chatel also took the mic to pay homage to Carrier, highlighting his work towards saving the Local Journalism Initiative, an important source of funding for community newspapers and radio. Chatel said that it was the efforts of the Pontiac media specifically that caused the federal government to renew the grant, which was almost lost to a tax credit that would not benefit local media.

Finally, Carrier addressed the crowd and talked about the teamwork required to run the radio station and expressed his confidence that teamwork will continue. He thanked the entire population of the Pontiac and said in his new role at Le Droit, he will ensure that the Pontiac will always have a voice and be well represented, as he owes much to the region.

The event also included door prizes and a silent auction featuring pieces from local artists, an espresso machine, a knit blanket, an assorted beer pack from Brauwerk Hoffman, wool pellets from Leystone Farm, a 1/4-page ad in the Journal, and hoodies and hats from Campbell’s Polaris.

Bonnerot said he was very happy with the event and had already received positive feedback. The event had been postponed from its original date of February 17, which he mentioned turned out for the better as it allowed for the tribute to Carrier.

The Chamber’s next event, hosted together with the SADC, will be a presentation of the federal budget and its implications for the Pontiac with a question-and-answer period with MP Sophie Chatel at Café Downtown in Fort-Coulonge on April 22 at 5:00 p.m.