PASPEBIAC – On Thursday, April 3, at the Paspebiac Cultural Centre the much-anticipated Career and Education Fair, offering an exciting opportunity for job seekers, career changers, and students to connect with potential employers and educational institutions. This free event is designed to help individuals explore future career paths and educational options.
Open to Everyone – No Registration Required
One of the highlights of the fair is that no registration is required. Attendees can simply show up and take full advantage of the event’s resources. The fair is open to anyone looking for a job, considering a career change, or interested in learning about educational programs available in the region. According to Cindy Carney, the Employability Agent for the Committee for Anglophone Social Action (CASA), “It’s a great opportunity for individuals, students, or professionals to learn about job openings, internships, and career opportunities across different industries.”
Who Will Be There?
More than 35 employers and educational institutions will be present, representing industries such as healthcare, trades, transport, community services, and more. A list of participating organizations will be available in advance on CASA’s social media pages. In addition to meeting employers, attendees can enjoy interactive exhibits, including a heavy equipment simulator, ambulance, welding truck, and plumbing truck, offering a hands-on look into various trades.
Job Opportunities and On-the-Spot Hiring
The fair will feature a variety of full-time, part-time, seasonal, and internship positions. Many employers are ready to conduct on-the-spot interviews and hire qualified candidates immediately. “Many employers are looking to fill positions and are prepared to hire on the spot,” said Ms. Carney, highlighting the potential opportunities available. Job seekers are encouraged to attend early to ensure they have ample time to explore the opportunities available.
“For those needing extra support, CASA will have a table providing information on various government employment assistance programs. A CASA Coordinator will be available to guide job seekers and answer questions about available resources.” says Ms. Carney.
Preparing for the Fair
Job seekers are encouraged to come prepared as though attending a job interview. To make the best impression, it’s a good idea to bring:
– Multiple copies of your resume.
– At least two references. (if possible)
– A pen and notepad for jotting down important details and follow-ups.
– A list of target employers and prepared questions.
– Any relevant certifications, licenses, or course completions. (e.g., heavy equipment or trucking credentials)
– Professional attire, as first impressions count.
“Career fairs are a great chance for networking, resume distribution, and on-the-spot interviews,” Ms. Carney added, emphasizing how these events help both job seekers and employers connect quickly and efficiently. Networking at this event may open new career possibilities and provide valuable connections for future opportunities.
NEW CARLISLE – Alzheimer’s disease is more than just statistics, it’s an emotional journey that profoundly impacts many families. According to Statistics Canada, approximately 750,000 Canadians are living with the disease, with 414 new cases diagnosed daily. Behind every number is a story of love, heartache, and strength. Amy Day’s is one such story. The young woman is bravely sharing her grandmother’s journey with Alzheimer’s on social media (Tiktok), vividly painting a picture of the pain and beauty that come with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
“When I was younger, I would sleep with my Nanny pretty much every night. My first memory of her would have to be her playing with my hair as I went to sleep while singing, You Are My Sunshine. We were each other’s sunshine and still are. We shared so many wonderful memories, from playing sports outside in the summer to fishing at Lac Duval and walking the beach to look for cool rocks. The list goes on. There’s nothing my Grandmother didn’t do for me,” she adds.
However, in 2020, Amy noticed subtle changes in her grandmother. “I started noticing that she would repeat herself a lot. I was living in the city at the time, but would talk to her on the phone 99 times a day. She started to tell me the same stories over and over, and I’d have to say, ‘Nanny, you just told me that, remember?’ I think that’s when she realized it too. On my first vacation home after that, we went down to the beach for a walk. She told me the same story within a 20-minute span. I said, ‘Nanny, I really think something is wrong.’ She looked at me with nothing but heartbreak in her eyes and said, ‘I know,’ and we both cried.”
The diagnosis brought waves of emotion. “It was hard. There was also a lot of guilt,” says Amy, who wondered if they should have brought her Nanny to the doctor sooner. During that period the family went through many emotions. “I was always so afraid to lose my grandmother; I just never thought I’d have to lose her in this way,” says Amy.
Upon her grandmother’s diagnosis, the family immediately educated themselves on the disease. Amy’s family, including her grandfather and Aunt Selena, have been essential in caregiving. “My grandfather does everything now, along with Aunt Selena and myself. We have to make sacrifices, but it’s our turn to take care of her, just as she did for us our whole lives. My grandmother’s family doctor has been amazing in helping us through this process. She checks in on Nanny regularly and gives us the tools necessary to take care of her. At this point, we are her resources, and we’re doing the best we can,” states Amy.
For families like Amy’s on the coast, the Société Alzheimer Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine (SAGIM) offers a lifeline. This organization provides tailored services to help those living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Programs include personalized counselling, support groups, and workshops designed to manage the emotional and physical toll of caregiving.
Other vital resources include the Centre d’action bénévole (CAB), which provides services such as transportation to medical appointments, friendly visits, and meal deliveries. The Gaspé Peninsula Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSS) also plays a significant role with its memory clinics. The Clinic provides specialized assessment and treatment for individuals 65+ and younger adults with cognitive disorders, focusing on maintaining autonomy and optimal functioning at home for as long as possible. To access memory clinic services, a doctor’s referral must be sent to the clinic’s liaison nurse. If you don’t have a family doctor, you can request assistance through the Chandler CLSC home care window. The clinical nurse will review your request and inform you of your eligibility. Multi-Services Corporation d’Aide is another essential resource in the region, committed to supporting the elderly and those losing their autonomy be helping them maintain their independence within their natural living environment.
Despite the resources available, the personal impact of the disease is undeniable. Amy reflects on the changes in her relationship with her grandmother: “My grandmother raised me; she’s like my mother. She was my shoulder to cry on, the person I’d call when I needed someone. She was my rock. Not having that anymore has been so hard. She remembers my name sometimes, especially when I remind her, ‘Remember the little girl you raised, Nanny?’ and she’ll say, ‘Yes, Amy, she’s a good girl.’”
Amy also cherishes the joyful moments that remain. “She has always had a great sense of humour, even now while fighting Alzheimer’s. She’s always cracking little jokes, singing, and dancing. I see her pretty much every day. Sometimes, she’ll ask me to lay in bed with her, and I do. I’ll sing to her, and she’ll fall right asleep. The roles have reversed, but the love is still there.”
Amy offers a final piece of heartfelt advice to others in similar situations: “Please be patient and try your best to stay strong for them! When your loved one with Alzheimer’s repeats themselves, go with it. Listen to them. Even if it’s the same story over and over. Remember that love, it never dies. The feeling will always remain. When my Nanny sees me, even though she may not remember me, I know she remembers the love. I know she can feel it. Be with them until the very end.”
NEW CARLISLE – After five years of efforts, a memorandum of understanding between New Carlisle and Paspebiac for their drinking water supply was finalized.
This agreement opened the door to an increase in government assistance, easing the financial burden on the two municipalities, each of which had various tasks to complete to keep their water systems up to date.
“After several studies on solutions, whether it be a green sand filtration system, the production capacity of the Town of Paspébiac, the distribution and supply capacity between the two municipalities together to supply both systems and once the study was presented that mentioned sharing the network, a protocol was developed that took a year and we arrived with a great agreement,” says New Carlisle Mayor David Thibault.
The protocol outlines the roles and responsibilities in terms of infrastructure, production costs and billing.
The mayor of New Carlisle sees three advan tages for both municipalities. “On the west side of Paspebiac, there was a little lack of However, New Carlisle faces a challenge with the new school that is currently under construction. While the water and sewer network was connected in the summer of 2024, it lacks the pressure needed to supply the school’s sprinklers.
“The urgency to act is that during the winter, we will work on the plans and specifications for the reservoir in the centre of the municipality which will compensate for the lack of pressure for the sprinkler network. Subsequently, it ensures the technological update for the distribution of the Paspebiac network, which is 30 or 40 years old, because the two networks of Paspebiac and New Carlisle must talk to each other,” notes Mr. Thibault, who is also a firefighter.
In 2022, the project was estimated at $10 million.
“At 90%, there will be $1 million left over 30 years. It is not a large amount, but the result will be extraordinary for both sides,” calculates the mayor.
New Carlisle had a problem with the aesthetics of the water, which turned brown, caused by a chemical reaction between manganese and chlorine. The issue, however, had no impact on the health of the population.
The project still requires approval from the Quebec government, but with the new school project at stake, there is an urgent need to move forward quickly.
“The issue of the delay will be approval for the PRIMEAU program. During the winter, the Eastern Shores School Board will put pressure on the Ministry of Education, and us with our local MNA (Member of the National Assembly) to move forward as quickly as possible. If we get an OK this winter, we will make the plans and specifications for construction in the summer of 2025 for commissioning in the fall for the opening of the school in 2026. That is our schedule. It is a response to the delay of civil servants. We want to reach the finish line at the same time,” says the mayor. pressure. During a fire or a breakdown past the Tim Horton’s, it lacked pressure. The planned New Carlisle reservoir will be able to supply the west side of Paspebiac. By combining the infrastructures, rather than 65%, we could get 90% or 95% of subsidies to update the Paspebiac distribution network and the New Carlisle reservoir. It’s a win-win for both municipalities,” says Mr. Thibault.
NEW CARLISLE: September 23 marks the International Day of Sign Languages, a global initiative established by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness about the importance of sign language for the deaf community.
The day was established with a resolution in 2017 following a proposal by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD). The United Nations resolution acknowledges that “Early access to sign language and services in sign language, including quality education available in sign language, is vital to the growth and development of the deaf individual and critical to the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals.”
That WFD is made up of 135 national associations of deaf people, representing approximately 70 million deaf people’s human rights worldwide. The proposed date of September 23 was in recognition of the WFD’s founding on that date in 1951. It also coincides with the International Week of Deaf People which takes place September 23 to 29.
This year’s observance emphasizes the unity of sign languages worldwide, urging communities and governments to support and recognize these vital linguistic tools.
Shining a blue light on Sign Languages
To promote and recognize sign languages, communities and governments around the world are encouraged to display blue lights.
Sign language around the world
There are over 70 million deaf individuals globally, with more than 80% residing in developing countries. These individuals use over 300 different sign languages, each with its own unique grammar and syntax. In Canada, American Sign Language (ASL) and Quebec Sign Language (Langue des signes québécoise, LSQ) are most common, with additional Indigenous and Maritime Sign Languages also used.
Statistics Canada reported that in 2021, 8,415 people identified ASL as their mother tongue, while 1,860 reported LSQ.
Furthermore, 37,620 Canadians could converse in ASL, and 6,193 in LSQ. Though estimates vary, the Canadian Association of the Deaf suggests there are approximately 357,000 deaf Canadians and 3.21 million hard of hearing individuals.
Challenges in the Gaspé Peninsula
There are significant gaps in services for the deaf community, particularly in remote regions like the Gaspé Peninsula. Peter Mann, 34, who currently lives in Port Daniel, shared his personal experiences with SPEC as he navigates life with deafness in a region with limited resources.
Diagnosed at birth, Mr. Mann was raised in Port Daniel, first attending Shigawake Port Daniel School, and then New Carlisle High School and Bonaventure Polyvalent before moving to Montreal for work.
Despite returning to the region for a new job in Chandler, he faced considerable challenges due to the lack of sign language services in the area.
“I was diagnosed at birth and have family members who are also deaf,” Mr. Mann told SPEC. “When I started school I learned some ASL. I learned more ASL online because there were no sign language services in the Gaspé Peninsula.
In addition, there have been times in Mr. Mann’s life when he needed an interpreter for lawyers, court appearances and healthcare. “I had to travel to Montreal for an interpreter, which cost a lot,” explains Mr. Mann.
Despite his efforts, finding employment locally was tough. “I looked for ten years for a job, I eventually got a job at RITMRG in May 2023.” However, the language barrier between ASL and LSQ poses additional difficulties. “At work, I use my smartphone to communicate with my boss and coworkers,” adding that he later uses Google Translate to bridge the language gap between English and French.
The lack of local support extends to home adaptations as well. “I have no special adaptations at home, like for smoke detectors or doorbells,” says Mr. Mann. “I have not been able to get those services covered and, if they’re not covered, they are very expensive,” he adds.
His advice to newly diagnosed deaf individuals is to use online tools and resources, as they can be crucial when local services are unavailable “Use online tools to learn ASL. When you can’t get services, you have to do it yourself,” says Mr. Mann. He recommends using internet sites such as lifeprint.com.
Silver Gallan was diagnosed with a hearing impairment in both ears since birth. Now seven years old and in grade two, Silver has undergone numerous tests at several hospitals to determine the extent of her hearing impairment. She has learned that her condition could further decrease over time, with the possibility that she may eventually lose her hearing entirely Tabitha Flowers, Silver’s grandmother, is eager to learn sign language to ensure that Silver is fluent and is able to communicate with her friends and family in sign language. “It is very important for Silver, her family and friends to learn sign language due to the fact that she could be fully hearing impaired one day,” explains Ms. Flowers
“Unfortunately with the lack of resources in our region, it is more difficult to learn sign language considering there are no classes, workshops, etc. that are available. We have reached out to multiple organizations to try and get more resources in our region for the hearing impaired but, unfortunately, in our small communities, there is not enough need for it,” says Ms. Flowers.
Silver would like to learn sign language and become fluent: “I’m discouraged to not know more, but I’m learning online one word at a time,” she says. The family has purchased an online program so that they can learn sign language together.
In addition to the challenges of learning sign language, Silver faces other difficulties in her daily life. “A few of the biggest challenges for Silver is being in a large group of people (due to echoing voices), swimming (being underwater creates pressure in the ears), and riding a bike (since hearing impairments can affect balance),” says Ms. Flowers, noting that Silver is athletic and loves sports.
Silver has also struggled with receiving adequate speech therapy resources, currently, she is receiving the service online rather than in person. Moreover, the family has waited over two years to receive a hearing test at the hospital and, consequently, has resorted to paying out of pocket for an annual test to ensure timely evaluations.
The family does not currently have hearing impairment devices in their home but is prepared to install devices such as special phones, along with alarms and doorbells that trigger lights and vibrations.
Silver says, “It’s important for people to know that hearing aids are not a magic fix and if you talk to a person who is hearing impaired, look at them, speak clearly, and not too fast.” Her grandmother adds, “Silver has experienced some bullying but that doesn’t stop her from enjoying all the things she loves, such as hunting, fishing, karate, dancing and singing. She does all these activities with pride because she knows truly how amazing she is in her own way.”
