Quebec Public Works Association

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Three City of Pointe-Claire Public Works employees were honoured for their outstanding contributions at the annual Public Works Stars Recognition Gala held recently.

The event was organized by the Quebec Public Works Association (TP Québec). These awards celebrate the excellence, innovation, and dedication of professionals working in municipal services.

Pointe-Claire Mayor Tim Thomas says he is proud but not surprised by the announcements. “They win awards every year. They are one of the best (public works teams) in the country,” Thomas told The Suburban.

Geneviève Rocheleau, Assistant Director of the Public Works and Buildings Department, was honoured for her exceptional commitment to diversity and inclusion, with a particular focus on promoting the role of women in Public Works. Her numerous initiatives have not only helped elevate the status of women in a predominantly male sector but have also paved the way for greater representation and participation of women in municipal infrastructure roles. On the same day Rocheleau was elected as President of the Quebec Public Works Association, making her the first woman to serve in this role.

“I am proud of all our winners, but especially proud of Geneviève’s accomplishments. Women’s accomplishments are honoured at the City of Pointe-Claire. We named the sports centre after Olive Urquhart, Pointe-Claire’s first woman Mayor and the second woman Mayor elected in the province,” Thomas said.

Mathieu Auclair won the outstanding manager award. He was recognized for his leadership and innovations as Manager of the Training and Performance Office, including the digital transformation of morning assignments, which reduced the time spent on this task by 60 per cent. This initiative earned Pointe-Claire the UMQ Ovation Award in 2020. His commitment to excellence and continuous improvement has transformed Public Works operations, notably through the integration of artificial intelligence into their processes.

Claude Lepage was a Finalist in the Health and Safety at Work category. As an experienced blue-collar worker in Public Works, Lepage played a key role in designing an innovative tool to improve working conditions for the road marking team. Faced with significant ergonomic challenges, including physical strain from the repetitive handling of paint templates, Lepage and his team developed a rail system that reduced repetitive strain injuries and boosted productivity. This project not only enhanced workplace health and safety but also cut pedestrian crossing painting time by 50 per cent and reduced paint usage by 10 per cent, making it a success both environmentally and for workers’ well-being. n