MCQ Views and Voices

Business Edition - Interview with John A. Binns, Institut de Conversation Anglaise Drummond

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Welcome to the Business Edition of CASE Views & Voices! This special 8-part series highlights local entrepreneurs and their unique journeys.

In our very first episode, John A. Binns shares his experiences, insights, and lessons learned in the world of business. Tune in for an inspiring conversation!

Green Thumbs and Cracked Pots: "The Little Plastic Bucket"

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the local gardening series, contributors Julia Frid, Marilyn Mastine and Sharon St-Onge join host Julie Miller to chat about their favourite garden tools - the ones they just can't live without. Besides rakes and hoes, there are some interesting implements tucked away in their gardening sheds! Who knew that a subject like "Gardening Tools" could inspire such a great conversation? Musical interludes this week are from Canadian composer and banjo player, Jayme Stone, drawn from his album "Room of Wonders"...and our feature song is none other than, you guessed it, "The Garden Song." Happy listening!

Green Thumbs and Cracked Pots: "Veggies: Mouth-Watering When Home Grown!"

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 12:00:00 -0400

This is a mouth-watering episode, as regular contributors and green thumbs Sharon St-Onge, Marilyn Mastine, and Julia Frid are back to talk with host Julie Miller about their favourite vegetables to grow. Pumpkins, eggplant, peas, tomatoes, spinach and more, including favourite varieties, a hull-less pumpkin grown in Nicolet, and lots of anecdotes. They'll give their opinions on the best, most reliable and most intriguing seed companies from which to order seed in Canada. This episode's featured song is "Happiness Is," from Québec singer-songwriter Jason Lang's wonderful new album, Handled with Care, which truly is, simply, happiness.

Green Thumbs and Cracked Pots: "Why Garden?"

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500

For this second installment of our series about gardening, host Julie Miller and contributors and green thumbs Julia Frid, Marilyn Mastine, and Sharon St-Onge share personal stories and thoughts about why they garden and what gardening means to them. You never know what is going to come up when gardeners sit down together for a chat!

Green Thumbs and Cracked Pots: Introducing a New Series!

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500

We're launching a new series which brings together passionate gardeners with green thumbs who have had their share of cracked pots over the years to share stories and discuss issues related to gardening, with a focus on experience in our own region, the Mauricie and the Centre du Québec. In this introductory episode, you'll meet the series' regular contributors: Julia Frid, Marilyn Mastine, and Sharon St-Onge - and you'll find out that the MCQ V&V regular host Julie Miller also loves to garden!

Bridges and Rivers: Talking with Poet Zoë Skoulding

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 20:00:00 -0400

English/Welsh poet Zoë Skoulding will be appearing several times at the 38th edition of the Festival International de la poésie de Trois-Rivières. In this chat with host Julie Miller, Zoë talks about her fascination with translation, her interest in both soundscapes and landscapes, how a visit to Montreal galvanized her to begin speaking French, and how a hidden river is at the heart of her recent award-winning collection of poetry, Footnotes to Water. To hear some of Zoë's performances, you can look her up on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/zoeskoulding

A Passion for Medicine: Getting to Know Anya Bussière-Filion

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 12:00:00 -0400

This fall (2022) Anya Bussière-Filion entered her 3rd year of medicine at the University of Sherbrooke. In a chat with host Julie Miller, Anya talks about the program and what brought her to study medicine in the first place. Originally from Drummondville, Anya has grown up with both English and French, attending elementary and high school and also Cegep in English, before making the switch to full time studies in French at U de S. She takes a look at how being "in-between" the two languages and cultures has given her a particular perspective on life and Québec society. Anya is also a regional winner of the Dialogue McGill bursary, awarded to promising students in health and social services who have a proven track record of community involvement.

Bonus: Poet Beatriz Hausner Reads "High Priestess"

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 15:00:00 -0400

Beatriz Hausner, one of the poets invited to the Festival International de la Poésie de Trois-Rivières, reads her poem, "High Priestess," taken from her latest collection, Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart, published by Book*hug Press in 2020.

Beatriz Hausner: A Poet Seeking Freedom

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 15:00:00 -0400

In this second episode about Trois-Rivières' poetry festival, we meet Beatriz Hausner. Beatriz has been to the Festival before, and she talks about what makes it special. Her conversation with host Julie Miller ranges from talking about poetry to how she discovered it, about freedom and what inspires her, and about why she writes in English although her mother tongue is Spanish. Besides her work in poetry, Beatriz also organizes poetry events, edits a poetry journal, and translates Spanish language poets into English. In the past, she worked as a librarian, and has been the president of the Literary Translators Association of Canada. Her most recent collection of poetry is called "Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart" and was published in 2020 by Book*hug Press. https://beatrizhausner.com/about

Bonus: Jérôme Melançon reads "Irregularities"

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 16:00:00 -0400

Before his visit to the Festival International de la Poésie de Trois-Rivières this October (2022), Jérôme Melançon gives us a little taste of his work by reading his poem, “Irregularities,” from his English-language chapbook poetry collection, Tomorrow’s Going to Be Bright, published by above/ground press in 2022. To read the poem for yourself, visit the MCQ Views and Voices companion blog at www.mcqvoices.ca

Bonus: Poet Jérôme Melançon reads, "Solidarité"

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 15:00:00 -0400

Jérôme Melançon reads “Solidarité,” a poem from his latest French language collection, En d’sous d’la langue, 2021 (Prise de Parole), then he discusses it with Julie Miller. To read the poem, visit the MCQ Views and Voices companion blog at www.mcqvoices.ca

Jérôme Melançon: A Way With Words

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 14:00:00 -0400

Jérôme Melançon is a bilingual professor from the University of Regina who is also a poet, a translator, and a philosopher. He thinks a lot about language, identity, minorities, and what it's like to be bilingual, living and moving between two languages in Canada. Jerôme is one of the poets invited to the 28th edition of the Festival international de la poésie de Trois-Rivières, which is happening from Sept. 30 to Oct. 9,2022. In a conversation with host Julie Miller, he talks about poetry and how he got hooked on it, the first thing he ever translated (hint: heavy metal lyrics), what he's looking forward to about the 3R poetry festival, and much more. He'll also comment on whether or not people should be afraid of poetry; listen in to find out what he has to say about that!

Carole Jones: From Both Sides Now

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Just before the pandemic, Carole Jones and her husband moved to Drummondville from Ontario. She was surprised by just how many details and issues came up in moving from one province to another. And once she was here, the pandemic hit, and she found herself trying to adjust to a new town without being able to go anywhere. True to style, Carole found a way forward and has been exploring resources and making connections in the region ever since. Carole is currently teaching ESL privately part-time, but she understands language learning from both sides since she has had to improve her French since arriving, and her husband has had to pretty much start learning it from scratch. In this episode, Carole shares some of her experiences of the past few years with host Julie Miller.

James Forest's Shades of Purple

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Singer-songwriter James Forest was born on the Magdalen Islands but he has made St Mathieu du Parc his home, when he is not travelling and playing his music around the globe. James released a new album called All Shades of Purple that came out during the Covid lockdown. In a conversation with host Julie Miller, James talks about the album's title, what it's been like for a travelling musician to get through the pandemic, and how his philosophy of trust and open-mindedness has inspired not only how he makes music but how he lives his life. It's an inspiring conversation with a musician whose honest lyrics and subtle rhythms will leave you wanting to hear more.

Michael McCall: A passion for soccer and a love of life

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Michael McCall has recently moved to Trois-Rivières from Ottawa. He is no stranger to microphones, because he cohosts a podcast called FC13 all about Canadian soccer. Michael joins host Julie Miller not only to talk about why it's a great year to be a soccer fan, but also to chat about bilingualism, adapting to life in a new city, and what happened recently that has given him a fresh outlook on life.

Getting to Know Trinity Mastine

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Trinity Mastine grew up on a farm in a little village in the Centre du Québec, and is now a student at McGill in the Speech Language Pathology Program. In this chat with host Julie Miller, Trinity talks about the village and farm where she grew up, and shares her experience of leaving home to study in Montreal - an experience which has opened up both new horizons and new challenges. There is a currently a huge demand for Speech Language Pathologists, and Trinity talks to us about her chosen field.

Season Three: Trailer no. 2!

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 17:00:00 -0400

The second trailer for the third season of our podcast, celebrating the diversity of views and the experience of people living and working in the Mauricie and the Centre du Québec.

Season 3 Trailer

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 14:00:00 -0400

The third season of MCQ Views and Voices is coming up this fall! Listen in to hear what's in the works!

From Burton to Barton, Bonus Episode: The Remarkable Life of Jo Whitehead

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 16:00:00 -0400

Lesley Joy Whitehead, aka Jo Whitehead, was the eldest child of industrialist Charles Ross Whitehead of Trois-Rivières. Born in 1895, she led a most remarkable and unusual life, which has been all but forgotten in her home country of Canada until now. Over the course of her work researching the history of the Scottish Women's Hospitals' Serbian Units, Dr. Natasha Stoyce of the UK stumbled on clues which led her to bring the story of Jo Whitehead to the light. In this episode, Natasha tells host Julie Miller the amazing details that she's uncovered and continues to uncover about an apparently fearless woman who insisted on defining her own self, and who, if alive today, might have identified herself as a non-binary person.

From Burton to Barton, part 25: It's Been a Great Run!

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 15:00:00 -0400

In this very last episode of season two, hosts Julie Miller and François Roy talk a bit about more recent history in Trois-Rivières, discussing important international events such as the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières and the poetry festival. François mentions some famous people from the city, and the two hosts talk about the life of Brian Barton, to come full circle with the season's title, From Burton to Barton. The episode includes some great music from Canadian bands and singer songwriters too, such as Jael Bird Joseph, from 3R.

From Burton to Barton, part 24: The Summer of '46

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 12:00:00 -0500

This week, Julie Miller and François Roy take a look at the summer of 1946, the first peacetime summer after the long and dark war years . People were picking up their lives and trying to get back to normal, but as often happens after momentous societal upheavals, life was never going to be the same again. The summer of 46 was special for a lot of reasons, and people in Trois Rivières had reason to cheer right through the summer and into the fall. In fact, as you’ll hear, it was uncanny how many news articles from the Saint Maurice Valley Chronicle that summer mirrored news stories from our own times...

From Burton to Barton, part 23: Mobilizing for WWII

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0500

For Trois-Rivières and Trifluvians, World War II was very different from WWI. During the Second World War, the whole town was mobilized for the war effort, whereas in the previous war all the trouble had seemed far away for a lot of the population. Julie and François discuss the build up to the war, and many of the ways the city changed during the war. There were training grounds and POW camps; factories changed their productions; and the Cap de la Madeleine airport was converted for the war effort, drawing people from all over Canada. François also tells the story of an epic and legendary snowball fight that went on between two neighbourhoods in 3R. This episode has its share of surprising detail and local anecdotes about the war years.

From Burton to Barton, part 22: It's All His Fault...Or Is It?

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Julie Miller and François Roy are back with another episode. This time they take a look at the controversial figure of Maurice Duplessis. As François says, everything bad that happened before 1960 in Québec always seems to be Duplessis' fault, but it was more complicated than that- history always is more complicated. When Duplessis, from an old Yamachiche family, was first elected in the 1930s, the Liberals had been around without any competition to speak of for a long, long time, protecting Big Business and ignoring the countryside. Duplessis built a new party and won election. Without trying to whitewash history, François tries to give some nuance and context to discussions of the Duplessis years. He also takes a look at how Duplessis related to the English community. Music in this episode will take us back to those times, with old tracks from Ovila Légaré, Alys Robi, and Oscar Thiffaut.

From Burton to Barton, part 21: Sainte Brigitte's Daughters

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 10:00:00 -0500

In this episode, co-hosts Julie Miller and François Roy look at the Irish and bilingual history of Sainte Brigitte on the south shore, going back to the first settler in the 1830s, John O'Sullivan. This episode focuses on some of the women of the parish, but Julie starts by going back even further to tell the story of the saint in whose honour the parish was named. In the 1800s and first half of the 1900s, if women did not want to marry and have children, they had very few choices; one of the few options open to them was to become a nun, or a teacher, or both. As Julie says, when looking into the history of women, sometimes you have to interpret the silences, and their lives raise as many questions as they answer.

From Burton to Barton, part 20: The Irish Firebrand

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 10:00:00 -0500

Charles Ramsay Devlin (1858-1914): during his own lifetime, he was a man impossible to ignore, but today his accomplishments have fallen into the shadows. A champion to some, a big headache for others, Devlin was a firebrand, a politician, a fearless campaigner, a defender of Catholics across Canada, a friend to Quebecers, a bilingual and charismatic figure…and a man who did not limit his action and political involvement to Canada! Devlin's bilingualism was so perfect that he could argue passionately in both languages. As co-host and historian François Roy says, History is loaded with injustice, but François has made it his mission to try to remedy that by retrieving the memory of this interesting man who once represented the riding of Nicolet.

From Burton to Barton, part 19: A Foot in Both Worlds

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 15:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Julie Miller and François Roy look beyond black and white definitions to talk about three women who lived outside of the box, in a "grey zone," with a foot in at least two worlds, sometimes more. Whether it was because of their family origins or through their own choices, these three individuals had the courage to define themselves beyond the strict roles dictated to them by the society they were a part of. You'll meet Helene Elliott, of Hunterstown, a "frontier, wild-west-type" logging town in the Mauricie: Louise Vanasse of Rivière du Loup (now Louiseville) whose journey of self-determination took her to Halifax and LIverpool; and Lesley Joy Whitehead, who enlisted in the Serbian Army during WWI and saw action on the front.

From Burton to Barton, part 18: WWI and 3R

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode, hosts Julie Miller and François Roy talk about World War I and its impact on Trois-Rivières. The Armoury was built in 1905, but it became a kind of private club for the local Liberal party. François will reveal what Sam Hughes, the minister of munitions for the federal Conservative government, had to say about that. You'll also hear about what happened to local MP Blondin when he tried to cross the river by ferry during the heated and controvertial conscription debates. A few industries popped up to support the war effort, and then gave way to other industries in the 1920s, industries that would define Trois-Rivières for decades to come. This episode is dotted with music taken from the war years, to give you a feel of what people were thinking, feeling, and saying about the war.

From Burton to Barton, part 17: The Red and White Edition

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500

This week hosts Julie Miller and François Roy are talking about industry - about a few specific industries in particular. Did you know that 3 generations of the Bradley family operated a business in Red Mill, a hamlet near what is now Cap de la Madeleine, and that they produced red ochre powder for Canada Paint, and other companies, for almost a hundred years? And you’ve seen the name Whitehead on street signs in Trois Rivières, but who was Charles Ross Whitehead? And the question to ask about him, is what business was he NOT involved in? As is their habit, François and Julie take a few detours to discuss related issues, This is our Red Paint and White Linens edition: that’s Red Mill Paint, and White Wabasso Linens.

From Burton to Barton, part 16: Canoeing to Khartoum

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500

This week’s episode is a little bit longer than other weeks, but that is what happens when you hop into a canoe to explore rivers and waterways. You just never know where you are going to end up. And that’s also what happens when you start to explore history: one story leads to different story, one place leads to another place. Hosts Julie Miller and François Roy start with a war, and an empire, and a brigade of canoes, and then ask you to leave Trois Rivières to travel very afield. So without further ado, grab a paddle and have a listen to the story of the amazing link between Trois-Rivières, La Tuque, and Khartoum.

From Burton to Barton, part 15: The Crimea and la Capricieuse

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500

In this edition hosts Julie Miller and François Roy discuss the Crimean War. Although it was fought far away in Europe, it was a significant war for Trois Rivières, and for the rest of Quebec, for a very particular reason. You’ll hear about an event in 1855 which turned the tides for French Canadians when a ship docked in Trois Rivières with an unusual and unprecedented cargo. During these years a new spirit of friendship, trust, and openness was the air, and the alliances formed during the Crimean War of 1853 to 1856 laid the foundation for a friendly pact made between France and England called L’Entente Cordiale, which was formally signed later in 1904.

From Burton to Barton, part 14: The Sporting Life

Thu, 06 Jan 2022 15:00:00 -0500

How did organized sport start developing in Trois Rivières? That’s the subject of this episode. Hosts Julie Miller and François Roy cover a lot of bases –they'll talk about baseball, horse racing, canoeing, snowshoeing, skating, tennis, and so much more. There was even a cricket club once upon a time in TR! And as François likes to point out, you could even say politics was a sport, yes it was…and politics could divide people to such an extent that it could affect the way sports clubs in the 1800s and into the 1900s were set up. This episode contains one of Julie's favourite anecdotes of the entire series. Oh, and did you know that Three Rivers used to have a farm club for the Brooklyn Dodgers and other pro baseball teams too? And do you know about the role Three Rivers High School played in encouraging the development of sports locally? This episode explores these topics, and more.

From Burton to Barton, part 13: When Loyalist Paths Diverge

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0500

In lucky episode number 13, hosts Julie and François compare the very different life paths taken by two Loyalist families who first arrived in Trois Rivières as refugees after the American Revolution. You’ll hear about an attorney general and about martial law; about who sympathised with the Patriotes in 1838 and who did not; and you’ll also find out about the first ever agricultural manual published in French Canada…by a son of a Loyalist family, the Barnards.

However, the hosts wander further afield from Loyalists, and also talk about toponomy, Irish immigrants to Nicolet, Irish pubs, and much more besides.

From Burton to Barton, part 12: So Many Stories

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0500

One of the titles we also considered for this episode is "Religions and Royal Visits." In this week's somewhat eclectic episode, our topics range from a very awkward Franciscan preacher to the passage of the Queen of England a century and a half later. You’ll also hear about some of the religious diversity that existed in Trois-Rivières in the late 1700s and through the 1800s, including a story of yet another interfaith marriage, this time between a woman named Hannah Cook and a man called Isaac Phineas.

From Burton to Barton, part 11: Getting Down to Business

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0500

This week, Julie and François get down to business. Literally. This episodes picks up in the 1870s and 80s in Trois Rivières. François has lots to say about the businessmen of the time, and what they did to get organized and develop the area economically. The hosts also talk about the development of trade unions, or the lack of them, in the early days in TR. And then, they tackle the subject of tensions between the language groups and take a look at that. Tension is not necessarily such a bad thing. It's never a comfortable thing, but it’s not a BAD thing per se, because without a little creative tension, would there be any real growth and change?

From Burton to Barton, part 10: Tensions and Trying Times

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 16:00:00 -0500

In this episode. Julie and François take a look at the Patriote rebellions of 1837-38, and at its effect on people in Trois Rivières, both during the events themselves and in the aftermath. You can’t really talk about this time without discussing the general climate of the province. This is a period marked by growing tensions, by abuse of power and an increasing concentration of wealth, and a population who felt the effects of colonial injustice more and more keenly. This feels like one of the more serious episodes we’ve done so far, but it’s important to be able to look back at tension and conflict, because as Winston Churchill noted, paraphrasing the philosopher George Santayana, "Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it."

François and Julie do their best to navigate these more turbulent waters of the 1830s and 40s. You’ll find out about Radical Jack’s trip to TR, and who patrolled the town during the rebellion. We’ll look at some of the injustices that lead up to the uprisings, and also at the fallout afterwards.

From Burton to Barton, part 9: Manette and Marie-Catherine Make Up Their Own Minds

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0500

This episode is about two women who insisted on the right to self-determination, although they would have called it the right to "follow the guidance of their own heart." One was a silversmith's daughter whose tale would be shocking even today; the other was the daughter of a prominent seigneur who had the temerity to fall in love with a lowly (and English speaking) Irish surgeon. Julie tells François about the surprising life stories of Manette de Tonnancour and Marie-Catherine Delezenne.

From Burton to Barton, part 8: Full Steam Ahead with Davison and Bell

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 06:00:00 -0500

This episode is about the second wave of immigration of English speakers to Trois-Rivières, from about 1775 to the 1840's. It was an age of industrialization and colonization. We'll talk about the appearance of steam machines on George Davison's Lanton Farm. We'll also hear about Matthew Bell's business savvy, as the longest-serving director of the Forges-Saint-Maurice. And what was the connection to Berwickshire in England? Listen in to find out.

From Burton to Barton, part 7: "Let's Invade Canada!" - The Bostonians

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 08:00:00 -0500

This episode takes a look at the winter of 1775-76, when 3R was evacuated because of an advancing army. Did the Americans wreak havoc on Trifluvian life, or were they more of a ragtag army? Why did the French Canadians call it, "La guerre des autres?" Who was General Riedesel, and what tradition did his charming wife Charlotte introduce to Québec? This week, François tells Julie all about the Bostonians.

From Burton to Barton, part 6: The British Seigneurs

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0400

After the British conquest of 1760, the English began to settle in Québec. Many former naval and army officers bought land. Many of the seigneuries in the Trois-Rivières/Bécancour/Nicolet area now had British owners, with names like Hart, Munro, Chandler, Cuthbert, and Gugy. In this episode, Julie and François also talk about different waves of refugees who fled to the area for safety.

From Burton to Barton, part 5: the Hart Family

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0400

The Harts were a very important family in the history of Trois-Rivières, from Aaron Hart and his wife Dorothea Judah, to their sons Moses and Ezekiel, one of whom was famous, the other, infamous. There were several Jewish families in Trois-Rivières after 1760, and of these the Harts were the most prominent. Aaron Hart is considered a founding member of the Jewish community in Canada. In this episode, host Julie Miller and this season's special guest, François Roy introduced you to the Hart family

From Burton to Barton, part 4: Two Scottish Veterans

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0400

There were two Scots living in Three Rivers, as it was known to the British, both of whom had been present at the Battle of Culloden of 1746, but on opposite sides. This episode talks about some of the Scots who came to live here in the early days.

From Burton to Barton, part 3: A Governor, his Secretary, and Miss Elizabeth Wilkinson

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 19:00:00 -0400

This episode covers more stories from the early days of an English - and protestant! - presence in Trois-Rivières. Julie Miller and François Roy talk about Frederick Haldimand: who was he and why did he need a bilingual secretary? Who was Conrad Gugy, and who was the enigmatic woman he lived with: was she a woman of ill-repute, or a wealthy woman of independent mind?

Season 2 Trailer

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 15:00:00 -0400

Listen to this short clip from the first episode of our second season to hear what's coming up on MCQ Views and Voices.

Season Two Premier: From Burton to Barton - part 1

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Our second season is devoted to a special series on the history of English speakers in Trois-Rivières: "From Burton to Barton." In this introductory episode, host Julie Miller and this season's special guest, historian François Roy, give an overview of what's to come. Who were the first English speakers? Where did they come from, and what did they do? How did the community grow? What caused a bigger divide: language, religion, or politics? And who were the lovers, the leaders, the dreamers, and the builders? We'll be looking at these questions and more in the coming weeks, but in this episode, we begin to dip our toes into the unexplored waters of the English presence in 3R.

From Burton to Barton, part 2: The Redcoats are Coming!

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 17:00:00 -0400

This episode explores the early days of a consistent English presence in 3R. Host Julie Miller and this season's special guest, historian François Roy, discuss the Royal American and Fraser's 78th regiments, and François introduces us to the Ralph Burton referred to in the series' title, From Burton to Barton.

Drummondville History 04: Powering Up Silk City

Sun, 18 Jul 2021 14:00:00 -0400

Barry Husk is back for another chat with Julie Miller in this fourth episode in our series about the history of Drummondville. Things really began to change at the end of the 1800s when Southern Canada Power chose to build a power plant in Drummondville. It was an intense period: the town grew from a place that made axes and wooden spools and not much more, to a place with many textile factories that employed thousands of people. Did you know that Drummondville was once known as Silk City? It was! Do you know how Celanese first started out? Did you hear about the great explosion of 1916? How did Drummondville fare during the Great Depression? Listen in to hear more about the early 1900s, when Drummondville began to make its mark.

Stepping Up For the Environment: Getting to Know John Husk

Sun, 11 Jul 2021 14:00:00 -0400

John Husk has a special story about how he first decided to get involved in municipal politics 12 years ago at only 27 years of age. He hasn't looked back since. This fall, John will be retiring as a city councilor in Drummondville as a new chapter opens in his life, but he will continue to be a champion for the environment. He talks about growing up in Drummondville, what happened when his daughter was born, how he went from being a mechanic to currently working on a Master's degree in urban planning and sustainable land use, and why municipal politics is the most accessible level of political involvement. He takes a look back at his time on the municipal council, tells us about how Drummondville has shifted from thinking in terms of "economic development" to "sustainable development," and explains how our democracy can only work when citizens get involved.

Is It Time For a Shift in Thinking?

Thu, 01 Jul 2021 22:00:00 -0400

In this episode in our mental health series, hosts Emily Vidal and Julie Miller meet Pauline Meunier of the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Pauline was a paramedic for many years before becoming a master trainer for the Mental Health Commission's workshops and sessions. She's become a passionate spokesperson for the commission and has been involved in its development. Where does the stigma around mental health come from? How does the Commission's Working Mind training help to promote a shift in thinking? Do we take the language we use to talk about mental health for granted, and is it time to make some changes? Is there reason to be hopeful that we can learn to watch out for each other when it comes to mental health? Pauline will weigh in on all these topics and more with open-mindedness and generosity, bringing a breath of fresh air to the Mauricie and Centre du Québec, because the Mental Health Commission's workshops are now offered online and can be accessed from anywhere in Canada, in either English or French.

Take a Weight Off Your Shoulders: Ami-Québec

Fri, 25 Jun 2021 17:00:00 -0400

At the beginning of the pandemic, Montreal-based mental health support and advocacy group, Ami-Quebec, put their services online. This meant that English speakers from outside the metropolitan area can now have access to their programs - and this includes people in the Mauricie and Centre du Québec. In this episode, hosts Emily Vidal and Julie Miller speak with Marc Griffin and Tony Alfonso of Ami-Québec to find out the story behind Ami-Québec and some of the innovative ways they have been helping out. What sort of programs do they offer? What are their Facebook live "Hot Topics" all about? And how can they take a weight off the shoulders of friends and family trying to help someone who lives with a mental health problem? As you'll hear, Ami-Québec has been working for over 40 years to reduce stigma, and to remind you that you are not alone.

Nobody's Been Through This Before: What impact has the pandemic had on youth?

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 15:00:00 -0400

In this fourth episode in our series about mental health and stigma, Julie Miller and Emily Vidal speak with Victoria Kuczynski. Victoria is a counsellor who works with the Montreal organization, Friends for Mental Health. We talk about the impact of the pandemic on youth based on Victoria's experience over the past year. Do we have unrealistic expectations of adolescents? How heavy are the burdens that they've had to shoulder recently? And what is the most important thing to do if you're worried about your mental health, or the mental health of a young person close to you? As Victoria says, it's "all about communication." It's in bravely reaching out and not giving up that we realize we're not alone.

https://kidshelpphone.ca/
https://www.crisistextline.ca/

We've Come So Far: Resilience, Part 2

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0400

What's your coping style? We all have one style that predominates, but generally we have a range of coping styles, depending on our age and stage in life and the situation. In this 3rd episode in a series about mental health and breaking the stigma that surrounds it, co-hosts Emily Vidal and Julie Miller welcome back Mirella Castrechini to talk about coping styles and coping strategies, which are aspects of building resilience. Mirella is a certified life coach and healthcare management consultant who has developed trainings on resilience for Senior's Action Quebec. The conversation on coping styles applies to all, young and old.

Bringing About Concrete Change, One Letter at a Time: Vickie Schnieders

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 16:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Julie Miller speaks with Vickie Schnieders about her many years of involvement with the Amnesty International group in Trois-Rivières. She shares some of the stories that inspired her to get involved and to keep motivated over the years in what she calls "her favourite cause." Vickie also tells us how she came to live in Quebec, and why she agrees that Trois-Rivières is a great place to live.

We've Come So Far: Resilience, Part 1

Mon, 31 May 2021 09:00:00 -0400

This is the second episode in our series on breaking the stigma that surrounds mental health. This week, co-hosts Emily Vidal and Julie Miller are joined by special guest, Mirella Castrechini. Mirella is a trained Life Coach and a healthcare management consultant. Recently she gave some trainings on the different components of building resilience. We tackle the topic of control: how does a sense of perceived control influence resilience? What is healthy control? How can you come to feel in control but not be controlling? It's a delicate balance, and Mirella believes that we all have everything we need to begin the journey towards becoming more resilient.

Getting to Know Karine Gauthier

Mon, 17 May 2021 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Karine Gauthier, a lecturer at UQTR, talks with host Julie Miller about her approach to teaching, and about where she grew up, how she became bilingual, the importance of laughter, her involvement in MEES, and her contribution to the list of suggestions for newcomers of the best places to discover in and around the Trois-Rivières area.

We've Come So Far: Reducing the stigma around mental health

Thu, 06 May 2021 15:00:00 -0400

This episode is the first in a series on mental health by hosts Julie Miller and Emily Vidal from Case-MCQ. The goal of the series is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health by helping to bring more awareness to it. This particular episode delves deep into the shifts that have taken place in our perception of mental health and the varying attitudes that different generations have of it. We also take a quick look at the history of the treatment of mental health issues and the ways that we can learn and grow from the suffering of the past to get to a place of healing and understanding.

If you are experiencing mental health issues, contact your G.P. or get in touch with us at CASE with help finding services.

Write to us with your feedback and comments at casemcq.communications@gmail.com

The Amazing World of the St-Lawrence Sharks

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 10:00:00 -0400

Jeffrey Gallant teaches English by day at the cegep in Drummondville, but he is also a scientist, diver, and conservationist. He is the founder of the Saint-Lawrence Shark Observatory, and has been on many dives where he's met the elusive Greenland Shark. In this interview, he talks about how he came to have a soft spot for sharks, why they shouldn't get a bad rap, and about some of the sharks that live in the St-Lawrence River.

Getting to Know Cliff Doresca

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Cliff Doresca is a local artist who is self-taught and who came to art via a unique path. In a conversation with host Julie Miller, he talks about the moon and the stars, life in Nicolet, inspiration, and what it's like when he gets feedback about his work. You can see samples of his paintings at his website: www.cliffd.ca

Music from this episode is by Checkie Brown, Till Paradiso, and Marcus Staab.

When Trois-Rivières still feels like home...even after you move away: Lynn Vining

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 16:00:00 -0400

Co-hosts Julie Miller and Marc Aeschimann talk with Lynn Vining, who was born and raised in Trois-Rivières, Even though she now lives in Montréal, Lynn says that Trois-Rivières still feels like home. She talks about bilingualism, how TR has changed over the years, and about one of her passions that became a business: outdoor fitness.

Let's Talk Farming: Rosemarie Allen

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 14:00:00 -0400

Rosemarie Allen owns the farm "Le Paysan Gourmand" with her husband, Jacob Morin, in St-Félix de Kingsey. Rosemarie joins host Julie Miller to talk about her holistic approach to farming, how their farm got its name, and what it feels like to work towards being self-sufficient. Rosemarie and Jacob are also parents of three young children, and Rosemarie talks a bit about the challenges and benefits of running a family farm today.

Camp Beeline: a Most Creative Camp!

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 13:00:00 -0400

Lizzy Lawson and Alexandre Dumont are two university students from Shawinigan who have worked for many summers as camp counsellors. Now they are setting up their own summer day camp. They are creative, dynamic, innovative, and full of ideas! In conversation with host Julie Miller, Lizzy and Alexandre talk about creative games, meditation for kids, the benefits of bilingualism, and what is so special about living in Shawinigan.

Drummondville History 03: From Tornadoes to Tanneries

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 11:00:00 -0400

In this third episode about Drummondville History, Julie Miller and Barry Husk take us from the 1830's through to the end of the 19th century. What happened after the shaky start to the colony? Did life calm down? Were local settlers involved in the Patriot rebellions of the 1830s? What were the first industries set up in the area, and what was their impact? And how is it even possible, after all the settlers went through in the first ten years, that a tornado blew through town?

Drummondville History 02: No One Ever Said It Would Be Easy...

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 11:00:00 -0400

In this second episode of our series on the history of Drummondville, Julie Miller and Barry Husk talk about the first ten years of the settlement, from 1816-1826. This decade was marked by an unusual amount of dramatic and challenging events. Walking down the calm and ordered streets of Drummondville now, you would never guess the struggles of the first settlers to lay down roots and give the town its start.

Drummondville History 01: Who was Frederick George Heriot?

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 11:00:00 -0400

This is the first episode in a series about the surprising history of Drummondville. Host Julie Miller is joined by Barry Husk, a local entrepreneur, member of the St. George Foundation, and history buff. Hear all about the context of the settlement, which was founded in 1815 by a young man who had joined the military at 16 years old as an ensign and had risen in rank, becoming a commanding officer in the War of 1812. We talk about Heriot's background and the political context of the time, about the choice of location, and who came to settle and work the land.

Getting to know Dolores Rose

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 10:00:00 -0400

In this, our very first episode, hosts Julie Miller and Marc Aeschimann of CASE-MCQ speak with Dolores Rose. Dolores lives in Trois-Rivières, Québec, and is the founder of the Facebook group, “English Speaking People in Trois Rivières and Surroundings.” At last count, the group has over 750 members and is a great way for English-speakers to connect about everything from apartment hunting to babysitting to finding a good hairdresser. It is also a great way for people who have just moved to the area to say hello and meet people in the community. Dolores talks about the history of the group, and a bit about what it was like growing up and going to high school in Trois-Rivières.