Trails at Parc Harold F. Baldwin wind through the forest surrounding Le Pinacle near Coaticook. The park opens Trails 1, 4, and 5 on Thursday, April 30, with Trails 2 and the climbers’ trail to follow on May 7. Photo courtesy of Parc Harold F. Baldwin.

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Harold F. Baldwin Park (PHFB) in Coaticook will open three of its trails this Thursday, April 30, as the regional park emerges from its annual spring thaw closure — though hikers are being urged to stay on marked paths to protect emerging vegetation.

Trails 1, 4, and 5 will be accessible starting Thursday. Park management says it is essential that visitors remain on designated routes to avoid trampling the fragile new growth appearing across the park as conditions improve.

Trails 2 and the climbers’ trail remain closed due to persistently wet conditions in that area of the park. Both are expected to reopen on May 7.

Rock climbing is permitted via summit access, but climbers are advised to check the current exclusion zone put in place to protect an active peregrine falcon nesting site.

The partial reopening follows a spring thaw closure that began on March 10, when General Manager Mathieu Fontaine announced trails had to be shut down immediately after a week of high temperatures and heavy rainfall left the ground unstable. At the time, Fontaine cautioned that hiker traffic during the thaw period can cause deep ruts and erosion, forcing the park to carry out repairs that drive up maintenance costs and delay reopening. He had indicated mid-to-late April as the likely target for a return to service, contingent on weather.

The Harold F. Baldwin Park is a regional park owned by the City of Coaticook and operated by a non-profit organization run by volunteer administrators. The park covers approximately 63 hectares and is anchored by Le Pinacle, a summit reaching 665 metres in altitude, situated 194 metres above Lac Lyster. The park also encompasses Lac Lyster and Petit Lac Baldwin.

The PHFB trail network draws hikers of all ages and is open year-round, offering opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, rock climbing, and outdoor recreation. Visitors to Le Pinacle’s summit are rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

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The Municipality of Newport will host a Mobile Ecocentre at its municipal office, located at 1452, route 212, on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 8 a.m. to noon, giving residents a convenient opportunity to dispose of a wide range of household waste responsibly.

According to its website, the one-time collection event will accept electronic and computer equipment, including stereos, televisions, cell phones, computers, printers, monitors, hard drives, keyboards, and microwave ovens, among other items. Residents looking to confirm whether a specific device qualifies can consult recyclermeselcetroniques.ca or recyclemyelectronics.ca.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) will also be accepted, provided items are brought in their original packaging. Eligible materials include paints, oils, vehicle batteries, smoke alarms, propane, oil filters, paint strippers, compact fluorescent bulbs, and fluorescent tubes, which must be packaged to prevent breakage.

The ecocentre will additionally take wood products such as branches, melamine furniture, construction lumber, treated and painted wood, pallets, Christmas trees, tables, chairs, and desks. Accepted metals include small metal parts made from iron, aluminum, cast iron, or copper, as well as empty paint cans and major household appliances such as washers, dryers, refrigerators, freezers, stoves, dishwashers, hot water tanks, and barbecues.

Residents are advised that all tires will be refused at the event. The municipality notes that garages are legally required to accept old tires at no charge, as residents have already paid an eco-fee at the time of purchase.

A number of items will also be turned away, including mattresses, recliners, shingles, grass, clothing, PCBs, ammunition and explosives, contaminated soil, industrial paint, spas, railway sleepers, asbestos fibre, pesticides, and gasoline.

For more information, residents can contact the municipal office at 819-560-8565.

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A municipal graphic promotes Potton’s limited-time offer of a free one-cubic-metre ecocentre load for residents, available with a voucher this spring. Courtesy of Potton.

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The Municipality of Potton is announcing two spring initiatives aimed at both waste management and outdoor stewardship, offering residents a free ecocentre voucher for bulky materials while also organizing a community hiking trail clean-up later in May.

Beginning Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 8 a.m., when the Potton ecocentre opens for the season, residents will be eligible for a one-time-use voucher allowing them to dispose of up to one cubic metre of bulky items or construction materials free of charge. The municipality says the measure is intended to support proper waste disposal and encourage residents to clear out unwanted materials responsibly.

Each civic lot is entitled to one voucher, which must be obtained in advance at Town Hall during regular business hours. Proof of residence is required, and vouchers will be distributed until July 3, 2026, at 12:30 p.m.

To redeem the offer, residents must bring their voucher along with valid identification to the ecocentre. The municipality notes that one cubic metre is approximately equivalent to a 4-foot by 6-foot trailer loaded to a height of 1.5 feet.

More information about accepted materials and ecocentre operations is available on the municipality’s website.

Hiking trails clean-up scheduled for May 23

Potton is also calling on volunteers to help prepare local trails for the upcoming hiking season. A community clean-up is planned for Saturday, May 23, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, targeting two popular areas: the Owl’s Head trails and the West Hill trail.

The initiative, organized in collaboration with CABMN and Destination Owl’s Head, aims to improve trail conditions and enhance the experience for visitors and residents alike. Participants will be provided with lunch following the clean-up.

Residents interested in taking part are encouraged to register in advance through an online form provided by the municipality.

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Residents of all ages gather for a community activity at Bibliothèque Gisèle-Bergeron in Sherbrooke, reflecting the kind of inclusive, citizen-driven initiatives supported through the city’s participatory budgeting program.

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Sherbrooke is highlighting the impact of its participatory budgeting program, announcing that dozens of community-led projects were funded across several boroughs in 2025, while confirming the return of the initiative in 2026 with new funding opportunities for residents.

In a municipal update released April 29, the City of Sherbrooke said $24,000 will be allocated in 2026 to support citizen-driven projects in the borough of Brompton–Rock Forest–Saint-Élie–Deauville (BROFSED), with additional participatory budgets expected to launch later this year. The program allows residents to propose and vote on projects that benefit their communities, placing decision-making power directly in the hands of citizens.

Participatory budgeting is designed to support initiatives with social or community impact, often led or backed by non-profit organizations. Eligible projects must promote inclusion, encourage community engagement and meet criteria set by the city.

The municipality also used the announcement to look back at the wide range of projects funded in 2025 across its boroughs.

In Fleurimont, seven projects were selected across two districts. Initiatives included free inter-neighbourhood soccer activities organized by Action Sports Inclusions, virtual reality career exploration workshops for women led by the Centre d’intégration au marché de l’emploi, and a school-based hockey program aimed at helping immigrant students integrate while promoting healthy lifestyles. Other projects ranged from intercultural soccer tournaments and neighbourhood festivals to environmental cleanups along the Saint-François River and a large-scale student mural unveiled at École secondaire de la Montée.

In the borough of Les Nations, three projects received support. These included a monarch butterfly habitat initiative involving the distribution of milkweed seeds, intercultural brunches and art activities at Parc André-Viger, and a youth employment program that combined work experience with park maintenance.

BROFSED also saw several community projects come to life. In Brompton, residents supported a travelling mini-putt course, a creative arts workshop space, and a community “Frigo-Free” initiative led by École secondaire de Bromptonville. In Saint-Élie, funding helped install a pergola and garden structures at Halte du Vieux Pommier, enhancing a local gathering space.

Meanwhile, in Lennoxville, three initiatives were funded following a public vote. These included a themed country day at the public market, an intergenerational walking group organized by the local women’s centre, and a series of bilingual outdoor exhibitions on local heritage scheduled for 2026.

City officials say the projects demonstrate strong civic engagement and contribute to building inclusive, vibrant neighbourhoods. Residents are encouraged to follow upcoming participatory budget calls for proposals through the city’s Mon Sherbrooke portal.

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All police services across Quebec will intensify enforcement of distracted driving and reckless behaviour on provincial roads from May 1 to 7, 2026, as part of a Concerted National Operation (ONC) targeting dangerous habits behind the wheel.

The operation, announced Wednesday by the Sûreté du Québec, involves collaboration between all Quebec police services, traffic controllers from the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), and the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau.

Officers will be paying particular attention to four categories of infractions: failure to comply with signage — including stop signs, red lights, school bus signals and right-of-way rules — reckless actions such as prohibited passing, tailgating, and distracted driving, including cell phone use at the wheel.

The SQ is also reminding motorists that failing to signal a turn is not merely bad manners — it is a violation of the Highway Safety Code and will be treated accordingly during the operation.

Activating a turn signal, the SQ notes, is mandatory under the Highway Safety Code, not optional — and failing to do so constitutes an offence.

The operation is organized under a partnership between the Association des directeurs de police du Québec, the Sûreté du Québec, the Service de police de Gatineau, Contrôle routier Québec, and the SAAQ.

Motorists can follow updates through the SQ’s social media channels on X and Facebook, as well as those of municipal police services and the SAAQ.

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A Bromont police officer arrested an 18-year-old Montreal man on fraud charges Wednesday after he was caught in the act in the Adamsville area.

The arrest followed a scheme in which a female suspect contacted a local resident by phone, posing as a Sûreté du Québec officer and telling the victim she had been the target of a fraud. The man was then sent to the victim’s home to collect her bank cards — at which point Bromont police, who were already on scene, took him into custody.

The incident is being treated as fraud by false representation.

The Bromont Police Service is warning residents that this type of scam is on the rise. Officers are urging the public to be vigilant: legitimate police officers will never ask you to hand over your bank cards or financial information.

Anyone with information related to this or similar incidents is encouraged to contact the Bromont Police Service at 450-534-3131.

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Annie the beagle peers through the kennel bars at the Cégep de Sherbrooke animal health department, where shelter dogs receive full veterinary care before being placed for adoption. Annie was recently adopted through the program. Photo courtesy.

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The animal health department at Cégep de Sherbrooke is giving dogs, cats, and other shelter animals a second chance at a loving home — while simultaneously giving students hands-on clinical experience that prepares them for careers in veterinary medicine.

The department’s adoption program, run through the college’s Techniques de santé animale program, accepts animals from various shelters twice per session. Each group of animals receives a full slate of veterinary care upon arrival — vaccinations, deworming, spaying or neutering, dental cleanings, and any additional treatments or surgeries they may require — all performed by students under faculty supervision.

“We receive animals from different shelters, and when they arrive, we do the exams, the care — vaccines, deworming, sterilizations, dental cleanings,” said Audrey-Anne Fontaine, a faculty member in the department, in an interview with The Pulse on April 29. “If they need other care, we can do other surgeries or other treatments for their health.”

Each cohort typically includes around 12 cats and between 16 and 18 dogs. The program runs two cohorts per session — the first group arrives at the start of the session and becomes available for adoption at the mid-point, while a second group arrives at mid-session and is placed for adoption by the end. Each animal that goes to its new home has been fully vetted, vaccinated, dewormed, microchipped, and had its teeth cleaned.

Beyond dogs and cats, which are a constant fixture in the program, the department also takes in small rodents, rabbits, chickens, and birds at various points throughout the year, depending on the session. Fontaine noted that while these additional species aren’t always available, dogs and cats are present throughout.

The educational value of the program is central to its design. Students in the animal health technician program use the animals to practise the same procedures they will encounter in professional clinical settings — including blood panels, radiography, and ultrasound.

“It’s really to imitate a veterinary clinic so that students can practise doing treatments the same way they will in a veterinary clinic,” Fontaine said.

The scope of care the animals receive is comprehensive. Beyond routine procedures, the department conducts blood work, X-rays, and ultrasounds on the animals as part of the students’ training — meaning each animal that passes through the program receives a level of medical attention that would be difficult to match elsewhere.

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For Fontaine, the work is a natural fit. “I’ve always loved animals. And in teaching, it’s two perfect worlds — teaching and animals. I’m very fulfilled by that,” she said. “Animal medicine, I find it really fun to be able to treat, do exams, blood tests — all of that.”

Graduates of the Techniques de santé animale program go on to work across a wide range of settings. Veterinary clinics and research centres are the most common destinations, but students also find work in animal shelters, animal behaviour, and as representatives for pet food and nutrition companies. A smaller number go on to work in zoos, though Fontaine noted those positions are more competitive given the limited number of openings.

Prospective adopters are asked to make a donation when they take an animal home. Those funds go directly back into the program to cover the cost of care for the next group of animals — keeping the cycle self-sustaining. The department describes itself as seeking responsible families who genuinely want to give these animals the second chance they deserve.

Anyone interested in adopting can reach the department through its Facebook page, Instagram account, or the Cégep de Sherbrooke website under the animal health department section. Visits are arranged so potential adopters can meet the animals, assess temperament, and ensure a good match before reserving. Animals are then formally adopted at the end of the session.

The department can also be contacted directly by email at adoptions@cegepsherbrooke.qc.ca.

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A motorcyclist suffered serious injuries after going off the road while fleeing a Sûreté du Québec officer near Sherbrooke, and Quebec’s police watchdog has launched an independent investigation into the incident.

The Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI) announced Tuesday in a release that it opened its investigation on the afternoon of April 28, 2026, following an early-morning incident involving an SQ patrol officer.

According to preliminary information released by the BEI, an officer observed a motorcyclist committing a possible violation of the Highway Safety Code at approximately 8:07 a.m. that day. The officer attempted to intercept the rider, but the motorcyclist accelerated and fled. The officer then ended the pursuit.

Shortly after, the officer noticed the motorcyclist had gone off the road. The rider was transported to hospital, where his condition is reported as stable.

Five BEI investigators have been assigned to examine the circumstances of the intervention. The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) has been brought in to provide support, and a parallel criminal investigation into the events has also been handed to the SPVM.

The BEI is asking anyone who witnessed the incident to contact the bureau through its website at bei.gouv.qc.ca.

The BEI investigates all cases in which a person — other than an on-duty police officer — dies, suffers serious injury, or is wounded by a police firearm during an intervention or while in police custody.

The investigation has been assigned file number BEI-260428-001. No further information has been made available.

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A 66-year-old man was left with serious injuries to his abdomen and head after being attacked with a hatchet and knife on Tuesday evening in Sherbrooke, according to the Service de police de Sherbrooke (SPS).

Officers responded to the scene at approximately 5:15 p.m. on a property located at 2405 chemin Lemire, in the Domaine Joly-Mont area. The victim was transported to hospital following the assault. His partner, who attempted to intervene, sustained minor injuries.

A 55-year-old suspect, known to police, was located and arrested at the scene by responding officers.

The accused is scheduled to appear in court today facing charges of attempted murder, armed assault, and aggravated assault.

The SPS has indicated that the investigation is ongoing and that further details surrounding the circumstances of the incident will be released as they become available.

Source: Martin Carrier, Relations Officer, Service de police de Sherbrooke — 819-821-5471 — spsmedia@sherbrooke.ca

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The smouldering remains of the Encan Sawyerville auction barn on Route 253 in Eaton Corner, photographed on September 5, 2025, as fire crews finished suppression efforts on the scene. The 55-year-old facility was a total loss. (William Crooks)

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Nearly eight months after fire destroyed the Sawyerville Auction building in Eaton Corner, the operation has a new owner, a new home, and a new building under construction — but the co-owner who built it says the loss still stings, and the impact on rural farmers in the region is real.

The Encan Sawyerville on Route 253 in Cookshire-Eaton was lost to flames on the afternoon of September 5, 2025, one of six fires that struck the Eastern Townships in a 48-hour period. The Lafaille family-owned facility, which had been in operation for 55 years and served as a key regional livestock hub, was declared a total loss.

Co-owner Philippe Lafaille told The Pulse recently that the fire came without warning.

“At the moment, for sure, it’s a shock, you know. We never think it’s going to arrive to us,” he said in an interview. While investigators believe the cause was electrical in nature, Lafaille confirmed no official determination has been made. “We think it’s electrical, but there’s no — we can’t prove it,” he said. “We have no proof, that’s for sure.”

Insurance covered some of the losses, but not all. “Yes, but not enough to recover all the costs,” Lafaille said.

Within the same week as the fire, the auction operation relocated to the former Danville Auction premises on Route 116, which had itself closed just two or three months earlier. The building was rented to the Lafaille family by Réseau Encan Québec, allowing weekly cull cow and dairy calf sales to continue without interruption.

“As soon as the fire happened, in the same week, we moved there,” Lafaille said. “The Réseau Ancan Québec rented us the building so we could continue to offer the service.”

That continuity has since given way to a permanent transition. Lafaille confirmed he has sold the operation entirely to Réseau Encan Québec, which continues to run weekly auctions out of the Danville location. Lafaille said the new owner is also building a facility in Saint-Simon — a long-planned project by the company — and that he expects the Sawyerville sales to eventually be folded into that operation once construction is complete.

“They’re building a new building in Saint-Simon — they’re going to do like three weeks of auction,” he said.

For farmers in the Cookshire-Eaton area, however, the change means longer drives and a loss of the community atmosphere that defined the old auction barn. Lafaille acknowledged the impact plainly.

“For sure, it’s no good for the region… that’s for sure. It’s a service less, and it’s further.”

He described the old location as more than just a place to buy and sell livestock — it was a gathering point for small-scale beef and cow-calf producers across the surrounding area, where farmers would linger after their sales to catch up with neighbours and keep tabs on the market.

“Every small beef farmer could, they used to bring their calf and they stay for the auction so they look, they know what’s going on — and it was a place for meetings too,” he said.

Lafaille noted that the consolidation reflects a broader trend in the industry, with the regional beef sector shrinking steadily. “The quantities of beef producers are going down a lot too, so it’s like that,” he said.

As for Lafaille himself, he and his family are returning their focus to their farm, where they run a mixed dairy and beef operation and produce hay, alongside another family agricultural services business.

The new Saint-Simon facility does not yet have an announced opening date.

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Participants in Sherbrooke’s inaugural Lab citoyen jeunesse pose for a group photo in Sherbrooke city council chambers on April 24, 2026. Around thirty youth aged 15 to 17 took part in the day-long event, which produced 17 recommendations to inform future city actions on youth issues. Photo: Ville de Sherbrooke

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Sherbrooke is observing two distinct civic moments this week — one solemn, one celebratory — as the city lowers its flags in memory of workers killed or injured on the job and prepares to launch a month-long program of free activities for local youth.

According to a press release issued Monday by the City of Sherbrooke, the flags at city hall will fly at half-mast from dawn to dusk on Tuesday, April 28, in observance of the National Day of Mourning. Recognized annually across Canada, the day honours workers who have lost their lives, suffered injuries, or contracted occupational illnesses in the course of their work.

In a separate release issued the same day, the city announced it is supporting the second edition of the Mois de la jeunesse sherbrookoise (MJS) throughout May, with more than 60 free activities aimed at residents between the ages of 10 and 35. Led by the Table de concertation jeunesse de Sherbrooke, the initiative brings together more than 70 community organizations, associations and partners to spotlight programs and services available to local youth. All activities are described in the release as free, diverse, accessible and inclusive.

The official launch takes place Thursday, April 30, beginning at 6 p.m. in the lobby of Le Grand-Espace. Attendance is free but requires advance registration through the venue’s ticketing platform.

New this year, according to the release, cultural mediation workshops have been added to the programming through the 2025–2027 Cultural Development Agreement between the City of Sherbrooke and the Government of Quebec. Artists from a range of disciplines will lead sessions designed to encourage creative expression and participation among young people.

The month follows the city’s inaugural Lab citoyen jeunesse, held April 24 in partnership with the Carrefour de solidarité internationale. Around thirty youth aged 15 to 17 took part in collaborative workshops focused on civic participation and municipal democracy, producing 17 recommendations to inform future city actions on youth issues. These included proposals to create a citizen art circuit, develop youth-led social media platforms highlighting local services, and ban the distribution of single-use plastics in Sherbrooke.

Fernanda Luz, the city councillor responsible for equity, diversity and inclusion, was quoted in the release saying the initiative reflects the city’s commitment to creating genuine conditions for young people to engage with their community and contribute to local democracy.

Funding for the MJS comes from the Quebec government through the federal Government of Canada’s Fund to Build Safer Communities, the release states. Full programming information is available at sherbrooke.ca/jeunesse.

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Promotional graphic for a laughter yoga workshop at the Sutton Municipal and School Library on May 7, encouraging participants to boost well-being through movement and group laughter. Courtesy of Sutton.

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The Town of Sutton is promoting community well-being and environmental stewardship through two upcoming initiatives in May, including a free laughter yoga workshop at the municipal library and an annual distribution of tree seedlings to residents.

The Sutton Municipal and School Library will host a laughter yoga workshop on May 7, offering participants a chance to improve their physical and emotional well-being through guided exercises focused on movement, breathing and laughter. The session will be led by Maud Japhet, a former nurse who now facilitates wellness workshops centred on self-esteem and holistic health.

Organizers say the activity is designed to help participants “laugh, move and connect with yourself,” while fostering a sense of inner security through group interaction. The workshop will include gentle stretching, vocal warm-ups and playful role-playing scenarios built around the theme “I love myself,” encouraging participants to engage in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Japhet, known for her dynamic and participatory approach, integrates humour and mindfulness to promote balance between body, heart and mind.

The workshop will take place at the Sutton Municipal and School Library, located at 19 Highland St., from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Participation is free for Sutton residents and property owners, while non-residents can attend for a fee of $11 plus tax. Registration is required in advance, either online or through the library. Attendees are asked to bring an exercise mat and a blanket for the relaxation portion of the session.

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Free tree distribution returns May 16

In a separate initiative, the Town of Sutton will distribute approximately 400 free tree seedlings to residents on May 16 as part of Tree and Forest Month.

The giveaway will take place in the Town Hall parking lot from 9 a.m. to noon, or until supplies run out. Residents must present proof of address and are limited to a maximum of two seedlings per household or property owner. Participants are also encouraged to bring a bag for transport.

The seedlings, which include both deciduous and coniferous varieties, are provided through a partnership with Quebec’s Ministère de la Forêt, de la Faune et des Parcs and the Association forestière du Sud du Québec.

Municipal councillors are expected to attend the distribution, offering an opportunity for residents to meet local representatives while collecting their trees.

The initiative aims to encourage tree planting and environmental awareness across the community. Additional information on planting techniques and Tree Month activities is available through the Association forestière du Sud du Québec website.

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Andrew Paul MacDonald, Order of Canada recipient and Professor Emeritus of Music at Bishop’s University, will represent Québec and Canada at the world premiere of his new orchestral work in Italy this May. (Photo courtesy)

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Sherbrooke composer and Order of Canada recipient Andrew Paul MacDonald has announced in an email two major musical engagements this spring: the world premiere of a newly completed orchestral commission in Italy, and a solo guitar concert in Ottawa that will itself feature a world premiere performance.

MacDonald has just completed Love Unfolding, Op. 101, a new orchestral work commissioned by the Orchestra Filarmonica Campana. The piece will receive its world premiere on May 31 at the Reggia di Caserta, a UNESCO World Heritage palace complex near Naples, Italy. MacDonald will be present in person for the occasion, representing Québec and Canada on the international stage. Details about the concert can be found on the orchestra’s website at filarmonicacampana.it.

Earlier in the month, on May 20 at noon, MacDonald will give a solo guitar recital as part of the DOMS (Dominion-Chalmers Ottawa Music Series) concert series at Southminster Church in Ottawa. The programme will include works by Johann Sebastian Bach and Mauro Giuliani, alongside the world premiere of MacDonald’s own Lyrical Etudes, Op. 94. The concert will be broadcast live on the DOMS website at doms613.com.

The two events together underscore MacDonald’s standing as one of Canada’s most consistently active and internationally recognized composers. A Professor Emeritus of Music at Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke (Lennoxville), MacDonald was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2021 for his lifetime achievements in composition and performance, and was honoured with a special Déclaration at the Assemblée nationale du Québec in 2024.

His catalogue spans orchestral, operatic, chamber, and jazz idioms, and his works have been performed by ensembles including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, among many others. His compositions have been heard in more than a dozen countries across four continents. He holds a 1995 JUNO Award for Best Classical Composition for his Violin Concerto No. 1, and recordings of his works have earned both East Coast Music Award and Canadian Independent Music Award recognition.

MacDonald is also a familiar presence to readers of The Pulse of the Eastern Townships: he has generously contributed a number of his compositions that are featured in videos produced by this publication.

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The beach at Quebec Lodge on Lac Massawippi, where director Brian Wharry says operators have been left to navigate a complex provincial water testing process with little transition support from the Quebec government. Photo courtesy of Quebec Lodge.

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LAC MASSAWIPPI — Operators of public beaches across Quebec, including summer camps and lodges in the Eastern Townships, are scrambling to comply with a provincially mandated water quality testing program after the Quebec government abruptly ended its Environnement-Plage testing service and transferred full responsibility to beach operators — with little warning and almost no transition support.

Brian Wharry, director of Quebec Lodge on Lac Massawippi, says he found out only about two weeks ago that the government-run program, which previously sent trained environmental students to collect and analyze water samples from public beaches each summer, has been cut. Operators are now required to carry out the testing themselves, arrange to have samples analyzed by a government-approved laboratory, and ensure they are compliant with Quebec’s beach classification system — or face the consequence of being obligated to close their beach to the public.

“It’s been dumped on us just, I don’t know, for about two weeks now,” said Wharry. “Here’s how you do it, and here’s the labs that are approved, and go ahead — it’s your responsibility this year. No transition, no working with you this year to make sure it happens. Just done.”

A complicated process dropped without preparation

Under the provincial methodology, beaches are not tested with a simple single grab sample. The number of water samples required, the locations where they must be collected, and the depth at which samples are drawn all depend on a beach’s length, shape, and water depth — a multi-step process laid out in a detailed technical document published by Quebec’s Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs.

For a beach between 101 and 200 metres in length, for instance, eight individual samples must be collected at stations spaced evenly along the shoreline, then combined into two composite samples for laboratory analysis. Deeper linear beaches require an alternating “W” pattern of sampling at depths of 0.3 and 1.2 metres, while shallower beaches are sampled uniformly at 0.7 metres. Circular lake beaches must be sampled clockwise around their full circumference.

“It’s not just… one test,” said Wharry, who was still working through the provincial documentation at the time of the interview. “Our beach — the way I’m reading this quickly — it’s going to be… eight water samples. It’s a really complicated process to figure out.”

Quebec Lodge: a Class A beach, for now

Wharry says Quebec Lodge currently holds a Class A designation — the highest water quality rating under Quebec’s classification system — meaning the lodge is only required to test twice per season under the minimum sampling schedule: once near the start of summer and once around the midpoint. Under the provincial framework, beach classification is determined by the median E. coli count (for freshwater beaches) from the previous season’s testing. A Class A result requires a count of 20 or fewer E. coli per 100 millilitres. Beaches classified D — at 201 or more E. coli per 100 ml — must be closed to swimmers until retesting brings them back into compliance.

For Quebec Lodge, the direct cost of the laboratory analysis itself is relatively modest. “We’re only doing it twice in the summer — it’s about a hundred dollars for us,” Wharry said. “I think they were in the range of $25 to $50 a test. It’s not big money.”

But Wharry notes that the real cost of the old program was never just the lab fees. “The cost of the program itself and the staffing, I believe, was covered by the government,” he said. The testers were environmental students gaining field experience, he added, which meant the work served a dual purpose — professional development for young workers and qualified, independent sampling for beach operators. “It made sure the beaches were all tested by a qualified person.”

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Larger facilities face a bigger burden

While Quebec Lodge’s Class A status and relatively compact beach make the new requirement manageable, Wharry expressed concern for larger facilities in the region. Camps and municipal beaches with longer shorelines may be required to collect 12 or 16 samples per visit and produce four composite samples — a significantly more labour-intensive process requiring trained staff who understand the provincial sampling protocols.

“You’ve got to find somebody confident to do it, that’s able to figure it out. You’ve got to send samples to a laboratory. It just becomes a big process that the government was dealing with before, and it was nice,” he said. “Take a big beach — city beaches, other camp beaches — it creates a bit of a problem.”

The Eastern Townships is home to numerous camps and lodges with lake access, including well-known facilities in North Hatley, Ayer’s Cliff, Magog, and the surrounding region. Wharry noted that camps such as Frontier Lodge, Livingston, and Parkside Ranch are among those that would also be navigating the transition.

Past testing also had its shortcomings

Wharry acknowledged that the old government-run program was not without its own frustrations. Because the provincial testers worked from a fixed schedule, they would occasionally arrive to sample the water immediately after heavy rainfall — and according to Wharry, a nearby river meant those conditions would flush contamination directly into the swimming area.

“Having a river right by our beach will wash down all the [stuff] into the water,” Wharry explained. “The water test will be bad for that one day, but the next day we’ll be back good again.” He recalled telling the testers the conditions were poor, only to be told there was nothing they could do — they were scheduled to be there. The result, he said, was an undeserved class C rating for the beach.

Wharry noted that under the new self-managed model, operators have the flexibility to choose their own testing dates — which could allow them to avoid sampling right after a storm. But he was candid that the same flexibility introduces a potential integrity problem.

“If you know you have a beach that is not good, yes, you could potentially play with the water sample to make sure you have good samples,” he said. “That is a potential problem.”

What counts as a public beach?

One point of potential confusion for the public: under Quebec’s regulatory framework, the term “public beach” does not necessarily mean a beach accessible to all. Any beach open to a defined group of users — including paying guests at a private lodge or registered campers — qualifies as a public beach for the purposes of the testing requirement. Wharry noted he was not entirely certain where the line falls for private waterfront properties, but his understanding is that homeowners with their own shoreline are not subject to the same obligation.

“It’s public, but it’s private,” Wharry said of Quebec Lodge’s beach. “Our people use it, but we’re considered a public beach because it’s open to our customers, which are the public.”

Quebec’s Environnement-Plage program runs annually from approximately mid-June to the end of August, subject to regional weather conditions.

The Pulse of the Eastern Townships covers news and public affairs across Quebec’s anglophone Eastern Townships communities. Tips and story leads can be sent to the editorial desk: william@pulsetownships.com

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Participants gather with author Mélikah Abdelmoumen at the Un livre, un village closing event in Eastman on Nov. 16, 2025, marking the program’s 15th anniversary. The annual community reading initiative, now in its 16th edition, brings together roughly 150 residents each year around a shared literary work. Photo courtesy of the Municipality of Eastman.

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EASTMAN — About 50 residents gathered in Eastman on Sunday for the launch of the 16th edition of Un livre, un village (One Book, One Village), a beloved annual literary tradition that has brought the small Eastern Townships community together around a shared read since 2011.

The launch event featured literary journalist and author Claudia Larochelle, who spoke about the various dimensions of her career as a journalist, columnist, and writer, while sharing her commitment to promoting reading and the French language.

This year’s selection

The book chosen for 2026 is C’était ça ou mourir (It Was That or Die), the debut novel by Thélyson Orélien, a Quebec author of Haitian origin. The novel follows Jonas Dorléon, a history and geography teacher who is forced to flee his neighbourhood and undertakes a gruelling migration across 12 countries and 12,000 kilometres, using humour as a survival mechanism in the face of profound hardship.

Selection committee member Diane Tétreault explained the choice in a press release: the book was selected for what she described as its humanity without self-pity, its rich imagery, and a poetic sensibility that allows readers to work through a deeply unsettling narrative. “This novel follows the journey of a migrant, but also of all those who face exile in this violent America,” Tétreault added.

Orélien responded to the announcement with enthusiasm. “Knowing that an entire village will share the reading of my work moves me deeply,” he said, adding that he looks forward to meeting readers at the closing event in November, which he described as a moment that would be precious to him.

How the program works

Approximately 50 copies of the selected title are made available at the Danielle-Simard library through to the official closing event. Residents are invited to read the book, sign their name on the included tracking sheet, and pass it along to someone else. Those who have read it will have the opportunity to meet and discuss it with the author at the closing event on November 22.

About Un livre, un village

The program was founded in 2011 by Line Richer, then executive director of Les Correspondances d’Eastman, with the early collaboration of acclaimed author Dany Laferrière. Each year, roughly 150 Eastman residents participate, with a book selected by a local circle of dedicated readers. Participants read the work over the summer before gathering in the autumn to meet the author in person.

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NORTH HATLEY — The Massawippi Foundation has named Mélanie Lelièvre as its new executive director, the organization’s board of directors announced Monday. She will assume her duties on May 19.

Lelièvre brings more than two decades of environmental leadership to the role. She served as executive director of Appalachian Corridor from 2007 to 2025, during which time the organization grew protected areas on private land from 4,000 to over 17,000 hectares. Her tenure also saw the completion of Quebec’s first ecological connectivity analyses and several carbon market initiatives, according to a press release.

Most recently, she served as director of the Environment Department for the City of Sherbrooke, where she led a team of 19 and oversaw major files including the municipal Climate Plan, natural environment protection, and waste management.

Her credentials extend to the international stage. Lelièvre contributed to COP15 proceedings in 2022, presented briefs before the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE), and served on the Steering Committee of the Staying Connected Initiative as well as an IUCN working group. She holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from McGill University and an agricultural engineering degree from ENSA in Toulouse.

Board chair Jonathan Elkas said the appointment positions the Foundation well for its next phase of growth. “Her vast experience in conservation will allow us to build on our achievements and amplify the Foundation’s impact,” he said in the release.

Lelièvre said she was drawn to the organization’s community-rooted mission. “The Massawippi Foundation is a powerful engine for transformation,” she said, “equipped with all the tools needed to contribute meaningfully to the challenges ahead.”

Hélène Hamel, who previously held the executive director role, will remain with the organization in a new capacity as director of operations and communications.

The Massawippi Foundation works to protect the natural environment of the Massawippi Valley through conservation and community engagement programs.

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Promotional graphic for Sutton’s Generations Party on May 9. Courtesy of the Town of Sutton.

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The Town of Sutton is inviting residents of all ages to gather for a day of community connection and activities as the annual Generations Party returns on May 9, while also encouraging citizens to apply for positions on key municipal advisory committees.

The Generations Party, organized by the Table de développement des communautés de Sutton-Abercorn, will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the grounds of Sutton School. The event is designed to bring together different generations while highlighting the vitality and diversity of the local community.

A wide range of recreational, sports and creative activities will be offered throughout the day. These include storytelling sessions, fitness workshops, artistic programming, bird discovery activities and inclusive joëlette tours. Participants can also take part in intergenerational exchanges, circus workshops and line dancing, while local organizations will host information booths showcasing available services.

A central feature of the event is the swap market, where residents can exchange goods and services without money. Organizers say the initiative promotes sustainability by encouraging reuse and reducing waste. Community members are invited to trade items in good condition or even skills, such as lessons or services.

Live music will be provided by local performers, including Patrick Simard, TAMRITAM and Karen & Friends, along with performances from the school’s talent show. A free cold lunch featuring sandwiches and salads — including vegan and gluten-free options — will be served at noon, with attendees encouraged to bring reusable dishes to minimize waste.

Following the main event, an intergenerational walk along the Village-Mountain trail will depart at 2 p.m. from the school greenhouse.

Organizers note the event will move indoors to the school gymnasium in case of rain. The day is supported by local partners and volunteers, with backing from the Town of Sutton and the Réseau de développement social de Brome-Missisquoi.

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Town seeks residents for advisory committees

The Town of Sutton in a separate announcement is calling on residents to apply for vacant positions on two advisory bodies: the Sustainable Mobility Advisory Committee and the Quality of Life Advisory Committee.

Municipal officials say the committees provide an opportunity for citizens to contribute directly to local decision-making by sharing ideas, expertise and feedback on community issues. Members participate in discussions, help shape municipal orientations and represent the interests of residents.

The Sustainable Mobility Advisory Committee is seeking two members and focuses on issues related to transportation and mobility, offering recommendations to council and administration. The Quality of Life Advisory Committee, also with two vacancies, addresses concerns tied to residential living conditions, including nuisance reduction and participatory budgeting.

Committee members serve on a volunteer basis and meet in person several times a year.

Residents interested in applying must submit a letter outlining their relevant experience and interests, along with an optional résumé, by May 17, 2026. Applications can be sent by email or mail to the Town of Sutton.

Municipal officials say the initiative is aimed at strengthening civic engagement and ensuring community voices help guide local priorities.

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A view of the Municipality of Ogden, in Quebec’s Eastern Townships. (Tom Montgomery/Ogden website)

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The Municipality of Ogden is entering a busy spring and summer season, with a climate planning process underway across the Memphrémagog MRC, two job postings open, and a full slate of community activities on the calendar for residents.

Climate plan consultations coming in May and September

Mayor David Lépine has written to residents outlining the Memphrémagog MRC’s new Climate Plan initiative, which aims to help municipalities across the region respond to environmental pressures already being felt on the ground.

“Like many municipalities in Quebec, Ogden is already experiencing some effects of climate change: more intense rainfall, marked temperature variations, and increased pressure on our infrastructure and natural environments,” Lépine wrote in the March/April 2026 edition of the Ogden Chronicle.

The plan will focus on improving infrastructure resilience to extreme weather, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting natural environments including Lake Memphrémagog and the region’s forests, and encouraging more sustainable community practices. Citizens and local organizations will be invited to participate in consultations scheduled for May and September 2026.

Two municipal jobs now open

Ogden is currently hiring for two positions. The first is a permanent road worker role in public works, covering road and building maintenance on a part-time or full-time basis of 32 to 40 hours per week. The position requires a valid driver’s licence, bilingualism in French and English, the ability to operate equipment including chainsaws and tractors, and availability for emergency on-call work. Experience in the municipal sector is considered an asset. Salary is negotiable. The deadline to apply is April 30, 2026 — just days away. Résumés should be submitted immediately to dg@munogden.ca.

The second posting is for two seasonal Environmental Protection Officers for the 2026 summer season, student positions running approximately 10 to 12 weeks beginning around May 25. Responsibilities include measuring and emptying septic tanks, conducting field surveys and characterization of septic systems, collecting water samples for tributary monitoring, and assisting the building and environment inspector with shoreline and tree-felling oversight. The positions pay between $19 and $21 per hour, require bilingualism, a class 5 driver’s licence, and strong computer skills. Applications should be sent as soon as possible to Vickie Comeau at dg@munogden.ca.

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Mobile ecocentre returns June 6

Residents looking to clear out unwanted materials this spring can bring them to Ogden’s Mobile Ecocentre Day, scheduled for Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. behind Town Hall at 70 Ogden Road. A truck from La Ressourcerie des Frontières will be on site to collect reusable, recyclable, or resaleable items, with additional containers for wood and metal.

Proof of Ogden residence is required, and residents are asked to sort their materials in advance. A number of categories are not accepted, including hazardous waste, paint, solvents, fertilizers, pesticides, used oil, and regular household recycling. The municipality is also seeking volunteers to help welcome residents and guide materials to the appropriate containers. Interested parties can contact the municipal office at agent@munogden.ca or 819-876-7117 ext. 4.

Shoreline revegetation orders due April 29

Ogden residents have until Wednesday, April 29 at noon to submit orders for the municipality’s 2026 shoreline revegetation program. Native shrubs and trees are available for purchase ranging from $7.40 to $12.10 per unit, including species such as Canada serviceberry, highbush cranberry, bur oak, and tamarack. Plants will be distributed in one-gallon pots at Ogden Town Hall on Friday, May 15 between 1 and 4 p.m. Orders and inquiries can be directed to Line Latour at agent@munogden.ca.

Community activities filling the calendar

The municipality’s Culture and Leisure Committee has a number of activities running through the spring. Free country dance lessons for Ogden residents are currently underway on Wednesday evenings at the Border Curling Club in Stanstead, with beginner and intermediate choreographies designed by the Hurricane Dancers of Coaticook. Sessions continue through June 17. Registration is available through cdupras@munogden.ca.

A guided bird-watching hike along the Tomifobia bike path is planned for the morning of Saturday, May 9, led by amateur ornithologist Serge Mailhot. The hike is free for Ogden residents but limited to 10 participants and requires advance registration. The pétanque court in front of the municipal office will also be open to residents beginning in May, with equipment accessible on weekends.

Ogden has also received funding through the provincial Circonflexe — Ready-to-Move program, which allowed the municipality to acquire new adaptive sports equipment now freely available to all residents.

Cedarville Wharf boat wash now open

Residents planning to use the lake this summer are reminded that the boat wash station at Cedarville Wharf opened April 24 and operates daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. until September 7. Boaters must bring identification with proof of Ogden residency and proof of boat registration to obtain their permit and wash certificate.

For more information on any of these items, visit www.munogden.ca or contact the municipal office at info@munogden.ca or 819-876-7117.

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The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) has confirmed that Jocelyn Ménard, a 46-year-old man from Bedford who was reported missing, has been located safe and sound.

In an update issued following the initial public appeal on April 25, police said Ménard was found in Bedford and is in good health. No further details were provided about the circumstances of his disappearance or how he was located.

Ménard had been last seen around 9:30 p.m. on April 24 in the area of Fortin Street. At the time, authorities said there were concerns for his health and safety and asked the public for assistance in locating him.

The SQ has since indicated that media coverage related to the disappearance can be withdrawn following the positive outcome.

No additional information is expected to be released.

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A Stanstead resident is working to bring an inclusive, multi-generational fitness centre to the town, with early public interest far exceeding her expectations and a meeting with the mayor already booked for next month.

Brigitte Barbe-Letourneau, who relocated to Stanstead last summer with her family, is developing plans for a community gym that would serve residents of all ages — from children working on motor development to seniors focused on mobility and wellness. She described the project as rooted in a desire to give back to her new community.

“Ultimately, we’re looking to help the community and also offer more activities for families and for health — mental health, physical health, and so forth,” Barbe-Letourneau said in an interview with The Pulse on April 24.

The initiative is being developed under the name Stanstead — Communautaire — Centre de Fitness, and is currently in the planning stages. Barbe-Letourneau said she is searching for a space in Stanstead ranging from 1,400 to 5,000 square feet, with the available footprint directly shaping what the centre could ultimately offer.

The facility would initially centre on fitness equipment — the organizers already have 13 cardio machines — along with a planned squat rack and a cable pulley system. A dedicated children’s zone featuring equipment for motor skills development and programming space for instructors are also part of the vision. Barbe-Letourneau envisions classes and training programs delivered by self-employed instructors working directly with clients, covering everything from cardio conditioning to yoga and group fitness.

“What makes it a community [gym] is that it’s not exclusive to age categories at all, and there’s going to be a diverse range of activities that can be offered to a very wide range of individuals,” she said.

Membership-based access is planned, with drop-in options also being considered. Hours would focus on evenings and weekends to accommodate working families.

A first round of market research produced a striking response. Barbe-Letourneau said her team set a threshold of 50 survey responses to justify moving the project forward — but received 87 within three hours, and 166 within 28 hours before the survey was closed to allow for analysis. A formal proposal report has since been submitted to the MRC de Memphrémagog through a local business development adviser.

A second survey is now being prepared to validate those numbers and gather more detailed data on the potential community impact. On the employment side, Barbe-Letourneau said the model would likely rely on self-employed instructors rather than direct hires, at least initially.

One possible location under consideration is a local church, though Barbe-Letourneau noted that outreach to the relevant parties is still underway and a five-year lease commitment is among the factors being weighed. Other potential sites remain under consideration as well.

She said she hopes to have the centre open by August of this year, though financing timelines could push that into 2027. A meeting with Stanstead’s mayor Jody Stone is scheduled for May 13.

Anyone with knowledge of an available commercial space in Stanstead is encouraged to reach out to the project through its Facebook page.

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