“I was born in the town of Gaspé, while my family was living in Murdochville. My mother is originally from Prince Edward Island and my father is from the Magdalen Islands. Shortly after I was born, we moved to the Magdalen Islands—known as the Maggies—where my father became the principal of Grosse-Île School.”

“In 1980, my father accepted a position with the Eastern Shores School Board—known at the time as the Regional School Board of Gaspesia—in the Adult Education department. As a result, we moved here from Prince Edward Island, where we had been living at the time.”

“There are so many things to love about our region, but what stands out most to me is the natural beauty—our mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, and, of course, the bay. I also appreciate our way of life: laid-back, low-stress, and deeply connected to nature. And above all, I cherish the people and our rich, vibrant culture.“

“I love anything outdoors, snowmobiling, skiing, hiking, scuba diving but most of all, I love fishing—every kind of fishing. I’ve been fortunate to pursue a wide variety of species, including lobster, halibut, tuna, striped bass, flounder, and trout. But above all, it’s Atlantic salmon that I’m most passionate about. The fly fishing here in the Gaspé is truly world-class. My father introduced me to salmon fishing when I was young, and after returning to the region in 1999, it quickly became my favorite pastime. Spending time on the pristine rivers that wind along our coast is one of the things I cherish most about life in the Gaspé.“

“Aside from fishing, it’s the people and the culture that make the Gaspé so special. I moved back to the coast from Newfoundland, where people are just as friendly and helpful as Gaspesians. I’ve lived in other places with stunning landscapes and vibrant cultures, places with plenty to do and see—but nowhere else compares to the Gaspé. Here, there’s a unique blend of Maritime and Quebec influences. The mix of English-speaking, French-speaking, and Indigenous communities living together on such rugged, beautiful land creates a cultural richness I haven’t experienced anywhere else.“

“Many parts of the Gaspé remind me of other places I’ve lived. The North Coast brings to mind the rugged beauty of Cape Breton or Newfoundland. Our parks echo the landscapes of the Rockies and Northern Ontario. And the bay could easily be mistaken for the shores of Nova Scotia or New England. It feels like we have it all here—diverse and breathtaking—wrapped into one remarkable region.“

“The music scene here is incredible. We have so many talented artists from all three communities, and with the abundance of festivals, salles de spectacles, and year-round events, there’s always great music to enjoy across the region.“

“I have a dream of starting an aquaculture business in the region. I’ve been working on it for several years now and hope to get it up and running soon.“

“I grew up around CASA—my mother served as Executive Director from 1985 to 2003—so the organization has always been a part of my life. After spending over 20 years working in economic development for another organization with communities across the province, stepping into this role myself felt like a natural fit when the opportunity came up. I must say, the organization has grown tremendously since I was a kid—it’s much larger and more impactful than I ever realized.“

Allen is now the Executive Director of CASA, a community organization dedicated to supporting English-speaking Gaspesians in all aspects of their lives. They’re fortunate to have a talented and professional team that works with community members of all ages—from infants to seniors. CASA is a remarkable organization, and this year, they’re proud to be celebrating their 50th anniversary!