Vivre en Gaspésie is officially launching a new service to support the English-speaking communities of Gaspésie and Îles-de-la-Madeleine. This service joins the various services already offered by Vivre en Gaspésie and will operate under the name “ Living in Gaspésie ”. This new service aims to strengthen the regional dynamic by also representing the region’s English-speaking community.
This initiative is part of a strategic partnership with three local organisations: Committee for Anglophone Social Action (CASA), Council for Anglophone Magdalen Islanders (CAMI), and Vision Gaspé-Percé Now (VGPN). Thanks to this partnership, Vivre en Gaspésie will now be able to work with the English-speaking communities of Gaspésie and Îles-de-la-Madeleine on population retention within these communities and targeted attraction efforts aimed at English-speaking and bilingual individuals. This project was made possible thanks to financial support from the Fonds régional en développement social (FRDS).
“Having an English-speaking resource will enable us to adapt our various actions in the area and better meet the needs of this clientele. English-speaking communities are part of Gaspésie and are just as important to us. They alone account for 10% of the population in Gaspésie,” says Danik O’connor, Stratégie Vivre en Gaspésie general manager.
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“This collaboration with Vivre en Gaspésie will help to increase our outreach to members of the English-speaking community. Vision Gaspé-Percé Now is looking forward to working with Vivre en Gaspésie on this, and future, projects.” adds Jessica Synnott, Executive Director of Vision Gaspé-Percé Now.
Adapting services to this clientele
As well as offering personalised welcome and integration support to this population, the Vivre en Gaspésie team will be working with the region’s English-language schools to help foster young people’s sense of belonging to the region.
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“We truly aim to build a relationship with the English-speaking communities, which is why we have created new pages on social media under the name “Living In Gaspésie” to offer specific content to the English-speakers. A newsletter will also be dedicated to them,” adds Marianne Corriveau-Avard, Communication and attraction agent for Stratégie Vivre en Gaspésie.
The English-language services offered by Vivre en Gaspésie notably include:
New social media pages under the name “Living in Gaspésie” (Facebook and Instagram);
Job postings in English for local employers;
Educational and participatory workshops adapted in English to help young people find out about employment and life opportunities in Gaspésie;
A new unilingual English monthly newsletter; and
Integration of English into the content and activities of Gaspesian Day.
Vivre en Gaspésie aims to facilitate the integration of Anglophones and strengthen the diverse social fabric.
Together, let’s celebrate our Gaspésie!
Maria, May 29, 2023 – The 17th edition of Journée de la Gaspésie – Gaspesian Day – Gespe’gewa’gi Na’gweg will be held on Thursday, June 1. Inspired by the slogan, Gaspesian Day is for you, and its partners invite everyone to celebrate the day in their own way.
“Gaspesian Day is now one of our traditions and a way of showing our love for and attachment to the region,” explains Mariline Lamy-Poirier, event coordinator. This year, we’re moving away from cyberspace and celebrating face to face! We want people to really make the day their own and do something that reflects who they are.”
A committed region
For this 17th edition of the event, an organising committee made up of 14 partners from different sectors has been set up to support Vivre en Gaspésie in a number of initiatives.
“This year, we’ve designed guides to suggest ideas for activities and inspire the public,” adds Mariline Lamy-Poirier. There are also a number of collaborative projects showcasing the talents present in our region. For instance, the colouring books created specifically for the occasion will be available to everyone on our website.
GASPÉSIE collection: Wear your Gaspesian colours
To help people celebrate their attachment to the region, Vivre en Gaspésie launched a new edition of its collection of clothing and accessories in the region’s colours a few weeks ago. “The Gaspésie collection is eagerly awaited every year and always a great success. This year, we’re particularly proud to be offering a jacket celebrating Gaspésie in Mi’gmaq, English and French,” says Mariline Lamy-Poirier.
The Gaspésie collection is the result of a collaboration between Vivre en Gaspésie, graphic designer Marilou Levasseur and the Gaspesian company Concept K. As well as being designed and printed in Gaspésie, many of the items in the collection are made in Canada. The Gaspésie collection is only available until the end of June.
Be part of the big blue wave
Once again this year, the public is invited to join in a collective blue wave on social media. “Every year, we’re thrilled to see so many people wearing blue, taking photos and posting them on their social media the Vivre en Gaspésie strategy.
What’s more, by taking part in this blue wave, people can enter a number of contests. From vouchers redeemable for educational material for educational establishments to Gaspésie collection gift cards for the whole population. Anyone can enter. Full details are available on the Vivre en Gaspésie website.
Happy Hour events throughout the region
This year, Happy Hour events will be held all around the peninsula on June 1 to bring people together to celebrate Gaspesian Day. Organised by the Place aux jeunes staff and the Services d’accueil des nouveaux arrivants du territoire, these activities are an essential part of the event.
This 17th edition of the event aims to showcase those who love Gaspésie and the many ways in which it can be celebrated. La Journée de la Gaspésie : c’est pour toi! Gaspesian day, it’s our day! Gespe’gewa’gi Na’gweg : Ugjit Gi’nu.
To see the full Gaspesian Day program and all the event details, visit
vivreengaspesie.com/journeedelagaspesie.
About Gaspesian Day
In 2007, the Commission jeunesse Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine designated the first Thursday in June as a day to highlight the region’s dynamism and vitality. Today, Gaspesian Day is co-ordinated by the Stratégie Vivre en Gaspésie, in collaboration with an organising committee: Centre de services scolaires des Chic-Chocs, Centre de services scolaires René-Lévesque, Eastern Shores School Board, Nous trois/We Three/Nesisieg, Committee for Anglophone Social Action, Gesgapegiag, Regroupement des MRC de la Gaspésie, Place aux jeunes, Services d’accueil des nouveaux arrivants, Réseau des services à la petite enfance de l’Est-du-Québec, Unité régionale loisir et sport Gaspésie, Culture Gaspésie, Gaspésie Gourmande and Tourisme Gaspésie.
About Vivre en GaspésieVivre en Gaspésie is supported by some fifty partner organisations. This regional strategy aims to contribute to demographic growth and the dynamic occupation of the Gaspésie region. In practical terms, its actions focus on three areas: raising the profile of the region among people of all ages, attracting new people and integrating new arrivals. The Strategy is financially supported by the Commission jeunesse Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, MTESS, MAMH, MEI, MIFI, CISSS de la Gaspésie, the René-Levesque and Chic-Chocs school service centres and Desjardins.
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Source:Mariline Lamy-Poirier
Coordinator – Communications and Regional Marketing
Vivre en Gaspésie
Interview requests:Emmanuelle Desrochers-Perrault
Digital Communications Advisor
Vivre en Gaspésie
418-360-5566
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Stratégie Vivre en Gaspésie would like to thank its partners.