Islanders Vote in Federal Elections

On Monday, May 2, 2011 Islanders returned to the polls to vote in federal elections.  The Gaspé-Magdalen Islands riding went to the NDP, with Philippe Toone taking office.

The majority of votes on the Island went to the Bloc Quebecois, with the NDP only gaining majority in one-tenth of the 70 voting stations on the Islands.  The two Anglophone communities of the Islands mainly voted Conservative.

David Suzuki and George Stroumboulopoulos Visit the Islands

Friday, April 29, 2011 marked the arrival of David Suzuki and George Stroumboulopoulos to the Magdalen Islands as part of the attempt to stop oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.  Suzuki, a Canadian Environmentalist and host of CBC’s The Nature of Things and George Stroumboulopoulos, host of CBC’s the Hour, came to the Islands after a request from the St. Lawrence Coalition and the Quebec Chapter and the David Suzuki Foundation.

The weekend began with a 5 à 7 at the Galleries Bar Spectacle les Pas Perdus, where Suzuki addressed the audience about the importance of protecting their environment.  Oil and Gas exploration could potentially pollute the St. Lawrence Gulf and destroy the fishing industry of the Magdalen Islands.  When a member of the audience approached Dr. Suzuki for help in fighting the oil companies, Suzuki made it clear that we must help ourselves.  The Gulf is our home and it is very important that the people mobilize themselves.

On Saturday, David Suzuki and George Stroumboulopoulos toured the Island to speak to fishermen, the direct stakeholders in the Gulf.  The pair then arrived at Old Harry Beach, where a flag representing the five provinces of the Gulf was raised as a symbol of the importance of a gulf coalition to stop oil and gas exploration and exploitation in the Gulf.    

Les Iles en Forme Host Workshops in Grosse-Ile

Les Iles en Forme et en Santé, an initiative of Quebec en Forme, are currently targeting youth aged 0-17 to promote healthy eating and active living.  Sharla Goodwin, Registered Dietician, was contracted to do a series of workshops in Grosse-Ile to help reach the Anglophone youth. 

The first workshop was a nutritional presentation in Grosse-Ile School.  Sharla Goodwin educated the students on healthy eating habits and healthy alternatives to traditional “junk” food.  Following this presentation, a healthy lunch was provided for students and their parents, in order to also incorporate parents into the promotion of healthy eating.

The final workshop was held on Friday, April 29^th in the community conference room to provide healthy eating information to community event providers.  It was stressed that offering healthy alternatives on traditional canteen menus could allow people to make healthier choices.  A chicken wrap, instead of a cheeseburger, significantly lowered caloric intake, fat intake and salt intake. 

Sharla Goodwin pointed out that if we want our children to eat healthier and be at a healthy weight, then we should offer them healthy food at community events.