Page 8 HIGH-SPEED RAIL COSTS CLIMB BEYOND $100 BILLION
Page 9 RUSSELL TOWNSHIP LAUNCHES NEW MUNICIPAL CHATBOT
VOLUME 41 • NO. 14 • 6 PAGES • EMBRUN, ON • OCTOBER 14 2026
N EWS VALORIS INVITES PRESCOTT AND RUSSELL TO WEAR PURPLE FOR CHILDREN’S SAFETY
GABRIELLE VINETTE gabrielle.vinette@eap.on.ca
supportive environment. According to Valoris, wearing purple represents more than a symbolic gesture. It demonstrates a collective commitment to children, youth and families throughout the region and encourages community members to help build an environment where every child can grow up safely. On October 29, residents are encouraged to wear purple clothing or accessories, or a purple ribbon, and share their participation on social media using the hashtags #IDress- PurpleBecause and #ValorisPR. Community members can also participate
in the Great Purple Chain Challenge by sha- ring photos of their involvement via email at mauve-purple@valorispr.ca. Valoris is encouraging residents to further support the campaign by sharing the organization’s Facebook posts. Purple T-shirts available for purchase Official Dress Purple Day T-shirts are available for $14 and can be purchased exclusively online. Orders can be picked up at one of Valoris’ service centres in Rockland, Embrun, or Hawkesbury until October 23, 2026. Residents can find the purchase link a collective impact coach. The session encouraged participants to reflect on the conditions necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of gender equality initiatives in Prescott and Russell. “The progress made in recent years reflects remarkable regional mobilization, and the future of gender equality in Prescott- Russell depends on our collective ability to continue this commitment,” said Marie- Noëlle Lanthier, executive director of LFPR. Sergine Rachelle Bouchard receives 2026 Famous Five Award
by visiting Valoris’ Dress Purple Day 2026 campaign information. About Valoris Valoris for Children and Adults of Pres- cott-Russell provides services to children, youth, adults and families throughout the region, with a focus on safety, well-being and personal development. Through its programs and community partnerships, the organization works to build a strong, inclusive and caring community.
Valoris is inviting residents, schools, organizations and businesses across Prescott and Russell to wear purple on October 29 as part of Ontario’s Dress Purple Day and the Great Purple Chain Challenge, an initiative promoting the safety and well-being of children and youth. The campaign aims to raise awareness of every child and young person’s funda- mental right to grow up in a safe, caring and
LEADERSHIP FÉMININ PRESCOTT AND RUSSELL CELEBRATE PROGRESS ON GENDER EQUALITY GABRIELLE VINETTE gabrielle.vinette@eap.on.ca reflect on the next steps needed to maintain that momentum.
The symposium also featured the pres- entation of the 2026 Famous Five Award to Sergine Rachelle Bouchard in recognition of her outstanding contributions to French- language education and her longstanding commitment to school governance. Originally from Hawkesbury, Bouchard has dedicated her career to education, serving as a teacher, guidance counsellor, vice-principal, director of programs and superintendent of education. She has also held various roles with the Ontario Ministry of Education and the University of Ottawa. Since 2006, Bouchard has contributed her expertise to her community as a school board trustee with the Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l’Est ontarien (CSDCEO), where she has also served in a vice-chair leadership role. Throughout her career, she has advocated for the vitality of rural schools, the promotion of the French language, the advancement of the Francophone community and student success. Her work reflects a commitment to stra- tegic leadership, listening to community needs and defending the collective interest. “Through her longstanding commitment to education, the Francophone community and her community as a whole, Sergine Rachelle Bouchard embodies the values of leadership, perseverance and public service that characterize the legacy of the Famous Five,” Lanthier said. “Her journey reminds us that lasting change is built by people who choose, year after year, to put their skills at the service of others.” By recognizing Bouchard, LFPR aims to highlight the importance of women's leadership in decision-making bodies and recognize the essential contributions of elec- ted school board trustees to building strong, inclusive and forward-looking communities. LFPR thanked the participants, allies, speakers, sponsors and community partners who contributed to the success of the symposium.
The symposium featured a presentation by AGIR Outaouais titled “The Power of a Collective Dream, 35 Years Later,” which explored how a shared vision can generate lasting change within communities. Participants also learned about the work of the Table Concerté.e.s pour l’Égalité (CPÉ) through a presentation and an exhibition showcasing progress in an interactive format. The afternoon concluded with a parti- cipatory workshop led by Myriam Bérubé,
Nearly 80 people gathered at the Lucien-Delorme Community Centre in Wendover on October 8 for the fifth annual Leadership Féminin Prescott and Russell (LFPR) Symposium, held under the theme “Together, LET’S CELEBRATE Change!” The event highlighted progress made toward gender equality in Prescott and Russell while encouraging participants to
From left to right: Marie-Noëlle Lanthier, executive director of LFPR, Sergine Rachelle Bouchard, recipiant of the 2026 Famous Five Award, and Mario Zanth, Warden of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell. (Leadership Féminin Prescott and Russell)
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