A shared passion for this brother-sister duo

It is possible to thrive in sports and even entertain Olympic dreams without living in a major urban centre. At 17 years old, Xavier is a Canadian Junior Weightlifting champion. His sister Naomie, who is 15 years old, is following in his footsteps as a young athlete and finished third at the championships. Sports serve as a spark for this family who built an incredible gym to allow the duo to train properly on a daily basis, in the comfort of the Pontiac countryside.

Even if it's not yours, it feels like it is!

The people of Pontiac are fundamentally kind and welcoming. Each time we visit, we meet new people and each time we are charmed by their accent, yes, but also by the warmth of this beautiful community.

Because when it's made with love, it tastes better

This could be the new slogan of Café Downtown. Rémi and his team are always happy to chat with customers behind the counter, while preparing great coffee. I hear they have the only espresso machine in the Pontiac! It’s a must stop.

There are more than 20 places to park your van

No need to spend the night in the parking lot of a big box store. Here, they allow us to live the vanlife in beautiful spots, by giving us access to “their backyard”: forest, waterfront, fields… This is something quite rare in Quebec.

Trading post, Indigenous burial site, Irish heritage

Most of my work is to enjoy and preserve Indigenous and local history, and to protect the natural and cultural heritage and beauty of Sheenboro.

For Joan McCann, a historian specialized in First Nations land claims and member of the Old Fort William Cottagers’ Association for over 25 years, Sheenboro is full of places that are rich in history. Thankfully, there are residents who are as passionate and invested as she is and who can ensure that this unique history can be recounted for generations to come. One of the must-see historical attractions continues to be Fort William, where Hotel Pontiac is now located.

We get it!

As big cider lovers, we couldn’t wait to try the ones from Coronation Hall Cider Mills, as we had heard very positive things about them. We’ll spread the word, because they are indeed delicious and effervescent. It’s the perfect drink for a little drink at the end of the day! Cheers!

Their compelling story

Laura and Alexander grew up on their family’s dairy farm. Since it was always part of their life, one may think that they felt they had no choice but to work on the farm. However, that is not the case: they love working with the animals, even though it takes up a lot of their free time! While Laura particularly enjoys spending time with the animals and moments spent simply sitting in a field to take advantage of the freedom provided by nature, her brother has a (slight, strong, slightly insane) passion for cattle contests. He hopes to one day participate in these types of events with his own cows. Young people who prefer to play video games or shop in the city can do so, but for this delightful duo, fun is found on the farm!

A mainly bilingual Pontiac region

The charming accent that you hear is Mélanie’s; soft and warm, it sounds exactly like that of Pontiac Francophones. Since 52% of Pontiac residents are bilingual, 42% are Anglophones, and 6% are unilingual Francophones, English and French are vibrant and naturally interconnected. In a French province, this contrast makes our region unique and gives it colour. Our neighbours in Ontario, many of whom are European immigrants,share their language as well as a part of their heritage.

One home or business at a time

The entrepreneurial community is really tight-knit. They are very helpful—easy to work with. It’s not a competition, it’s more of a community that works together.

There are a number of lots for sale in the region. Thankfully, there are also local entrepreneurs who do business with local suppliers and collaborators to build homes or businesses that reflect their clientele’s needs. Courtney and Eric grew up in entrepreneurial families. In 2011, they started Eric Pilon Construction together. They are proof that it is possible to work with your partner and to collaborate with local businesses; mutual assistance is always beneficial!

Forming friendships through work

For as long as she can remember, Chantal has wanted to open her own hairdressing establishment in the Pontiac region. For nearly 15 years, she has been able to live out her dream on a daily basis in Bryson. What she values most about her occupation are the friendships she has formed with her clients over the years. The mother of two also shares her entrepreneurial ambitions with her husband who has his own business. By providing services and employing staff, Chantal and her husband actively participate in the economic prosperity of the region and improve its commercial offerings, just by doing what they love.

Standing behind local products

At first everybody thought they were crazy to try and grow grapes in California. I’m telling you, we are doing crazy stuff down here.

The Little Red Wagon Winery is first and foremost a story of family—and fun! Accompanied by their four children, Scott and Jen produce white, red, and rosé wines that they are proud to showcase along with the region they come from. To make visits even more charming, they also have a restaurant, a tasting counter, a wine cellar, and a hall that is perfect for shows and exhibits. Don’t you want to follow in their footsteps?

I love working in small towns because of the friendliness of the community.

Mazhar Iqbal Dar emigrated from Pakistan in 1994. He entered the workforce at the bottom of the ladder as a dishwasher in Montréal. He worked to earn an income and help his family members who were still in Pakistan, while keeping in mind his dream to start a business. From there, he took over Langfords Grocery in Shawville, which was the beginning of his love story with the Pontiac region. Nearly 16 years later, he is now running three locations in the region with his family by his side.

Fulfilling work

The health care, education and municipal sectors employ the most people in the Pontiac region. There are also so many small businesses (stores and service providers) that are looking to expand their teams with employees from all walks of life. New residents who come to live in their little slice of heaven in the Pontiac region don’t have to worry: we have jobs available! For those who prefer to keep their previous job by telecommuting, that’s also possible. If entrepreneurship is your passion, we’re here to support all kinds of ambitions.

Here, there are very few franchises

Forget about fast-food chains or big-box stores taking over. In the Pontiac region, most nearby businesses and services are unique and reflect the community they serve. As some municipalities are much smaller than others, the number of businesses varies. However, residents in each municipality have access to all that they need within a reasonable distance. Psst! There will always be room for new businesses!

I am a cheerleader for our municipality!

The rural Pontiac region is rejuvenating and welcoming. There are plenty of stories like that of Sheila, who came to visit the Pontiac region over 30 years ago, met her husband, and never left! Just because the setting is relaxing doesn’t mean that community life is. As a full-fledged member of her new hometown, Sheila works for the municipality and is involved with practically all of the associations— the Bethany Hall Committee, the recreation association, and the church. Driven residents, like Sheila, are invaluable to the community.