VIA Rail Canada Pensioners' Association
- Québec -
- Québec -
*** History of the Québec Chapter***
The Québec chapter of the VIA Rail Canada Pensioners' Association was originally created in the mid 80"s shortly after the creation of the VIA Rail Canada Pensioners' Association.At that time, the executive included the following members:
President Jean-René Langlois First Vice-President Marcel Deslauriers Second Vice-President Adrienne Lacroix Secretary Valmond Boudreau Treasurer Julien Blain Director Charles Collins Director Guy Fullum Director Armand Hétu Director Léo Laberge Director Peter Muldovan Director Walter Willison Since the creation of the Québec chapter, many activities were organized such as sugar parties, Christmas parties, trips to the Montmorency Falls and Ste Anne de Beaupré etc. In the photo below which was taken at the Christmas party in 1986, we recognize Léo Laberge in the fore-ground. In the back from left to right, Julien Blain, Valmond Boudreau and Jean-René Langlois. They were all accompanied and seemed to be enjoying themselves very much. Photos of other special events will soon be placed in our section of "The Old Village".
The association was very active for several years. Then gradually the membership began to decrease in number to a point that the executive had to make a decision concerning the future of the Québec chapter of the association.
Finally the moment came and on a sad and grim Wednesday May 13th 1992, a special meeting was called by President Yvon Hétu to decide on the future of the Québec chapter of the VIA Rail Canada Pensioners' Association. The President had no other alternative, due to the progressive decreasing of membership, but to submit a notice of dissolution. After careful consideration, the lengthy discussion on this subject finally came to an end. A resolution was drafted by Valmond Boudreau, secretary-treasurer, and on a motion by Roy Ougler seconded by W. Baran, this resolution was passed and the remaining faithful members saw their association come to a miserable end. The chapter was dissolved the following November.
Several years later, on February 11th 1997, a group of pensioners got together and under the guidance of acting chairman, Claude d'Andrieu, who explained the purpose of this meeting, the Québec Chapter slowly began its new formation. The Acting Chairman, then introduced Martin Cahill, National Secretary, who went on to explain the purpose of a chapter in Québec and how other chapters functioned across Canada. A provisional committee was set up for a period of one year. Claude d'Andrieu volunteered to act as President, Léo Moisan as Vice-President and Jean-Pierre Labelle as Secretary-Treasurer. The Québec chapter was re-activated and thus began a new era.
Today, the Québec chapter numbers well over 400 members. Speakers of various Government departments and other organizations are invited to explain benefits of different sources to the members.
To-day the executive includes the following members:
President Claude d'Andrieu Vice-President Donald Béchamp Secretary Marcel Bordeleau Director Alban Bray Director Edward Ciale Director Henry Ciale Director Pierre Cool Director Lucien DeRepentigny Director Raymond Dumais Director Victor Khan Director André Martel Director Eliane Mercier Director Léo Northon Director Dale Paul Director Francine Ste-Marie Vachon Director Jacques Tessier Director Joyce Widmer
The objectives of the association remain the same:
- To operate a non-profit organization for social activities and the well being of all members.
- To unite VIA Rail retired employees, and to monitor collective bargaining trends, social, economic, educational, legislative and political events of interest to retired members and their spouses.
- To petition Unions and Legislators for the introduction and enactment of legislation on measures to improve the health and welfare of all retired employees, consistent with the policies of the VIA Rail Canada Pensioners' Association.
- To act as advocate for all members on all matters.
Claude d'Andrieu, President,
Donald Béchamp, Vice-President,