Documentation
August 2010 Edition – Complete draft
Consult our brief news down page
Harmonised rates for hiking trails
Form now on, hikers will have access to the trail networks at the Parc d’environnement naturel de Sutton, Sentiers de l’Estrie and Réserve naturelle des Montagnes-Vertes for a single fee. This harmonisation of daily rates is in line with the CLD’s efforts to develop and structure hiking in the region. 
Almost one year to the day after the official opening of the Réserve naturelle des Montagnes-Vertes to the general public, the manager of the Appalachian Corridor preserve, Sentiers de l’Estrie and the Parc d’environnement naturel de Sutton are proud to announce the harmonisation of the access fee structure for their respective trail networks. With the support of Tourisme Cantons-de-l’Est, the three organisations have developed two new tools: Harmonized Rates and the Passeport des Montagnes-Vertes.
For hardcore hikers, the Passeport des Montagnes-Vertes, at $90 per year, grants access to the entire network of 270 km of well-marked and maintained forest trails. Passport holders automatically become members in all three organisations and receive the same benefits as other regular members, including reductions at numerous partner businesses or access to members-only activities and guided tours.
Harmonised rates allow hikers to access, on a daily basis, all three participating trail networks: the Singer sector (Potton) trails in the Réserve naturelle des Montagnes-vertes, the Sutton Park trails and the Sentiers de l’Estrie trails. Hikers are invited to purchase their daily access pass based on their point of access and can travel the entire network!
Trail accessibility being a priority in Sutton, the partnership was expanded to include Au Diable Vert « Station de montagne » and Arbre Sutton, two recreational facilities with their own trails tying into the three other networks. The Auberge des Appalaches and the Sutton Ski Resort had shown the way years ago by becoming the first tourist establishments to facilitate access to the Sutton mountain trails. It is now estimated that close to 500,000 hikers walk the trails in the greater Eastern Townships region each year.
The partnership between the trail managers and private businesses has allowed to fully integrate the major short and long distance hiking offerings in the region, providing access to over 270 km of trails accessible through 37 different entry points.
Tourisme Cantons-de-l’Est noted that “this interesting initiative is a first and symbolic gesture in the development of the hiking trails, which are currently the subject of an ambitious development plan to respond to the heavy demand in this growing niche.”
More than just a business association, the partnership is indicative of shared hiking philosophy and ethics. The practice of hiking and the operation of a trail network must respect and protect the natural environment that makes this such a rich region.
To purchase your day ticket or Passeport des Montagnes-Vertes:
Through secure on-line purchasing, on the trail managers’ websites or at their offices.
- Réserve naturelle des Montagnes-Vertes www.rnmv.ca
- Parc d’environnement naturel de Sutton www.parcsutton.com/
- Sentiers de l’Estrie www.lessentiersdelestrie.qc.ca/
- Au Diable Vert, mountain lodge, www.audiablevert.com for one-day ticket only
- Arbre Sutton, www.arbresutton.com for one-day ticket only
- Auberge des Appalaches, www.auberge-appalaches.com for one-day ticket only
At any of the 10 participating tourist offices :
- Maison du tourisme des Cantons-de-l’Est
- BAT de Granby
- BAT de Sutton
- BAT de Dunham
- BAT de Bromont
- BIT de Memphrémagog
- BAT de Dudswell
- BIT du Val-Saint-François
- BAT de Potton
- BAT de Lambton
Source : Tourisme Cantons-de-l'Est.
Brome-Missisquoi’s agricultural succession grant
As a part of the Fonds de soutien à la relève agricole (agricultural succession fund) presented in March by the Forum Jeunesse Montérégie Est, the Brome-Missisquoi CLD invites the next generation of farmers to apply for the Bourse d’accompagnement à la relève agricole de Brome-Missisquoi (Brome-Missisquoi’s agricultural succession grant). Starting this year a $10,000 grant will be awarded to a young agricultural business in the region.
The grant is aimed at young agricultural entrepreneurs who are in the process of becoming, in whole or in part, owners of an agricultural business in the region. Quality projects and ambitious businesspeople can receive this grant, which aims to cover the costs of advisory services, professional services, training activities and the carrying out of studies or agro-environmental assessments.
The Brome-Missisquoi CLD is proud to be able to offer this grant considering that the agrifood sector is one of the region’s most important economic activities. The projects that will be supported over the next three years will certainly contribute to the region’s economic health.
With the contribution of the Brome-Missisquoi CLD, many partners have made this important agricultural support possible: the Forum Jeunesse Montérégie Est, the Caisses populaires Desjardins and the Royal Bank of Canada.
Aspiring farmers have until November 12, 2010 at noon to register by completing the available form at the Brome-Missisquoi CLD or at www.cldbm.qc.ca.
For all information on this program, or concerning any other services offered by the Brome-Missisquoi CLD concerning rural development, contact Rural Development Advisor Pierre Genesse at 450-266-4928, extension 255, or at pgenesse@cldbm.qc.ca
Winners of the “One year of pleasures in Brome-Missisquoi” contest
In the presence of many major sponsors, Mr. Arthur Fauteux, warden of the MRC and president of the CLD presented today the official prizes to the winner of the “One year of pleasures in Brome-Missisquoi” online contest. The contest resulted in an increase in the number of visits to the website, and helped develop a sense of belonging among citizens, promote local purchasing and welcome Bromont to the MRC, while distributing almost $10,000 in prizes to citizens and their guests from outside the region.
From left to right: Hélène Sactouris - Caisses populaires Desjardins, Alain Bérubé - Le Guide, Marc-André Fournier - boutique UBAC Bromont, Greg Michaud - winner, Sébastien Villeneuve - Graymont, Arthur Fauteux - Brome-Missisquoi MRC and CLD, Guy St-Louis - Toyota and Mazda Cowansville.
Brome resident Greg Michaud walked away with prizes totalling $5,000 from local businesses, including a fully-equipped road cycle from Boutique UBAC in Bromont, works of art by local artists Stéphane Lemardelé and France Clavet, vouchers to a number of hotels in the region, including Auberge West Brome and Auberge Knowlton, tickets to the Diable Vert, Mont Sutton and Ski Bromont, a package of services at EuroSpa, vouchers to various vineyards and agri-food producers in the region and numerous other prizes. As first-prize winner, Mr. Michaud caused his father, a resident of Ontario, to win over $1,000 in prizes, including local certificates.
Throughout the contest launched in December of last year, participants had to write a short text highlighting what Brome-Missisquoi meant to them. Here is the text submitted by Greg Michaud: “I travel a lot around Canada and I found that most Canadian cities are largely congested and over populated. Pollution factors in many large cities are often generally off the charts. The two reasons that convinced me I had found a little spot of heaven by living in the Brome-Missisquoi region were easy to find. First the air which we breathe and drink which is clean and pure. I soon found had no more nasty headaches and I could breathe easier and even slept better. Second the water, as I have a well water on my property, which is so clean & pure I could not believe the clarity or the taste. It's a little easier to have a healthier living style when living here. It does not take long to notice the physical differences in the taste and smell of the air and water when you leave the area and you now realize what you are missing. When you go away on travel for any reason, you soon long to return and wonder why you ever left.”
Each month, from December through July, web contest advertisements featured testimonials from people who had chosen to live and work in Brome-Missisquoi. Those testimonials prove that the region is a place of choice for many. Other testimonials were related to the services provided by the MRC and CLD the Brome-Missisquoi residents. Here are some of those testimonials:
"Nous, citoyens d'une des plus belles régions du Québec, avons la chance de vivre et de travailler là où l'industrie de l'arboriculture est l'une des plus florissantes et des plus gouteuses au pays. La pommerie culture. En effet, c'est ici que fut inventé le cidre de glace. Maintenant un produit connu partout dans le monde grâce à notre industrie locale. Bravo à ces inventeurs du goût qui ont eu le courage d'établir ce produit." Sylvie Houde - Frelighsburg
" Mon Brome-Missisquoi, c’est une région chère à mon coeur. Ses coins de campagne sont des refuges paisibles où il fait bon se recueillir, ses charmants villages nous murmurent des secrets d’antan, ses paysages bucoliques sont source d’inspiration. Qui plus est, le territoire de Brome-Missisquoi réunit vignobles, producteurs et artisans soucieux de mettre en valeur les produits du terroir. Sillonner la route des vins nous emporte dans un monde de saveurs et d’arômes incomparables, tout en nous promettant la rencontre de gens passionnés qui ont à coeur le développement de cette magnifique région. " Milène Racine, Farnham
" Bromont, petite ville toute jeune qui a beaucoup grandi. Comme un nouveau né, elle était toute mignonne et on y fondait de grands espoirs pour le futur. Avec les années, elle a su s'entourer de gens compétent et motivé à bâtir un petit paradis familial, commercial et industriel remarquable. Sa beauté naturelle est sans égale et les infrastructures qui y ont été ajoutées se marient parfaitement à l'environnement chèrement protégé. Les gens viennent la visiter pour ses attraits, d'autres viennent y travailler et décide de s'y installer pour sa quiétude et sa proximité des grands centres. En rejoignant la MRC Brome-Missisquoi, Bromont a retrouvé ses parents biologiques et s'apprête à vivre de nouvelles expériences et à partager son savoir et ses richesses avec ceux et celles qui lui ressemble. Nous sommes très fiers de vivre ces retrouvailles et de faire partie de cette merveilleuse famille verte et pure. " Nathalie Lacasse, Bromont
The MRC and CLD give their heartfelt thanks to public figures who accepted to talk in the advertisement about their love for the region, to local businesses who readily accepted to provide wonderful prizes, as well as to all the other sponsors and partners who contributed to make a success of this regional contest. We especially wish to mention the major involvement of: UBAC Bromont, Armoires Cuisines Action, Les Caisses populaires Desjardins de Brome-Missisquoi, Graymont, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton et Toyota Mazda Cowansville et le journal le Guide.
PDZA : Blogger and Newspaper Columnist (in French)
Watch out for the Giant Hogweed, a toxic plant present in he region (in French)
Environment-friendly addition work for the MRC and CLD
In the course of the addition work being done to its building, the MRC promotes respect for the environment by choosing to use timber instead of steel for the structural work.
Timber has numerous advantages over steel, including environmental benefits (every cubic metre of wood used helps remove one tonne of CO2 from the atmosphere), benefits for the Quebec economy, job creation as well as benefits in the fire prevention area.
For more details on this Certified Wood - Coalition Bois Québec.
Municipal officials discover the “Route des vins”
On August 20, mayors and councillors from all over the region are invited to sample the Route des vins. They will have a unique opportunity to take part in the familiarisation tour organised on a regular basis by the CLD and usually arranged to present the Route des vins to journalists. The program includes a visit of the vineyard, discussion with the winemakers, discovering the secrets of winemaking and wine tasting.
Sutton Fall Festival
New bike map for Sutton
The Corporation de développement économique de Sutton (CDES) is publishing a bike route map! Twelve circuits ranging from 12 km to 102 km on gravel and paved roads will take you through the most picturesque villages in Brome-Missisquoi, including Sutton, Knowlton, Bromont, Dunham, Frelighsburg and Stanbridge East! Or cross the border and take the road to Jay Peak or Lake Carmi in Vermont. The circuits will be available on line at the end of August on Tourism Sutton web site ant the map will be available for free in early September at the Sutton Tourist Office, 24A, Principale Sud, 450-538-8455.A Web contest for the Vine Harvest - The celebration continue
A first! This year, the Brome-Missisquoi Wine Route in the Eastern Townships will be celebrating during the grape harvest, which takes place between September 15 and October 15. Restaurants, B&B's, inns, spas, art galleries, ski hills and... vineyards will pull out all of the stops to allow visitors to fully savour the pleasures of autumn in one of the most beautiful regions of Québec.
Visit the Wine Route website to find out the activities in the vineyards and many packages as well as participate to a contest and win one of the 15 prizes. Total value: $ 2 000.
Salon Priorité emploi (in French)
English conversation classes (in French)
Here is a list of published Bulletins Brome-Missisquoi.
