4. Conclusions
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4.1 Renewal
The predominant issue that permeated the discussions on the Eastern Townships during this study was the question of renewal: how to enhance the vitality of the community so that youth see a future in terms of working and living in the place where they grew up. The particular challenge for the English-speaking community of the Eastern Townships is how to demonstrate to youth (in particular, but also their family and friends) that the area offers a great deal of value and opportunity (vitality) so that they choose to live and work in the region.
4.2 Arts and culture
Through previous studies15 it has been shown that the English-speaking community is much more active in the arts and culture sector than the French-speaking population, and even more active on a proportional basis than any other English-speaking community in the province. The English-speaking community therefore recognizes that this is an important aspect of vitality in terms of identity and cultural expression, and also an important contributor to the economic well-being of the community because it provides employment to artists and affects other sectors such as tourism. As a result, the arts and culture is seen as a positive area for cultural identity, youth engagement and economic development.
4.3 Resources
The third element that was mentioned consistently in the discussions that took place in the Eastern Townships was the need to secure adequate resources for the work that the community views as being necessary to make progress in terms of its development. There was a general reflection that the English-speaking communities of the regions are to some extent “disengaged” from the (mainly French-language) institutions, agencies and organizations that serve them, and that more resources, both human and financial, need to be devoted to providing English-language services and programs that are seen as the precursors of a vital community.
Notes
15 Kalina Klimp, Profile of the English-speaking Communities in the Eastern Townships, Townshippers’ Association, Lennoxville, Quebec, 2006.
