15 Years of Partnership, with Ms. Ghislaine M. Hudon of Lac-Bouchette

With a population of nearly 1,200 residents, the town of Lac-Bouchette is an excellent example of what a Village-relais represents: a motivated community, engaged business owners, and a strategic geographic location that encourages travellers to stop. Lac-Bouchette's history within the network dates back to 2015. The location was strategically important for the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable, and the community was enthusiastic about the idea of joining the network.

"We were very excited to become a Village-relais. We are the gateway to the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region, so we felt it was very important to be part of the network," says Ms. Ghislaine M. Hudon.

For many travellers, the Village-relais symbol has become a trusted reference and Lac-Bouchette is notably a very popular stop among motorcycle enthusiasts, e-bike riders, and van-lifers.

"People have now developed the habit of stopping with us on their way to the lake. And we definitely notice it," shares Ms. Hudon.

Ms. Hudon was elected President of the Fédération des Villages-relais du Québec in 2022. She succeeded Mr. Gilbert Simard, former Mayor of Saint-Fulgence, who had carried the torch for eight years. It was her deep attachment to the mission that led her to take on the role; she wanted to ensure that our work kept going to move forward.

Since taking office, numerous advancements have allowed the network to grow: membership numbers are on the rise, and several service improvement projects have come to fruition under her leadership. Yet for Ms. Hudon, this is only the beginning; she still has many years to give.

"We are just getting started!" she concludes.

Thank you, Ms. Ghislaine M. Hudon, for your involvement in the Villages-relais du Québec network. May your story inspire municipal partners to continue fostering the development of our regions. For more information about the Villages-relais network, visit villages-relais.qc.ca!