Outaouais Live! is a 12-part, English-language, arts magazine format series to be filmed at various locations throughout the Outaouais. It will showcase musicians, artists of various practice, galleries, and cultural and performance spaces, all with a somewhat uptown vibe. Produced with the 100 Mile Arts Network.

Conseil d’administration

Arthur Ayers
Président
Arthur Ayers is a lawyer with his own practice. His professional experience has included immigration and refugee issues. He is bilingual in English and French, a resident of Gatineau and keenly interested in the situation of the English-speaking community of Quebec. He has taught English in Japan and is fluent in Japanese. He describes himself as having proven adaptability to various work and cultural environments. His sports interests include cycling racing and cross-country skiing.

Becky Drummond, CPA, CFE
Vice President

David Gillespie
Treasurer

Judith O'rourke
Secretary
Judith was born in Norwich, England and has called Aylmer home for more than 40 years. Her 2 older children and all 7 grandchildren also live in Aylmer. Her youngest daughter, a former “Aylmer Citizen of the Year” is a teacher in the Gaspé region of Québec. Judith spent 13 years as a Commissioner for the Western Québec School Board and chaired several committees during her tenure. She is a long-time member of Christ Church Cathedral, in Ottawa where she has held numerous volunteer positions. An avid traveller, who has visited 82 countries, Judith believes that there is always something new to learn. For relaxation, Judith enjoys reading, knitting, making teddy bears and working on her family tree.

Jared Broughton
Director
Jared Broughton is passionate about giving back to the community and volunteering. He has been learning French for over 5 years and is determined to become a fully functional member of Québec society as a French speaker. Jared’s expertise and background is in Administration & Research. He has obtained more than +2000 hours of volunteer work in various industries and capacities with various demographics. Jared is an avid runner and has completed 4 marathons.
Ultimately, Jared wants to make a difference and have his voice heard while advocating for Anglophones and helping to create a more enthusiastic and engaging organization. Jared would love to see ALL Anglophones such as himself obtain a functional level of French to be able to flourish as citizens of Québec regardless of the obstacles or Bills.

Chris Judd
Director
Born in Shawville, Quebec, Chris was a founding member of Quebec Young Farmers Association in 1967. He has been member of different Associations, such as the Ottawa Valley Tractor Puller, and the Shawville and district Snowmobile Club. Chris set three main life goals in 1978. The first one was to “do things right” or don’t do them at all. The second one was to build a farm that “ALL” his family could be involved in, when they were ready, (If they wanted to), and build a farm that could financially support “ALL” the families. The last one was to teach “someone” on our farm to do each job, task, or future planning, so that the “family” and “farm” could continue without him. Later in life, Chris was a councilor for the Village of Shawville (water, roads, and fire dept. committees) 1991-1995 to what he resigned in 1995 to accept presidency of Quebec Farmers Association. He was also a director of Shawville Ag. Society for two stretches. He was also a director of Pontiac milk producers from 1979-2014, (president from 1992-2013), (Provincial director of “Federation les Producteurs du Lait de Quebec” from 2003-2006.
Presently, Chris is a voluntary director on the “Villa James Shaw” project, planning a 40+ bed retirement home in the village of Shawville. He is also on the CANAMEX committee (with both Canadian and United States members) to explore agricultural tourism, sustainable agriculture, and trade between Canada and the US. Currently he serves as a director on the Quebec “cull cow and veal calf” marketing committee, and a director for the Regional Association of West Quebecers.

Cathy Dubreuil Mellon
Director
Cathy Dubreuil Mellon grew up in the West Island of Montreal before moving to the Outaouais Region in the mid 80s. Cathy spent 31 years working as a Senior Policy Advisor in the Federal Government.
Cathy was an active member of Aylmer United Church. She initiated many of the church activities over the years, in addition to sitting on Council and various church committees.
At the community level, Cathy has led numerous fundraisers and charitable endeavours such as the Annual Aylmer Community Rain Barrel Sale, Bed Mats for Humanity, and Pillowcase Dresses for Africa initiatives. Moreover, every Christmas, Cathy collects and donates socks and toiletries to the vulnerable and less fortunate in our region.
Five years ago, Cathy created a social meetup group for Women Over 50. This group has now expanded to include a Walking Group, a Biking Group, and a Travel Group.
Cathy currently sits on the Western Quebec Career Centre's Governing Board as a Community Representative.
Cathy recently joined the Regional Association of West Quebecers’ Board of Directors and the Fundraising and Events Committee.

Angela Britten
Director

Alexander Hays
Director
Originally from Guelph, Ontario, Alexander Hays is a retired former public servant with the Federal Public Service, 26 years with Statistics Canada, as well as eight years with the Ontario Provincial Government. He has been a resident of the Outaouais for 35 years. He is an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hiking and kayaking. Alex also enjoys reading, running, and writing fiction. He is currently a member of the Gatineau Anglophone Writer’s Group.
Robert Valcov-Kwiatkowski
Director
Born in Montreal, Bob attended MacDonald High, John Abbott College and McGill University before heading out west with his wife Anne and spending several years in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Settling in Aylmer, Quebec, Bob had a remarkable career in the Government of Canada, both as a public servant, specializing in federal-provincial and international sport relations, and as Chief of Staff to several federal cabinet ministers. After six years as Canadian Director of Safari Club International, Bob joined United Way Ottawa to manage the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC) raising over $29 million per year nationally.
He has served on the Board of Governors of Heritage College; the Prime Minister’s National Hunting & Angling Advisory Panel; the Canada Games Council; the Victoria Commonwealth Games Board; and the Thunder Bay World Nordic Games Board.
Bob has kept bees for over thirty years and teaches a beekeeping course at Heritage College. He also loves to hunt and fish. Bob and Anne enjoy spending time with their six children and eight grandchildren.

Vacant
Director

Benjamin Woodman
Director
Benjamin Woodman was raised in Shawville, Quebec and is extremely proud of his roots in the Pontiac region. He is passionate about politics and spent years employed as a senior official on Parliament Hill, including in the Office of the Prime Minister, before transitioning to his current role as a senior federal public servant. He holds a Cegep Diploma in Social Science, a Bachelor degree in Political Science, and a Masters Degree in Public Administration. Benjamin is also a member of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves. He lives in Gatineau with his wife Andrea, and his daughters Chloe and Olivia.