The year 2025 was a busy one for the APLG Board of Directors. Here is a brief summary of the work carried out by the team and the volunteers who lent a hand.
- The mining issue, spearheaded by Louis St-Hilaire for several years, prompted the municipality to hold a referendum about Lomiko Metals’ La Loutre project. The results were unequivocal. Eighty percent of Lake Gagnon property owners turned out to vote, with 98% opposing the project.
- The Association’s website has been completely redesigned by Zedimage, with the collaboration of Pierre Martel. It is now much easier to navigate. Olivier Bodard, our technology manager, ensures that it runs smoothly and that all relevant documents are posted on it. He has also created a “Duhamel Information Kit” for newcomers. It can be found under the “Our Lake” tab. Olivier has also posted numerous publications on the website and on our Facebook page.
- Data from the angler’s logbook for the 2025 season, supervised by David Gratton, show mixed results, compared to those of 2023 and 2024, with mixed success rates among anglers. The results have been sent to the ministry for analysis. This information will help guide discussions on the status of the lake trout population in Lake Gagnon.
- A new water level monitoring system was set up by Marc Dufour and Olivier Bodard. The data is updated daily on the Association’s website.
- The 37 volunteers in the Sentinelles program, coordinated by Mireille Tousignant, with training provided by Paul St-Georges, patrolled the lake for the seventh year to ensure that there were no invasive plants. No dangerous plants were detected.
- The periphyton study, led by Ann Burns-Tardif, continued for a third year. We will continue this research protocol in partnership with the Organisme des Bassins Versants every two years in order to monitor the increase in periphyton, which is a sign of lake aging.
- Swimming water tests were conducted twice during the summer by Pierre-Émile Rocray and Mireille Tousignant. Transparency data was collected by Charles De Maisonneuve.
- As has been the case for many years, Gérard Bodard was responsible for installing the 18 buoys marking shallow waters. Given the weight and size of the buoys, this task requires numerous trips out onto the lake at the beginning and end of the season.
- Mark Conroy and Louis St-Hilaire produced signs that were installed around the lake and in the municipality to raise awareness among residents and visitors about the code of ethics for boating and the importance of washing all boats before launching them.
- Thanks to the ongoing partnership with the municipality, the APLG was able to give its opinion on various regulations such as boat launching, signage on the lake and shoreline vegetation. Paul-André Laurin, Sylvain Anderson and Mireille Tousignant are responsible for these issues.
- The Marie-Lefranc-Petite-Nation protected area project, which runs along the entire eastern side of Lake Gagnon, has been led by Louis St-Hilaire since its inception. It is one of 13 projects selected in the Papineau RCM for the regional consultation phase, which will take place in February and March 2026. It is too early to know whether this major project will be selected, as the final decision will not be made until 2027, but the ministry’s initial analyses are quite favourable.
- We have been following developments at the Duhamel Solidarity Cooperative. The automated gas station should soon be operational.
- Our membership remains strong with 356 active members. Membership recruiting, enrollment and finances are managed by our treasurer, Anne Wells, who also handled English translations and all emails to members. The minutes of our meetings were taken by our secretary, Pierre-Émile Rocray.
Thank you to all APLG members for your valuable collaboration. The team wishes you a wonderful 2026 at Lac Gagnon!
Your Board of Directors