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VIA Rail Canada Pensioners' Association - Québec

*** The Old Village***

The "background" of some of our pensioners which appeared in local newspapers or other media when they retired.

Réal Chartrand

"Hey - 45 years of service!!"

     That's what Réal Chartrand (not yet 63), said when he went on pension as VIA Rail ticket examiner at Montreal's Central Station on January 4th, 1988. He started at Canadian Pacific's Park Avenue station(Jean Talon) and went over to Windsor Station where he even held the position of Station Master. After having experienced what might be called the ups and downs of passenger railway in Canada he decides to take some well deserved rest: Montréal in the winter and Gaspé in the summer.

Réal, We wish you the best of health!

Réal, when he retired

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The Pope's visit in 1984

"The Pope's visit in 1984"

     In 1984, Pope John-Paul II visited Québec. In the picture on the right, you will notice many employees who had the unique occasion to work on the Pope's train. Were you there?   Do you recognize yourself after over 20 years?   Click on picture to view on a greater scale.

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Meeting in New Carlisle

New Carlisle Station

The Meeting

   On May 26th, 2005 a meeting was held at the Legion Hall in New Carlisle to inform the VIA Rail pensioners in this region of the association's various goals and activities. Various subjects were discussed such as:

  • The reactivation of the association,
  • Cost of living index
  • paid up life insurance policy with VIA Rail
  • membership
  • the VIA Rail's pension plans
  • The Blue Cross Group Health Insurance Plan.

Photo of pensioners who attended the meeting:
From left to right: Dale Paul, Lewis Smollett, Bob Cormier, Jeannine Arbour-Babin, Jean Horth, Mrs. Horth, Tom Craig, Raoul Babin, Bessy Craig, Henry Sullivan, Clifton Skene, Donald Béchamp, Alfred Byers and Claude d'Andrieu.  Also, not shown in the photo was Mary-Ann Paul who was behind the camera. Click on photo to view on a greater scale.

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A visit from Morocco

At our monthly meeting in May 2006, we had the pleasure of having as guest speaker, Mr. Abdelhak Laalaj, retired Assistant Station Master from Casablanca Morocco. Abdelhak spoke on the operation of trains on the Moroccan Railway which handles some 20 million passengers annually. In the photo, Abdelhak is accompanied by Claude d'Andrieu, President of the Québec Chapter of the VIA Rail Canada Pensioners Association.  Click on photo to view on a greater scale.

Abdelhak Laalaj

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