Caleb Nickerson
SHAWVILLE Sept. 21, 2017
Last Thursday evening, the Gatineau-based notary firm Gagné Isabelle Patry Laflamme and Associates celebrated the 20th anniversary of their branch in Shawville.
The office’s parking lot on rue Victoria was filled with tables as guests sipped wine and sampled hors d’oeuvres from Café 349. Musician Simon Clarke provided the entertainment for the evening, singing and hammering out tunes on the keyboard.

Notaries are specialists in contracts, providing legal counsel for things like wills, real estate and even municipal law. Gagné Isabelle Patry Laflamme and Associates have four locations in the Outaouais and opened their Shawville branch in August, 1996.
Mireille Alary joined the firm in 2001, after working as a notary in the region for several years. Growing up on a farm in Luskville, she started out in 1991 after graduating from the University of Ottawa and moved her practice to Shawville in 1997. Her background led her to specialize in agriculture law in addition to real estate law.
“I was raised on a farm so I do a lot of farm files,” she said.
She emphasized the importance of having a local office to meet the needs of the community.
“When you come here you have access to everything. You don’t have to go into the city to do anything,” she said, adding that serving as the President of the Pontiac Chamber of Commerce has broadened her network in the region. “I know everybody from one end [of the Pontiac] to the other.”
Office director John Lapierre said that he enjoys the atmosphere at the Shawville location.
“I’m from northern Ontario. I come from Mattawa, so I like the little local town aspect,” he said. “I love coming here. It’s not the city life, it’s relaxed, you’re not stressed as much and everyone is friendly.”
Midway through the evening, Alary gave a heartfelt address to the assembled guests, thanking them for all their years of support.
“I graduated from the University of Ottawa in 1990 and opened a small office in my hometown in 1991,” she said. “I was 24 years old, not married, no children but you believed in me and gave me work.”
“I remember my father helping me put up my first sign along the 148,” she continued. “One Thursday night, Laurie MacKechnie, who was then a real estate agent, stopped by the office and gave me my first file.”
She thanked all the clients and colleagues she’s had over the course of her career and concluded with a message to her family.
“The last word goes to my dear husband, Joël LeBlanc and our four children,” she said. “Over the last 20 years you have supported me in all my business decisions and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”