CALEB NICKERSON
SHAWVILLE June 27, 2018
A local driver has been recognized for his contributions to the community at large.
Rénald Ferland of Shawville received recognition from the Pontiac Organization of Seniors and Retirees and TransporAction at a gala on June 4 for his years of service.
“Since the beginning, exactly 14 years ago. I was the first driver for TransporAction,” he said. “I’ve always tried to help the retired people, taking them to the hospital and doctor’s appointments.”
Ferland worked as a manager for the Bata Shoe Company in Aylmer but had a cottage along chemin Ragged Chute. After he retired in 2003, he and his wife moved to Shawville and found a different kind of work to occupy his time.

“A year or so later, I heard that some kind of new program was looking for drivers,” he said. “I phoned them up and gave them my name. Since then I’ve been driving left and right, to the hospital in Hull and Gatineau and Montreal even, once in a while.”
Ferland said that drivers for TransporAction take on as much work as they choose, and he typically drives between three and five days a week.
“Whenever I’m not busy I like to,” he said. “I like to give what I can.”
In addition to transportation, it is Ferland’s impeccable service that seems to appeal to the people that use TransporAction, as users often request him specifically.
He attributes this to his bilingualism, which can come in handy, depending on the institution.
“[Sometimes] they’re shy to go to the Gatineau Hospital, because they don’t speak French and sometimes they don’t understand,” he said. “I let the people know, if there’s something you don’t understand, I’m here to help. I guess people like that. Often, people will ask for me, which is nice.”