1 00:00:01,002 --> 00:00:01,700 Here we are in new richmond, quebec! 2 00:00:01,769 --> 00:00:04,803 [cheering & applauding] 3 00:00:04,938 --> 00:00:07,706 On the southern coast of the gaspé peninsula, 4 00:00:07,775 --> 00:00:09,908 On the shore bay de chaleur. 5 00:00:09,910 --> 00:00:12,711 This is a meeting place not only of rivers- 6 00:00:12,846 --> 00:00:16,247 The grand cascapédia and petite cascapédia- 7 00:00:16,283 --> 00:00:18,716 But also of cultures. 8 00:00:18,753 --> 00:00:21,253 The indigenous word, nesue'g, 9 00:00:21,255 --> 00:00:24,256 Suggests the coming together of three- 10 00:00:24,325 --> 00:00:27,192 The mi'gmaq, the french, and the english. 11 00:00:27,194 --> 00:00:28,960 When three come together- 12 00:00:29,030 --> 00:00:30,929 The french call it a 'menage a trois', I think. 13 00:00:30,998 --> 00:00:33,298 [laughing] 14 00:00:33,434 --> 00:00:34,532 ♪ 15 00:00:34,568 --> 00:00:37,102 When you grow up in a small town in newfoundland, 16 00:00:37,104 --> 00:00:38,404 You see that people have a sense of humour 17 00:00:38,539 --> 00:00:39,671 About hard times. 18 00:00:39,740 --> 00:00:40,772 Check, check. 19 00:00:40,808 --> 00:00:42,674 I turned that into a career, and hit the road. 20 00:00:42,809 --> 00:00:45,110 [mc] mr. Jonny harris! 21 00:00:45,245 --> 00:00:47,279 Now I'm on a mission to find the funny in the places 22 00:00:47,281 --> 00:00:50,716 You'd least expect, canada's struggling small towns. 23 00:00:50,718 --> 00:00:53,786 Towns that are against the ropes, but hanging in there. 24 00:00:53,921 --> 00:00:56,655 Still laughing in the face of adversity. 25 00:00:56,724 --> 00:00:58,891 This is new richmond, quebec. 26 00:00:58,893 --> 00:01:11,069 ♪ 27 00:01:11,138 --> 00:01:15,107 [cheering & applauding] 28 00:01:15,242 --> 00:01:17,976 Since the 1960s, new richmond has been 29 00:01:18,045 --> 00:01:20,813 A mill town, a company town. 30 00:01:20,948 --> 00:01:23,215 The mill here created pulp and paper, 31 00:01:23,350 --> 00:01:27,152 And turned it in to liner board for cardboard boxes. 32 00:01:27,288 --> 00:01:29,821 It was not just the major employer, 33 00:01:29,824 --> 00:01:32,457 The mill built a neighbourhood- 34 00:01:32,526 --> 00:01:36,794 A grocery store, baseball field, the curling rink... 35 00:01:36,831 --> 00:01:38,263 Even a union bar. 36 00:01:38,299 --> 00:01:40,866 It was the cornerstone of the economy here. 37 00:01:40,868 --> 00:01:43,001 But you guys know- if anybody knows- 38 00:01:43,070 --> 00:01:46,738 The trouble with the cardboard box industry... 39 00:01:46,807 --> 00:01:48,740 It can collapse and fold. 40 00:01:48,809 --> 00:01:50,475 [laughing] 41 00:01:50,478 --> 00:01:53,812 But to give me the liner notes of the liner board 42 00:01:53,947 --> 00:01:57,082 Heyday, and the allure of chaleur... 43 00:01:57,151 --> 00:01:59,351 From chaleur park, natalie clark. 44 00:01:59,420 --> 00:02:03,155 [cheering & applauding] 45 00:02:03,157 --> 00:02:04,956 Natalie's dad worked at the mill. 46 00:02:04,992 --> 00:02:07,893 She was one of a generation of new richmond'ers 47 00:02:08,028 --> 00:02:10,229 Who grew up as mill kids. 48 00:02:10,231 --> 00:02:12,964 -This is chaleur park. -Chaleur park. 49 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:15,834 And chaleur park was built by the mill. 50 00:02:15,969 --> 00:02:18,370 She told me that at its peak in the 70s, 51 00:02:18,439 --> 00:02:21,306 Up to 1400 people worked at the mill. 52 00:02:21,441 --> 00:02:23,908 Massive workforce, and to attract and 53 00:02:23,944 --> 00:02:26,244 Retain this massive workforce, the mill 54 00:02:26,313 --> 00:02:29,514 Built a neighbourhood, chaleur park. 55 00:02:29,649 --> 00:02:31,850 This place is special. 56 00:02:31,852 --> 00:02:33,385 This is where I was brought up. 57 00:02:33,454 --> 00:02:35,787 -And look at the view. -Unbelievable. 58 00:02:35,856 --> 00:02:37,022 -Look at the view. -Yeah, look at that. 59 00:02:37,157 --> 00:02:41,226 Down here, jonny, this wasn't the rich place. 60 00:02:41,295 --> 00:02:45,130 My dad was a tinsmith, so he wasn't a director of the mill. 61 00:02:45,199 --> 00:02:47,299 -He was just a tinsmith. -Right. 62 00:02:47,301 --> 00:02:49,334 But he was happy, we were happy. 63 00:02:49,336 --> 00:02:52,136 And we had a happy life, right here. 64 00:02:52,173 --> 00:02:54,740 They might not be rich, but I could tell that there was 65 00:02:54,875 --> 00:02:58,610 Something special about living in a cardboard box... 66 00:02:58,612 --> 00:02:59,912 Making town. 67 00:03:00,047 --> 00:03:02,848 Living in a cardboard -box-making town. 68 00:03:02,850 --> 00:03:04,950 The people that were employed at the mill, 69 00:03:05,085 --> 00:03:07,352 They were going to be able to raise their kids and 70 00:03:07,354 --> 00:03:08,887 Be secure here. 71 00:03:09,022 --> 00:03:11,389 Natalie said with homes and with secure jobs, 72 00:03:11,458 --> 00:03:14,293 There was a bit of a baby boom here in new richmond. 73 00:03:14,295 --> 00:03:17,562 There was three, four, five children per family. 74 00:03:17,565 --> 00:03:20,331 You grow up in chaleur park and, you have fun. 75 00:03:20,367 --> 00:03:22,300 There's lots of people around, lots of kids. 76 00:03:22,336 --> 00:03:25,370 They'd all play together outside till all hours. 77 00:03:25,439 --> 00:03:27,372 I guess you would want to spend time outside if 78 00:03:27,374 --> 00:03:29,174 Your parents are making that many babies. 79 00:03:29,243 --> 00:03:31,042 [laughing] 80 00:03:31,078 --> 00:03:33,478 "kids, remember I want you to be home by dark. 81 00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:35,546 Ah, no, hang on, actually like maybe... 82 00:03:35,583 --> 00:03:37,316 Like half hour after dark." 83 00:03:37,451 --> 00:03:39,985 [laughing] 84 00:03:39,987 --> 00:03:41,987 She has fond memories of growing up here, 85 00:03:41,989 --> 00:03:45,056 But she said not everything smelled of roses. 86 00:03:45,092 --> 00:03:48,560 People would say, "ah! It stinks in new richmond. 87 00:03:48,562 --> 00:03:49,795 How can you live there?” 88 00:03:49,797 --> 00:03:53,364 The mill gave off, I guess it was a sulphury kind of smell. 89 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:55,067 Ugh, yeah, yeah, it stinks. 90 00:03:55,202 --> 00:03:56,234 Well, what does it smell like? 91 00:03:56,270 --> 00:03:58,270 Well, it's kind of like a... 92 00:03:58,272 --> 00:04:00,605 An egg fart, sort of, you know, it was, you know. 93 00:04:00,608 --> 00:04:02,307 Well, she said egg farts. 94 00:04:02,343 --> 00:04:04,342 [laughing] 95 00:04:04,411 --> 00:04:06,578 In fact, you could tell if the wind was 96 00:04:06,580 --> 00:04:08,947 Changing by the smell. 97 00:04:08,949 --> 00:04:10,481 Apparently, like some of the old timers, they'd be like, 98 00:04:10,517 --> 00:04:14,219 "ah, I do believe we're in for a cold nor'easter, 99 00:04:14,288 --> 00:04:17,155 For the air carries upon it the whiff of egg fart.” 100 00:04:17,191 --> 00:04:19,224 [laughing] 101 00:04:19,293 --> 00:04:22,226 Ironically, the mill caused the biggest stink 102 00:04:22,263 --> 00:04:24,429 When they stopped making cardboard. 103 00:04:24,564 --> 00:04:27,266 One day, in 2005... 104 00:04:27,401 --> 00:04:30,435 They went to work, and were told at the gate that they 105 00:04:30,570 --> 00:04:33,238 Were allowed to go get their things in their locker. 106 00:04:33,373 --> 00:04:35,073 And that was it. 107 00:04:35,109 --> 00:04:38,110 But it all happened sort of abruptly, unceremoniously. 108 00:04:38,112 --> 00:04:40,445 I think people were upset by the way it happened. 109 00:04:40,580 --> 00:04:42,013 They show up for work, and it's like, 110 00:04:42,016 --> 00:04:43,448 "okay, you don't have a job. 111 00:04:43,450 --> 00:04:45,584 Go collect your personal belongings. 112 00:04:45,719 --> 00:04:48,287 You'll be escorted by security, and no, 113 00:04:48,422 --> 00:04:49,988 You can't use one of our boxes.” 114 00:04:50,057 --> 00:04:52,057 [laughing] 115 00:04:52,126 --> 00:04:53,658 Well, then rumour got out, right? 116 00:04:53,727 --> 00:04:57,262 Because eventually it's on the radio, and then... 117 00:04:57,264 --> 00:04:59,197 The whole town knows. 118 00:04:59,199 --> 00:05:00,932 But for some people, she said they found out 119 00:05:00,934 --> 00:05:03,468 On the radio that they didn't have a job. 120 00:05:03,470 --> 00:05:05,203 That's gonna be pretty bad no matter 121 00:05:05,239 --> 00:05:07,139 How the dj puts it, you know. 122 00:05:07,274 --> 00:05:09,074 "ah, we're looking at mild temperatures and 123 00:05:09,076 --> 00:05:11,142 Clear skies, a great day to have off work. 124 00:05:11,211 --> 00:05:12,610 Speaking of which..." 125 00:05:12,612 --> 00:05:14,846 [laughing] 126 00:05:14,915 --> 00:05:18,282 Everybody's going, "what is going to happen? 127 00:05:18,319 --> 00:05:20,819 Where are people going to go? 128 00:05:20,954 --> 00:05:23,221 How are people going to live?” 129 00:05:23,257 --> 00:05:25,490 People thought that it was going to be a ghost town. 130 00:05:25,492 --> 00:05:28,627 As is often the case all over the east coast, 131 00:05:28,629 --> 00:05:32,096 Sometimes life is like a cardboard box. 132 00:05:32,132 --> 00:05:34,299 Sometimes things get wet, and the arse falls out of it. 133 00:05:34,434 --> 00:05:35,633 [laughing] 134 00:05:35,669 --> 00:05:38,303 [applauding] 135 00:05:41,642 --> 00:05:46,611 ♪ 136 00:05:47,581 --> 00:05:51,516 In 2005, 300 jobs were gone overnight. 137 00:05:51,651 --> 00:05:53,017 People worried that this place 138 00:05:53,053 --> 00:05:55,253 Might become a ghost town. 139 00:05:55,322 --> 00:05:57,155 But that's not what happened. 140 00:05:57,157 --> 00:06:01,126 New richmond is no longer known by the company it kept. 141 00:06:01,261 --> 00:06:03,862 [laughing] 142 00:06:03,864 --> 00:06:06,364 I got to see one of the big reasons- and I mean big- 143 00:06:06,367 --> 00:06:09,468 That people love coming to this area. 144 00:06:09,603 --> 00:06:11,335 Fly fishing. 145 00:06:11,372 --> 00:06:15,006 Fly fishing for salmon on the grand cascapédia. 146 00:06:15,141 --> 00:06:17,275 My guide was of mi'gmaq descent, 147 00:06:17,411 --> 00:06:20,044 But he said I was pretty fly for a white guy. 148 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:22,147 -[laughing] -josh bradstreet. 149 00:06:22,216 --> 00:06:26,117 [cheering & applauding] 150 00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:27,886 This river is world renowned for, 151 00:06:27,955 --> 00:06:30,856 Not only the number of fish, but the size of fish. 152 00:06:30,991 --> 00:06:32,390 You can see them come right out, 153 00:06:32,525 --> 00:06:34,492 And their tails are splashing on the water... 154 00:06:34,494 --> 00:06:35,627 And you're like, you're just waiting 155 00:06:35,629 --> 00:06:36,895 For that fish to come back down, 156 00:06:36,964 --> 00:06:38,363 So that way you can set the hook. 157 00:06:38,432 --> 00:06:40,265 It's a wonderful experience. 158 00:06:40,267 --> 00:06:42,333 Josh told me this is one of the best 159 00:06:42,369 --> 00:06:45,236 Salmon fishing spots in the world. 160 00:06:45,305 --> 00:06:47,906 It is home to the river monsters. 161 00:06:47,975 --> 00:06:51,276 It is home to the cascapédia giants. 162 00:06:51,345 --> 00:06:54,246 Of all north america, there have only been 163 00:06:54,381 --> 00:06:57,148 22 salmon caught with a recorded weight 164 00:06:57,217 --> 00:07:00,051 Over 50 pounds. Of those 22, 165 00:07:00,053 --> 00:07:03,388 17 were caught on the grand cascapédia. 166 00:07:03,523 --> 00:07:07,526 [cheering & applauding] 167 00:07:07,661 --> 00:07:10,061 Because of this, people will come from 168 00:07:10,130 --> 00:07:12,530 Far and wide and pay top dollar. 169 00:07:12,666 --> 00:07:14,899 Some of the names that I know of that came to this river is 170 00:07:14,968 --> 00:07:18,069 Like guys like bobby orr, jimmy carter, paul newman. 171 00:07:18,205 --> 00:07:20,471 And people still come, even after 2010, 172 00:07:20,507 --> 00:07:24,141 When they put in some conservation measures. 173 00:07:24,178 --> 00:07:25,142 The number one reason 174 00:07:25,179 --> 00:07:27,379 Why we still sustain our big fish here... 175 00:07:27,514 --> 00:07:29,514 Because we practice this catch and release. 176 00:07:29,583 --> 00:07:31,149 You know, if you're not killing fish, 177 00:07:31,284 --> 00:07:32,617 The fish are always going to come back, right. 178 00:07:32,653 --> 00:07:34,219 Still, people didn't care. 179 00:07:34,221 --> 00:07:35,620 They just wanted to get the big fish, 180 00:07:35,656 --> 00:07:37,022 The cascapédia giant. 181 00:07:37,157 --> 00:07:38,423 You can still get your picture taken with it. 182 00:07:38,558 --> 00:07:40,091 It'd be great. Also, 183 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:42,160 I think the fish have caught on. 184 00:07:42,295 --> 00:07:43,495 [laughing] 185 00:07:43,497 --> 00:07:44,296 Like, hear me out. 186 00:07:44,431 --> 00:07:45,697 Maybe you got to salmon, there it is. 187 00:07:45,766 --> 00:07:48,133 Oh, look, there's a big juicy fly. 188 00:07:48,268 --> 00:07:51,035 But then he thinks, "oh, well, maybe it's a fishhook." 189 00:07:51,071 --> 00:07:52,370 And then he thinks, "oh, well, 190 00:07:52,439 --> 00:07:53,371 What's the worst can happen? 191 00:07:53,507 --> 00:07:55,306 I'll get my picture taken with bobby orr." 192 00:07:55,308 --> 00:07:57,242 [laughing] 193 00:07:57,311 --> 00:07:58,777 Josh said just because you come here and 194 00:07:58,779 --> 00:08:01,112 You can pay top dollar and you can have a good guide 195 00:08:01,114 --> 00:08:02,446 And have all the right gear, 196 00:08:02,483 --> 00:08:05,050 Doesn't mean you're going to catch a salmon. 197 00:08:05,185 --> 00:08:07,452 He said it's sometimes referred to as, 198 00:08:07,454 --> 00:08:09,687 'the sport of a thousand casts'. 199 00:08:09,689 --> 00:08:12,290 Because sometimes, it could take about a thousand casts 200 00:08:12,326 --> 00:08:14,091 Before you hook up to anything. 201 00:08:14,127 --> 00:08:15,560 I know, I know personally, 202 00:08:15,695 --> 00:08:18,129 How frustrating casting can be. 203 00:08:18,131 --> 00:08:20,932 [laughing] 204 00:08:21,067 --> 00:08:23,201 Like, to just get a guest spot on heartland, 205 00:08:23,203 --> 00:08:24,603 What does a guy got to do? 206 00:08:24,738 --> 00:08:26,471 [laughing] 207 00:08:26,473 --> 00:08:28,540 You have lots of different fly choices here. 208 00:08:28,609 --> 00:08:31,476 Each one of those flies can catch you a big fish. 209 00:08:31,478 --> 00:08:34,479 For an example, this caught me a 38-pound fish 210 00:08:34,548 --> 00:08:36,614 Two days ago, little, tiny thing like this. 211 00:08:36,683 --> 00:08:38,683 -Really? -38-pound fish. 212 00:08:38,719 --> 00:08:41,286 Some anglers will get really choosy about the flies 213 00:08:41,421 --> 00:08:43,688 They use, which I find odd because... 214 00:08:43,757 --> 00:08:46,157 I think if you're trying to get the big salmon, 215 00:08:46,226 --> 00:08:48,760 Like the heavy salmon, they're probably 216 00:08:48,762 --> 00:08:50,428 Less choosy about what they eat. 217 00:08:50,564 --> 00:08:52,364 [laughing] 218 00:08:52,499 --> 00:08:54,199 Like, maybe they'll eat anything. 219 00:08:54,334 --> 00:08:56,534 That's how they got 50 pounds. 220 00:08:56,570 --> 00:08:57,835 Maybe one guy's like, "oh, yes, 221 00:08:57,837 --> 00:09:01,039 I'm gonna use an eastern -tailed yellow hackle fly.” 222 00:09:01,041 --> 00:09:02,374 Well, okay, sure. 223 00:09:02,376 --> 00:09:04,241 Maybe just stick a timbit on the end. 224 00:09:04,278 --> 00:09:06,110 [laughing] 225 00:09:06,146 --> 00:09:09,213 [applauding] 226 00:09:09,283 --> 00:09:15,653 ♪ 227 00:09:15,722 --> 00:09:18,456 No doubt the mill closure was a kick in the caboose, 228 00:09:18,458 --> 00:09:21,225 But there is a new local company who, 229 00:09:21,261 --> 00:09:23,661 By getting rail cars back on track, 230 00:09:23,730 --> 00:09:26,464 Are doing the same for the local economy. 231 00:09:26,466 --> 00:09:30,101 I went to rail gd, I had a chat with joey cyr. 232 00:09:30,170 --> 00:09:33,338 [cheering & applauding] 233 00:09:33,473 --> 00:09:36,408 Joey was born and raised on the gaspé coast. 234 00:09:36,543 --> 00:09:38,710 Moved away to work in the railway industry. 235 00:09:38,779 --> 00:09:41,012 Most of my life, I was... 236 00:09:41,014 --> 00:09:42,680 Job-related to the railway. 237 00:09:42,682 --> 00:09:44,682 What brought you back to new richmond? 238 00:09:44,817 --> 00:09:47,118 Ah, it was not the railway. 239 00:09:47,187 --> 00:09:49,421 And then he came back, for several reasons, 240 00:09:49,556 --> 00:09:51,556 But one of which being- the funniest reason, I thought- 241 00:09:51,625 --> 00:09:54,425 Is that he came back for a y2k party. 242 00:09:54,561 --> 00:09:57,061 And I was here for the party, and I never left. 243 00:09:57,130 --> 00:09:58,830 -You never left? -[laughing] 244 00:09:58,832 --> 00:10:01,298 He's still partying like it's 1999. 245 00:10:01,335 --> 00:10:03,167 [laughing] 246 00:10:03,203 --> 00:10:05,503 Joey said that he knew trains, 247 00:10:05,539 --> 00:10:08,306 And his buddy gil knew business. 248 00:10:08,308 --> 00:10:11,176 And gil, he talked to me, he said, "joey, 249 00:10:11,178 --> 00:10:15,380 We have to find a way to bring money from the outside 250 00:10:15,515 --> 00:10:17,148 To the gaspé coast.” 251 00:10:17,184 --> 00:10:19,050 He said he wanted to create a new business. 252 00:10:19,185 --> 00:10:21,853 If we open a business that already exists, 253 00:10:21,855 --> 00:10:24,789 We will just split the cake in two. 254 00:10:24,924 --> 00:10:26,257 Right, yeah. 255 00:10:26,259 --> 00:10:27,692 And we're not create nothing. 256 00:10:27,828 --> 00:10:31,262 Like, if he opened a gas station or, or another hotel. 257 00:10:31,298 --> 00:10:33,765 He said, "you're just cutting the same cake in two.” 258 00:10:33,900 --> 00:10:36,401 I said, "I don't know how it is with you in quebec, 259 00:10:36,403 --> 00:10:38,603 But I feel like half a cake is still a lot.” 260 00:10:38,605 --> 00:10:40,204 [laughing] 261 00:10:40,273 --> 00:10:42,907 At rail gd, their specialty is refurbishing 262 00:10:42,909 --> 00:10:47,145 Passenger cars and dining cars. 263 00:10:47,147 --> 00:10:49,414 A lot of people didn't believe in us. 264 00:10:49,416 --> 00:10:52,817 Not all, but some were laughing about me and gil, 265 00:10:52,886 --> 00:10:54,686 When we say that we're going to bring 266 00:10:54,821 --> 00:10:57,422 Railway equipment here for repair. 267 00:10:57,424 --> 00:11:00,458 Joey said people laughed when they started the business. 268 00:11:00,593 --> 00:11:03,461 Now, they're landing contracts with major national 269 00:11:03,463 --> 00:11:06,597 Rail companies, and helping new richmond's economy. 270 00:11:06,633 --> 00:11:08,232 I wish I had invested. 271 00:11:08,234 --> 00:11:10,234 I'll jump at a chance to invest in rail. 272 00:11:10,270 --> 00:11:13,637 Every time I play monopoly, I will try... 273 00:11:13,674 --> 00:11:15,573 To put money into railroads. 274 00:11:15,642 --> 00:11:17,609 [laughing] 275 00:11:17,611 --> 00:11:20,545 Things that we did, was close to the impossible. 276 00:11:20,680 --> 00:11:25,450 Bring a railway, and build a business in the area that 277 00:11:25,519 --> 00:11:28,386 Didn't have any history in the railway. 278 00:11:28,388 --> 00:11:30,088 Sort of growing something out of nothing. 279 00:11:30,223 --> 00:11:32,189 It start with a dream. 280 00:11:32,225 --> 00:11:34,659 Not only has it been a success, you know, 281 00:11:34,794 --> 00:11:37,128 They've gone from two people to... 282 00:11:37,263 --> 00:11:40,265 Almost 40 people in a state of the art facility. 283 00:11:40,400 --> 00:11:42,400 And what's sort of poetic... 284 00:11:42,402 --> 00:11:45,503 Is that rail gd sits on the very site where 285 00:11:45,539 --> 00:11:47,338 The gd mill used to be. 286 00:11:47,474 --> 00:11:49,474 [laughing] 287 00:11:49,543 --> 00:11:52,176 [applauding] 288 00:11:55,449 --> 00:12:01,286 ♪ 289 00:12:02,222 --> 00:12:04,088 Long before there ever was a mill, 290 00:12:04,091 --> 00:12:07,558 People around here put their eggs in more than one basket. 291 00:12:07,594 --> 00:12:09,694 The mi'gmaq people here have a tradition of 292 00:12:09,763 --> 00:12:12,297 Weaving incredibly strong baskets. 293 00:12:12,299 --> 00:12:14,632 There aren't as many people doing it nowadays, 294 00:12:14,768 --> 00:12:18,636 But I did meet a couple who still have a handle on it. 295 00:12:18,638 --> 00:12:21,772 Stephen jerome and heather condo. 296 00:12:21,808 --> 00:12:24,976 [cheering & applauding] 297 00:12:25,045 --> 00:12:26,644 The best kind of wood- 298 00:12:26,680 --> 00:12:28,780 The strongest and most resilient- 299 00:12:28,849 --> 00:12:31,382 Is black ash wood, and that's the only kind 300 00:12:31,384 --> 00:12:33,051 That stephen will work with. 301 00:12:33,053 --> 00:12:34,952 And his shop is called... 302 00:12:35,021 --> 00:12:36,353 The ashole. 303 00:12:36,389 --> 00:12:38,322 [laughing] 304 00:12:38,391 --> 00:12:39,991 Ashole products sold here. 305 00:12:40,060 --> 00:12:41,826 [laughing] 306 00:12:41,895 --> 00:12:43,328 Welcome to my ashole. 307 00:12:43,330 --> 00:12:46,131 You know, it's just, it's ongoing, people love it. 308 00:12:46,266 --> 00:12:49,800 It fits with his personality because he's a joker, so... 309 00:12:49,836 --> 00:12:51,936 He makes lots of jokes about it, which is good, 310 00:12:52,071 --> 00:12:53,271 So I won't have to. 311 00:12:53,340 --> 00:12:55,306 [laughing] 312 00:12:55,375 --> 00:12:57,375 I gotta be careful with that word because it can make 313 00:12:57,510 --> 00:13:01,212 Even simple, innocent questions sound a bit... 314 00:13:01,248 --> 00:13:02,814 You know, even just something like, 315 00:13:02,949 --> 00:13:04,982 "when did you open it?” 316 00:13:05,051 --> 00:13:07,285 [laughing] 317 00:13:07,354 --> 00:13:09,754 Here in gesgapegiag, we're very well-known people 318 00:13:09,889 --> 00:13:11,756 For making black ash baskets. 319 00:13:11,825 --> 00:13:14,292 It was taught to my grandfather, my grandmother, 320 00:13:14,294 --> 00:13:16,327 Down to my father, then taught to me. 321 00:13:16,363 --> 00:13:18,329 He says he learned from his dad, 322 00:13:18,365 --> 00:13:21,099 What he considers is the hardest part of this process, 323 00:13:21,101 --> 00:13:24,569 Which is to find the right wood. 324 00:13:24,704 --> 00:13:26,704 Then he got into a wheelchair in his 30s. 325 00:13:26,740 --> 00:13:27,839 We'd go out anyway. 326 00:13:27,974 --> 00:13:28,873 He'd take us out in the woods, 327 00:13:28,875 --> 00:13:30,475 He'd point at trees: "go get that one, 328 00:13:30,477 --> 00:13:31,843 Go see that one, go check that one. 329 00:13:31,912 --> 00:13:33,077 Go on,” you know. 330 00:13:33,079 --> 00:13:34,846 He taught him the trick is to take a piece of bark 331 00:13:34,848 --> 00:13:35,914 And smell it. 332 00:13:36,049 --> 00:13:38,816 It has to have that sugary smell, the sweet smell. 333 00:13:38,819 --> 00:13:41,019 -Like red wine. -Oh, yeah? 334 00:13:41,021 --> 00:13:42,987 The red wine, it's got that berry smell in there. 335 00:13:43,122 --> 00:13:46,190 If it smells like red wine, it's gonna be sturdy. 336 00:13:46,193 --> 00:13:47,992 Opposite of my aunt pam. 337 00:13:48,128 --> 00:13:51,095 [laughing] 338 00:13:51,097 --> 00:13:52,864 They told me that the baskets, 339 00:13:52,866 --> 00:13:55,132 Originally, they were just a practical use, 340 00:13:55,168 --> 00:13:57,402 A tool for gathering and collecting, 341 00:13:57,537 --> 00:13:59,804 And then it became a trading commodity 342 00:13:59,806 --> 00:14:01,806 With european settlers. 343 00:14:01,808 --> 00:14:03,141 And that's a tradition that's lasted 344 00:14:03,143 --> 00:14:04,942 Through the generations. 345 00:14:04,978 --> 00:14:07,912 A lot of families made their living off of the baskets. 346 00:14:07,948 --> 00:14:10,147 They would make them all day, 347 00:14:10,183 --> 00:14:11,683 Go up on the highway. 348 00:14:11,818 --> 00:14:13,150 People would weave these baskets and 349 00:14:13,186 --> 00:14:14,853 Sell them to passing motorists. 350 00:14:14,988 --> 00:14:16,688 I guess it's a bit like a fruit stand. 351 00:14:16,823 --> 00:14:18,489 In fact, that's the challenge with 352 00:14:18,491 --> 00:14:20,157 Selling baskets by the road. 353 00:14:20,227 --> 00:14:22,826 You don't want to look like a fruit stand that has sold out. 354 00:14:22,863 --> 00:14:25,996 [laughing] 355 00:14:27,400 --> 00:14:29,901 Just gotta watch your belly. It's very sharp, right? 356 00:14:29,970 --> 00:14:32,370 He started to show me a few of the techniques, 357 00:14:32,505 --> 00:14:33,537 How you do it. 358 00:14:33,573 --> 00:14:36,006 You know, you get your piece of wood on a horse. 359 00:14:36,042 --> 00:14:38,109 The horse has a pedal, and it grabs on, 360 00:14:38,111 --> 00:14:39,878 And you use the draw blade. 361 00:14:40,013 --> 00:14:41,813 You know, he's very quick. 362 00:14:41,815 --> 00:14:43,381 I bounce it off my belly because 363 00:14:43,383 --> 00:14:45,282 I got a little bit of cushion there. 364 00:14:45,318 --> 00:14:46,885 A little bit? 365 00:14:47,020 --> 00:14:48,519 [laughing] 366 00:14:48,555 --> 00:14:50,054 And then you take that, 367 00:14:50,123 --> 00:14:51,923 And you start pounding it with a hammer. 368 00:14:52,058 --> 00:14:54,291 What you're trying to do is, for every ring, 369 00:14:54,327 --> 00:14:56,093 For each year of growth, 370 00:14:56,162 --> 00:14:57,762 You're wanting those to separate. 371 00:14:57,831 --> 00:14:59,196 They'll eventually sort of like do- 372 00:14:59,232 --> 00:15:01,799 Split apart, like that. 373 00:15:01,935 --> 00:15:03,801 And then he got me to do it, and I'm pounding, 374 00:15:03,837 --> 00:15:05,136 It was a heavy mallet. 375 00:15:05,138 --> 00:15:08,006 About 30 seconds in, my shoulder is exhausted. 376 00:15:08,141 --> 00:15:09,340 I start slowing down. 377 00:15:09,342 --> 00:15:11,942 [laughing] 378 00:15:11,978 --> 00:15:13,444 I'm glad I'm not paying you by the hour. 379 00:15:13,513 --> 00:15:15,279 [laughing] 380 00:15:15,348 --> 00:15:17,147 The finished product, these baskets, 381 00:15:17,183 --> 00:15:18,882 They're incredibly strong. 382 00:15:18,919 --> 00:15:20,952 He said they're so strong, he said, again and again, 383 00:15:21,021 --> 00:15:24,321 He puts a lifetime guarantee behind all his work. 384 00:15:24,357 --> 00:15:26,591 At one point, he told me to sit on the basket. 385 00:15:26,593 --> 00:15:28,225 Put it on the side and sit on it. 386 00:15:28,261 --> 00:15:30,194 -Oh, yeah? -Oh, yeah. 387 00:15:32,532 --> 00:15:34,298 Oh, yeah... 388 00:15:34,367 --> 00:15:35,632 It supported my weight, it was actually 389 00:15:35,669 --> 00:15:37,634 Kind of springy and comfortable. 390 00:15:37,671 --> 00:15:40,104 Then he sat on it as well and, 391 00:15:40,106 --> 00:15:41,439 I mean, stephen is built. 392 00:15:41,574 --> 00:15:43,174 -Like, he's a... -[laughing] 393 00:15:43,176 --> 00:15:44,508 I'm a little bit heavier than you. 394 00:15:44,577 --> 00:15:47,111 Yeah, just slightly, yeah. 395 00:15:47,113 --> 00:15:48,212 He's built like those... 396 00:15:48,248 --> 00:15:49,580 Do you remember, it was all the rage on tv, 397 00:15:49,582 --> 00:15:51,382 Those strongman competitions. 398 00:15:51,384 --> 00:15:52,450 [laughing] 399 00:15:52,452 --> 00:15:53,985 You know, you'd have a guy who's like pulling 400 00:15:54,054 --> 00:15:56,320 A jumbo jet over his shoulder. 401 00:15:56,389 --> 00:15:58,322 A competition where they got to... 402 00:15:58,391 --> 00:16:00,524 I was gonna say, "lift trees over their head," 403 00:16:00,560 --> 00:16:02,260 But that's exactly what he does do. 404 00:16:02,262 --> 00:16:04,261 [laughing] 405 00:16:04,297 --> 00:16:11,002 [applauding] 406 00:16:11,137 --> 00:16:16,407 ♪ 407 00:16:17,510 --> 00:16:19,477 People worried about putting food on the table 408 00:16:19,612 --> 00:16:20,978 After the mill closed down, 409 00:16:20,981 --> 00:16:24,148 But I met three brothers who can teach you a 410 00:16:24,150 --> 00:16:26,117 Thing or two about eating dust. 411 00:16:26,119 --> 00:16:27,284 [laughing] 412 00:16:27,320 --> 00:16:30,321 The 2021 canadian rally champions: 413 00:16:30,323 --> 00:16:33,858 René, andré, and adam leblanc. 414 00:16:33,993 --> 00:16:36,360 [cheering & applauding] 415 00:16:36,363 --> 00:16:37,961 When was the first race? 416 00:16:37,998 --> 00:16:40,064 -We wasn't born. -[laughing] 417 00:16:40,199 --> 00:16:41,799 -Fifty years ago. -Yeah, yeah, okay. 418 00:16:41,934 --> 00:16:45,802 Rallying has been in this town for five decades. 419 00:16:45,804 --> 00:16:47,772 Now, I've been to struggling towns that have had to 420 00:16:47,907 --> 00:16:49,907 Rally around, but this is ridiculous. 421 00:16:49,909 --> 00:16:51,309 [laughing] 422 00:16:51,311 --> 00:16:53,644 They each have a specific role in the team. 423 00:16:53,680 --> 00:16:57,648 André is the driver. René is the co-driver. 424 00:16:57,717 --> 00:16:59,850 And adam is the mechanic. 425 00:16:59,919 --> 00:17:01,285 Our team spirit is really good. 426 00:17:01,287 --> 00:17:02,686 Everybody has his jobs. 427 00:17:02,722 --> 00:17:05,123 So, it's a lot of dedication, passion. 428 00:17:05,258 --> 00:17:08,226 André will drive as fast as he can, 429 00:17:08,361 --> 00:17:11,128 As rené calls out pace notes. 430 00:17:11,164 --> 00:17:13,163 Keep right... Left three. 431 00:17:13,299 --> 00:17:15,666 He'll say, "keep left over crest star 5, 432 00:17:15,702 --> 00:17:17,935 Don't cut into 80.” right? 433 00:17:18,004 --> 00:17:21,038 And that goes into andré's headset and comes out, 434 00:17:21,074 --> 00:17:23,007 "pedal down, flat out.” 435 00:17:23,009 --> 00:17:26,210 [laughing] 436 00:17:26,279 --> 00:17:29,080 New richmond hosts the rally bay de chaleur, 437 00:17:29,082 --> 00:17:30,748 One of the seven races on the 438 00:17:30,817 --> 00:17:33,917 Canadian rally championship circuit. 439 00:17:33,953 --> 00:17:36,887 It is a long and gruelling race. 440 00:17:36,956 --> 00:17:40,057 But, it brings out thousands of fans. 441 00:17:40,093 --> 00:17:41,625 People from near and far. 442 00:17:41,694 --> 00:17:45,029 They trek into the woods, and find a spot to watch. 443 00:17:45,098 --> 00:17:48,666 They trek in with tents, and barbecues, and beers. 444 00:17:48,801 --> 00:17:51,401 They love it, these are hardcore fans. 445 00:17:51,438 --> 00:17:53,370 [roaring engine] 446 00:17:53,440 --> 00:17:54,738 [cheering] 447 00:17:54,774 --> 00:17:55,973 For these people, there's nothing like 448 00:17:56,042 --> 00:17:58,008 The smell of gas on the gaspésie. 449 00:17:58,044 --> 00:17:59,376 [laughing] 450 00:17:59,446 --> 00:18:01,312 For a small town like new richmond, 451 00:18:01,381 --> 00:18:03,247 Rally is really something good. 452 00:18:03,382 --> 00:18:05,283 Gas stations sell more gas. 453 00:18:05,285 --> 00:18:07,318 Restaurants sell more food. 454 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:09,954 People find it's attractive to come so, 455 00:18:10,089 --> 00:18:12,323 People come back again after the rally, 456 00:18:12,325 --> 00:18:14,324 So we create tourists. 457 00:18:14,360 --> 00:18:16,260 ♪ 458 00:18:16,395 --> 00:18:18,262 We managed to get the roads closed down for 459 00:18:18,398 --> 00:18:20,664 An hour or two, so we could go and... 460 00:18:20,733 --> 00:18:22,132 [singing] kick the dust up! 461 00:18:22,168 --> 00:18:23,834 [laughing] 462 00:18:23,870 --> 00:18:25,670 [roaring engine] 463 00:18:25,805 --> 00:18:28,139 André was driving, I was in the co-driver's seat. 464 00:18:28,274 --> 00:18:29,807 Good god, andré! 465 00:18:29,876 --> 00:18:31,876 Holy ----! 466 00:18:31,945 --> 00:18:34,211 We're flying down a gravel road... 467 00:18:34,280 --> 00:18:36,280 With so much speed. 468 00:18:36,316 --> 00:18:38,182 Here, it's 200k per hour. 469 00:18:38,218 --> 00:18:40,284 [jonny laughing] 470 00:18:40,419 --> 00:18:42,352 And there's trees ripping by. 471 00:18:42,388 --> 00:18:44,354 It was like the x-wing fighter 472 00:18:44,390 --> 00:18:45,489 Going for the death star. 473 00:18:45,558 --> 00:18:47,090 It was like zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom. 474 00:18:47,127 --> 00:18:49,160 -Good god! -Here we go! 475 00:18:49,162 --> 00:18:50,728 I'm not gonna make any jokes about 476 00:18:50,863 --> 00:18:52,130 Peeing in my race suit... 477 00:18:52,265 --> 00:18:54,031 -[laughing] -because I couldn't. 478 00:18:54,167 --> 00:18:56,366 All the fluids were pushed to the back of my body. 479 00:18:56,402 --> 00:18:57,501 [laughing] 480 00:18:57,504 --> 00:19:00,938 The gravel, it's a little bit like driving on ice. 481 00:19:01,007 --> 00:19:02,373 [jonny laughing] 482 00:19:02,508 --> 00:19:04,375 And then turns, we get into a turn, and this- 483 00:19:04,444 --> 00:19:05,843 It's a front wheel drive car, 484 00:19:05,978 --> 00:19:08,245 It's going sideways around the turns. 485 00:19:08,281 --> 00:19:10,715 [roaring engine] 486 00:19:10,850 --> 00:19:12,749 My god, the salmon in the cascapédia 487 00:19:12,785 --> 00:19:14,318 Don't have bigger fish tails. 488 00:19:14,320 --> 00:19:16,086 [laughing] 489 00:19:16,156 --> 00:19:18,089 -Yeah, that's about it. -[jonny sighing] 490 00:19:18,224 --> 00:19:20,892 -[andré laughing] -that was amazing. 491 00:19:21,027 --> 00:19:23,861 That was terrifying and amazing. 492 00:19:23,930 --> 00:19:26,164 Good lord, I thought they drove scary in montreal. 493 00:19:26,299 --> 00:19:28,166 [laughing] 494 00:19:28,301 --> 00:19:31,068 [applauding] 495 00:19:31,137 --> 00:19:35,272 ♪ 496 00:19:35,308 --> 00:19:37,208 It's exciting times in new richmond. 497 00:19:37,343 --> 00:19:39,409 And new richmond is an exciting town. 498 00:19:39,445 --> 00:19:41,278 Who knows, maybe the best way to 499 00:19:41,314 --> 00:19:43,013 Stop being run-of-the-mill... 500 00:19:43,049 --> 00:19:44,415 Is to stop running the mill. 501 00:19:44,484 --> 00:19:46,751 [laughing] 502 00:19:46,886 --> 00:19:49,020 Sure, it was crushing when the mill closed down. 503 00:19:49,155 --> 00:19:51,922 Some people moved away, like you would. 504 00:19:51,958 --> 00:19:55,359 But some bore the weight with the strength of black ash, 505 00:19:55,494 --> 00:19:57,795 In a way that cardboard never could. 506 00:19:57,864 --> 00:19:59,396 [laughing] 507 00:19:59,465 --> 00:20:01,766 Cast a line in the cascapédia, 508 00:20:01,901 --> 00:20:04,235 Catch a giant, then let it go. 509 00:20:04,370 --> 00:20:06,904 Get a mi'gmaq basket that's woven in tradition, 510 00:20:07,039 --> 00:20:09,207 And carries a faint hint of merlot. 511 00:20:09,342 --> 00:20:10,975 [laughing] 512 00:20:10,977 --> 00:20:13,444 See the leaves turn a fiery orange, 513 00:20:13,513 --> 00:20:16,080 And their reflection by the rapids of the river. 514 00:20:16,149 --> 00:20:19,283 See a guy send a sedan sideways through a turn... 515 00:20:19,419 --> 00:20:22,220 As his brother beside him goes, "give 'er!” 516 00:20:22,355 --> 00:20:24,354 [laughing] 517 00:20:24,390 --> 00:20:27,458 It's funny how train cars are carefully restored, 518 00:20:27,460 --> 00:20:30,360 While rally cars routinely get wrecked. 519 00:20:30,396 --> 00:20:33,030 Well, that's just life in the gaspésie, 520 00:20:33,099 --> 00:20:35,266 Here in new richmond, quebec. 521 00:20:35,268 --> 00:20:36,834 Thanks for coming out, everybody! 522 00:20:36,903 --> 00:20:38,902 You've been great! We had a great time here! 523 00:20:38,938 --> 00:20:41,472 -Thank you for having us! -[applauding] 524 00:20:41,607 --> 00:20:43,407 I think the whole experience was just great. 525 00:20:43,542 --> 00:20:45,176 We just had so much fun. 526 00:20:45,311 --> 00:20:48,145 We're really rich with our neighbours, with the culture. 527 00:20:48,281 --> 00:20:50,281 You know what I really enjoyed was the... 528 00:20:50,283 --> 00:20:52,082 The marrying of the three communities. 529 00:20:52,118 --> 00:20:53,483 You know, the french and english, 530 00:20:53,519 --> 00:20:55,219 And you know, the mi'gmaq communities. 531 00:20:55,288 --> 00:20:56,354 So, now, you don't scream. 532 00:20:56,489 --> 00:20:59,023 Don't scream, I won't scream. 533 00:20:59,158 --> 00:21:00,457 Left at three, right there. 534 00:21:00,526 --> 00:21:02,226 At junction, right here. 535 00:21:02,361 --> 00:21:03,828 And right three, just right there. 536 00:21:03,963 --> 00:21:06,030 -Don't cut, don't cut. -Don't cut, oh! 537 00:21:06,165 --> 00:21:08,432 [laughing] 538 00:21:08,434 --> 00:21:10,301 Thanks, jonny, for don't crash the car. 539 00:21:10,303 --> 00:21:11,836 [laughing] 540 00:21:11,838 --> 00:21:14,237 That was amazing, that was amazing! 541 00:21:14,374 --> 00:21:16,106 Jonny, this was great, this was amazing. 542 00:21:16,108 --> 00:21:17,108 Hopefully, next time you come, 543 00:21:17,243 --> 00:21:19,576 We can hook up to a 40-pound giant. 544 00:21:19,612 --> 00:21:22,113 Look at that, doing good. 545 00:21:22,115 --> 00:21:24,048 How's it feel to pound my ash? 546 00:21:24,117 --> 00:21:25,349 [laughing]