Cantley, 2025 – Making History

Cantley's 1889 Articles in The Echo of Cantley

Cantley 1889’s volunteers have written more than 150 monthly articles of local historical interest for publication in The Echo of Cantley, a non-profit bilingual organization that produces Cantley's only community newspaper.

The following article is reprinted here with permission from in The Echo of Cantley, Volume 37 no 6, December 2025.

See The Echo of Cantley, page 7

Cantley, 2025 – Making History

Margaret Phillips

With special thanks to Richard Cohen (chair) and the Cantley 1889 Veterans Committee

Colonel (retd) Richard Cohen, MBE, chair of Cantley1889’s Veterans Committee, spoke before the unveiling of the monument.

It is the season for celebrating family traditions and remembering bygone times. As I think about Cantley’s heritage and those who shaped our community, I realize that when Cantley people work together for a cause they passionately believe in, they make good things happen. In the 1980s, citizens fought for independence from Gatineau amalgamation and won. This year once again, citizens rallied to save Cantley’s rural identity. In February, 2,872 people signed the referendum opposing the new densification bylaw. In November, citizens voted for an entirely new council and mayor who promised to protect Cantley’s rural heritage. There is no doubt, the year 2025 was an iconic one for our municipality, a year that made history.

Cantley 1889 also made history this year by creating Cantley’s first veterans’ monument from a Cantley rock (described in the November 2025 L’Écho). As many people told us after the monument’s inauguration, it was the “most beautiful and emotional remembrance ceremony” they had ever attended. It was so powerful because its organizers and participants were all volunteers who put their hearts and souls into making it happen that way.

From now on, every November Cantley will have its own ceremony to honour our Cantley veterans, to reflect on our past, and to remember those who sacrificed their lives for the peaceful future of our country and for Cantley.

These photos capture a few of the many special moments during Cantley’s first Remembrance Ceremony, November 8, 2025.

Master Warrant Officer Simon Labadie (left) and Colonel (retd) Grant Dame before ceremony.

Spiritual smudge pot. After smudging the monument, David Decontie and Lionel Whiteduck began the ceremony. Each spoke, recognizing Indigenous Veterans Day and Anishinaabe veterans.

The colour party, members of Cantley 1889 Veterans Committee, (from left): Colonel (retd) Richard Cohen, Sargeant (retd) René Battah, Major (retd) Patrick Hannan

Bugler, MCpl Leschyna, Governor General’s Foot Guards

La Chorale de la paroisse Ste-Élisabeth with director Suzanne Steiner.

Official unveiling of the monument. Master Warrant Officer Simon Labadie (left) and Colonel (retd) Grant Dame.

Mayor Nathalie Bélisle (left) and Margaret Phillips (Cantley 1889) laid the wreath in memory of Cantley’s veterans.

Aydan Fleming (left) and Benjamin Cyr, Cantley students at Polyvalente de l’Érablière, each read parts of the “Commitment to Remember”.

Singer Robert Watt’s rendition of “The Band Played Waltzing Matilda” was powerful and highly emotional.

Meghan Lewis, Simon Wiseman and other attendees felt the ceremony was deeply moving and meaningful.

One last parade in uniform for LCol Jean-Baptiste Michon, Cantley councillor District 4, with his wife Caroline Laberge Pelletier.

Pastor Marie Silvenie Chery, Grace United Church.

L’abbé Jean-Paul Omombo, priest Église Ste-Élisabeth, blesses the monument.

After the ceremony. Paul Charbonneau, Directeur, Sécurité publique de la MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais (right) with the proud and happy Richard Cohen, (chair, Cantley 1889’s Veterans Committee) and Margaret Phillips (president, Cantley 1889).

Veterans Committee - Ceremony: (from left) Patrick Hannan, Sarah Plamondon, Richard Cohen (chair), Sara Thibodeau, Margaret Phillips, René Battah.

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