At the public meeting on March 24, the Municipal Council had the pleasure of presenting three new Grandiose awards.

GRAND FALLS, March 24, 2026 - During its regular public meeting on March 24, 2026, the municipal council awarded three Community Grandiose prizes, including two in the Volunteer category and one in the Ambassador category. The recipients of this edition are Mr. Denis Daigle, Miss Élijade Picard, and Mrs. Chantal Dionne.

DENIS DAIGLE

There are people whose commitment is measured in hours. Others, in years. And then there are those who make serving the community a way of life.

Denis Daigle is one of those people.

For more than four years, he has served as President of the Toys for Joy Committee, an initiative that brings far more than gifts, offering warmth, hope, and comfort to families and children in our region during the holiday season.

Denis Daigle is an inspiring and deeply compassionate leader, recognized for his willingness to help, his generosity, and his strong sense of responsibility.

A volunteer firefighter for 18 years, now serving as Captain of the Drummond Fire Brigade and 3rd Vice-President of the Northwest Firefighters Association, he has a positive impact both within the community and across the region.

Through his interventions and preventive work, Denis plays an essential role in keeping our community safe, always present and consistently demonstrating professionalism.

His dedication to youth and education was reflected in his nearly ten years of service on the Comité parental d’appui at the Mgr Lang School.

Simply put, Denis is far more than a dedicated volunteer. He is an exemplary citizen and a reassuring, inspiring presence.

His commitment transforms lives and creates lasting connections. It is this rare combination of leadership, humanity, and sincere dedication that makes Denis Daigle an exceptional volunteer, fully deserving of this honor for his service to the community.

ÉLIJADE PICARD

Élijade Picard, a Grade 12 student at Polyvalente Thomas‑Albert, is a true force of generosity and dedication. Don’t be fooled by her young age, as her involvement in the community is nothing short of remarkable! Whether through her regular visits to patients at the Grand Falls General Hospital, where she brings smiles and comfort, or through her active role on numerous school committees and local initiatives.  Élijade gives her full energy and commitment to everything she does.

A perfect example of an engaged student. She is a member of several committees, including the Prom Committee for the Class of 2026 and a volunteer committee that she co-founded with her classmates, through which they generously offer their help at various school and municipal events. As Co-President of the Boomerang Committee, she also contributes to many community activities such as Festi-peur, the Santa’s Workshop, and many other local events, always bringing her enthusiasm and passion. Already involved in student leadership as a representative in Grade 10, she continued her commitment in Grade 11 as Vice-President of her school, carrying out her responsibilities with seriousness and creativity.

Élijade’s involvement goes far beyond her school activities. She also took the initiative to lead a project as part of the Places aux Compétences - Make an Impact in Your Community program, which supports young people in New Brunswick who want to get involved and make a meaningful difference in their communities.

In collaboration with VitalitéNB, her project led to the creation of wellness kits made with local products for hospital patients. Through this initiative, small gestures were transformed into a concrete and meaningful impact for the community.

Driven by a genuine desire to help, Élijade goes well beyond simple participation. She inspires other young people to get involved, push themselves, and discover the joy and sense of pride that comes from volunteering.

Élijade Picard, you are truly one of a kind, a remarkable individual and an inspiration to our entire community. Keep shining, taking action, and giving back… you are changing the lives of many people without even realizing it. Your energy, passion, and dedication are a powerful example of the impact one person can have when they put their heart and enthusiasm into serving others.

CHANTAL DIONNE

Some voices touch the heart, while others transform it. A radiant soprano, passionate voice teacher, proud mother of two daughters, and a true lover of life, Chantal possesses the rare gift of moving and uplifting her listeners. With her velvety tone and natural elegance, she captivates audiences in a way few can.

For over 30 years, her voice has resonated on numerous stages, first in her hometown, then across Canada, and as far as Europe.

Her talent has earned her prestigious awards, including Best International North American Singer. In Italy, at the 56th International Competition, she achieved a remarkable feat by winning a rarely seen triple crown: First Prize, Audience Prize, and Best Foreign Contestant Prize.

But Chantal’s story begins quite simply, with family music. By the age of four or five, she was already singing with her brother and sister. At six, she began her vocal training with the nuns. Later, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in classical singing at the University of Montreal. Realizing that administration wasn’t her calling, she traded numbers for notes to build her career one note at a time.

Since then, her voice has taken her to major stages, alongside exceptional orchestras. She also appeared on the big screen in 2022 in Marilou Wolfe’s film Arlette, as well as on stage in the play Albertine en cinq temps, where she deeply moved the audience.

But beyond the stage, Chantal is also a source of inspiration. She teaches young opera singers at the École de musique Vincent-d’Indy, and every Sunday, parishioners at Saints-Anges Church in Lachine can hear her comforting voice during Mass.

Even from a distance, her roots are evident: Acadian culture, family evenings of folk music, and “rigodons”.

And then there are those moments of pure magic when she accompanies her mother’s choir at the Foyer Villa des Chutes. Seeing the residents light up, reminisce, and recall the words to Christmas carols is a precious gift she offers them.

Chantal, thank you for spreading your passion wherever you go. Thank you for representing your community with such grace, generosity, and heart. Tonight, it is with great pride that we honor you with this recognition by awarding you the Community Grandioses as an ambassador.

The community is invited to submit nominations by completing the nomination form available on the municipality's website here: https://www.grandsault.com/en/grandioses

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Info and interview requests :

France Le Moignan, Directrice développement économique et marketing

506.240.1773 - communications@grandsault.ca