Bourget, April 9, 2026

The new Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (the “VTAC”) of Prescott and Russell has been a resounding success since its launch in February. The VTAC allows for better access to health care, when and where it is needed.

The VTAC services are offered to anyone with non-urgent health concerns who is living in the Prescott and Russell region, including infants, children, and adults. The services are especially useful for those who do not have a family physician or nurse practitioner, as well as for those whose health concerns require care sooner than the appointment dates offered by their primary care provider.

Based on their needs, people may receive an in-clinic appointment in Bourget, Casselman, Hawkesbury, or Rockland, or they may receive a virtual or hybrid appointment. Care is provided by a nurse practitioner and by community paramedics. Since the VTAC of Prescott and Russell’s launch on February 23, 2026, 240 patients have already received the care they needed.

“This new healthcare service centre is available to all the residents of Prescott and Russell. There is a need for more accessible health care in our region; so, this Centre will help address that need. Many people are struggling to find a family physician or nurse practitioner, but now, until they do find one, this VTAC can help offer the non-urgent health care they may desperately need. The United Counties of Prescott and Russell are very proud to be part of this amazing initiative, and we are grateful to the partners who made this new Centre possible,” said Mario Zanth, the United Counties of Prescott and Russell’s 2026 Warden.

An official launch event was held on April 9, 2026, in Bourget. Elected Officials and partners were in attendance to celebrate the successful launch of the new Centre. Participants were also given the opportunity to visit the VTAC’s clinical area at the Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (the “CSCE”).

“We were delighted to offer a tour of our clinic to the region’s Elected Officials and to the project’s partners during the event celebrating the VTAC’s successful launch. I am very proud that the CSCE is participating in this initiative, which provides a concrete alternative when primary care providers are unavailable. It also ensures access to bilingual services, tailored to the realities of our community. This is a great example of collaboration between the United Counties of Prescott and Russell and the Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie, to the direct benefit of the community,” mentioned Lyne Martineau, the CSCE’s Executive Director.

The VTAC of Prescott and Russell’s team wishes to thank their partners:

The VTAC of Prescott and Russell is also made possible thanks to funding by the Ontario Ministry of Health.

To access the VTEC services, please call 1-800-240-5581 from Monday to Friday, from 8:15 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, please visit: cupr-ucpr.com/vtac.

About the United Counties of Prescott and Russell

The Corporation of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (the “UCPR”) was founded in 1850. Located between the City of Ottawa to the west and the Quebec border to the east, the Prescott and Russell region covers a territory of 2,004 square kilometres. The UCPR are the soul of eight municipalities, each one with unique characteristics. Serving East Hawkesbury, Hawkesbury, Champlain, Alfred and Plantagenet, The Nation, Casselman, Russell, and Clarence-Rockland, the United Counties of Prescott and Russell act as an upper-tier municipal government entity supporting the regional interests while providing programs and services, in both official languages, to more than 95,000 residents.

The UCPR’s vision: Prescott and Russell will continue to be a community united by its traditions and cultures, working towards the prosperity of all its citizens.

Photo (from left to right): Genevieve Lajoie, Mayor of Casselman, Véronique Legault, Deputy Chief – Community Paramedicine and Special Projects, Mike Tarnowski, Mayor of Russell, Lyne Martineau, Executive Director of the Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie, Mario Zanth, 2026 Warden of the UCPR and Mayor of Clarence-Rockland, Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, Robert Lefebvre, Mayor of Hawkesbury, Stéphane Sarrazin, MPP of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, Marc-André Sabourin, Director of Archipel Ontario Health Team

The Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE) is seeking engaged individuals who want to contribute to the well-being of Francophone communities in Eastern Ontario.

By joining our Board of Directors, you will help guide the organization’s strategic direction and improve access to French-language health services.

We are looking for motivated individuals from diverse backgrounds. No prior board experience is required — your commitment is what matters most.

👉 To learn more and apply:
Board of Directors and Members – Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie

Deadline : April 10, 2026

The Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie has prepared a document that provides helpful resources and alternatives while you wait to be assigned a new family doctor or nurse practitioner. In this document, you will find:

👉 Resources for Dr. Feldman’s patients (Nov. 2025)

The Board of Directors of the Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie is pleased to announce the appointment of Lyne Martineau as the new Executive Director of the CSCE. She will officially begin her role on December 15, 2025.

With her extensive experience on the leadership team and her strong commitment to our mission, Mrs. Martineau will continue to advance the CSCE and strengthen access to French-language health services in our region.

📄 To learn more, we invite you to read the full press release:
👉 CSCE – Press Release New Executive Director (21-nov-2025)

Lyne’s Biography

Since 2006, Lyne Martineau has dedicated her heart, energy, and commitment to the Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE). A proud Franco-Ontarian deeply connected to her community, she grew up in Hawkesbury and has always worked to ensure that francophone and rural populations in Eastern Ontario have access to high-quality health services — in their language and close to home.

Deputy Executive Director and Director of Corporate Services since 2022, Lyne plays a pivotal role in the development and growth of the CSCE. She notably led the opening of the Bourget and Embrun sites, as well as their relocation to modernized facilities.

Over the years, she has held a wide range of positions that allow her to fully understand the complexity and richness of the organization: management of community programs, the Diabetes Education Program and chronic disease management services, human resources management, and oversight of the Embrun, Crysler, and Bourget sites. Her integrated vision, attentive leadership, and human-centred approach make her a respected, unifying, and accessible leader.

Before joining the CSCE, Lyne worked in community literacy, where she held positions as Assistant Executive Director and Interim Executive Director. With nearly 30 years of experience in the francophone community sector, she has also served on several boards of directors, always driven by a desire to improve people’s lives.

Holding a certificate in human resources, a degree in psychology, and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Ottawa, Lyne was trained to work closely with Franco-Ontarian populations — a guiding thread she has carried throughout her career. Her journey reflects a deep commitment to social justice, health equity, and the vitality of francophone communities in Ontario.

Cornwall, June 26, 2025 — The Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE) held its 35th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at The Nation Sports Complex in Limoges. Carole Prévost, Treasurer of the Board of Directors, and Marc Bisson, Executive Director of the CSCE, hosted the meeting. Among other items, they presented the 2024–2025 Annual Report and financial statements.

Board members, CSCE members, staff, and guests had the privilege of attending a presentation by Peter Huminuk, Executive Director of the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO), who shared advocacy initiatives led by the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario to promote access to and delivery of French-language health services across the province.

During the meeting, new members were elected to the Board of Directors, bringing a wide range of valuable expertise. The CSCE is proud to welcome the following four new Board members for a three-year term (2025–2028), in order of appearance in the photo:

Carole Prévost, Treasurer of the Board of Directors, shared her enthusiasm:

“I am very pleased to welcome new members to our Board of Directors. Their diverse expertise and experience will be a valuable asset in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the CSCE’s governance. Their contributions will strengthen our commitment to strong, inclusive, and sustainable community health.”

Highlights from the 2024–2025 Annual Report illustrate several of CSCE’s accomplishments:

To read the full 2024–2025 Annual Report, click here (French only).

ABOUT THE CENTRE DE SANTÉ COMMUNAUTAIRE DE L’ESTRIE
The Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie is committed to providing holistic, integrated, interprofessional and collaborative services to address the underlying determinants of health and thus improve the health of Francophones and the most vulnerable populations in Eastern Ontario.

EVERY PERSON MATTERS.

— 30 —

Media Contact:
Éric Marcotte, Communications Officer
Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie
communications@cscestrie.on.ca

For Immediate Release

PRESS RELEASE

CSCE Executive Director Marc Bisson to Retire at the End of 2025

Cornwall, May 16, 2025 — The Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE) announces, with great emotion, that Executive Director Marc Bisson will retire at the end of 2025. After more than 32 years of exemplary service, Mr. Bisson will step down, leaving behind a lasting legacy shaped by his visionary leadership, unwavering dedication to Ontario’s Francophone community, and steadfast commitment to equitable, inclusive, and accessible community health.

Under his leadership, CSCE experienced significant growth in both service delivery and regional and provincial influence. Mr. Bisson has embodied the values of compassion, integrity, and collaboration that define the CSCE. He has led the organization through key milestones—including multiple expansions, the pandemic, and various organizational transformations—with humility and deep respect for the people it serves.

“Marc embodied the vision of a community health system grounded in the reality of Ontario’s Francophone population. His departure marks the end of a chapter, but his legacy will remain at the heart of our mission,” said François Bazinet, Chair of the Board of Directors.

“To me, Marc has been a mentor, a model of leadership, and a truly inspiring figure. He built bridges where obstacles once stood and guided our Centre with humanity and clarity,” added Sonia Behilil, Vice-Chair of the Board.

The CSCE Board of Directors extends its sincere gratitude to Mr. Bisson for his remarkable career—marked by strong ethics, a deep understanding of community issues, and an exceptional ability to rally others around meaningful initiatives.

To ensure a smooth transition, Mr. Bisson will remain in his role until the end of the year. In line with its governance policies, the Board has launched a rigorous, structured, and transparent succession planning process. This includes support from external experts to ensure alignment between CSCE’s mission and the challenges ahead.

Throughout this transition, the organization remains committed to stability, service excellence, and team cohesion.

— 30 —

Media Contact:
Lyne Martineau
Deputy Executive Director
Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie
l.martineau@cscestrie.on.ca

Once again this year, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is sponsoring Mental Health Awareness Week from May 5 to 11, under the theme Mental Health Without the Mask. We join the CMHA in encouraging people to “look beyond appearances to see the whole person. By daring to be honest and vulnerable, we can deepen our relationships and reap the mental health benefits that come with them. In so doing, courage and understanding are gaining ground across the country.”

What is good mental health?

Good mental health means being able to recognize and understand your emotions, deal with the stresses and challenges of everyday life, maintain healthy relationships with others, and find balance in your life. It doesn’t mean being happy all the time but rather having the resources to cope with life’s ups and downs.

What can I do to be mentally healthy?

Taking care of our mental health means taking small steps on a daily basis that help us feel good, manage stress better and nurture our well-being. Here are a few simple ways to do just that:

Mental Health Awareness Week is a reminder that the CSCE offers mental health services in the form of individual psychotherapy and educational groups.

What if I want mental health services at the CSCE?

Youth Wellness Hubs

It’s Ok not to be Ok-let’s get real during Mental Health Awareness Week

With today’s social networks, it’s easy to hide how we really feel. We mostly share beautiful moments, smiling selfies, outings, trips and successes … but we don’t always see difficult moments like anxiety, loneliness, depression or failure. This creates the illusion that everyone else is doing well, while we’re the only ones who aren’t. And that can be very isolating.

The truth is, you’re not alone. And it’s okay not to be okay.

During Mental Health Awareness Week, we invite you to talk about #MentalHealthWithoutMask.

Let’s take a moment to be real. Let’s drop the filters. Let’s create a space where we can have honest conversations about what we’re going through. It takes courage to be vulnerable, to ask for help, and to show ourselves as we are. It’s not a weakness-it’s strength.

Need to talk? We’re here for you.

Youth Wellness Hubs offer free mental health services for young people aged 12 to 25. No referral is necessary. Drop-in visits are accepted. Reach out-text us,  call us or visit our website.

Cornwall & SD&G: 613-577-7216 | Rockland & P-R: 613-577-7219

At the end of April, National Volunteer Week 2025 (April 27 to May 4), sponsored by Volunteer Canada, takes place under the theme “Volunteers make waves”. This will be an opportunity to highlight the value of volunteers and their positive contribution to our society.

It’s essential to thank volunteers for all they do, and to express our gratitude for their commitment. Their work is often invisible, but it has a huge impact. At the CSCE, some 50 volunteers are involved in a wide range of activities, including the Board of Directors, the Green Box program, running exercise groups, organizing sports and leisure activities, and organizing flu vaccination clinics.

The benefits of volunteering:

Volunteering is a very important activity in our society. It’s an activity where you give your time and energy to help others, without expecting any money in return. Volunteering is good for others and good for yourself. It creates bonds of mutual support and breaks down isolation. Many community organizations, such as soup kitchens, clothing counters, leisure clubs, etc., increase their capacity to meet the diverse needs of their community members with the help of volunteers.

Volunteering is good for you, because helping others bring a great sense of personal fulfillment and satisfaction. You feel good when you feel useful. By focusing on the needs of others, we often forget our own worries. It also enables us to develop skills such as communication, project management and teamwork. By helping us better understand others and their needs, we develop compassion and empathy. What’s more, volunteering is a great way to meet new people and make friends.

What better way to encourage people to get involved than with testimonials from CSCE volunteers?

“Having been very well served by the Centre de Santé when I needed it, I’m proud to now give back to our Centre by volunteering for the seniors’ fitness program. I have completed instructor training for this age group and feel that my efforts contribute to the well-being of people who might otherwise become sedentary. We have fun and keep fit. Volunteering at the Centre is a real pleasure, because you become part of a great group of friends and get to meet lots of people with whom you share the same interests. I invite you to do the same, because the needs are great and varied.” Yvon L.

“As physical activity is very important in my life and I’ve been teaching for 37 years, I decided to combine these two interests to make a difference and positive change for the betterment of the Alexandria community and surrounding area by teaching fitness classes twice a week for sixty minutes per class. I love the feeling of giving back to society in an area that is close to our hearts.

It’s a great challenge that gives us a lot of pleasure, boosts our self-esteem and allows us to socialize and stay in shape both physically and mentally. The feeling of belonging to this group also enables us to expand our social network!

Doing good feels good!” – Denise

CSCE is always looking for volunteers!
The Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE) is always looking for dedicated volunteers who want to get involved in their community. Whether it’s lending a hand during events, supporting our services, or sharing your skills, your contribution can make a real difference. We invite you to fill out our online volunteer form.

Here are some of our volunteers in action!