UVM Canadian Studies program featured in upcoming documentary

Earlier this year, a crew from Vermont Public Television came to film my English 182 class. Afterwards, they spoke with me and one of our Canadian Studies majors, Laura Pedro. They were filming a segment for part of a larger documentary on the connections today between Vermont and the province of Quebec.

The documentary is set to air on June 14 at 7:30 PM on VPT.

Here’s the press release from VPT:

PRESS RELEASE

For release 6/6/07

Contact: Ann Curran at (802) 655-8059, acurran@vpt.org

or Jeff Vande Griek at (802) 655-8062, jeffv@vpt.org

Vermont-Quebec Relations on June 14 VPT Program

Vermont Public Television looks at life on both sides of the border

between Vermont and Quebec in “Good Fences, Good Neighbors,” a new

documentary followed by a live discussion Thursday, June 14, at 7:30 p.m.

Stories and interviews about everyday life, trade and tourism highlight

the documentary, and the challenges in all these areas since Sept. 11,

2001 are a common theme. Even viewers familiar with the issues may find

some of the information surprising.

(continue reading for more details)

The documentary begins in the border towns of Derby Line, Vt., and

Stanstead, Que. The girls hockey team from Vermont’s North Country Union

High School has its home ice in Stanstead. The Haskell Free Library and

manufacturer Tivoly Inc. literally straddle the border. Fire departments

from both sides of the border frequently help each other out.

Trade in hard goods is an engine of the relationship between Vermont and

Quebec, and IBM of Essex, Vt., is Vermont’s largest exporter, sending more

than a billion dollars’ worth of chips north to a sister factory in

Bromont, Que. In Bristol, Vt., a visit to the A. Johnson Company

illustrates the state’s second-largest export, wood products. An official

with the customs broker A.N. Deringer describes how the company keeps

goods moving across the borders amid tight security. The program looks at

resources for Americans who want to do business in Canada.

Energy is one of Quebec’s largest exports to Vermont. A third of the

state’s electricity and all its natural gas come from across the border.

The head of Vermont’s Public Service Department talks about the recent

sale of Vermont’s Green Mountain Power to the Canadian company that also

owns Vermont Gas. A segment from a forum of New England governors and

eastern Canadian premiers held recently in Quebec City illustrates the

importance of cooperation on energy and environmental issues.

Tourism is another major focus of the documentary. Quebecers travel to

Vermont to ski at Jay Peak, shop in Burlington and fly out of Burlington

International Airport. Vermonters head north for vacations. The program

looks at the impact on tourism of the U.S. government’s efforts to require

passports for Canadians crossing into the U.S. U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy

has worked to postpone implementation. France Dionne, the Quebec

government’s delegate to New England, notes that it would be a challenge

for teenagers in border towns to carry passports with them as they travel

back and forth for hockey games.

Lieutenant Governor of Vermont Brian Dubie, who has been working to

improve relations with Canada, notes the importance of building

relationships for cross-border security and disaster preparedness. At the

University of Vermont, Paul Martin, head of the Canadian Studies Program,

notes that when his students study Canada, they also learn a lot about

their own country.

For the follow-up discussion, host Stewart Ledbetter will welcome France

Dionne, as well as Michael Quinn, commissioner of the Vermont Department

of Economic Development, and Tim Shea, vice president of the Lake

Champlain Chamber of Commerce, as studio panelists. A group of local

Vermont and Quebec residents will be linked via satellite to the

discussion from The Goodrich Memorial Library in Newport, Vt. Viewers

will be invited to call in or email with their comments during the show.

There will also be a live web chat.

The producer of “Good Fences, Good Neighbors” is Catherine Hughes.

Executive producer of the program is Joe Merone. Production funding is

provided by USDA Rural Development.

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Vermont ETV Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer.