Michel Pouliot

Polar Bear Riders

Born and raised in Cochrane, Michel Pouliot returned permanently to his home town in 1990 to start a business. For over 13 years he and his wife Marilyn have successfully operated their Bakery, supplying local residents with a variety of delicious fresh baked goods. They have two daughters; Sarah aged 19, and Jennifer who is 16. Michel is also a member of the Polar Bear Riders Snowmobile Club, and admits to being totally hooked on sledding.

‘The snowmobile trails that we have throughout the Lake Abitibi Model Forest and in the rest of Northeastern Ontario are fantastic,’ says Michel. ‘It is a great sport, and we are fortunate to have such a great area for winter recreation.’

In fact it was snowmobiling that originally got Michel involved with our Model Forest, first as a representative of the Polar Bear Riders on the Board of Directors, then for two years as Vice President. After a total of nine years of participation with our organization, Michel is now into his third year as President of the Board.

‘I am very pleased and feel it is very worthwhile for me to be part of the Board,’ says Michel. ‘It is important

that all of the great things being done in the Lake Abitibi Model Forest, particularly the research doesn’t just sit on a shelf, but that it gets used.’

Michel is particularly pleased with some of the useful and hands-on products of our Model Forest including school curriculum materials such as Mysteries of the Boreal Forest, and the Community Development Impact Models that have been produced for Cochrane, Iroquois Falls, and the Moose Cree First Nation.

‘The models are being used to help chart the economic future of our communities,’ says Michel. ‘There is a great opportunity to bring the different models together so that we can have a regional or even provincial approach. As President of the Board of Directors, Michel is completely positive about the way people from very different backgrounds and with different perspectives are able to work together.

‘Everyone has the same voice,’ says Michel. ‘Whether they are a big player, or an individual like me, there is no intimidation. The Board of Directors is an interesting and diverse group, but everyone is down to earth and easy to work with, and that is why we are successful.’

The Lake Abitibi Model Forest is prospering under Michel’s capable leadership on our Board of Directors, and we greatly appreciate his time, dedication and expertise during almost a decade of involvement with our organization.