After 47 years at Radio-Canada, including 26 in circulation, Yves Desautels announced his retirement on Monday, May 30. “You’ve got three more weeks, and I’m going to get bored,” he said, his voice full of emotion over Patrick Musbourian’s microphone on the show. All in one morningAt the ICI Premiere.
Yves Desautels made his official debut as a transport columnist in the winter of 1998, in the midst of the ice crisis, replacing Roger Laroche, who was frequently replaced and retired from this position after twenty years. Before undertaking this mandate, Mr. DeChatals was a reporter first in Western Canada from 1977 to 1985 and then in Montreal from 1985 to 1998.
He was also the first Radio-Canada journalist on the scene during the Polytechnic massacre on December 6, 1989. It happened, a bit by accident. It was dinner time, there were no reporters in the newsroom, and knowing that I lived in Outremont, not far from the Polytechnic University, the recruiter invited me to our home.
He remembers.
I came to the site not really knowing what was going on. There, I saw a bigger tragedy than I thought. I spent almost the whole night there and it got worse by the hour.
A quarter of a century on the road
In his second career at Radio-Canada, Yves Desautels became the stopping voice of the ICI Premiere broadcasts from 5:35 am to 5:58 pm to calculate traffic conditions in Greater Montreal. It’s a demanding job that requires a lot of patience, but the radio man says he loves his job.
On a typical day, Mr. Desatales wakes up at 4 am, goes to the studio and starts the day at 5:30 am with his colleagues in the morning show, ie. All in one morning In the last few years. I like to be there at the table because it’s the only time I see everyone, and it’s a little lighter
He explains.
Then, he gets in his car and drives around Greater Montreal, looking for congestion spots or road accidents that all motorists avoid like the plague. It’s like hurricane chasing, he explains. But I always try to stay on the other side of traffic jams.
In his vehicle, Yves Desautels also receives calls from listeners who have proven loyal allies over the years. There are people who make it a habit to call almost every morning and evening because it has become their habit, while others call when they witness a particular incident.
He explains. Fortunately they are there, which brings a little life to the statements.
Traffic columnist Yves Désautels drives south on Highway 25 and approaches the entrance to the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine bridge-tunnel. (archive photo)
Photo: Radio-Canada
Traffic in Montreal is worse than ever
In 26 years on the road, Yves Desautels has had a front-row seat to watch the evolution of transportation in Montreal, and he believes the last few years have been the worst. It has gotten much, much worse
He said straight.
Amidst the annoyance, there are the famous orange cones everywhere and the jobs of the city of Montreal. There were officials who told me on condition of anonymity that there was definitely a lack of planning. The worst are the city center and Plateau-Mont-Royal.
He also laments the growing influx of people from the suburbs and regions to Montreal, which has resulted in, among other things, rising housing prices in the city. He gives the example of the Laurentides Highway.
When I started, things were blocked from Laval to the Metropolitan
He explains. 640, Boisbriand, Saint-Thérèse, all. Today, it often blocks from Mirabel and, in the worst cases, from Saint-Jérôme.”,”text”:”Five years later, it returned to Boisbriand, Saint-Thérèse, all in 640. Today, it is mostly blocked from Mirabel and, at worst, from Saint-Jérôme.”}}”>Five years later, it went to 640, Boisbriand, Sainte-Thérèse, all. Today, it is often blocked from Mirabel and, in the worst cases, from Saint-Jérôme.
His colleagues called him when he worked as a journalist at the Yves Desautels studio with the nickname “Dezo”. (archive photo)
Photo: Radio-Canada / Jean-Baptiste Demoy
A disappearing industry
With the imminent departure of Yves Desautels, the traffic columnist profession may be on the verge of disappearing in Quebec. He explains that he was one of the last to do the job, along with Denis Niquet, who retired from Rythme FM in 2017.
Private stations have reduced patrols, but they still have information through Transports Quebec cameras and listeners.
, he explains. Radio-Canada followed suit with Mr. Whether Desautels’ status will be lifted remains to be seen, but listeners will be able to hear his reassuring voice until May 30.
After that, the man hangs up his microphone to enjoy life, spend time with his grandchildren, play tennis, and most of all, sleep. I think I will try to recover
He concludes.
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