Published on June 18, 2026

Seniors Action Quebec is pleased to announce the election of its 2026-2027 Board of Directors.

Newly Elected Executive Committee

Seniors Action Quebec’s Board Executive Committee is comprised of Mona Beck (Montreal) as President, Linda Marion (Abitibi-Témiscamingue) as Vice-President, François Hudon (Eastern Townships) as Treasurer, and newly elected Secretary Bruce Cameron (Montreal).

Welcoming a New Board Member

Seniors Action Quebec is thrilled to welcome Sandra Watson, an accomplished new board member:

A community leader dedicated to advancing the well-being, dignity, and inclusion of seniors across Quebec, Sandra Watson brings extensive experience in program development, mental health leadership, and frontline service delivery, with a deep understanding of the evolving needs of older adults. Through her work at the Community Resource Center, she has developed programs for seniors addressing social isolation, access to services, and community engagement. As Director of Mental Health at West Island Mission, she has led initiatives to improve mental health supports for seniors, addressing issues such as grief, depression, and cognitive decline while strengthening services and supporting caregivers.

Ms. Watson holds a Master's degree specializing in Death and Dying, which informs her work in palliative care. She has supported individuals and families through end-of-life experiences, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure care that is compassionate, respectful, and person-centred. Her experience also includes work in homeless shelters, responding to the growing number of seniors facing housing insecurity—deepening her commitment to advocacy and to evidence-based services that reflect the diverse realities of Quebec's aging population. With strong regional knowledge across Quebec, Ms. Watson understands the disparities in access between urban and remote communities, particularly for English-speaking seniors.

Continuing Board Members

Board Directors continuing to serve in 2026-2027 include:

• Ann Martell (Mainland - Quebec City)
• David O. Johnston (Pointe-Claire)
• Raquel Huggins (Montreal)
• Diane Lemay (Longueuil, Montérégie)
• Deirdre (Deedy) Shipton (Harrington-Lower Laurentians)
• Lynn Travers (Montreal)

Seniors Action Quebec’s new board slate was unanimously approved by the membership at Seniors Action Quebec’s hybrid Annual General Meeting held on June 16, 2026, based on recommendations from SAQ's 2026-2027 Nominating Committee comprised of Founder Ruth Pelletier, former Vice-President Lyna Boushel, former President David Cassidy, longtime member Martin Murphy, and President Mona Beck.

Recognizing Outgoing Board Members

Seniors Action Quebec extends its deepest gratitude to outgoing Administrator Janet Torge (Montreal) for her invaluable contributions during her time on the board and, to longtime Board member and past Secretary Diane Lemay for her outstanding service. Happily, she will remain in the Board to ensure a smooth transition.

Looking Forward

"As the Board of Seniors Action Quebec completed governance training and developed and adopted its 2026-2029 Strategic Plan this past fiscal year, it is particularly rewarding that the majority of these exceptionally talented Board members have chosen to continue their work to the benefit of Quebec’s urban and rural English-speaking seniors," said Executive Director Paulina Abarca-Cantin. "As end-of-life choices and planning take on more complexity, the entry and expertise of Sandra Watson is particularly welcomed."

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