On the count of three, jump into the icy water of the Lachine Canal in the middle of February! This is the challenge that about 200 people — including several politicians — set themselves on Saturday afternoon in Montreal.
Several hundred people gathered on the banks of the canal in a festive atmosphere to encourage the brave divers, who earned a glass of chicken broth when they got out of the water. The Polar Bear Challenge is organized by police officers from the Peace Officers’ Torch Run, an international organization, for the benefit of Special Olympics Quebec. It consists of a vast fundraising event that culminates in a jump into icy water for volunteers.
The funds raised — which reached $91,500 this year, a record — are donated to the organization, which supports Quebec athletes living with a mental handicap. An identical challenge took place in Quebec City last week, where $60,000 was raised.
Among the public figures who jumped into the water under the enthusiastic encouragement of the crowd were the head of the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), Fady Dagher, the ministers Ian Lafrenière and Jean-François Roberge or even the deputies Carole Mallette and Enrico Ciccone.
Mr. Lafrenière seemed ecstatic as he emerged from the water. Intercepted by The duty while he was still soaked, he listed the reasons that led him to participate in the event. “We collect money for the Special Olympics and we make people aware of this difference. And [je viens] also to support the police: it’s a job that is not easy, it’s a job that is thankless, ”he mentioned.
For the director of the SPVM, Fady Dagher, being present at the event is a way to set an example. “Often, it is said that the legitimacy of a director is not made by the orders, but rather by going on the ground and by showing the example, he affirmed to the Duty, a few minutes before diving. “So by doing it, I expect my troops to be able to volunteer to do it too. »
” I am so proud of myself “
For Special Olympics Quebec, Polar Bear Challenge Day is a key moment of the year. “We are doing a somewhat spectacular activity with elected officials and athletes because the whole operation aims to say that social inclusion is done with a lot of people, and everyone has to play their part”, explains Daniel Granger, president of the organization.
He is currently preparing for the Canadian delegation’s participation in the next Special Olympics World Games to be held in Berlin, Germany, in June.
One of the athletes who will participate is called Jessica Larivée. Already a multiple medalist in several international competitions in several sports, such as running and snowshoeing, the 30-year-old woman dived in the Lachine Canal.
“I’m so proud of myself, I just can’t believe it,” she told the Duty, radiant, a few minutes after making her jump. “I was looking forward to jumping but I was so stressed, I wondered if it was going to be okay! It was a big deal, for me. »
Re-brand
The presence of several political and public figures at this activity, in particular that of the head of the SPVM, is not insignificant, according to the professor in the social and public communication department of the University of Quebec in Montreal Olivier Turbide.
“There is a challenge for the SPVM to establish a real dialogue with the population and to establish a relationship of trust. It’s a link that has been missing in recent years,” says Mr. Turbide. Being present at such an event would therefore allow Fady Dagher to show the SPVM’s desire to be present on the ground, within the communities.
“Yes, it’s public relations, but participating in events like these helps to establish a real dialogue,” continues Mr. Turbide.
He recalls that the new head of the SPVM demonstrates a desire for closeness, and gives the example of the commitment made by Mr. Dagher in January on the set of the program Everybody talks about it. He had then promised comedian Maude Landry that he would replace her police brother, who should have missed the premiere of his sister’s show since he was working that evening. Mr. Dagher had honored his promise.
“Fady Dagher has such an excellent reputation and a good image that [sa participation à un tel évènement], it reinforces it, it creates an image of proximity,” says Mr. Turbide. “And the advantage of such an event is that the SPVM controls the message. […] The police are humanized and that allows them to put forward their social mission, ”he adds.
“For the SPVM’s media relations, it’s candy. »