CHARLOTTETOWN – Nov. 30, 2026 – In recognition of their significant contributions to the provincial economy and their communities, the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI (CCAFLIPE) will induct three entrepreneurs and one manager into its PEI Acadian and Francophone Business Hall of Fame during its 2026 Entrepreneurs’ Gala on March 21 in Abram-Village.

Announcing on Nov. 29 in Charlottetown that Alcide Bernard of Wellington, Johnny Gallant of St. Timothy, Karen Richard of Urbainville, and Wilfred Thompson of North Bedeque would be inducted, Chamber spokesperson Janine Arsenault explained that this honor is the highest distinction that the CCAFLIPE can offer. It can be awarded to entrepreneurs or businesspeople with at least 25 years of entrepreneurial or management experience, as the award honors entrepreneurs and businesspeople who have distinguished themselves through their efforts and accomplishments throughout their careers.

The four award recipients will not only receive a trophy to take home, but also a permanent plaque with their photo, which will be placed on the Hall of Fame wall in the J.-Léonce Bernard Meeting Room at the Wellington Rural Action Centre.

To date, 39 businesspeople have been inducted into the Hall of Fame; the four new inductees will bring the total to 43. Of these, 14 are deceased. “It is primarily in their honor and memory that we continue this Hall of Fame tradition,” said Arsenault.

THE NEXT INDUCTEES

ALCIDE BERNARD of Wellington was a financial analyst, project manager, and plant manager at Old Dutch/Humpty Dumpty; general manager of the Olde Barrel Potato Chip Co-op; general manager of the former Société Saint-Thomas d’Aquin; and business manager of the Acadian Pioneer Village Co-op. He held management positions for over 35 years. He has also held various development, teaching, and other positions over the years and has done extensive community volunteer work, including serving as mayor of Wellington for 11 years.

JOHNNY GALLANT of St. Timothy was born and raised on the family dairy farm, Gallant Farm, and in 1985, he became its owner and operator. In 1979, he also launched M&J Professional Saws. Today, he sells Husqvarna brand power saws and accessories, lawn mowers, snow blowers, robotic mowers, and safety wear, in addition to repairing equipment. He also sells ECCO batteries. The CCAFLIPE will honor him next spring for his nearly 47 years of entrepreneurship.

KAREN RICHARD became a hairdresser after studying cosmetology in 1984-85. She worked at two beauty salons for seven years before launching her own salon, La Coupe Classique, at Place du Village in Wellington in 1992. Four years later, she moved her salon to her home in Urbainville. Even though she has 40 years of experience, she knows she must keep up with new fashions, techniques, trends, and products, so she continues to hone her skills. Karen has been an independent entrepreneur for 34 years.

WILFRED THOMPSON is a long-time resident of North Bedeque. He founded Thompson’s Woodcraft in 1972, initially operating it part-time while keeping another full-time job. He set up a workshop and retail store called “Thompson’s Fine Wood Products” behind his home. Now retired from his other job, he sells his beautiful products mainly in the summer from his home and at five other boutiques across the Island. In business for 54 years, Wilfred ships his products to various provinces and around the world.

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PHOTO: At the unveiling of the names of the next inductees into the Acadian and Francophone Business Hall of Fame, during the P’tite fête des Fêtes in Charlottetown on Nov. 29, are Alecia Arsenault, coordinator of CCAFLIPE and the 2026 Entrepreneurs’ Gala, 2026 inductees Johnny Gallant of Gallant Farm and M&J Professional Saws and Alcide Bernard, who has held various management positions for 35 years, along with Janine Arsenault, spokesperson for CCAFLIPE.

PHOTO MONTAGE: The four inductees into the PEI Acadian and Francophone Business Hall of Fame for 2026 will be (top row) Alcide Bernard, Johnny Gallant, Karen Richard and Wilfred Thompson.

 

For more information:
Alecia Arsenault
Coordinator of the 2026 Entrepreneurs’ Gala
902-432-2026
alecia@rdeeipe.org