27

Desjardins, the "Champion canadien"
Around 1905
Saint-André de Kamouraska (Québec), Canada

Credits:
Reproduction of an advertising decal used for the material of the Desjardins Company

28

In 1899, the products of the ?Desjardins et Paradis? company adopt the trademark ?Champion canadien?. This name is a good illustration of the ambition of Charles-Alfred as well as his attention to the quality of his products.

29

A share of the Desjardins Company (front view)
1901-1915
Saint-André de Kamouraska (Québec), Canada

Credits:
The Collection of the Musée régional de Kamouraska
2001
The Collection of the Musée régional de Kamouraska

30

In 1901, the company changes its name. It becomes ?La Compagnie Desjardins? with Charles-Alfred as president. The other shareholders are Joseph and Maurice Rioux from Trois-Pistoles, Théophile Darisse (future father-in-law of Éva Desjardins), Joseph Desjardins (Charles-Alfred's son), Jean-Thomas Ouellet and Joseph Paradis, all from Saint-André de Kamouraska, Hector Lachance from Lévis, Marcellin Pettigrew (Charles-Alfred's son-in-law), from Québec City, and Cyprien Ouellet from Saint-Germain de Kamouraska.

31

The wedding of Alfrédine Roy, known as Desjardins, and Joseph-Louis Roberge
12 August 1897
Saint-André de Kamouraska (Québec), Canada

Credits:
The Anne Laporte Collection
Photographer: Montminy et Cie, Québec (Québec)
The Collection of the Musée régional de Kamouraska

32

Starting in 1902, the company pays its employees with vouchers redeemable in Charles-Alfred's stores, especially his general store, the Syndicat des cultivateurs (the Farmers' Union). Strongly criticized by many people, this system will be abandoned in 1908 after the departure of the person who had initiated this policy, Jos. L. Roberge, Alfredine's husband.

33

Inside the Syndicat des cultivateurs (the Farmers' Union)
Around 1915
Saint-André de Kamouraska (Québec), Canada

Credits:
The Anne Laporte Collection
Photographer: Éva Roy, known as Desjardins

34

Front view of the Syndicat des cultivateurs (the Farmers' Union)
Around 1915
Saint-André de Kamouraska (Québec), Canada

Credits:
The Hélène Fillion Martin Collection
Photographer: Éva Roy, known as Desjardins

35

Wooden sidewalks
Around 1910
Saint-André de Kamouraska (Québec), Canada

Credits:
The Collection of the Musée régional de Kamouraska
The Desjardins Family Private Collection
Photographer: Éva Roy, known as Desjardins
N.A.C. P2006.284

36

In 1903, Charles-Alfred is concerned about the state of the wooden sidewalks and the narrow width of the road in the village of Saint-André. He therefore asks the Municipal Council to carry out repairs. After receiving a negative answer, he mobilizes most of the citizens of the village and obtains their signatures on a petition addressed to the Department of Municipal Affairs. The Québec government then authorizes the creation of the village of Andréville (separating it from the parish). Obviously, one of the first decisions of the new Municipal Council will be to make repairs to the wooden sidewalks and to widen the road, which is what Charles-Alfred wants. As a result, he will now be able to drive around safely in his car, the first in Eastern Québec.

37

Houses being moved to widen the road
Around 1903
Saint-André de Kamouraska (Québec), Canada

Credits:
The Collection of the Musée régional de Kamouraska
The Desjardins Family Private Collection
Photographer: Éva Roy, known as Desjardins
N.A.C. P2005.157

38

A postcard offering an overview of the Desjardins Company installations in Saint-André
Around 1920
Saint-André de Kamouraska (Québec), Canada

Credits:
The Collection of the Musée régional de Kamouraska
The Desjardins Family Private Collection
Photographer: Unknown
N.A.C. P2005.102

39

The Convent of Saint-André
24 January 1926
Saint-André de Kamouraska (Québec), Canada

Credits:
The Collection of the Musée du Bas-Saint-Laurent
Photographs mounted in a frame by the sisters of the Convent of Saint-André
2001-04 (detail)

40

In 1904, for an annual rental fee of $1, Charles-Alfred obtains a siding and a warehouse at the railway station in Saint-André. In the same year, he contributes to the establishment of the convent of Saint-André. Both a boarding school and a day school for young girls, this institution will also be a hospice for the elderly in the region of Saint-André. The Sisters of Charity had been in Saint-André from 1885-1888. The year 1907 marks their return after an absence of 18 years, once the construction of the convent, mainly paid for by Charles-Alfred, is completed.