Profile: Matthew Hunt

A return to roots

Matthew Hunt is a public servant who came back to where he was born. Matthew analyzes new projects geared to diversifying the region’s economy.

Bucking statistical trends showing young people are fleeing from the regions, Matthew Hunt, 29, a Canada Economic Development Advisor for the Gaspésie–Îles‑de‑la‑Madeleine Business Office, moved back to Chandler, then Gaspé, Quebec, after studying away from home. This is the story of a young man mad about his native Gaspé and committed to economic revitalization.

Throughout his studies in commerce, with specialization in marketing and entrepreneurship, at Champlain College in Lennoxville, Quebec, and McGill University, Matthew felt convinced that he would return to the Gaspé and go into business. “Something in the outdoors field,” Matthew said. “I didn’t know exactly what type of business, but being a nature type and liking thrills, I could see myself doing that. In fact, my father and I operated fishing and whale observation tours out of Chandler for three years running and it was an activity I really enjoyed.”

Becoming a public servant

But fate would have it otherwise. In the summer of 1999, Matthew landed a student job at the former Department of Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) in Chandler. He travelled back and forth between the Gaspé in the summer where a job at HRDC awaited him, and Montréal during the school year. The following summer, having graduated, he accepted a position at HRDC as Coordinator of the five summer student job offices in the Gaspé–Magdallen Islands region. He even worked at HRDC in downtown Montréal for a year and a half. In January 2003, Matthew joined the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec as a Junior Advisor where he carried out two secondments before obtaining a permanent position. He became an Advisor in December 2006.

“I would never have imagined becoming a public servant,” he laughed, “but I’m very pleased, especially since my work at the Agency is directly related to my studies. I enjoy analyzing new projects geared to diversifying the region’s economy. Since I’ve only been an Advisor for a short while, I’m looking forward to visiting my clients, getting out in the field and being involved in projects that will help the Gaspé strengthen its economy.”

All that time, a young woman, Marie-Josée, a law student in Montréal, accompanied Matthew. “Marie‑Josée and I have been together for 14 years. She’s my high school sweetheart. Naturally, the fact that both our families are in the Gaspé influenced our decision to come back here to live. Of course, add to that our childhood friends, the proximity of nature and all the wide open landscapes.” Marie‑Josée now works; guess where? She is with Service Canada (formerly HRDC) in Gaspé.

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