The summer of all possibilities, that’s how she sees her summer season. In fact, it was on a hot and very humid day that I received Ève-Marie Lortie. Simplicity, authenticity and happiness: these three words define her perfectly. I have great admiration for her and every time we meet I know I will have an inspiring time!
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Since June 21, Ève-Marie has taken on a large part of the torch in the animation of Salut Bonjour for the summer period. In addition to renewing this great adventure, like every year, next August she will celebrate her 20th anniversary as part of the team of this morning show we love.
Photo: Karine Levesque/TVA P
“Exactly on August 26th I will celebrate 20 years of happiness, learning and unforgettable encounters. And all this surrounded by extraordinary people. It’s a great privilege. I will always remember my first morning with my mentor Guy Mongrain. He told me, “Don’t create a character you can’t take on for hours or your entire career.” You have to be yourself!” He’d said those words long before all of today’s talk about self-esteem, authenticity, etc. He was so right at the moment. This man-turned-friend is curious, open, intelligent, funny, passionate, autonomous, devoted. Which model! He taught me a lot and when I started I didn’t want to disappoint him! (She smiles) I came with my background as a journalist at LCN and TVA, I knew my job, but there is something unique about Salut Bonjour’s closeness to the public. When Guy talked about not inventing a character, he meant being true because audiences are true and want openness and honesty.
ALWAYS PASSIONATE
This is what the host has been offering us for almost 20 years: genuineness, authenticity and an extremely endearing spontaneity. She is happy and grateful and still feels moved as the show begins. “As soon as I hear the first notes of the Salut Bonjour theme, I have butterflies in my stomach even after all these years. Invigorating live, it exudes something powerful. In fact, I feel where I need to be. I feel a great sense of belonging and accomplishment at work. I love being there in the morning for the real stars of the show: the PUBLIC! He’s the one who still gives me all this energy and keeps the flame burning. Thank you to everyone who welcomes us into their homes. I speak on my own behalf, but I could also do so on behalf of our entire team. We are really being spoiled!”
There are many hours of work behind a show like this. Ève-Marie consumes a lot of television and radio to always be on the lookout for what is happening in our world, to be up to date and also to be entertained. she loves everything
“I’m a news girl, it’s in me, I always want to know what’s going on. I like the series too… and in the case of insomnia even more! (laughs) I also look at what is being done elsewhere. All this is enriching for me and of course also for my work. Because Salut Bonjour is also about exchange, learning and sharing on many topics that affect us.”
Contagious energy
The one who settled in Montreal for the summer to replace Gino Chouinard is excited about the idea of setting out in a bixi or on foot to explore the city streets and get carried away by the hustle and bustle of the summer season. “I love summer in Montreal! We turn outside to the terrace installed on the roof. There’s wasps, wind, sun, and I like it. I am always very happy to find my colleagues that I love. I don’t live here, but I like rediscovering this city. Every year it feels like the first time. There is so much movement here; it’s incredible! I’m a nature lover – I like to seek refuge there and breathe some fresh air – but there’s also something magical about the city. Short sleeves, gougounes and hop! I love our four seasons, but summer brings with it a sweet lightness… I also take the opportunity to organize dinners with my friends, whom I don’t see often throughout the year. It’s nice to be together over a good meal! All of this fills me with energy.” She draws this energy primarily from her family, from within.
“In fact, I’m basically my parents’ daughter, sister to Jean and Manon, mother to Corinne, girlfriend to… That’s how I define myself. My sister, brother and I cook wonderful meals and have fun. We often spend our holidays together in L’Anse-Saint-Jean, we like to be together, laugh, have a good time with the family. It’s very valuable! I love entertaining and cooking. I do everything! Except that sometimes it happens to me that I buy pie dough because I have some wiggle room. Let’s be honest: It’s not that easy! (laughs)”
HIS LIFE, HIS DIARY
She tells me gently about her mother Marie-Andrée, her sister-in-law who is like a sister, and her daughter Corinne. Her mother’s eyes light up. “I have a great relationship with my daughter. She flies alone now. She completed her journalism degree and began practicing the profession. She is beautiful to look at. I am her mother and very proud of her, but I will never tell her what to do or how to do it. She makes her own decisions. Of course I’m always there for you. We don’t live in the same town, but we talk a lot. She’s the only one I use FaceTime with. We like to keep up to date with what we are doing on our own every day. I’m his mother, what do you want!” As I understand it! To see our children grow up and emancipate themselves is so great and makes us so proud!
“My family, my lover and my friends are all very important to me. My friend Clarens (his lover for the past 15 years) is about to take a big step. He quit his current job to pursue something else. He will soon be a young retiree! It’s moving in our lives and it’s exciting. I’m talking about that today, but you know, these are parts of my life that I share in small portions. I do a public job, but not my relatives. My reflections began with the advent of social networks. I wondered how far I wanted to go, what I really wanted to share. I remember Stéphane Laporte saying one day: “I belong to the generation that had a padlock on their diary so as not to tell anyone. Now we reveal everything on social media.” For me it’s exactly the same : I am from the same generation. My life is like my diary. I like looking at the networks full of jewelry but when it concerns me the padlock is in place. Basically, my door to the world is television.”
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
We stop for a few moments. Photographer Marï takes photos; The light is great and so is Ève-Marie. I pour us tall glasses of ice water and we hide from the rays under the umbrella again. While I’m the one who welcomes her into our home, she’s the one who makes sure I don’t miss a thing. If I tell you that this woman is adorable! Not only do we share the same passion for our profession, but we are both involved with the Bowvember campaign in the Procure organization. This is a cause that particularly affects Ève-Marie since her father had prostate cancer.
“This is my sixth year as an ambassador. At first I wondered what I, as a woman, could contribute to such a cause, but they explained to me how important it is for women to support men before, during and after a diagnosis. It is often the blondes or the mothers who urge their husbands to take care of their health, encouraging them, among other things, to seek advice because we know that prevention is essential. That’s why I support this cause just like you, Saskia.” She also volunteers every year with Opération Enfant Soleil to help the organization raise funds for families with a sick child.
“Operation Enfant Soleil is a great machine that mobilizes thousands of Quebecers every year to save lives. It goes without saying for me to get involved. Nothing is more touching than meeting these families who have been sorely tried but have incredible strength and often great resilience. At the same time, the hostess is also a sponsor of the Alzheimer Society of Quebec. After meeting a friend whose mother struggled with the condition, she wanted to do her part.
“Growing old comes with its own set of challenges, but I can’t imagine losing my memory. Honestly, it’s something that scares me, so I thought I’d get involved with this cause in hopes of helping with the research. Can you imagine not remembering your life, your memories, your family members, your friends and losing touch with life? I’m doing my best to help and I hope to make a small difference. It also reminds me how important it is to enjoy every moment.”
Enjoying and celebrating every moment is her plan to do this summer at work and with her family. A bottle of sparkling wine has already been chilled for August 26th. “We will emphasize that with my boyfriend, my daughter, my family and my friends. I have an atypical work schedule and a different life because I’m at work very early. This means I have to go to bed early, so no late Saturday night dinners… But my loved ones are all joining me on this great adventure, so I’ll be toasting to their health and these 20 amazing years at Salut Bonjour! »
Thank you for these wonderful years, Ève-Marie. I raise my glass to the next 20 and wish you a great summer of “possibilities”!
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