For more than twenty years, a dedicated individual has been the sole operator of a critical news and information outlet that caters to English-speaking residents in Deux-Montagnes, Quebec, commonly known as Two Mountains.

As the provincial government pushes for the promotion of the French language, often to the detriment of English as many believe, there are diminishing avenues for English speakers to access information in their native language. However, in Two Mountains, the English-speaking community knows that they can always rely on Paul Goyetche, fondly known as 2MoPaul.

Goyetche, a retired IT professional, started 2MoPaul.com two decades ago as a personal diary, long before social media became popular. The layout of the website still reflects the early days of the internet era, reminding one of the time when people built their own websites on platforms like Geocities and Angelfire. Despite the constant evolution of the internet, 2MoPaul.com has steadily grown into a pivotal source of news.

Two Mountains, a suburban city with a population of roughly 20,000 located northwest of Montreal, boasts a small yet lively English-speaking community. Many locals have no other resource for information apart from 2MoPaul. This is particularly true since the local paper, The Victory, ceased publication in the 1980s and the city’s official website, due to Quebec’s latest French language protection law, Bill 96, is no longer permitted to post any English information as Two Mountains doesn’t have official bilingual status.

Goyetche’s dedication to his news outlet is commendable. He spends nearly 20 hours a week serving the community, despite not receiving any payment for his efforts. In fact, it costs him money to maintain the website.

Apart from providing news, Goyetche also posts about local sports events, shares his travel photos and videos, promotes numerous fundraisers, and covers local news with his own photographs and video content. His hard work and commitment are greatly appreciated by the city’s mayor and the community at large.

While Goyetche has become somewhat of a local celebrity, he insists that his motivation is not fame. Instead, he finds joy in providing a valuable service to his beloved community and receiving their heartfelt gratitude. Without a doubt, 2MoPaul has become a lifeline for the English-speaking population in Two Mountains, providing them with vital news and information in a language they understand.