If a Canadian Tire store wants to be Santa’s workshop, Chantal Godin is the most faithful Star Fairy, words of Saint Nicolas de Chomedey.
“Ms. Godin has held a full-time position for a Canadian Tire store for nearly 43 years,” Alain Harvey, owner of the store in the red triangle on Boulevard Le Corbusier in Laval, wrote to La Presse. Year after year, she provides professional and human support as an administrative assistant, having started her career at the age of 17. Ms. Godin is an immense asset to our entire organization. »
“Chantal has accompanied us throughout our career,” he explains in an interview. My wife Johanne and I started at the store in Côte-des-Neiges in 2001. After that, we went to the Côte-Vertu store, and that’s where we met Ms. Godin, then went to Dollard-des-Ormeaux for almost 10 years and then from L’Acadie to the Central Market, then in Laval on Boulevard Le Corbusier since 2020. She had to take the step of integrating into new teams during all these moves from one store to another. She’s been with us since 2002,” for 21 years, he says, grateful.
The attention of her bosses moved the good godmother. “I was very surprised. From my side, I found that I had done nothing exceptional. I did my job. I am dedicated. I am hardworking. It’s a nice mark of appreciation,” she confides.
Responsible for inventory management and internal control systems as administrative assistant, Ms. Godin is aware of everything that enters the store and everything that leaves. Its role is crucial, because a large store like the one on Le Corbusier sells no less than 40,000 products worth more than 10 million in reserve.
“It’s our main investment in the store, in addition to the equipment,” emphasizes Mr. Harvey. For us, it is important to have the assurance that this investment is well managed. She’s the one who takes care of that. This is its main responsibility. »
His contribution to the smooth running of the store, however, goes well beyond sound inventory management.
“It’s a bit like a mother in the office for the hundred or so employees of the store,” says Johanne Noël, vice-president of Canadian Tire on Boulevard Le Corbusier in Laval.
“She is a resource person for employees,” continues the VP with the predestined name.
An elf confirms. “I remember when I started, I was put at reception with not much training,” reveals Jacques Pilon, a merchandiser who has worked with Chantal Godin for 16 years. I would go up to the office to see her every 5-10 minutes to ask her questions. She was always very kind to me. She is always nice to everyone. She is an employee that every company should have. »
For the main person concerned, the time to leave has not yet come, even after more than four decades of good and loyal service. ” I like what I do. I have fun at work. Helping people always feels good,” she responds about retirement.
After all, the big man with the white beard has always existed and he will continue to distribute his presents at Christmas for eternity.