A warm spring sun and pleasant wind graced Érablière Filion yesterday, a perfect day for boiling. With the sap running well, the small, family-run business was glad to enjoy the weather and the smell of fresh maple syrup.
“We bought the land from my father-in-law in 2011 and my husband immediately had the idea of making a sugar bush,” explained Christina Bowen, wife of Daniel Filion and partner in the business. Originally lacking any road access or structures, the plot of land was a simple woodlot before the couple purchased it. After several months of hard work and investment, Érablière Filion was able to have their first sugaring season in early 2012. Since then, many new additions and improvements have been made to the property and as it is now in its tenth year of sugaring. Bowen reminisced about their progress they have made. “A lot changed, the house, the shack, the other things were all things we’ve added over the years,” adding, “It’s truly an accumulation of our hard work, blood, sweat and tears.”
Érablière Filion is genuinely a family-run business, with all aspects of the operation supported by members of their family. “My husband and I are partners in the business and our son William and daughter Daphnée have really helped us a lot,” explained Bowen. A substantial amount of the canning is done exclusively by Gertrude Filion, Daniel’s mother, who has become quite the expert over the past couple of years as the number of cans increase year after year. Though these five make up the core of the workforce, it is quite normal for family and friends to stop by and help out around the camp, making it an important and fun atmosphere that the family cherishes.
