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Last winter, reporter Christopher Curtis travelled to the small community of Salluit in northern Quebec. This is Part 5 of his seven-part series This Is Salluit.

SALLUIT — When the village gathers to celebrate, Michael Cameron tends to stay home.

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It’s not that Cameron is some sort of grinch. In fact, his default facial expression suggests he’s constantly struggling not to grin.

Cameron says he doesn’t like being in large crowds because of the things he has seen as a paramedic in Salluit. Of the 12 locals who took the community’s first medical technician course in 2003, only Cameron remains on duty.

And in that time, he has seen things that make him appreciate the quiet moments with his wife and kids.

“I’m starting to come out of it, but it’s been like this for about 10 or 15 years,” Cameron said. “I’ve had a child die in my arms. I’ve seen gunshot victims, suicides, murders. At times, you’re trying to be the one that’s … you’re still working on the victim, but you know it’s too late.