A native of the Ottawa region, Georges Lafontaine has worked as a journalist since 1979. He was owner of the radio station CFOR-FM, and of the Maniwaki newspaper La Gazette for nine years. He also has worked as a political attaché, a position he currently holds in the office of the M.N.A. for Gatineau. He is very attached to his part of the country, where he continues to live with his spouse Adela, his inspiration for Ashes on Ice.