The small fishing village of Ste-Marie-la-Mauderne, located on the northern coast of Quebec, is facing a steep decline, with every resident relying on welfare. To attract a company that would establish a plastic container factory in their area, they must double their population, secure a resident doctor, and also provide a bribe of $50,000 to the company owner.
The story kicks off when Dr. Christopher Lewis (played by David Boutin), a plastic surgeon from Montreal, is pulled over for speeding by an officer named Réal Fournier (portrayed by Jean-Pierre Gonthier), who is the former mayor of Ste-Marie-la-Mauderne. Fournier knows the struggles of the village all too well, having left due to the lack of job opportunities. After discovering cocaine in Dr. Lewis's possession, Fournier strikes a deal: he won’t arrest the doctor if he agrees to spend a month in the struggling village.
Meanwhile, the newly elected mayor, Germain Lesage (played by Raymond Bouchard), who is also a welfare recipient, crafts a clever plan to convince Dr. Lewis to stay. As a part of their scheme, the residents tap into his phone conversations and feign shared interests, including cricket, fusion jazz, and a mutual love for the same cuisines. The local banker, Henri Giroux (portrayed by Benoît Brière), has the unusual role of cashing the villagers' welfare cheques and tries to boost Dr. Lewis’s morale by leaving little financial surprises for him around town. He also takes it upon himself to secure a loan that would help fund the bribe. Dr. Lewis becomes smitten with Ève Beauchemin (played by Lucie Laurier), the post office worker, although she is aware of his girlfriend Brigitte back in Montreal.
The village’s elaborate deception begins to bear fruit, but they still hit a snag in securing the necessary funds. In a moment of desperation, Henri decides to use his own savings to cover the brunt of the bribe after being told that his job at the bank hangs by a thread—easily replaceable by an ATM. As the plastics company's owner arrives, the villagers continue their elaborate charade, successfully convincing him to agree to build the factory with one crucial condition: they need a doctor on staff.
Things take a twist when Dr. Lewis discovers that his girlfriend Brigitte has been unfaithful, having had an affair with his best friend Paul for three years. Disheartened, he contemplates staying in Ste-Marie because he realizes how genuine the villagers are. Germain, wracked with guilt over the deception, tries to extricate himself from the lies by fabricating that they have secured another permanent doctor. When Dr. Lewis learns the truth, he feels a mix of betrayal and confusion, turning to Ève, who has grown tired of the dishonesty and lays everything bare for him, including the phone tapping.
In a confrontation with Germain, Dr. Lewis seeks clarity about their shared experiences, especially around cricket, to which Germain candidly admits he wouldn’t bother learning the sport. This moment inspires Dr. Lewis to commit to the village. With his choice made, the plastics factory is ultimately built, breathing life back into Ste-Marie-la-Mauderne, restoring its pride, while Dr. Lewis finds himself with five years to win Ève’s heart amidst their newfound circumstances.
