Quebec’s National Assembly building is illuminated at night in Quebec City, with the Quebec flag flying above its central tower. (Photo: Sabrina Rizzo/Unsplash)
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Editor’s note: On Sept. 21, The Pulse sent the same five questions to 57 candidates running in Eastern Townships ridings and asked them to respond by Sept. 30. Six candidates provided substantive responses. The Pulse is publishing five articles, each focused on one of those questions.
The responses are presented in random order. Responses originally submitted in English are reproduced word for word, with paragraph breaks added where helpful for mobile readability. Responses submitted in French have been translated into English as faithfully as possible. The responses contain the candidates’ own statements and characterizations; their publication does not constitute an endorsement of those claims by The Pulse.
Pulse Newsroom
The question:
If the interests of your riding conflicted with your party’s position, how would you act? Can you give an example of an issue on which you would be willing to dissociate yourself from your party?
Benoît Robitaille — Parti conservateur du Québec, Orford
The PCQ aims to be the party of the regions and to make them more autonomous through consultation tables.
My primary role as an MNA would be to represent the citizens of the Orford riding. I believe an MNA must listen to the population and defend its interests with the party when the situation requires it.
If a decision or policy were to have significant negative consequences for the citizens of my riding, I would not hesitate to make their point of view known to my colleagues and the party leadership. I believe the strength of a political party also lies in its ability to listen to regional realities.
Generally speaking, I would be prepared to intervene whenever a measure risked harming our region’s economic development, access to essential services or the quality of life of Orford residents.
Allison Turner — Équipe Christine Fréchette – Coalition avenir Québec, Orford
I would try to build bridges. Nothing comes to mind.
Mia Fréchette — Québec solidaire, Saint-François
My role is to fight within my caucus and in the National Assembly to ensure that the reality of Saint-François residents is taken into account.
Only after trying to convince my colleagues would I consider distancing myself from the party’s position. I would likely feel the need to do so if a position failed to recognize Anglophone communities as partners in Quebec’s development.
Jimmy Paquin — Équipe Autonomiste, Granby
We want to cut unnecessary spending when it comes to subsidies, but for a major attraction like the zoo, all necessary funding would have to be maintained because it is an institution in Granby.
Léo Boivin — Parti communiste du Québec, Sherbrooke
The Communist Party of Québec has no other interests than those of the working class.
Hugo Fontaine — Parti libéral du Québec, Richmond
I chose the Quebec Liberal Party because I recognize myself in the party’s values. These values are historically consistent and stated in a clear and transparent manner : economic development, social justice, sustainable development, belonging to Canada, etc.
I carry these values with me every time I am in the Richmond riding, and do so with the same transparency. I am convinced that they resonate with my fellow citizens across the riding.
I have said it repeatedly since the beginning of the campaign: I am running first and foremost for my native region – the Townships! The fact our leader Charles Milliard, lives and is also running in the Townships, reinforces my confidence that the interests of Townshippers will be well defended by the Liberal Party at the National Assembly!
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