Voters in Quebec are gearing up for the provincial election scheduled for Monday. As part of our coverage, we reached out to candidates to gather their perspectives on the Outaouais region, specifically focusing on the challenges and opportunities presented by its proximity to Ontario. Four out of five political parties shared their insights on the matter.
Coalition Avenir Québec’s candidate, Mathieu Lévesque, highlighted the party’s efforts to boost investment in the Outaouais. He emphasized rectifying the historical underfunding of the region by the previous Liberal government. The CAQ has committed to supporting healthcare workers, constructing a new health hub, and initiating the groundwork for a new hospital.
Regarding the Conservative Party of Quebec, they did not provide a response to our interview request, but they have candidates contesting in all five ridings in the region.
The Liberal Party of Quebec pledged to achieve pay parity for healthcare professionals in the Outaouais compared to their Ontario counterparts. They also intend to bridge the healthcare funding gap across regions. Sacha Cannon, running for the Liberals in Hull, emphasized prioritizing the region’s economic development, particularly in fostering business connections with Ottawa and Ontario.
Parti Québécois candidate Raphaël Déry underscored the party’s historical commitment to infrastructure development in the Outaouais. He highlighted the need to address the lack of investment in regional infrastructure and advocated for local decision-making in healthcare to retain skilled workers.
Québec Solidaire’s candidate, Mariève Forest, focused on enhancing working conditions and public services in the Outaouais. She stressed the importance of providing adequate training opportunities to encourage individuals to settle in the region instead of migrating to Ontario. Forest also discussed the potential impact of Quebec independence on federal workers, suggesting a collaborative approach to leveraging their expertise post-independence.