Arnaud de la Salle
The Journal contacted the five Liberal candidates for the Pontiac riding and asked this question:
If the Liberals win the next election, what will you do to improve the economy of the Pontiac, which is considered the poorest MRC in Quebec? Members of the Liberal party will cast their votes October 25.
Cindy Duncan Mc Millan
Arnaud de la Salle
The Journal contacted the five Liberal candidates for the Pontiac riding and asked this question:
If the Liberals win the next election, what will you do to improve the economy of the Pontiac, which is considered the poorest MRC in Quebec? Members of the Liberal party will cast their votes October 25.
Cindy Duncan Mc Millan
“The MRC Pontiac needs serious investment and attention from both Federal and Provincial Governments. Natural resources have been shipped out for years, but wealth has not been returned. The Pontiac is viewed as the end of the line, but I see it as the gateway to the rest of Quebec. It’s time our people stay here and others are attracted; we need an Auto-Route, new houses, and schools as well as facilities and government programs to assist existing businesses. Programs to encourage the agriculture and forestry industries are needed and we need our products to be transformed here to create jobs and keep the wealth here.”
Josey Bouchard
“The MRC has been hit hard by job losses in the forestry industry. We must focus on research to develop new products made from wood, support the creation of small and medium businesses that will make these new products, and support the development and export of the products to Asian countries such as India. We must also support the tourism industry by allowing more advertising to attract overseas tourists and, in collaboration with other levels of government, help build the infrastructure necessary for this industry.”
Will Amos
“We need jobs, investment and infrastructure. We need to protect our rural communities and work towards long term prosperity. We need better services, affordable housing and support for fixed-income seniors. If we want our families to stay close together, then we need new federal infrastructure investments (including roads and water) to stimulate the economy and create jobs so young families can live here. I will ensure federal spending is strategic, leveraging private investment in the agriculture, tourism and forestry sectors. Where there are problems with federal regulators, or where a community grant proposal is important, I have Parliament Hill experience to move the file
forward.”
Eddie McCann
“As much as I have an interest in big business, I will push for strong, smaller, local projects that will enhance and balance the county’s economy. I will work to make myself known as the best unifier.”
Rory Nisan
“There is no easy answer; we can’t make unrealistic promises of hotels, resorts and other massive projects. Prosperity will come through hard work in combination with the strategic support of governments from all levels for our small businesses and communities. We must also obtain and improve larger things such as network connectivity and infrastructure, including Highway 148, to give the Pontiac’s people the chance to succeed.”
