A challenger steps up: Josey Bouchard running for warden
Mélissa Gélinas
Local Journalism Initaitive
Published in the Pontiac Journal on July 16, 2025.
MRC PONTIAC – Josey Bouchard—activist, volunteer, teacher, and municipal councillor in Campbell’s Bay—has officially announced her candidacy for Warden of MRC Pontiac in the election scheduled for November 2, 2025.
“After a lot of reflection, I felt this might be the next step in my path,” said Bouchard.
“I’m putting my whole heart into this race and hope people choose what speaks to their hearts,” she added.
Background
For over a decade, Bouchard served as campaign director for her mother, Charlotte L’Écuyer, former Liberal MNA for the Pontiac riding. “I’ve been involved in politics for quite a long time,” she said. “I know exactly what it takes to be active in political life.”
She has also volunteered for several years with the Pontiac Agricultural Society, currently serving as first vice-president. “One of our key events is the Shawville Fair, held over the Labour Day weekend,” she explained. “I’ve been involved in the community for a long time and stay informed about what’s going on. ”Health care is one of the issues closest to her heart. “Since 2015, I’ve been advocating to raise awareness of the problems that followed the mega-merger with the urban health network, particularly regarding health and social services,” she said.
Economy and priorities
On the economic front, Bouchard acknowledges that the region faces many challenges.
She believes it’s important to support entrepreneurship and help small and medium-sized businesses. “We need to develop alternative markets so we’re not relying solely on products from the United States,” she said.
She also pointed to forestry, tourism, and cellular coverage as major issues for MRC Pontiac. Addressing them, she says, will require continued advocacy and
representation at higher levels. “We absolutely must not give up—we need to keep pushing, pushing, pushing, and stay determined when it comes to the issues facing
our MRC,” she concluded.
