Federal election candidates: Their platforms, issues & promises
Lynne Lavery
Local Journalism Initiative
Published in the Pontiac Journal on April 23, 2025.
FORT-COULONGE – Five candidates in the April 28 federal election met for the first time at the Pontiac Conference Centre, April 8, to explain their parties’ positions to a small, invited audience. The session was moderated by François Carrier, former director of CHIP FM, and broadcast the next day; it was a collaboration between CHIP FM, Le Droit and the Regional Association of West Quebecers (RAWQ). The candidates participating were Claude Bertrand (Green Party); Sophie Chatel (Liberal); Brian Nolan (Conservative); Todd Hoffman (Peoples’ Party); and Gilbert Whiteduck (NDP); the Bloc Québecois candidate, Suzanne Proulx was not present.
The candidates introduced themselves and explained why they would be the right choice to
represent the Pontiac-Kitigan Zibi riding in Parliament.
Bertrand spoke of his unique experiences and stressed the Green Party is here to champion
the environment: “The environment is not a hobby!” he stated.
Ms. Chatel spoke about the threats posed by the USA to Canada’s sovereignty and economy; she said Mark Carney, the Liberal leader, has the experience needed to keep Canada strong and united. She added despite these threats there are opportunities here to strengthen Canada’s economy.
Nolan insisted it is time for a change, with the Conservatives’ plan to help with affordability and reducing crime; he stressed that Pontiac’s natural resources need to be transformed locally.
Hoffman said his reputation is transparent and that he has given everything to the community. He noted that Pontiac has suffered economic hardships from globalization and government overreach.
Whiteduck stated that Canada “is not broken”; once we pull together there will be opportunities for Pontiac to thrive, he said, adding the NDP carries the values of working people and cautioned that promises remain only promises until they are put into place.
Dealing with tariffs from the USA
The American threats of tariffs elicited similar responses. Chatel repeated strength and unity are necessary, adding that building infrastructure from east to west to reach export markets in the EU and Asia are necessary. Bertrand said all parties need to work together facing these threats, while Nolan referred again to transforming natural resources into finished products. Whiteduck said standing together for what we believe was proven in the War of 1812. Hoffman, on the other hand, encouraged engaging with the US to create a more integrated North American economy.
Mayor Christine Francoeur of Fort-Coulonge, brought it down to specifics noting that a part required for the town’s water system comes from the States and is now more expensive. Answers to her concerns included re-opening negotiations (Conservative); grants for municipalities (Green); an explanation of how counter-tariffs are decided and must involve municipalities (Liberal); the importance of having potable water (NDP); and the need for government to help municipalities because they don’t have the resources to deal with situations like this (PPC).
Misinformation and supporting local media
Lily Ryan, the Journal’s publisher, asked about the current landscape of misinformation, how that ties into protecting democracy, and the importance of keeping local media thriving. All candidates agreed that local media is very important as it brings people together, keeps them informed on local issues, adding these need public funding to survive.
Agriculture questions
Claude Vallière, president of Pontiac’s UPA, asked about direct federal aid to producers touched by the tariffs, in the form of non-refundable loans. He wanted a guarantee that the aid would be quickly accessible for local farm producers. Bertrand commented that farms can’t be just left to fail, and insurance and grants should help. Chatel agreed on the need to protect farmers, starting with the removal of interprovincial barriers, and listed 3 programs available for farmers, one with support up to $6M. Whiteduck noted there are lots of promises but also lots of bureaucracy, confirming the need for a quick response. Nolan said Tories would give support up to $2M per year, whereas Hoffman warned of farmers falling into the trap of having to repay these loans.
Gema Villavicencio, owner of Pure Conscience Farm, asked about specific support to encourage sustainable agriculture and the equitable distribution of those funds. Chatel responded that they are working on a program with $1.53 million to help farmers with “climate resilience”. She also referenced clean technologies available.
Business and new technology development
Sébastien Bonnerot, president of the Chamber of Commerce asked two questions about economic vitality and business development in the Pontiac. Hoffman expressed the need for widening Highway 148 to increase traffic volume; Nolan agreed adding the need for better cell phone infrastructure. Bertrand disagreed, saying that more roads mean more urban sprawl, and that better public transportation was more important. Chatel repeated the need to remove interprovincial barriers, and to invest in building more homes. Whiteduck cautioned on the need to respect provincial jurisdictions and encouraged looking at new international markets; he also stressed the need to protect biodiversity.
In new technology training, Chatel noted that MRC Pontiac would be one of eight MRCs given priority for development, citing the work done by SADC Pontiac and Economic Development Canada. Whiteduck emphasized the need for training youth and creating good employment opportunities to make them want to stay, while Nolan said his government would invest up to $4 million in trades training; Bertand stressed the need to make more use of AI; and Hoffman said more support and workshops would encourage new entrepreneurs.
Other questions touched on housing, with all promising more funding; on cutting the CBC, with the Conservatives in favour and the Liberals opposed; English language rights within Quebec; the removal of the Carbon Tax and concerns over the nuclear dump proposed upstream at CNL.
Second meeting of candidates
Tuesday, April 15 saw the candidates meet for a second time at the Little Red Wagon Winery, with a small crowd of invitees in attendance. Organized by The Equity and the Chamber of Commerce this meeting was described as “not a debate but a conversation” although there was some sparring between the PCC and Liberal candidates. Questions were similar with the addition of one on healthcare (a provincial responsibility) and another on Canada’s stand on the war in Gaza; most candidates said it was a complex situation and Canada should not intervene, with the exception of the NDP and the Green candidate who called it a genocide.
The Green, NDP and PCC candidates also brought up electoral reform and the need to replace the current first-past-the-post” system for proportional representation. This would reflect the percentage of votes received by each party; example: 10% of the votes equals 10 seats in parliament.
To read more about each party’s positions on these and other topics see pages 26-28 in this issue.
