Fortin touts Liberal record in Estrie

Sherbrooke MNA Luc Fortin is quite satisfied with the Quebec government’s record in terms of serving the interests of the Estrie region he says, while summarizing the achievements.

According to Fortin, who is also Minister of Culture and Communications, Minister responsible for the Protection and Promotion of the French Language, and Minister responsible for the Estrie, "every day, the Estrie caucus works to ensure that the region can continue to develop in a prosperous and sustainable way. Since 2014, my colleagues and I have been on the ground, listening to citizens, and we are representing their interests in the National Assembly. We have taken several steps to improve health care, to offer better educational services and to diversify our cultural and sports offerings."

In terms of health care, Fortin points to investment of $198 million for the construction of the Mother-child Center will also include redevelopment of the Fleurimont hospital emergency room and the opening of the first superclinic in Sherbrooke. A second superclinic will also open and open this fall.

In the case of Mount Hereford, the Quebec government , Fortin would only commit to making “the best possible decision considering the importance of encouraging the export of electricity to the United States and the considerable economic benefits that will bring. The government will take a responsible position and will take into account the economic, environmental and heritage realities of the site.”

Fortin also points to what he calls an “an exceptional unemployment rate of 5.5 per cent - lower than the Quebec average that already shows the effectiveness of the measures implemented by our government."

Fortin’s balance sheet also highlighted

• The creation of the Regional Outreach Fund (FARR), which will provide Estrie with just over $2 million this year and almost $7 million over five years to support regional projects.

• Reinvestment of $333 million in public transit over the next five years and financial assistance for special transportation for the Société de transport de Sherbrooke.

• Government funding of $4 million over the next five years to the Université de Sherbrooke Research Chair in Taxation and Public Finance to maintain Québec expertise in tax policy and tax law.

• Investing $150 million in the Life Sciences Strategy.

• Allocation of $159 million to support investment and competitiveness of agricultural businesses.

• $24 million in financial assistance for the production of forest seedlings and for the control of spruce budworm in private forests, which represents more than 90 per cent of the wooded area in the Eastern Townships;

• Support for government fish farms, such as Baldwin-coaticook.

• Additional appropriations of $123 million over the next five years to enhance Québec's tourism attractions, credits to support the Société des lieux de plein air (SÉPAQ), which will benefit the Mont-orford, Mont-mégantic, and Frontenac provincial parks.

Finally, since April 1, 2014, Investissement Québec has authorized 229 financial interventions in the Estrie region. These interventions, worth $91 million, supported projects worth a total of $356 million and created or consolidated close to 2,416 jobs.