Brome-missisquoi candidate profiles
The Brome-missisquoi riding has somewhat of a colourful past at the federal level in recent years. Outgoing Liberal MP Denis Paradis won the 2015 election with 43.9 per cent of the vote.
In 2011, however, the riding was won by Pierre Jacob, representing the NDP.
In the 2006 and 2008 elections, Brome-missisquoi went to Bloc candidate Christian Ouellet. The 2004 election was won by Paradis for the Liberals.
Paradis is not running for re-election. There are eight candidates looking to represent the Brome-missisquoi riding in Ottawa:
Allard, Monique (Bloc Québécois) Bessette, Lyne (Liberal)
Cloutier, Steeve (Parti Rhinocéros Party)
Côté, Bruno (Conservative)
Cotton, Lawrence (Vcp-veterans Coalition Party)
Dallaire, Normand (Green Party) Jetté, Sylvie (NDP-NEW Democratic Party)
Poulin, François (People's Party)
The Record got in touch with some of the candidates running in the election to hear what they feel are the most important issues in the riding.
Monique Allard said that since the campaign has started, the concern she has heard about most from citizens is railroad safety. “We have to follow that closely,” she said. Coventry Dump and clean drinking water is another priority, Allard said, as well as making sure the needs of seniors are met. “The price of medication is too high, Allard pointed out. Some seniors, she said, have to choose between buying medication or groceries at the end of the month. “They worked all their lives.”
“I love people. I think Brome-missisquoi could always count on me,” Allard said, when asked what strengths would make her a strong MP for the riding. “I spent my life helping people,” she said, explaining she is a retired postal worker, and was also the first woman to serve as head of the worker’s union. “I listen to people, she said.
When asked what she would tackle first if elected, Allard reiterated the importance of rail safety. While meeting citizens door to door, Allard said one person presented her with a selection of railway spikes, pulled out of the ground without the help of any tools.
“My door will be open to all citizens,”
Bloc candidate
Allard said, when asked what she could do to meet the needs of the English population. “We are all part of Quebec.”
NDP candidate
Sylvie Jetté pointed to a number of issues in the Brome-missisquoi riding she felt should be addressed. Protection of the environment and local lakes was top on her list, along with railroad safety. Jetté added that social services for seniors and mental health resources were lacking in the region. The labour shortage was another issue, she said, explaining that steps should be taken to facilitate recruitment in the riding. Public transport is another concern Jetté mentioned, as well as a need to promote local agricultural producers and support the local economy.
With a background as a nurse, Jetté said taking care of people comes naturally to her.
In addition to working as a nurse, she also has experience in management, and is currently teaching at the University of Sherbrooke. Jetté said her management and leadership experience make her a good candidate for Brome-missisquoi.
When asked about her priorities if elected, Jetté said Internet access is something that should be dealt with quickly for people in the riding. While she said all files would be of equal importance, she would make a plan if elected based on measures that could have a positive impact quickly in the region.
When asked about serving the English population, Jetté referred to the NDP platform to protect the French language, but recognized a need to be sensitive to the English population in Brome-missisquoi. While she had no specific plan in place, Jetté said she would be vigilant and answer the needs of the English community.
Liberal Party
candidate Lyne Bessette identified water and the health of local lakes and rivers as on of the main issues in the riding. She pointed out that because of the proximity with the border, more should be done to ensure actions south of the border don’t negatively affect Canadians.
Bessette added that clean water is connected other issues, like the health of the population, and tourism, which contributes to the economy.
“I am from here. I traveled all over the world, and I came back here. This is my home,” Bessette said, when asked about her strengths as a candidate.
As an athlete, Bessette said she faced many challenges and made many sacrifices to reach her goals. Her discipline has helped instill core values of perseverance and determination, qualities she believes would make her a good representative for the riding. Bessette added that after following her athletic career, she has been out in the community giving back by organizing events and conferences. “I am a fighter. I will fight for your rights,” she said.
According to Bessette, the Brome-missisquoi riding is a good example of cooperation between the French and English populations. “It’s great to see,” she said, adding that she is fluently bilingual and connected to both communities.
Dallaire,
candidate, identified the labour shortage in the riding, and the protection of local lakes as main issues.
Dallaire also stressed the importance of supporting local agricultural producers.
When asked about his strengths as a candidate, Dallaire explained that he is involved in several community organizations. He chose to run as a Green Party candidate because of his passion for the environment, pointing to his background
Normand
Green Party
in environmental studies.
“I bring people together,” Dallaire said, adding he would use his experience in different sectors (technology, agriculture, tourism) to unify groups and create good synergy.
Dallaire said that if elected, his first priority would be to put pressure on the U.S. to address the Coventry Dump. At the national level, Dallaire added that the Green Party would sink its teeth into tax havens and tax evasion, and recuperate those funds for green initiatives.
Dallaire admitted he is not bilingual, but was prepared to engage with eh English population. His vision for the riding is a bright future for French and English speakers, adding that it should equitable.
Conservative Party
candidate Bruno Côté declined The Record’s request for an interview.
People's Party
François Poulin did not respond to interview requests before press time.
The Record was unable to reach Lawrence Cotton, who is running for the
Veterans Coalition Party.
Steeve Cloutier is a candidate for the
Parti Rhinocéros Party.