William Crooks
Candidates at the April 15 debate in East Angus responded to a series of questions from the public, including concerns about inflation, housing, and food insecurity

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

With just under two weeks until the federal election, five of the six registered candidates in Compton–Stanstead met on April 15 at the community centre in East Angus for a bilingual public debate attended by roughly 50 citizens. Organized by the CDC du Haut-Saint-François and local partners, the evening focused partially on questions from the public, with the New Democratic Party’s Valérie Laliberté absent.

Questions ranged from agriculture and immigration to trade with the U.S., inflation, and housing. Candidates had one minute each to answer, followed by limited open exchanges. Though the atmosphere remained largely respectful, several pointed contrasts emerged between party platforms.

PFAS and fertilizer safety prompt strong reactions

A question about imported biosolid fertilizers and PFAS contaminants (“forever chemicals”) drew detailed responses from all candidates. Liberal candidate Marianne Dandurand said Ottawa was already acting to regulate the full class of PFAS chemicals: “We’re collecting data, financing research, and enforcing specific standards through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said, adding that the work begun under former Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau would continue if she were elected.

Green Party candidate Sébastien Tremblay called for “very severe” Canadian standards that exceed international norms. “We shouldn’t have to justify contaminants in our agriculture,” he said.

Paul Lehmann of the People’s Party of Canada (PPC), citing his background on a fish farm, voiced general support for stricter environmental standards but admitted, “I don’t have much more to add. I’m prepared for the other questions.”

Bloc Québécois candidate Nathalie Bresse argued that the issue isn’t just imports. “Refusing American biosolids while spreading our own is incoherent,” she said. “The real fight is getting PFAS out of our value chain entirely.”

Conservative Jacques Painchaud warned of the long-term risks posed by over 20,000 near-indestructible PFAS compounds. “We need to review importation regulations and fund more research,” he said, calling the situation a “public health concern.”

Immigration divides emerge

On immigration, candidates clashed over governance and social impact. Tremblay stressed that immigration “shouldn’t be a lever to drive wages down” and called for better infrastructure to support integration.

Lehmann of the PPC said Canada should return to a “merit-based” immigration model and criticized what he described as “mass immigration without proper planning,” claiming it strained social services.

Bresse reaffirmed the Bloc’s push for full immigration powers for Quebec, arguing federal policies are too one-size-fits-all. “Temporary immigration exploded under the Liberals,” she added.

Painchaud said Conservative reforms would link immigration levels to local housing and service capacity. “We’ll decentralize processes and invest in credential recognition,” he said.

Dandurand defended the Liberal record: “Immigration is essential to our region’s dynamism,” she said, noting investments in speeding up work permits and supporting municipalities. In response to Bresse’s critique, she pointed out that “Quebec already has the most autonomy on immigration in the country.”

Canada-U.S. relations spark policy contrasts

In discussing trade and tariffs, Tremblay urged local economic resilience. “Let’s invest in infrastructure that helps SMEs (small and medium enterprises) and stop putting agriculture and energy into trade deals,” he said.

Lehmann emphasized eliminating interprovincial trade barriers as a way to offset U.S. tariff pressures. “Let Maxime Bernier negotiate a better deal,” he added.

Bresse argued for a “Buy Canadian Act” modelled on the U.S. version. “We need to fight fire with fire,” she said, adding that Liberal trade deals had “sacrificed” Quebec agriculture.

Painchaud called for renegotiating NAFTA, protecting key sectors like dairy and lumber, and establishing a business stabilization fund to weather trade turbulence.

Dandurand responded that many such measures were “already in place,” citing supply chain investments and interprovincial trade improvements. “With Mark Carney, we have a strong plan for a more resilient economy.”

Housing affordability and cost of living remain top of mind

On inflation, Lehmann linked cost of living to immigration levels, while Bresse highlighted the Bloc’s proposal to increase pensions and reform employment insurance.

Painchaud said the Conservatives would scrap the carbon tax, cut income tax by 15 per cent, and offer targeted aid to food banks. Dandurand emphasized Liberal plans to double housing starts, eliminate GST on first-time home purchases, and expand dental care.

Tremblay advocated taxing large grocery chains and redistributing wealth. “Three companies profited while prices soared. That’s the root of inflation,” he said.

Debate heated up during exchanges. Tremblay questioned how tax cuts would address structural inequality, while Bresse challenged Dandurand on why Quebecers receive no rebate for Ottawa’s carbon tax credits, which don’t apply in Quebec. Dandurand replied that “Quebec runs its own carbon pricing system that already meets federal benchmarks.”

Local housing solutions discussed

The final question focused on social housing. Bresse and Painchaud both pushed for more local autonomy and faster access to funding. Painchaud suggested tying funding to municipal construction targets and repurposing federal properties for housing.

Dandurand countered that “Quebec has withdrawn from leadership” on housing and that Ottawa stepped in with unique agreements tailored to Quebec’s needs. She said $900 million in federal funding had already been transferred and emphasized the importance of continued cooperation.

Tremblay warned against privatization and called for expanded public housing and direct support to low-income renters.

Laliberté absent, crowd engaged

Though NDP candidate Valérie Laliberté did not attend, organizers allowed each present candidate equal time, ensuring a balanced exchange. The debate was the final major public event before the April 28 vote.

With audience members taking photos and applauding key remarks, the event reaffirmed strong local interest in federal issues, even in a riding with a leading candidate projected to win by a wide margin.