Sarah Pledge Dickson, LJI Journalist
Pontiac MNA André Fortin met with constituents Friday night at the Little Red Wagon Winery in Clarendon to address concerns from members of the region’s English-speaking community about certain provincial policies some feel are having a negative impact on the Pontiac region.
A small crowd showed up to the event hosted by the Regional Association of West Quebecers (RAWQ), including mayors, business owners and MRC Pontiac warden Jane Toller.
Fortin started the event by chatting with guests about the specific concerns they had, which included access to healthcare services, road signage, interprovincial trade barriers and bringing back community French-language courses to the region.
“Events like this allow me to get direct access to you, what you think and what you want to prioritize,” Fortin said. “I appreciate you all being honest and not holding back on your priorities that you think I and the province should be working on.”
When asked how he would work with the federal government to improve healthcare, Fortin said he wants to improve conditions for new doctors to help with retention. He called on the citizens of the Pontiac to advocate for the causes they believe in.
Fortin also expressed concern over the recently released budget and additional cuts that might be coming down the line, including to healthcare services.
Despite concerns that were raised, Fortin highlighted a win for the province’s English school boards.
On Thursday, Quebec’s Bill 40, which would have amended the province’s Education Act to replace all elected school boards with service centres run by government appointees, was reaffirmed as unconstitutional by a Quebec Court of Appeal.
In its Apr. 3 decision, the Quebec Court of Appeal cited section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms which protects minority language rights.
“There’s a way to promote the English language without trampling on people’s rights,” Fortin said. “There’s a way to promote and protect the French language without circumventing the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
There’s a way to make people want to learn the French language.”
He said that he hopes to continue to be a voice for English-speaking communities in Quebec.
“One thing people told me when I became MNA for this area is a big part of defending the area is defending the English-language people in the area,” Fortin said. “There are not many voices in Quebec City that stand up for the English-speaking communities.”
RAWQ announces new president
Friday’s event was also used to introduce RAWQ’s new president, Chad Bean, who will be taking over from outgoing president David Gillespie. Gillespie called last year a “transition year” and said this year is “mission accomplished.”
Gillespie also announced that RAWQ was successful in securing additional funding which will double their existing funds and last for more than one year with the possibility of renewal down the road.
“Aside from having a super staff and great board that really worked together well, we now have doubled our funding and [have] multi-year funding,” Gillespie announced, adding that this has never happened before.
RAWQ director Alina Holmes said the organization is also working to begin offering community French-language classes again, which she said were very popular in the Pontiac before previous grant money expired.
They will also be starting French– and English–language meetups in April for people to practice their language skills in a social setting.