By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Quebec Liberal MNA Désirée McGraw says she is hearing louder and more direct concerns from Eastern Townships residents about agriculture, higher education, and government cutbacks. McGraw, who represents Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and serves as her party’s spokesperson for the Estrie region, toured the area this week with fellow Liberal MNA André Fortin, critic for agriculture and higher education.
“We try to come at least once a month, and I usually come with a colleague to focus on themes that are priorities for the region,” McGraw said after her trip. “This time we came together around agriculture and higher education.”
Agriculture under pressure
The pair met with the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) during its AGM and spoke with farmers about mounting challenges. McGraw said she heard repeated concerns that “so many people who work in the sector feel that they’re not set up for success.” Farmers cited high debt loads, difficulties attracting younger generations, and penalties that limit access to subsidies if they take on outside jobs.
“There’s a lot of stress, high levels of anxiety,” she noted. “People are passionate about the work they do, but they spend more of their time dealing with an enormous administrative burden instead of being in the field.”
McGraw also visited one of Quebec’s oldest vineyards in Magog, where owners told her that the SAQ’s practices and international wine promotion create “a real disincentive, almost a punitive approach to Quebec producers.”
Higher education at risk
At the Université de Sherbrooke, McGraw said she was impressed by the institution’s research output, economic impact, and sustainable development leadership. The university is aiming for carbon negativity even as it expands, and has raised $230 million toward a $250 million fundraising goal.
But she warned that government cutbacks are hitting hard. “If you’re a university that’s growing, like the Université de Sherbrooke, you’re actually doubly penalized,” she said, pointing out that the reference year for cuts was 2020, during the pandemic.
McGraw also raised concerns about rhetoric from the government which she described as “anti-university and anti-students,” making it harder to attract international talent.
At Bishop’s University, she highlighted recent collaboration through the Bishop’s Forum, which brings together young anglophones from across Quebec. “It’s a wonderful coming together of emerging leaders… and a very inclusive approach to how you define what it means to be an English-speaker in Quebec.”
She said Bishop’s remains under pressure despite some tuition hikes being rolled back after strong community mobilization. “There’s been a real concrete impact and difficult decisions having to be made,” she said, blaming what she called the CAQ government’s “very regressive approach to higher education and targeting English-speaking historic universities.”
Tariffs and small business
Beyond agriculture and education, McGraw noted new difficulties for small businesses since the end of August, when the de minimis exemption for cross-border exports under $800 was removed. “That’s been a huge hit for small businesses across Quebec,” she said. Some firms are considering absorbing the costs, but others may relocate operations to the U.S., she added.
Cuts, deficits, and trust
McGraw criticized the CAQ government’s budget decisions, particularly cuts that have driven school boards to litigation. “It’s a very sad day when the cuts are so deep that school boards have no choice but to take the Quebec government to court,” she said. “Precious resources are being devoted to that instead of services to students.”
She argued that the government has “broken the social contract” with Quebecers. “We pay the highest taxes in North America, and we’re not getting the public services in education, health, and social services. We also have a record deficit. It’s completely untenable.”
McGraw emphasized that she intends to keep returning to the region regularly, often staying near Bishop’s University. “Pretty much every time I come to the Eastern Townships and stay overnight, I stay with my friends who live right next to the campus,” she said, adding that she keeps “in close touch with the community in the Eastern Townships.”