William Crooks
Mayor Évelyne Beaudin speaks at a press conference on April 7, outlining Sherbrooke’s federal priorities and urging local candidates to commit to concrete action

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

In a pointed and detailed press conference held on April 7 at Sherbrooke’s City Hall, Mayor Évelyne Beaudin called on federal election candidates to take concrete positions on critical issues facing the city. Flanked by local media, Beaudin outlined her top three federal priorities: restoring passenger rail service between Sherbrooke and Montréal, protecting drinking water sources, and developing the Sherbrooke airport into a hub for technology and innovation.

“The decisions made in Ottawa have a real impact on the ground here,” Beaudin stated early in her address, underscoring that federal involvement is essential for Sherbrooke’s development—even if municipal affairs fall primarily under provincial jurisdiction.

Beaudin stressed that with the third week of the federal campaign underway, it was time for local candidates to commit to specific action. “I want to hear concrete commitments,” she said, framing her press conference as both an invitation and a challenge to federal hopefuls.

Passenger rail: “a matter of economic development”

At the top of Beaudin’s list was the long-discussed return of a passenger train link between Sherbrooke and Montreal. She emphasized the city’s sustained population growth—over 10,000 new residents in less than four years—and the strategic importance of a reliable, weather-resilient transport link to the province’s metropolis.

Estimates for such a project hover around $1.3 billion, though Beaudin suggested the actual cost could be far higher. “It could be $4 or $5 billion and still be just as relevant,” she said. “The impact of efficient transport infrastructure on economic development is undeniable.”

She urged candidates to treat the file with the same urgency and visibility that has surrounded the Québec–Lévis third link. “Sherbrooke deserves just as much attention,” she insisted.

Clean water and invasive species: beyond infrastructure

The mayor’s second priority centred on the protection of drinking water sources, especially Lake Memphremagog. While Sherbrooke has received funding for infrastructure projects in the past, Beaudin stressed that protecting the city’s water requires more than pipes and plants.

She called attention to invasive species like zebra mussels and the increasing presence of chemical contaminants such as PFAS. “These are not problems a city can deal with alone,” Beaudin warned, calling for stricter national regulations and more federal investment in research and monitoring.

“Our drinking water becomes someone else’s wastewater—and vice versa,” she said. “This system is interconnected, and the federal government must take responsibility.”

Beaudin also highlighted that Sherbrooke had to front its own money to combat zebra mussel infiltration in its water systems, a cost she argued should be borne by higher levels of government. “It’s not right that we had to pay for that out of our municipal budget,” she said, calling for unconditional and more flexible federal funding.

A vision for the airport: a “Technopark” of the future

Beaudin’s third major file focused on the Sherbrooke airport, which sits on 563 hectares of land, with 360 hectares available for development. Rather than pursuing traditional passenger flight expansion, she proposed a new vision: a “Technopark” dedicated to innovation in aerospace, drones, and public safety technology.

“This is not about another industrial park with rows of large factories,” she explained. “It’s about research, development, and pilot projects that align with our region’s strengths.”

She pointed to Sherbrooke’s proximity to major institutions, an existing flight school, and a relatively uncongested airspace as unique assets. “We believe this site can propel the region forward,” Beaudin said.

Though the airport was once seeking formal federal designation, Beaudin said the focus has now shifted to attracting high-value industries and forging alignment among all levels of government.

Mixed signals from candidates

In response to media questions, Beaudin was frank about the lacklustre federal campaign so far. “It’s as if everything is already decided,” she said. “When candidates feel too comfortable, no one makes any promises—and without promises, there’s nothing to hold them to.”

She reported having begun individual meetings with some candidates and said more would take place soon. However, she expressed disappointment with the limited engagement from some. “The Conservative candidate won’t say anything at all,” she noted. “That’s frustrating.”

She also called out the tendency for candidates to offer vague pro-environment statements without specifying regulatory changes or funding plans. “We don’t just want good intentions—we want standards to change,” she insisted.

Beaudin acknowledged that some federal funding is already available but tied up at the provincial level. “There’s money, but it’s blocked,” she said. “It needs to flow directly to the regions.”

She reiterated the need to rethink housing development strategies, linking the housing crisis with infrastructure shortfalls. “We can’t keep building if our systems can’t handle the wastewater,” she said, emphasizing that federal involvement in infrastructure is essential for housing to expand.

Local media matter

Beaudin also pointed to the role of local media in pressing candidates to respond. “The fact that we still have a vibrant local media ecosystem here in Sherbrooke makes a big difference,” she said. She encouraged federal efforts to help local outlets survive and even floated the idea of Canada Post distributing local news free of charge.

As the event closed, Beaudin called on voters to push candidates for clarity and commitment. “If I can add my voice today to underline how important this campaign is, I will absolutely do so,” she said. “Because it does make a difference for the region.”

Beaudin confirmed that only the Bloc Québécois candidate had formally requested a meeting at that point, but she remained hopeful that other parties would respond.

“The issues are clear,” she concluded. “Now we need to hear the commitments.”