alexis dechenes

Alexis Deschênes’ priorities for fall session in Ottawa

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / September 17, 2025 / alexis dechenes, gaspesie, mna, nelson sergerie, pozzolan, train, Transportation

Nelson Sergerie, LJI

CARLETON-SUR-MER – Alexis Deschênes, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine-Listuguj, plans on prioritizing the train, fisheries, and infrastructure during the fall session in Ottawa.

The Bloc MP attended his party’s caucus on September 8 and 9 in Quebec City in preparation for the parliamentary session that opened on September 15.

“…The return of passenger trains as soon as the rail line is completed. We know that in Port-Daniel, the locomotives and cars can travel on the rail line. We’re going to put maximum pressure on VIA Rail to get them to come back with their analysis, which they’re currently conducting, and to go back to the drawing board and tell us where they stand. What we’re hoping for is a partial return,” says Mr. Deschênes. “If that’s not the response we get, we’ll just increase the pressure until they change their minds,” he adds.

Mr. Deschênes hopes to see the federal government’s involvement in the next budget for rail to Gaspé. “Can the federal government contribute? We’ll exert pressure in that direction,” says the MP.

In other infrastructure, he notes the Port of Matane and the extension of the runway at the Magdalen Islands airport.

In the fisheries sector, the MP will prioritize the Fisheries Fund, which will need to be renewed, along with the diversification of export markets. “It’s really important. Money needs to be made available for this,” says the MP.

The pozzolan mine and the Cap-des-Rosiers lighthouse are also on his list of priorities, as he aims to bring these citizens’ demands to Ottawa.

In the upcoming budget, expected this fall, Alexis Deschênes hopes for a response to his concerns. “Funding to enable the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine region to acquire infrastructure that will improve mobility and prosperity, and a renewed Fisheries Fund because it allows for innovation,” he says.
The big question will also remain, the size of the deficit, which could reach $100 million.

Mark Carney’s Liberal government will table a budget this fall. “We’ll see to what extent Mr. Carney has managed to outspend Justin Trudeau in just a few months, something we didn’t think possible,” the Bloc member emphasizes.

Over the summer, Mr. Deschênes built a team to support him in his role as MP.

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MP says there’s nothing good for Quebec in the Speech from the Throne

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / June 11, 2025 / alexis dechenes, gaspesie, nelson sergerie, Parliament

Nelson Sergerie, LJi Journalist

OTTAWA – Alexis Deschênes, the Bloc Québécois Member of Parliament (MP) for the riding of Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine-Listuguj believes that the Speech from the Throne, read on May 27, by King Charles III, in Parliament, contains nothing for Quebec’s regions.

In his first appearance in the House of Commons, Alexis Deschênes spoke on behalf of his party during an “Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne.”

“The Speech from the Throne gives no space to the interests of our regions. We are coming off an election campaign totally focused on the importance of protecting our economy from Donald Trump. Yet, the Speech from the Throne makes no mention of Quebec’s forestry industry and its needs in the softwood lumber dispute. It makes no mention of aluminum, one of the sectors hit by American tariffs. It makes no mention of fisheries, a sector as precious as it is fragile, whose exports are far too dependent on the Americans,” the MP asserted.

According to him, the speech, read by a British monarch, could have been written in London, “It is so out of touch with the needs of Quebecers.”

Meanwhile, moments before Mr. Deschênes’ first address to Parliament, members of the Bloc Québécois caucus welcomed his arrival in the House, and the MP also emphasized the trust placed in him by voters.

“I will strive at every opportunity to live up to it and defend the interests of Quebec and its regions,” the MP promised.

Furthermore, the MP has been named the Bloc Québécois critic for fisheries, oceans, the coast guard, and the St. Lawrence Seaway. The Bloc member sees this role as an additional role to that of Deputy House Leader.

Mr. Deschênes said he has met with several fishermen, plant workers, and industry stakeholders in recent weeks and intends to remain attentive. Among his priorities, the elected official will seek funding for economic diversification missions, create an independent agency for the management of stocks, permits, and quotas, improve port infrastructure, and correct the injustices experienced by pelagic fishermen.

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