diane lebouthillier

FEDERAL ELECTION: Diane Lebouthillier confirms her candidacy 

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GRANDE-RIVIÈRE – Despite already confirming her candidacy on March 13, following her exclusion from Prime Minister-designate Mark Carney’s cabinet, Diane Lebouthillier reiterated on March 17 that she will be running in the next election under the Liberal banner in a virtual press briefing. 

Bloc Québécois candidate Alexis Deschênes was quick to respond. 

“I know that since last week’s announcement, many have been speculating about my political future. I’m not going anywhere.” “I remain the Member of Parliament (MP) for Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, and I am more motivated than ever to seek the confidence of the people of Gaspésie and the Magdalen Islands for the fourth time in the next federal election,” says Ms. Lebouthillier, who wants to continue fighting for her people and has been questioned several times since March 13 by voters. 

She wanted to reassure her constituents, who have repeatedly asked her about her political future.  “I intend to put all my expertise, my knowledge of government mechanisms, and my network of contacts in the Cabinet to work because a Liberal member of Parliament in government will always be 100 times more effective than a Bloc Québécois member condemned to opposition,” she asserts. 

Ms. Lebouthillier points out that she has spoken to nearly a dozen ministers since March 13. “In all the election campaigns I’ve run, I’ve never negotiated a seat on the cabinet. It’s never been part of my way of working. It’s the Prime Minister’s prerogative to choose who will sit at the table,” says Ms. Lebouthillier who didn’t see Mark Carney’s gesture as a disavowal. 

She’s going against all odds, regardless of the polls.  “In 2015, we were the third horse. No one thought we could win the 2015 campaign, and we did. I’m not running because we’re sure or not sure we’ll win. I’m running because it’s important for the riding to have an elected official who will be part of a government that can and will be in power. A government that will make decisions,” analyzes the outgoing MP. 

But Bloc Québécois candidate Alexis Deschênes has a completely different view. “This shows that Ms. Lebouthillier is a little confused and quite bothered because her main argument was to say, ‘Vote for me and I’ll be a strong voice in government.’ However, she has been excluded from the Cabinet. Mr. Carney has withdrawn his confidence in her,” comments Mr. Deschênes. 

The Bloc member even challenges her.  “She tells us she’s motivated? We’re going to test her motivation. I invite her to debate in all the riding’s MRCs during the election campaign, and we’ll see who has the best plan to defend the region at this important moment in our history,” he maintains. 

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American tariffs: Lebouthillier meets with prefects 

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The region’s prefects met with the Member of Parliament for the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands, Diane Lebouthillier, to discuss their concerns about how the economic situation in the region will be affected by the United States President, Donald Trump’s fixation on tariffs. 

During a meeting in Gaspé on February 6, the prefect of the Côte-de-Gaspé MRC, Daniel Côté, summarized the main request made to the federal government. 

“That we have help with the liquidity of certain companies confined to the American market. Companies with deep pockets are fine. But companies that are a bit like start-ups, have more difficulty restructuring towards other markets. By the time they get through a potential crisis with the American government, they may need help. I am currently visiting our businesses and that is what is coming out a lot,” says Mr. Côté, who is also the mayor of Gaspé. 

“I had requested this meeting to work and inform them about what is happening with Team Canada and tell them that they are an integral part of Team Canada. As Minister of Fisheries, I also wanted to tell them about the meetings I had in the community,” says Ms. Lebouthillier. 

“We know that the municipal government is closest to the citizens. The next few years will be difficult. In the fisheries sector, the next season is coming up and it is important to work together and be on the lookout for impacts on the population. The information must circulate from top to bottom, but also from bottom to top. It is a collaborative effort,” she says. 

The Côte-de-Gaspé prefect also mentions the fisheries sector, which was discussed during the meeting. He mentioned the issue of exploratory lobster fishing and its distribution. “We will wait for the results and I have concerns for the shrimp and turbot fishermen. I dare to hope that there will be special attention put on them. There are not enough permits for everyone, but if a few could have permits, we would like that,” says Mr. Côté. 

“Receptivity is good in Ottawa and Quebec. I think everyone wants to start diversifying their markets,” added the prefect. 

Opening up trade in the Canadian market must be democratized. 

“I have been hearing about market diversification for about twenty years. It seems that every time things return to normal, we return to our old habits. We have international agreements and we must ensure that our products can be sold everywhere in Canada,” says Ms. Lebouthillier. 

For many companies, it is easier to do business in the United States than in other Canadian provinces. 

Ms. Lebouthillier is confident that “If the team remains strong, we can get through this.” 

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Ottawa to provide $10M for 11 projects in the Gaspé Peninsula

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

Bonaventure: – The federal government is granting $10.1 million to 11 businesses and organizations in the Gaspé Peninsula to support their development, resulting in total investments of $86.5 million. 

“When we look at the Gaspésie promoters, people who work very hard for economic development and producing wealth in the Gaspésie, we see how dynamic, job-creating and diversified our businesses are in the territory. This is positive for a region like ours,” said Diane Lebouthillier, Member of Parliament for the Gaspé Peninsula and the Magdalen Islands, and Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, who made the announcement during a press briefing on January 10 in Bonaventure. 

The Bioparc de la Gaspésie in Bonaventure receives the largest share, with $2.7 million non-refundable out of a total investment of $7.8 million. The project aims to improve and enhance the tourism offering by implementing the first phase of its 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. This includes the overhaul of four ecosystems, the creation of new animal habitats, the expansion and renovation of the animal care building, the construction of an exhibition pavilion, the redevelopment of public spaces, the expansion of sanitary spaces, the development of digital and scientific content, as well as a marketing strategy. 

Merinov receives $2 million to strengthen its innovation and technology transfer capacities by establishing the Merinov Innovation Hub in Grande-Rivière to better support the Quebec fisheries, aquaculture and bioresources industry. The spaces will offer five technological platforms related in particular to sustainable fishing gear, microalgae, the valorization of algae and co-products, a fish breeding room with modern effluent treatment technologies and ecophysiology and biology laboratories. The project is worth $31.2 million. 

Groupe AEM Canada of Cap-Chat is also receiving $2 million to increase the production capacity of the start-up company that specializes in the manufacture of high-purity alumina. This $27.7 million project will allow it to acquire and install specialized equipment, expand a building to add clean calcination rooms and increase its working capital. 

Cuisimer of Saint-Maxime-du-Mont-Louis receives $1.9 million to increase production capacity and improve the productivity of the seafood processing company. Cusimer will expand its plant, add lobster tanks, a lobster sorter, a conveyor and cooling and air conditioning systems. The project requires $7.5 million in investments. 

Several smaller projects are also being supported through Canada Economic Development for Quebec. 

Les Bateliers de Percé will receive $333,750 of $445,000 to modernize and expand its boat to increase capacity. 

The Accès Micro crédit Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine project is being granted $252,000 non-repayable on a $965,000 project to promote the economic development of official language minority communities in the Gaspé Peninsula and the Magdalen Islands, by offering support, coaching and training activities to English-speaking entrepreneurs. 

The Parc régional Petite-Cascapédia receives $250,000 non-repayable funding to create a zone for beginner downhill skiers and snowboarders, part of a total investment of $780,000. 

The Regroupement des pêcheurs professionnels du Sud de la Gaspésie will be able to complete the technological development of the JOBEL national software package (electronic logbook allowing fishermen to transmit their commercial fishing data) and its marketing in the Atlantic provinces with a contribution of $201,000 from the federal government. 

The Village en chanson de Petite-Vallée received $180,000 for marketing the 2024, 2025 and 2026 editions of the Festival en chanson de Petite-Vallée. 

A sum of $144,500 is reserved to enhance the tourism offer of the Corporation de développement de La Martre by setting up historical interpretation trails of the La Martre lighthouse by creating and implementing an escape game in the lighthouse keeper’s house, including rental improvements, as well as by developing an artifact exhibition room, a $205,000 project. 

Finally, Concept K will be able to improve its productivity and increase its production capacity with $125,000 out of $610,000 to acquire and install new production equipment and relocate the activities of the Sainte-Anne-des-Monts service point to a new location. 

“The Gaspé Peninsula is going to be a part of Canada’s economic recovery and we see that with our promoters, we have to hold our own. We are a tourist region, a resource region. We are a region that innovates in fisheries. Investing in the region is profitable for the region, for Quebec and for Canada,” says Ms. Lebouthillier. 

This announcement comes despite parliament being prorogued until the end of March. “That doesn’t stop departments from operating, working on projects and making announcements,” says Ms. Lebouthillier. 

Ottawa to provide $10M for 11 projects in the Gaspé Peninsula Read More »

The UMQ sets its sights on the federal contribution of the gas tax

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

Québec Municipalities (UMQ) is asking the Government of Canada to substantially increase its contribution to the Gas Tax and Quebec Contribution Program (TECQ). 

The UMQ is drawing attention to the nearly 30% per region in the federal envelope compared to the previous period. 

“We have the Quebec government, which has increased its contribution in contrast to the old program. Unfortunately, what we’re denouncing today is that the federal government’s contribution has been reduced by $338 million. We’re calling on the federal government to accede to and respect its commitments to increase its contributions in a context of adaptation to climate change, which is the challenge of the hour,” noted UMQ President Martin Damphousse, following the organization’s Board of Directors meeting in Gaspé on September 20, a first in its 103-year history. 

The total contribution from provincial and federal governments is $3.2 billion. 

“It is the most appreciated program in the municipal sector because it affects underground infrastructure and, in the context of climate change, it is the most important and necessary program,” adds the UMQ President. 

For the Gaspé Peninsula, the reduction will have an impact of $4.9 million, with $2.5 million for the Town of Gaspé alone, according to the UMQ. 

The federal government’s view differs. Recently, Member of Parliament (MP) Diane Lebouthillier sent a communication to the media confirming that for the five-year cycle that started in 2024, the federal government is transferring $2.81 billion to Quebec. 

“This is an increase of almost 10% compared to the previous cycle ($2.57 billion),” she wrote. 

“On the one hand, it seems that the difference of $600 million (between the $2.8 billion I am talking about and the $2.2 billion announced by the Quebec government) is intended for a program for public transit infrastructure, as was the case in the previous cycle. In terms of percentage, the federal government’s contribution ($2.2 billion: 70%) remains at the same level compared to that of the Quebec government ($1 billion: 30%),” says Ms. Lebouthillier. 

“What is fascinating is that we see that the MPs are trying to convince us that they are right.” But the reality is that we have a report that clearly states the amount we will receive individually: the Quebec portion and the federal portion. And each time, everyone unanimously says that we are in deficit compared to the old program. I am certain that the UMQ’s data is correct,” replies Mr. Damphousse. 

The MP for the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands adds that to address the challenges associated with the pandemic, the federal government transferred additional funds to municipalities, namely $504 million in 2019-20 and $495 million in 2020-21, for a total of nearly one billion dollars. 

“Although the TECQ administrative vehicle was used to facilitate the transfer from Ottawa to the municipalities, it was not a recurring increase in the program envelope,” the minister explained. 

“The federal government added amounts, but we are not talking about these amounts. There is no reference to these amounts. These are amounts that were granted in a specific context. They are not considered when comparing the two former programs. They are removed. Despite everything, by removing them, we arrive at a deficit of $338 million,” explains Mr. Damphousse. 

In 2023, the deficit for water infrastructure reached $45 billion, compared to $38 billion in 2022, according to the municipal union. 

The battle is being waged at all levels in hopes that the federal government will listen to reason. 

 

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