$383 million invested over two years in the Gaspé riding, according to Stéphane Sainte-Croix
Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist
GASPÉ – In his mid-term report, Stéphane Sainte-Croix, the Member of the National Assembly (MNA) for Gaspé says that the Quebec government has invested more than $383 million in two years in the riding.
Taking stock of his first two years in the National Assembly on January 8 in Gaspé, Stéphane Sainte-Croix gave a long list of projects supported since the October 2022 election, saying he was proud of the results.
“To have succeeded in taking my place, bringing my complex issues. There are 125 MNAs. There are challenges everywhere in Quebec. When I look at my roadmap, I am very proud of what we do every day,” said Stéphane Sainte-Croix, mentioning his team’s contribution to achieving this.
The MNA mentioned $55 million invested in culture and heritage, $64 million in health, including the renovation of the emergency room at the Sainte-Anne-des-Monts hospital, the redevelopment and expansion of the hemodialysis unit and the short-term hospitalization centre at the Gaspé hospital.
Another $40 million was put forward for seniors, including the Maison des aînés in Rivière-au-Renard.
He also mentioned the fisheries sector with $58 million, particularly to support the industry affected by the shrimp crisis, assistance for the workforce, innovation and the continuation of the Fourchette bleue program to promote Quebec marine products.
Mr. Sainte-Croix also mentioned the $14 million invested in the protection of the coastline in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, $32 million for affordable housing in Gaspé and Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, but above all the element he says he is most proud of is the $514 million for the Port-Daniel-Gascons-Gaspé section of the vast rail refurbishment project.
“The railway. It’s a promise I made and to which I have a strong commitment. We’re going to keep it. I’ve been on the other side of the fence and I’ve fought for this infrastructure that I consider strategic in the same way as ports and airports,” said the elected official, who added that it’s difficult to target a specific point in his record. The electoral map and the law that protects the constituencies of Gaspé and Bonaventure for the next election, the Villa Frederick-James whose activities remain to be specified and the visit of 17 ministers including Premier François Legault twice is also mentioned by Mr. Sainte-Croix in his report.
He also indicates his support via his discretionary budget of some $150,000 per year to 150 community organizations.
In addition, 1,000 citizen files were opened during the first two years of the mandate. Stéphane Sainte-Croix indicates that much remains to be accomplished between now and the October 2026 election.
Health, especially the situation of an aging population is of particular interest to him. “There are several (priorities), but the aging of the population and the impacts on the health care offer, workforce issues at this level, specialized services in the region, this is an important issue for a region like the Gaspésie, considering that we have unique characteristics specific to our region and we will have to come up with solutions that will provide answers,” says the MNA.
In the context of tightening finances, the MNA indicates that he has received no signals of budget cuts for programs, citing in particular the Financial Assistance Program for Recreational, Sports and Outdoor Infrastructure (PAFIRSPA).
Gaspé had submitted its project for a new arena and Sainte-Anne-des-Monts the upgrade of its municipal swimming pool.
Matane managed to obtain funding for its aquatic centre and the elected official is aware of the population’s expectations.
“We also hear this fact. We are not disconnected from the feelings of the citizens. We have two arenas in Gaspé, one of which is at the end of its life. We are in favour of the project. The idea is to support the municipality. We are confident,” he said, considering $1.5 billion is on the table over 10 years.
A first call for $300 million was made in 2023 with requirements of $2.7 billion. “This is a project that has significant value. We are talking about an ice rink and a project that could be reviewed and corrected. We will let the town do its thinking. We have a serious and well-conceived project. It remains to be seen how we will approach the rest of things. I am not here to judge the value of the project. We have budgetary and time considerations. We have an arena in Gaspé. There are elements to reconsider. The mayor is aware of the reality and we will see how the town will align its project. But we are faced with an interesting and necessary project,” continued the MNA. For the future of Villa James, the transfer of ownership to SÉPAQ is not yet complete and should be announced in the next budget.
The programming for the Villa has not yet been defined. “We would like there to be a project for the next summer season, but we will take the time it takes. We are confident for the future. It remains to be defined who will be the day-to-day operator. That is up to them and these discussions are ongoing. I do not see any problem in the development,” says the MNA for Gaspé.
On wind power, Mr. Sainte-Croix is aware of the difficulties encountered in particular by the blade manufacturer LM Wind Power of Gaspé.
“It is a major concern. We have unique know-how and we hope that this episode will be behind us. It is an important issue. We will hope that the sun will shine in the future,” mentions the MNA while the manufacturer has been in the hot seat in the United States for major manufacturing defects on the 107-metre blades.
Mr. Sainte-Croix points out that Quebec cannot impose strict standards in calls for tenders in order to avoid defaulting on international trade agreements.
However, Quebec could somehow circumvent the rules to give Quebec companies a chance. “We won’t be able to do things differently. We have to respect the rules of the game. There has always been a certain form of added value in the scoring of calls for tenders on regional or Quebec content. From a Quebec perspective, we will stay attuned regarding Quebec content. In terms of obligation ‘no’, in terms of promoting, ‘yes’,” says the elected official.
On cellular coverage, $10 million is planned to add coverage in the Mont Albert sector in Parc de la gaspésie and on the section of Route 198 between Murdochville and Gaspé. With the Mines Gaspé revival project in Murdochville, the planning for upgrading the various infrastructures to support the restart of the copper mine around 2030 has begun.
“We will have an important announcement in Murdochville. When we talk about pooling expertise, issues, and how we will address them, in terms of roads, ports, railways, workforce, and municipal infrastructures to support the development of the future mining deposit, these are issues to be addressed in the coming months and years. I dare to believe that we will soon have a list of issues and ways to address them,” notes Mr. Sainte-Croix.
The protection of the caribou is also an important element for the coming months. Work meetings have been held in recent weeks with elected officials from Haute-Gaspésie and the authorities of the various ministries involved.
“This is a sensitive, complex and important issue. This is a major concern as our community faces economic challenges. Yes to protecting the animal, but there is also the economic protection of the Haute-Gaspésie. We are being very sensitive,” the MNA mentions.
“The idea is to succeed in promoting the drafting of a regulation that satisfies the stakeholders in terms of the economy, access to the territory and obviously protection of the caribou,” he concluded.