maria hospital

$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. 

$383 million invested over two years in the Gaspé riding, according to Stéphane Sainte-Croix Read More »

Emergency department at Maria hospital remains a priority for MNA

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

CARLETON-SUR-MER – Modernizing the emergency and intensive care departments at the Maria hospital remains the top priority for Bonaventure Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Catherine Blouin as the fall parliamentary session began on September 10 at the National Assembly. 

Three companies have expressed interest in conducting studies to better understand the current infrastructure in anticipation of the new project and, consequently, to better determine its costs. 

The study will specifically assess the current state of the electromechanical, structural and civil components and determine whether they are able to handle the new costs anticipated, not only by the emergency and intensive care department project, but also the future developments of the hospital. 

“It’s reassuring. These are two separate projects. First, we have the modernization of the emergency and intensive care departments. The priority is the emergency and intensive care departments. I’m very happy to see that things are moving forward,” notes Catherine Blouin, who hopes the contracts will be awarded soon. 

Ms. Blouin is, however, hesitant to set a date. “The plans and specifications are not yet done, so I’m not going to comment on a timeline,” she says, mentioning that the CISSS (Integrated Health and Social Services Centre) has already managed a similar project at the Sainte-Anne-des- Monts hospital. 

Rail refurbishment 

is also a priority 

Ms. Blouin is not concerned about the refurbishment schedule extending beyond 2026, even though one of the four call for tender projects announced last fall has been postponed week after week since April. 

“For now, we’re staying the course. There are situations beyond our control, meaning that we cannot find enough bidders. There is a lot of work being done in parallel,” notes Ms. Blouin. 

Cell coverage 

On the issue of cellular coverage, the 2026 goal to cover areas in the region, not currently covered by a cellular network, remains on target. 

“I prefer to put the deadline a little further out and create nice surprises, but all the indicators I have are for 2026. I prefer not to raise expectations for nothing,” explains the MNA. 

Housing 

The Québec government has launched a call for qualifications for 500 prefabricated housing units. “An innovative situation,” notes the elected official. 

“We have experience acquired through the single-modular housing units delivered to Maria in nine months with contractors such as Habitations Mont-Carleton. We will be able to take advantage of it and we met with the minister (of Municipal Affairs),” mentions Ms. Blouin. 

Daycares 

The announced daycare spaces also remain a priority for the Bonaventure MNA. “I can tell you – without creating expectations – that things are moving forward,” notes Ms. Blouin. 

“We still have champions in terms of project managers with 71 spaces in Chandler where children will be entering in the coming days,” emphasizes Ms. Blouin. 

Other priorities 

Several other files are also on the MNA’s agenda. “What is important is to continue to get the message across. We have had several visits from ministers. We had the Premier at the end of June, the Minister for Seniors, the Minister of Housing, and that of Culture. Each of these visits brings its share of follow-ups,” explains Ms. Blouin. 

While the Premier clearly reaffirmed his support for wind power at his party’s caucus in Rimouski, the Bonaventure MNA indicates that it remains a priority. 

“We have social acceptability in Eastern Quebec. We have expertise, a renewal of existing wind farms to increase capacity. We are well positioned in the Gaspésie to move forward,” she says. 

Halfway through her term, Ms. Blouin notes that the electoral map has mobilized energy and received everyone’s attention. 

“We decided to review everything in a transpartisan manner with all the parties. It’s a source of pride but, also, the cell coverage with the national announcement in Saint-Elzéar and the modular units in Maria. It’s the work of collaboration and listening to the council of ministers. I may be a bit annoying talking about the realities of the Gaspé, but when we greet ministers, they understand the reality on the ground. There is just as much work, if not more, left to do over the next two years. We continue to move forward,” the MNA concludes. 

Emergency department at Maria hospital remains a priority for MNA Read More »

Scroll to Top