Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist
GASPÉ – The Gaspé Peninsula Table of Prefets was expecting a tighter electoral race in the region. Nonetheless the results are unequivocal and reflect the population’s interest in the campaign, which led the Bloc Québécois’ Alexis Deschênes to win the election in the riding of Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine-Listuguj.
Following his election, the new Member of Parliament (MP) listed the return of the passenger train to Gaspé, and possible new tariffs in the forestry industry as among his top priorities.
“The return of the train is a major issue for us. In the forestry industry, we agree that in the short term with the current crisis with the United States, there is a lot of uncertainty. Yes, these priorities are consistent with those of the Table des préfets. As for housing, we’re going to sit down together and work on solutions to get the Government of Canada more involved in adding rental housing,’ says Mathieu Lapointe, President of the Table of Prefects.
The fact that the riding is now represented by an opposition MP after 10 years of Liberal representation is not a concern according to Mr. Lapointe. “For us, the important thing is to have an MP who is present on the ground and who listens. I have no doubts about that. We’re also in a minority government situation, and the Bloc will be able to play an influential role,” Mr. Lapointe added confidently.
The vastness of the territory remains a challenge, regardless of the MP. “But with today’s technologies, we can meet virtually and rally around common issues,” believes Mr. Lapointe.
Although he was long rumoured to be the Bloc candidate in the election that ended on April 28, Gaspé mayor Daniel Côté says he has no regrets, even after the Bloc Québécois won by a large majority in Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine-Listuguj.
“I have no regrets. Three parties approached me. With the vastness of the territory and the distance between federal issues and the population, I’m not sure that’s what motivates me in life and that’s what motivated my decision,” explains Mr Côté, whose wife is expecting a child very soon.
“I’m a hands-on guy. I find municipal politics more appealing than federal politics,” explains the mayor, who was defeated in 2011 by New Democrat candidate Philip Toone, the representative for Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine during the Orange Wave.