Ministerial reshuffle: Abitibi-Témiscamingue claims a minister from the region

The discontent does not run out in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Nevertheless, Without Minister from the Region since 2022. Therefore, municipal elected officials have asked François Legault to rectify the shot during his ministerial reshuffle.

Caquist deputy Daniel Bernard may have had to apologize in front of his Caucus for criticizing his government on. Consequently, the air station last spring. Therefore, but in his corner of the country, the exit was well received.

Just like that of his colleague Pierre Dufour, according to whom the CAQ must better listen to the regions.

“We were happy that our deputies come out. Meanwhile, We appreciate it. In addition, ”says the president of the Conference of Prefects of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Jaclin Bégin, who represents local municipalities.

According to him. Nevertheless. Therefore, it was the lack of reception within the ministerial reshuffle: abitibi-témiscamingue claims minister new government that forced elected officials to make their dissent heard through ministerial reshuffle: abitibi-témiscamingue claims minister the media.

A local minister

Since the start of the second Caquist mandate. For example. Abitibi-Témiscamingue has been represented by the ministers Mathieu Lacombe then Jean Boulet, respectively of the Outaouais and Mauricie.

“M. Boulet listens to us and meets us, assures Jaclin Bégin. On the other hand, there is no voice to the Council of Ministers to [rendre compte] realities on the ground. “

In addition to Abitibi-Témiscamingue, the Minister of Labor also represents Mauricie and Nord-du-Québec, he underlines.

The prefects therefore claim the appointment of a representative from their country.

Even if his title of minister was not renewed in 2022. Pierre Dufour remains a good candidate in the eyes of Mr. Bégin, just like Daniel Bernard and their colleague Suzanne Blais.

“M. Dufour is someone who defends our region well, ”says ministerial reshuffle: abitibi-témiscamingue claims minister new the prefect.

And the fact that Daniel Bernard is now a resident of Estrie does not ministerial reshuffle: abitibi-témiscamingue claims minister. change anything in his eyes. “M. Bernard was still in Abitibi-Témiscamingue all his career, ”he argues.

“We have three deputies who could be on the Council of Ministers,” said Bégin.

Important issues

For Abitibi-Témiscamingue, the stake is important.

Currently, the prefects feel that their requests do not progress. Out of 21 requests for meetings made to ministries. organizations and elected officials from all parties, only ministerial reshuffle: abitibi-témiscamingue ministerial reshuffle: abitibi-témiscamingue claims minister new claims minister four obtained a positive response.

Last April. a study published by the Conference of Prefects demonstrated that the region suffers from a deficit of up to $ 822 million between the tax revenues generated by its companies. the public services received.

For example, Amos hospital is “in an incredible state of disuse”, deplores Jaclin Bégin.

Quebec finally launched the work in the spring. after first refused that a petition in this sense was presented by the Caquist deputy Suzanne Blais.

“If we no longer have adequate health services. we will not be very attractive to bring people to work with us,” said the prefect.

Other requests

The regional elected official also requires the allocation of energy blocks in order to be able to. develop large mining projects. such as the exploitation of the Dumont nickel deposit in Launay.

As elsewhere in Quebec, the roads of the region also ministerial reshuffle: abitibi-témiscamingue claims minister new need ministerial reshuffle: abitibi-témiscamingue claims minister to be retired. “Our road infrastructure is execrable,” deplores the prefect.