Émilie Jutras wants to be the next Parti Libéral du Québec (PLQ) member represent Argenteuil in the National Assembly in nearly a decade. She is the party’s candidate in the Monday, October 5 provincial election.
Jutras, who lives in Lachute, is the community agriculture coordinator for the Municipalité régionale de comté d’Argenteuil. She believes her community-based work has allowed her to assess both the challenges faced by Argenteuil’s communities and their potential for development.
Access to health care is a significant issue in Argenteuil. Jutras said the biggest issues are services being eliminated at the Lachute hospital, resulting in patients having to travel to St-Jérôme or St-Eustache for basic services such as a blood test. Jutras said it is also unfortunate that the Centre local de services Communautaire (CLSC) community health centre in Grenville is only open two days per week. Jutras said a PLQ government would invest more in home care for senior citizens and online telemedicine to reduce pressure on hospitals. A Liberal government would also reduce health bureaucracy and take measures to attract more physicians who are specialists to communities.
Jutras said she understands the difficulty the federal Alto high-speed rail project poses for Argenteuil. She said only two per cent of Québec’s land is suitable for agriculture. She said the PLQ view is that Alto should only go ahead if there is proof it would be good for communities.
“We need to work with the Government of Canada to make it right for us too,” Jutras said.
Jutras said recognition of Argenteuil’s significant anglophone community is important. She said there is a bilingual character in the region and there should not be division about language. Jutras said a Liberal government would ensure French courses are much more accessible for non-French speaking residents with only a six-week waiting time. She also wants to collaborate with organizations like 4 Korners which assist anglophone residents and has already met with their leadership during the campaign.
The dangerous reputation of Autoroute 50 is something the PLQ is committed to addressing. Jutras said Leader Charles Milliard is committed to ensuring the highway is fully divided between Mirabel and Gatineau within 10 years, with completion of the section between Lachute and Mirabel prioritized for completion in four years.
“It’s a priority for the Liberal party,” Jutras said.
The economic challenges with the United States are one of the main issues in the Québec campaign. Jutras said the PLQ is the most closely focused on the economy.
“We are the economy party,” she remarked.
Jutras said a Liberal government would further reduce trade barriers between Québec and other provinces and make it easier for trade to take place within Canada. She said those objectives are easier to achieve when Québec is part of a united Canada. The PLQ remains steadfastly committed to federalism and would not have yet another referendum on sovereignty.
“We want to be united in Canada to make a more stronger economy. We are federalists and I am proud of it,” Jutras said.
Jutras said that as a representative for Argenteuil, she wants to bring what is needed for health and educational services in the region. She said that includes improved funding for supportive services such as psychologists and assistance for students with special needs in local schools. Jutras also emphasized that the PLQ wants to work more closely with municipalities to construct up to 100,000 new housing units across Québec each year. The PLQ plans to use prefabricated construction to reach that goal.
Jutras wants to ensure she is fully accessible and welcoming to Argenteuil residents if she is elected on October 5.
“I want to be a deputy that you feel good about calling,” Jutras remarked.
