Eric Madelein

Born in Laval, Eric Madelein currently lives in Vaudreuil-Dorion, but says he's got a foothold on the island nonetheless, through his liability-insurance broker's office located in Chomedey. He has worked as an insurance broker for more than twenty years. At age 45, married, and the father of two young children, Eric Madelein has chosen the 2008 federal election as his first foray into the political arena, under the banner of the Green Party of Canada.

"Laval wins first prize in Quebec, at the top of the list of cities with the largest number of protected spaces," says the environmental candidate, somewhat sardonically. "(Ironically) while the international standard (for protected spaces) is 12%, ours (in Laval) is at .73%, (less than 1%)," he specifies.

In the riding of Laval, the Chomedey Woods represent an important issue in this respect, according to Mr. Madelein. "This wooded area is still available. It is of sufficient ecological worth to merit protection. This has to be done, before it's too late. Maybe a federal program could be helpful in the situation." The candidate also brings up the extension of Autoroute 25. "We're spending a lot of money on it…If we had obtained the two suburban commuter train systems (initially proposed for the eastern end of the region), the building of the bridge for Highway 25 probably would have been rendered unnecessary. It seems to me that we should invest instead in systems of collective and public transit."