Michelle Courchesne gives assurance that she'll defend the people of Fabre on the issue of the Hippodrome coming to Laval.
(Photo:Martin Alarie)
Laval Liberals lash out at opponents
The Laval Liberal candidates were very critical of their opponents, at the mid-week press conference held to summarize the issues of the campaign that will end today, March 25.
Issuing a press release prior to the press conference, the five incumbent MNAs described themselves as the only serious candidates that could respond to the needs of the people of Laval. "Michelle Courchesne in Fabre, Alain Paquet in Laval-des-Rapides, Maurice Clermont in Mille-Îles, Guy Ouellette in Chomedey and Vincent Auclair in Vimont are the only candidates offering the people realistic commitments. They are the only candidates forming a team that is involved, determined and rigorous," the statement read.
At the press conference, the Liberals went on the attack, charging the PQ and ADQ with absenteeism from the campaign in Laval. "We didn't see the ADQ and they pretend to want to defend the interests of Laval," Michelle Courchesne stated. Vincent Auclair denounced the catch-phrases dished out by the ADQ in defense of their programs. "Dumont wants to govern single-handedly," said Mrs. Courchesne. She considers the ADQ leader's promise to investigate and evaluate all government programs within 3 months unrealistic, much like his promise to erase 25,000 people from the welfare rolls.
The Hippodrome
Mrs. Courchesne, the Fabre MNA and Minister Responsible for Laval also lashed out at the PQ's Guy Lachappelle, who in recent days circulated a letter to constituents in which he compares the prospect of the Hippodrome coming to Laval with the Orford Affair.
Mrs. Courchesne took direct aim at Mr. Lachapelle. "I've always maintained that I will defend the people and that I would wait until a proposal had been made. The proposal is a non-starter, according to the information I have from mayor Gilles Vaillancourt," Mrs. Courchesne claimed, adding that the moving of the racetrack to Saint-Dorothée is far from being a reality. "It just shows that the (PQ) candidate is not up on the issues of the riding, he's ill-informed," she said.
During the conference's question period, Mrs. Courchesne admitted that people had brought the issue of the Hippodrome to her attention during the campaign. "If the people don't want the project here, I will speak loud and clear against it in their name. There is no project on the table. Loto-Québec has said that the casino will be north of Montreal but not necessarily in Laval. The developers are looking at other sites in other places. I've lived in Laval for 25 years, it's not going to be Guy Lachapelle who's going to tell me what the people are thinking," she stated.
The Budget
As to the gains made by Quebec in the recent federal budget, the Liberal candidates said it would not have been possible without "Jean Charest's leadership". "He's been hammering at the fiscal imbalance since 1998," Mrs. Courchesne specified.
The Liberal candidates believe that these gains will benefit everyone. The day after the budget, Jean Charest announced that a good part of the federal transfer payments would be allocated to tax reduction.
Noting that this was not a complete redressing of the fiscal imbalance, the Liberals emphasized that "the government of Jean Charest proved it's possible to make gains for the people" within the Canadian federation.
(Photo:Martin Alarie)
Météo: Laval, 8 août 2008 / 20°C
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Steven Guilbeault - Chronique environnement
Richard Cléroux - Le fouineur politique
