Fabre MNA Michelle Courchesne becomes Minister of Education, Recreation and Sport, as well as taking on the Family portfolio and continuing in the capacity of Minister Responsible for the Laval region.
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
Photo:Ouellette
Lots of challenges for Michelle Courchesne
Heading two big ministries, Michelle Courchesne says it's not the budgets of these government departments she's concerned about, it's their symbolic nature that made her lose her breath when Jean Charest gave her the responsibilities.
"Education is the country's future. Academic success is crucial to meeting the challenges of the 21st Century," says the new minister of Education, Recreation and Sport who also takes on the Family portfolio, and continues to be the Minister responsible for the Laval region.
The Fabre MNA is aware that the challenges are numerous. "There's a lot to do," says the former Minister of employment and social solidarity. The minister didn't waste any time. About an hour after being sworn in, she had already started digging into her new files. "I'm already in the process of identifying priorities," says the experienced public figure who's expected to be regularly interrogated in the National Assembly by opposition MNAs.
Since the forming of the new cabinet a few days ago, much has been said about Jean Charest's decision to limit the ministers to 18. Mrs. Courchesne sees this as a requirement for ministers to work harder, given greater responsibilities. "We've got to be organized and prepare to target the issues (that we want to promote and defend)," she says.
Pride
Apart from the portfolios she's been assigned, Michelle Courchesne is proud to be part of the first cabinet that has as many women as men in it. "Wednesday was an historic day, a proud moment to be named part of this ground-breaking team. I'm proud of my premier for having done this," she states.
At the people's service
Despite all of Laval's five seats going Liberal again on March 26, the region has only one minister in cabinet. In post-election observations, political analysts had thrown around the names of Guy Ouellette and Alain Paquet as potential ministerial material. Suggestions were made that Chomedey's Ouellette would get Public Security and Alain Paquet, an economist by profession, would be appointed to an economic portfolio.
"You shouldn't believe everything that's said by journalists," Mr. Paquet says in jest, reiterating that his first responsibility is "to serve the people" of his riding. "With 48 MNAs, we couldn't have 36 ministers," he says, adding that Laval will be well served by Michelle Courchesne.
Guy Ouellette also says that the people of his riding are his priority. "I'm going to serve where Jean Charest needs me," he affirms, adding that he's got to learn the job first. "Before competing in the marathon, I'm going to learn to walk," he says laughing.
At the dissolution of the Quebec National Assembly in February Laval MNAs Vincent Auclair and Alain Paquet were serving as parliamentary assistants to the minister of Municipal Affairs and the minister of Finance, respectively. It is believed they'll occupy similar posts in the new National Assembly which convenes on May 8.
Although he missed out on a ministerial post, former police officer Guy Ouellette would be a natural appointment as the parliamentary assistant to Jacques Dupuis, Minister of Justice and Public Security.
Photo:Courchesne
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
Photo:Ouellette
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
Photos:Auclair, Paquet
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
Météo: Laval, 8 août 2008 / 20°C
/ Couvert
/ Vents: 9 Km/h / Humidité relative: 78 % 
Steven Guilbeault - Chronique environnement
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