Catégorie : Vision (Clarence-Rockland)

With Ontarians headed to the polls on Feb. 27, nearly a year and a half earlier than originally scheduled, The Vision sent a series of questions to some of the candidates. 

Progressive Conservative candidate Stéphane Sarrazin (Incumbent)

Q: What are the most pressing issues/concerns facing residents across Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, and how does your party plan on addressing these issues/concerns?  

A: The main concerns of the residents of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell include the economy, tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, the cost of living, and the need to invest in infrastructure. The Ontario government is placing greater emphasis than ever on infrastructure, with announcements goof school projects and multi-million-dollar investments in several communities in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell. Additionally, we are taking concrete actions to minimize the impact of Trump’s tariffs and support our economic sector.  

 

Q: For a long time, people in rural areas have felt ignored. What are your party’s plans to make sure these residents have a voice?  

A: As a former mayor and former warden of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, I take pride to represent the residents of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell at Queen’s Park. This is clearly reflected in the investments we have secured, including nearly 100 million dollars for infrastructure in our riding recently. 

 

Q: With the chance of a trade war with the U.S., is your party best equipped to stand up for Ontarians? How so, and what is your plan?  

A : We are best equipped with Doug Ford to fight the tariffs. It is clear that Doug Ford has taken on the role of leader for Canada up until now. I hear that at the door all the time in every part of the riding. 

 

Q: The riding is predominantly Francophone. What is your party’s plan to ensure Francophone residents receive the support and resources they need in their official language?  

A: As Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Francophone Affairs, Caroline Mulroney, the Francophonie is a key part of my work. Francophone businesses help us open new markets—an effective way to counter tariffs. They are a driving force for Ontario. Our government remains fully committed to creating a business-friendly environment where French can thrive. Francophone businesses are key allies in diversifying our economy. 

It was Doug Ford’s government that first modernized the French Language Services Act. It was Doug Ford’s government that entrusted the governance of two universities to Francophones. It was Doug Ford’s government that tripled funding for the Francophone Community Grants Program, introduced the first Franco-Ontarian economic strategy, and officially recognized the Franco-Ontarian flag as a provincial symbol. While others talk and do promises, a Doug Ford government takes action for the Francophonie. 

 

Q: How does your party plan on addressing the housing shortage? Affordability? Ontarians are struggling to put food on the table and are struggling to even rent or buy a home.  

A: This is our goal. We are helping municipalities by investing millions in infrastructure. This is how we plan to build 1.5 million homes by 2031. All of this aims to make it easier for developers to build housing. It will work a bit like the law of supply and demand: once we have built more homes, demand will decrease, and prices should stabilize and drop, allowing young families the ability to afford a home. 

 

Q: Why should Ontarians vote for you?  

A: Ontarians should vote for me because I am familiar with the issues facing Glengarry-Prescott-Russell and have worked closely with local organizations since my time as mayor and warden, I am the best candidate to make a real difference in the riding. My record proves it. 

With Ontarians headed to the polls on Feb. 27, nearly a year and a half earlier than originally scheduled, The Vision sent a series of questions to some of the candidates. 

Independent candidate Jason St. Louis

Q: What are the most pressing issues/concerns facing residents across Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, and how does you plan on addressing these issues/concerns?  

A: Widening Highway 17 from Clarence-Rockland to Hawkesbury is a major issue. 

I drive this road nearly everyday and yes, it is congested and time consuming. Mayor ZANTH has been seeking funding for years to make this happen. The need to support the already growing communities and future planned growth. Nothing has been done by the in-power elected officials, as Mayor Zanth has shared. 

If elected, my presence at Queens Park to request the Province give us answers and resolve in an immediate and timely fashion and relay that to the constituents. We have a continuing growth, and we need to expand accordingly. 

Housing and Taxes are the other issues which I address on my Platform. The government says they have no money. 

Allow me to speak freely, and free from repercussions of being reprimanded by a political party « whip » aka the party disciplinarian. I have been doing research on where our tax dollars go, and that has led me to things like Global Affairs. Go to my website www.jasonstlouis.ca and read what I found out. I am furious to see Billions of tax dollars being spent overseas to fund foreign countries and projects, as well as funding refugees here in our own country. Things like the federal government wanting $411 million dollars to cover refugee healthcare. 

We should be funding our own citizens and addressing housing, healthcare. food, and so much more before we are supporting other countries with our tax dollars.  This may be a federal issue, but its mine and your tax dollars and we deserve to be looked after as a priority, above all others. 

I will be demanding our provincial government audit where our tax dollars are going, and I will show our constituents with full transparency and accountability. 

 

Q: For a long time, people in rural areas have felt ignored. What are your party’s plans to make sure these residents have a voice?  

A: Voting for an Independent is going to be an opportunity for every constituent to be heard. I want to create a platform that will allow all constituents to engage and be heard and get results in real time. 

 

Q: With the chance of a trade war with the U.S., is your party best equipped to stand up for Ontarians? How so, and what is your plan?  

A: The fear mongering that is taking place on this topic is on high alert. I think we have the resources and professionals to deal with how to manage this issue, and if I am elected, I will have a much closer relationship with the Province to engage in resolutions, and offer my solutions on how to support our economy, and I will be in a position to hear from my constituents on their thoughts as well. In addition, each province needs to know its value, and how to capitalize on that to support our economy. 

 

Q: The riding is predominantly Francophone. What is your party’s plan to ensure Francophone residents receive the support and resources they need in their official language?  

A: In my opinion, there should be no issues with getting information in either language, unless we are talking about language barriers between healthcare practitioners and other services. I understand how that could be an issue, however, there are now devices that translate in real-time, so I would look at ensuring that is an option for patients and clients. I want to know more from our constituents so that I could better know the direct needs and wants and be able to offer the best support possible. 

 

 

 

Q: How does your party plan on addressing the housing shortage? Affordability? Ontarians are struggling to put food on the table and are struggling to even rent or buy a home.  

A: This is a massive concern that affects all the GPR district. For example, Hawkesbury Mayor Robert Lefebvre has been expressing for decades the need for land to expand his community.   In short, we need taxes lowered, development charges lowered, incentives for developers to build low-cost homes/subdivision by eliminating the red tape, revamped regulations, permit times, wait times so we can build now. I want to know more, I want to work with developers to better understand the whole alphabet of what it takes, so that everyone has an opportunity to own a home or have affordable rent. This goes for renovating basement suites for families or income to support families.  

I want to press the Province to press the Feds to Amend the Bank of Canada Act and allow private loans at a 2% interest rate for first time home buyers, and reduced rates to build new homes, and I want those interest rate profits to be proportionality split. The feds get a portion for the loan, and the balance goes back into the communities where those builds took place to support municipal costs for services, helping to keep municipal taxes and costs of services reduced. 

For me to do anything, and to dive deeper, I need a seat at the table.  

 

Q: Why should Ontarians vote for you?  

A: I want to address the concerns of constituents thinking they will lose out if they vote for an Independent. The old way of thinking was « vote splitting ». Voting for me is not going to change who becomes Prime Minister, or a minister, or whatever, however, what voting for an Independent will do, is ensure that you, the constituents, have a seat and a voice at the table!  

 When you vote PC or Liberal, or NDP, or Green, your representative is bound to that party and they overall direction of that party. When the party needs a vote, the WHIP representative goes around and lets everyone know  » we need a YES vote, or we need a NO vote. If your party does not like what you have to say or do, there may be repercussions.  

 I promise to be bound to you, the constituents, and to offer transparency and accountability to you, because I am you, and what is affecting you, is affecting me. We live in this district, and we know what we need. 

 I ask you all to vote for yourself, vote Independent. 

 

 

 

With Ontarians headed to the polls on Feb. 27, nearly a year and a half earlier than originally scheduled, The Vision sent a series of questions to some of the candidates. 

Ontario Greens candidate Thaila Riden

Q: What are the most pressing issues and concerns facing residents across Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, and how does your party plan on addressing these issues and concerns? 

A: Rural communities are the beating heart of Ontario’s $50 billion food and farming sector, yet Ford has abandoned communities like ours in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, downloading costs from the province to municipalities and failing to address the housing crisis, affordability, or the acute shortage of family doctors. 

Ontario Greens have a plan to address the challenges facing our communities. Please see questions five and six concerning housing and affordability solutions, respectively. 

Regarding doctors and rural healthcare, we would expand rural healthcare access and address current shortages by recruiting 3,500 doctors to Ontario so that everyone has access to a family doctor within the next three to five years. We will expand team-based care into all rural and northern communities across Ontario by increasing provincial funding for rural hospitals, cutting the local cost share for funding new hospitals in half, and fixing the staffing shortage by providing equal pay for nurses, doctors, and PSWs across all communities and healthcare settings in Ontario. We will increase capacity in rural and remote communities and fairly compensate healthcare workers for their travel to treat patients at home. 

Q: For a long time, people in rural areas have felt ignored. What are your party’s plans to make sure these residents have a voice? 

A: As a Green Party candidate, I support replacing Ontario’s outdated First Past the Post (FPTP) system with a more democratic system of proportional representation (PR). Many residents in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell feel their voices are not being heard under the current system. 

Canada remains one of the few parliamentary democracies in the world still using the FPTP system. This system often results in governments that do not reflect the values and wishes of voters, nor does it encourage the involvement of diverse voices in decision-making. As a result, majority governments are frequently elected by a minority of voters. 

In contrast, PR systems in other countries lead to coalition governments that foster cooperation and deliver solutions with broad support. Our current adversarial political system protects special interests, undermines accountability, exaggerates differences, and ultimately fails to address long-term challenges. 

Q: With the possibility of a trade war with the U.S., is your party best equipped to stand up for Ontarians? How so, and what is your plan? 

A: As a Green Party candidate and long-time resident of eastern Ontario, I am committed to supporting food security in our communities and the local farming sector. 

Ontario Greens know that farmers are Ontario’s key to food security. The looming trade war with the United States poses significant challenges to our agricultural sector. The imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods could disrupt supply chains, increase production costs, and make Canadian products less competitive in the U.S. market. Now is the time to foster a more resilient and self-sufficient local food system. 

The Ontario Greens’ « Grow Ontario Plan » would support local food and farmers by increasing local processing capacity and local markets, expanding public sector procurement, improving business risk management programs, and permanently protecting farmland through the development of an Ontario Foodbelt. We need to protect the farmland that feeds us and give farmers the support they need to grow their businesses and bottom lines. 

Ontario Greens would also introduce a provincial program to pay farmers for environmental goods and services by working with organizations such as ALUS (Alternative Land Use Services). As the Eastern Ontario Agri-Food Network has stated, « buying local food builds the local economy for mutual prosperity. » I am dedicated to advancing a sustainable and prosperous future for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell. 

Q: The riding has a predominantly Francophone population. What is your party’s plan to ensure Francophone residents are getting the support and resources they need in their official language? 

A: As a Green Party candidate, I am committed to ensuring that Francophone residents in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell receive the support and resources they need in their official language. Our government’s plan includes restoring the Independent Office of the French Language Services Commissioner to ensure that the rights and needs of Francophone residents are protected and addressed. 

We will support the University of Sudbury in becoming a northern university by and for Francophones, providing higher education opportunities in French. We will ensure language accessibility by making interpreters, translators, and multilingual written materials available in publicly funded services and improving awareness of their availability. 

We will provide tools for nonprofits to access French language resources, ensuring that Francophone residents have access to essential services and information. We will increase the number of French-speaking teachers by creating incentives to bring more French-speaking individuals into teacher’s college programs, addressing the need for French-language education. 

Our Leader of the Caucus for the Francophonie for the Ontario Greens, Michelle Petersen, will represent us at the French provincial debate on TFO and Radio-Canada on February 19, ensuring representation in French debates. 

Q: How does your party plan on addressing the housing shortage? Ontarians are struggling to put food on the table and are struggling to even rent or buy a home. 

A: As your Ontario Green candidate for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, I am committed to addressing the housing and homelessness crises in our communities. 

Our plan includes combating housing speculation and financialization with a province-wide vacant home tax and a task force to address these issues. We will implement stronger regulations on short-term vacation rentals and remove the Land Transfer Tax for first-time homebuyers. 

We will build affordable non-profit and co-op rental homes, as well as permanent supportive housing, with guaranteed operational funding, using provincial land at no cost. Additionally, we will streamline the process for building missing middle housing and repurpose existing buildings like abandoned plazas and warehouses. We will reinstate the brownfield remediation fund to help municipalities safely build new homes on previously industrial sites. 

Furthermore, we aim to upload community housing and shelter costs to the province, correcting the unfair burden placed on municipalities by previous governments. 

Q: Affordability? Ontarians are struggling to put food on the table and are struggling to even rent or buy a home. 

A: As the Ontario Green Party candidate, I am deeply concerned about the alarming rise in homelessness and food bank usage in Ontario. In 2024, 80,000 people experienced homelessness, a 25 percent increase since 2022. Over the past two years, food bank usage has surged by 78 percent. Monthly payments for those on the Ontario Disability Support Program have not kept pace with inflation since 2018. The disparity between the rich and everyone else is growing. 

The Ontario Greens are committed to ending legislated poverty and rebalancing taxes by doubling support rates and immediately doubling Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Ontario Works (OW) rates. We will work with nonprofits to build 310,000 new affordable non-profit and co-op homes, including 60,000 supportive homes with wraparound supports. 

We will cut taxes for individuals making under $65,000 annually, saving Ontarians up to $1,700 each year, while raising taxes on those in the top tax bracket. 

Q: Why should Ontarians vote for you? 

A: I am running for election because I believe in a future where every community—whether urban or rural—thrives in a clean, sustainable environment with equal access to opportunity. By supporting environmentally responsible policies, investing in rural development, and ensuring that every voice in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell is heard, your vote for me supports a fresh, community-driven vision for our riding. 

 

With Ontarians headed to the polls on Feb. 27, nearly a year and a half earlier than originally scheduled, The Vision sent a series of questions to some of the candidates. 

Liberal candidate Trevor Stewart 

Q: What are the most pressing issues/concerns facing residents across Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, and how does your party plan on addressing these issues/concerns? 

A: I’ve spent the last few months out in our community, from Rockland to Alexandria to Hawkesbury, door-knocking and listening to the concerns of residents. Overwhelmingly, I have heard about the dire state of our healthcare system. In Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, one out of three residents doesn’t have a family doctor or is at imminent risk of losing their family doctor. 

The Ontario Liberal plan will create two new medical schools and expand capacities in existing medical schools, doubling the number of medical school spots and residency positions. It will deliver team-based care with evening and weekend support, integrated home care for seniors, and accessible mental health services for children, youth, and teenagers. It will accelerate the process to integrate at least 1,200 qualified and experienced internationally trained doctors over four years. It will eliminate fax machines, enhance virtual care, introduce centralized referral systems with patient portals, and implement interoperable electronic medical records to let doctors and other healthcare professionals in the circle of care focus on patients instead of paperwork. It will incentivize family doctors to serve in rural communities just like ours. 

Doug Ford’s priorities are twisted. While we struggle to afford a home or just try to make ends meet, his government is spending less on healthcare per capita than any other province and billions on tunnel projects in Toronto. We are focused on getting the basics right. That means cutting the small business tax rate in half, cutting middle-class income taxes, doubling ODSP, removing the land transfer tax for first-time home buyers and seniors downsizing, and establishing a Franco-Ontarian health strategy. I’d be the loud voice that our region needs at Queen’s Park. As a rural region, we can’t afford to be quiet. It’s time to start taking our seat at the table and start getting our fair share. 

Q: For a long time, people in rural areas have felt ignored. What are your party’s plans to make sure these residents have a voice? 

A: The people of Eastern Ontario feel ignored, and they’re right to feel that way. In over seven years as premier, Doug Ford has never been to our region, not once. Our leader, Bonnie Crombie, in just over one year, has been to Hammond, Embrun, St-Isidore, and Rockland to hear our concerns as rural people. Part of delivering for people is meeting them where they are, and I’ll always make sure to put us as a priority. We’ll do that by creating a Rural Health Strategy and incentivizing family doctors to serve in places just like our home, and I’ll defend our local generational farmland. We need new housing, that’s no secret, but it can’t keep coming at the expense of prime agricultural land. The farmers in our region depend on their land for their livelihoods and to feed families across this province, but Doug Ford’s government has been all too happy to sacrifice it. 

Q: With the chance of a trade war with the U.S., is your party best equipped to stand up for Ontarians? How so, and what is your plan? 

A: Our region saw the impact of the tariffs on steel imports in 2019. We need a strong voice that will stand up to Trump, not someone who praises him behind closed doors and backs down when push comes to shove. Ontario’s Liberals released our eight-part plan to fight Trump’s tariffs, which includes backstopping Ontario businesses with a new Fight Tariffs Fund that gives them access to lower-than-market interest rates at government rates. This will allow our businesses to protect and create jobs by reducing the cost of borrowing money to operate or invest in their businesses and workers. 

We want to ensure stimulus spending on infrastructure is focused on the projects communities in Ontario need the most—hospitals, schools, roads, and transit. We will lead an across-government effort to ensure we spend taxpayers’ money wisely, including directing departments and agencies to exclude American companies like Elon Musk’s Starlink from procurement opportunities and investing the savings back into supporting this stimulus plan. We will work with other provinces to eliminate nonsensical interprovincial trade barriers and build a truly Team Canada approach to growing our economy. We will offer a bonus to patriotic nurses and doctors who want to come back home to Canada from the U.S. and help solve Doug Ford’s healthcare crisis and get you a family doctor. We will remove the hidden tax on home building to save real people up to $170,000 on the cost of a new home and make rent more affordable by introducing phased-in rent control. We will save people in Ontario up to $1,150 a year immediately through our More For You Tax Cut, keeping more money in your pocket and taking the HST off your home heating and hydro bills. We will cut the small business tax rate in half from 3.2 percent to 1.6 percent and increase the eligible income threshold, saving small business owners as much as $18,000 a year. We’re going to stand behind every worker, every farmer, and every family in this province until this crisis is over and these unjust tariffs are withdrawn. The fight against Trump is one that goes beyond party affiliation. When fighting against these tariffs, we must stand united, united on Team Canada. 

Q: The riding is predominantly Francophone. What is your party’s plan to ensure Francophone residents receive the support and resources they need in their official language? 

A: After seven years in power, it’s clear that Doug Ford doesn’t give a damn about Francophones. As soon as he came to power in 2018, he immediately cut government services in French and reduced funding for French-language education. I was involved in organizing large-scale demonstrations against the Ford government’s cuts to the Francophone community in December 2018. I’m so proud of our little corner of Eastern Ontario and the language that makes it so rich. We need to be bold in defending and supporting our Francophonie. To ensure that our language and culture are promoted for generations to come, we will develop a Franco-Ontarian health strategy to recruit more doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals. We will develop a Franco-Ontarian health strategy to recruit more French-speaking doctors, nurses, and health professionals, as well as increase the number of international students in health-related fields. We will increase the number of international students in health and social services to ensure that Francophones in our region and our seniors can receive health services in their language. We will re-establish the independent French Language Services Commission that Doug Ford cut in 2018. We will develop an action plan to increase the number of French-language daycare spaces. We will work closely with school boards to add funding that will allow them to strengthen their programs and recruit teachers to ensure the vitality of our language, and in consultation with the community, expand access to post-secondary education in French. 

Q: How does your party plan on addressing the housing shortage? Affordability? Ontarians are struggling to put food on the table and are struggling to even rent or buy a home. 

A: Our kids can’t afford homes in the communities they grew up in, seniors can’t downsize, and everyday working people in places like Hawkesbury, Russell, Alexandria, and Rockland can’t afford a home. It’s about time we get a government and an MPP that treats the housing crisis for what it really is—a crisis. If elected, our plan will slash taxes on new homes, improve renter rights, and save you money. We will eliminate the provincial Land Transfer Tax for first-time homebuyers, seniors downsizing, and non-profit home builders—saving families and seniors $13,500 on average. We will scrap development charges on new middle-class housing, which can add up to $170,000 on homes. We will make renting more affordable by introducing fair, phased-in rent control, resolving Landlord-Tenant Board disputes within two months, and establishing the Rental Emergency Support for Tenants Fund to help vulnerable renters avoid eviction during financial emergencies. 

I have heard from residents across our region that the increase in the cost of living has made it harder to make ends meet. Here’s how we’d make life more affordable. We will lower the personal income tax rate for middle-class Ontario families by reducing the tax rate on taxable income between $51,446 and $75,000 by 22 percent, resulting in a tax savings of about $1,150 annually. We will eliminate the provincial component of HST on hydro and home heating bills, saving approximately $200 annually for the average household—an 8 percent monthly discount on energy bills. We will double Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) benefits and index them to inflation. The current rate, set at a maximum of $1,368, has remained nearly stagnant under Doug Ford. Doug Ford has forced people with disabilities to live in poverty while giving billions of dollars away to his rich friends. 

Q: Why should Ontarians vote for you? 

A: I was born and raised here in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, I’ve lived here my whole life, and I’ve fought for the people of Hammond and Cheney as their city councillor. Now I want to fight for us here in Eastern Ontario. I’m a proud Franco-Ontarian, and I’m determined to ensure we properly fund French services rather than ignore them. I’m determined to get people in our community, our neighbours, access to a family doctor, and I’m determined to make sure future generations and the ones who built our towns and cities can afford a home they can call their own. 

I’ve taught in our schools, worked in our city halls, and played hockey in just about every rink in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, so this is personal to me. It’s my opportunity to give back to a place and a people that have given me so much. I’ve made one promise while on the campaign trail, and that is that I will work for you as hard as I possibly can. This is our home, and it’s time for a strong voice for us that delivers real results.

 Voters across the province of Ontario are headed to the polls on Feb. 27 after Premier Doug Ford triggered the snap election. 

Voters can cast their ballot on Feb. 27 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

There are seven candidates running in the provincial riding of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell (116,463, 2021 census), which is currently served by Stephane Sarrazin, a Progressive Conservative (PC) who won the riding in 2022. 

 The riding was held by the Liberal Party between 1999 and 2018 and former MPP Amanda Simard won the riding in 2018 as a PC candidate, before she left caucus. Simard lost the 2022 election as the Liberal candidate. 

The candidates are:  

Stephane Sarrazin, PC candidate (Incumbent) 

Sarrazin was first elected as MPP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell in 2022, after previously serving as the mayor of Alfred and Plantagenet and the warden of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell. As of March 28, 2024, Sarrazin became Parliamentary Assistant to the AssociateMinister of Small Business and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Francophone Affairs.

Trevor Stewart, Liberal candidate 

Stewart is a first term Clarence-Rockland City Councillor, representing the villages of Hammond and Cheney. Since 2021, he has worked as executive assistant to Francis Drouin, Liberal MP for the federal riding of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell.

Thaila Riden, Ontario Greens  

Riden, an environmental activist who ran for the Ontario Greens in 2022, is a board member of the Vankleek Hill Nature Society, president of the non-profit ECO East, and operates The Grand Barn Community Garden Club.

Jason St. Louis, Independent 

A former MMA fighter turned paralegal, St. Louis is running on a platform of ‘‘transparency’’ and ‘‘honesty’’ in government. St. Louis said running as an independent allows him to tailor his politics to the needs of his constituency.

Ryden Finlay, NDP 

Finlay did not make themselves available for an interview ahead of publishing, however, her campaign materials and social media page accounts indicate she works in Information Technology, considers herself as a community organizer and is currently a Carleton University student. She is the Data director for Ottawa South NDP and a pre-election organizer for Ottawa Centre.

 Brandon Wallingford, Ontario Party 

According to Wallingford’s campaign materials, his platform, as well as the Party’s, consists of a focus on firearm’s rights and reducing economic dependence on the U.S.

Felix Lambrosse, New Blue Party 

A 25-year-old private school professor of sciences, and professional radio sound engineer, Labrosse is running on a platform of abolishing the carbon tax, tax reduce, spending reductions, eliminating ‘‘all form of diversity, equity and inclusion policies’’, and abolishing sex-ed curriculums.

Le candidat libéral de Glengarry-Prescott-Russell (GPR), Trevor Stewart, se dit « extrêmement » déçu par l’absence de bureaux de vote par anticipation à Rockland. 

« C’est un district si vaste, et il n’y a aucune possibilité pour les gens de voter à l’avance dans leur propre communauté s’ils le souhaitent », a déclaré Stewart, l’un des sept candidats en lice dans la circonscription provinciale de GPR, lors d’une entrevue avec Le Vision après avoir publié une déclaration sur le manque d’options de vote par anticipation à Rockland. « Il y aura évidemment des bureaux de vote le jour de l’élection, mais que se passe-t-il s’il y a une tempête de neige ou autre chose, et que les gens ne peuvent pas se rendre sur place pour voter parce qu’ils n’ont pas de moyen de transport? Ce n’est pas seulement décevant, c’est frustrant. »

Stewart a souligné que l’absence de bureaux de vote par anticipation à Rockland touche non seulement les plus de 13 000 résidents de la ville, mais aussi ceux des environs, notamment Clarence Creek, Hammond, St-Pascal-Baylon et Cheney, qui devront se déplacer à Ottawa ou ailleurs en GPR pour voter à l’avance.

« Je félicite le personnel d’Élections Ontario. Ils font du mieux qu’ils peuvent, en plein hiver, avec un préavis aussi court », a ajouté M. Stewart. « Je salue leur dévouement au processus démocratique. Cependant, les gens de Rockland et des environs ont le droit de participer au processus démocratique de manière équitable, comme n’importe qui d’autre dans GPR. »

Stewart a indiqué que son équipe avait contacté Élections Ontario, qui lui a répondu qu’il n’y avait rien à faire à ce stade. Il prévoit maintenant de déposer une plainte après l’élection afin que cette situation ne devienne pas un précédent pour les scrutins futurs.

« Mon équipe et moi allons organiser des trajets pour les personnes qui souhaitent voter à l’avance », a-t-il déclaré. « Beaucoup de gens sont absents et veulent voter tôt. C’est une élection d’hiver, et c’est choquant que les électeurs doivent quitter leur propre communauté juste pour déposer un vote par anticipation. » 

                                                                        Options de vote par anticipation dans Glengarry-Prescott-Russell 

Pour les résidents de Glengarry-Prescott-Russell qui prévoient voter à l’avance, le vote anticipé est disponible du 20 au 22 février, de 10 h à 20 h. 

Les bureaux de vote par anticipation sont situés à : 

Alexandria : Sarsfield Centre, 102, rue Derby Ouest 

Casselman : Complexe J.R. Brisson, 758, rue Brébeuf 

Cumberland : Centre communautaire R.J. Kennedy, 1115, chemin Dunning 

Embrun : Palais des Sports, 6, rue Blais 

Hawkesbury : Centre commercial Hawkesbury, 400, avenue Spence 

Plantagenet : Valoris de Prescott-Russell, 173, vieille route 17 

St-Isidore : Club d’Âge d’Or Renaissance, 20, rue de l’Aréna 

Vankleek Hill : Le Club de Réveil, 122, rue Bond 

 

                                                                                                         Qui sont les candidats? 

En plus de Trevor Stewart, six autres candidats se présentent aux élections du 27 février. Stéphane Sarrazin, député sortant, représente le Parti progressiste-conservateur, tandis que Thaila Riden porte les couleurs du Parti vert de l’Ontario. Ryan Findlay est candidat pour le Nouveau Parti démocratique, et Felix Labrosse se présente sous la bannière du Parti Bleu Ontario. Brandon Wallingford défend les intérêts du Parti de l’Ontario, alors que Jason St. Louis, ancien combattant de MMA, se présente en tant qu’indépendant. 

Les Ontariens se rendront aux urnes le 27 février. 

Jason St. Louis se prépare pour ce qu’il croit être le combat le plus important de sa vie : défendre les gens de Glengarry-Prescott-Russell.  

St. Louis, un ancien combattant d’arts martiaux mixtes (MMA) qui a remporté plusieurs titres nationaux et mondiaux au cours d’une carrière qui s’est étendue sur 35 ans, est né à Cornwall. Il réside aujourd’hui à Russell, en Ontario, et est père de trois enfants.  

Après avoir assisté à la fermeture d’entreprises au cours de la pandémie de COVID-19, dont l’une des siennes, il a commencé à s’intéresser au monde de la politique.  

Il a poursuivi des études de droit et travaille aujourd’hui comme technicien juridique et moniteur d’auto-école. Aujourd’hui, il souhaite que les citoyens de la province de l’Ontario bénéficient d’une certaine transparence et d’une certaine honnêteté.  

« Avec tout ce qui s’est passé dans ma communauté, ma province et mon pays au cours des cinq dernières années, je veux du changement », a-t-il déclaré. « J’ai été un combattant toute ma vie, sur le ring et en dehors. Je me prépare depuis longtemps à cette opportunité en étudiant la politique, le droit, les finances et bien d’autres choses encore. Il est temps de mener le bon combat une fois de plus ». 

St. Louis, qui se présente en tant que candidat indépendant, explique qu’il a suivi tous les aspects du spectre politique et qu’il ne veut pas s’enliser dans des promesses gouvernementales qui, selon lui, finiront par ne pas être tenues. 

« Je ne me laisserai pas influencer par l’orientation d’un programme de parti ou par l’adhésion rigide à des lignes de parti qui ne sont pas dans le meilleur intérêt de vous, les électeurs », a-t-il déclaré. « Il est important de savoir que les besoins des électeurs varient d’une circonscription à l’autre et que nous devons nous concentrer sur ces questions avec certitude et rapidité. En ne dépendant pas des finances et des organisations des partis, je ne serai pas susceptible d’être influencé par de puissants groupes d’intérêt, comme nous le voyons dans le paysage politique actuel. 

Selon lui, le fait que le premier ministre de l’Ontario, Doug Ford, ait annulé le décret électoral, un an et demi plus tôt que prévu, met un frein à son projet de se rendre sur le terrain et de rencontrer les habitants de la circonscription à son propre rythme.  

Il prévoit d’utiliser les médias sociaux, son site web et d’autres moyens comme le bouche à oreille pour faire connaître son nom et son programme aux électeurs.  

« Je ne m’attends pas à gagner », a-t-il déclaré. « Je veux juste faire connaître mon nom. Je veux que les gens sachent où va l’argent de leurs impôts. Comment se fait-il que nous n’ayons pas d’argent pour élargir la 17 ? C’est quelque chose que nous devons examiner et traiter ». 

St. Louis est l’un des sept candidats de la circonscription.  Stéphane Sarrazin a remporté la circonscription pour les progressistes-conservateurs en 2022 et se représente. Trevor Stewart se présente pour les libéraux, Thaila Riden se présente au nom des Verts de l’Ontario, Ryan Findlay se présente pour le Nouveau parti démocratique, Felix Labrosse se présente pour le Nouveau parti bleu et Brandon Wallingford se présente au nom du Parti de l’Ontario.  

Les élections auront lieu le 27 février.  

After narrowly getting past the Nepean Raiders, the Rockland Nationals showcased their dominance with back-to-back wins against the Brockville Braves and the Hawkesbury Hawks. 

With three more victories last week—one on the road and two at home—the Nats have now won an impressive 20 straight games. 

Rockland’s junior A hockey club last lost in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) on Dec. 8, 2024, falling 4-0to the Carleton Place Canadians. 

With a record of 40-5-1-0, Rockland sits atop both the Yzerman Division and the overall CCHL standings with 83 points. They are the first team in the league to clinch a postseason berth, with nine games left in the regular season. The team holds a 21-point lead over Carleton Place, which leads the Robinson Division with 62 points. 

The Nats have scored a league-best 219 goals while allowing a CCHL-low 110 goals. 

                                                                                                                            OT win over Nepean 

At one point during a home matchup against the Nepean Raiders on Valentine’s Day, Rockland’s 17-game win streakappeared in jeopardy. 

After jumping out to a 3-0 lead, the Nats saw Nepean storm back with four straight goals. Rockland tied the game at 4-4 on the power play, with just over three minutes left in the second period. 

After exchanging goals in the third period, the teams went into overtime tied at five. Rockland’s Alex Kelloway sealed the win with his second goal of the game—his 14th of the season—lifting the Nats to victory. He was named the game’s first star. 

Also scoring for Rockland were Rémi Gagné, Tristan Witmer, Gabriel Le Houillier, and Joshua Penney. The Nats dominated shots on goal, outshooting Nepean 58-27. 

                                                                                                                    Braves no match for the Nats 

Following their tight victory over Nepean, Rockland was back on home ice on Saturday, Feb. 15, to host the Brockville Braves. 

Alex Kelloway picked up where he left off, opening the scoring with his 15th goal of the season, his first of two goalsthat evening, to give Rockland an early 1-0 lead. Mathys Laurent scored just over seven minutes later, and from there, it was all Rockland in a dominant home-ice performance. 

The Braves managed one goal late in the second period, cutting Rockland’s lead to 4-1 at that point. But that was all Brockville could muster, as the Nats rolled to a 7-1 victory. 

Also scoring for Rockland were Anthony Hall (two goals), Mathis Barila, and Jacob Charron. 

Hall added an assist and was named the game’s first star. Sean Hogan was stellar in goal, stopping 30 of 31 shots. Kelloway, with his second consecutive two-goal performance, was named the game’s third star. 

                                                                                                                 Another seven-goal outburst 

Riding high after their 7-1 win over Brockville, the Nats hit the road on Family Day (Monday, Feb. 17) to take on the Hawkesbury Hawks. For the second straight game, Rockland put up seven goals. 

Danel Myloserdnyy led the charge with two goals and an assist, helping Rockland to a 7-3 road win. He was named the game’s first star, while teammate Jacob Charron earned third-star honours after registering four assists. 

Also scoring for Rockland were Rémi Gagné, Anthony Hall, Nathan Landriault, Mathis Baril, and Joshua Penney. 

                                                                                                       Back on top of the CJHL weekly rankings 

Following another dominant week in the CCHL, the Nats have returned to familiar territory—atop the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Top 20 rankings. Rockland, which has held the top spot multiple times this season, was ranked No. 3 last week. 

The Nats host the Ottawa Junior Senators on Friday, Feb. 21, with puck drop set for 7:30 p.m. 

La Cité de Clarence-Rockland met à jour son Plan directeur des transports multimodaux (PDTMM) et sollicite les commentaires et suggestions des résidents sur le projet. 

Le personnel municipal organisera deux consultations le mois prochain—une séance virtuelle le 5 mars et une réunion en personne le 6 mars—pour discuter des mises à jour du PDTMM, qui n’a pas été révisé depuis 2019. 

La Cité revoit son plan en raison des évolutions des options de transport et des changements dans les habitudes de déplacement depuis l’élaboration du plan initial. La mise à jour du plan vise à répondre aux nouveaux défis, à soutenir la croissance et à intégrer des politiques permettant d’orienter plus efficacement les décisions en matière de transport et d’aménagement du territoire. 

« Nous voulons mettre à jour ce plan tous les cinq ans. Il s’agit d’une ressource essentielle pour anticiper les besoins changeants, la croissance, le développement et d’autres opportunités », a déclaré Richard Campeau, gestionnaire des projets d’immobilisations de la Cité de Clarence-Rockland. « Le plan façonne notre façon de nous déplacer, nous aide à identifier nos connexions régionales et soutient le transport des biens et services à travers la région. » 

Dans le cadre de l’étude sur le PDTMM, la Cité établira une vision, définira des actions et des politiques, et développera une stratégie financière pour répondre aux besoins de transport à court, moyen et long terme de la communauté. 

La séance virtuelle du 5 mars fournira plus d’informations. Les détails sont disponibles ici : www.clarence-rockland.com/en/hotel-de-ville/transportation-master-plan.aspx#Transportation-Master-Plan-2024. 

La réunion en personne du 6 mars se tiendra à la Salle du Club Optimiste, 1535, avenue Du Parc, Rockland, de 17 h à 20 h 30. 

Ces rencontres permettront de présenter le processus d’étude du PDTMM, les objectifs et orientations du plan, les conditions actuelles de déplacement et les caractéristiques de la communauté, les suggestions des résidents sur les infrastructures de transport, ainsi que les prochaines étapes du projet. 

« C’est une bonne occasion pour nous (le personnel municipal) de montrer aux citoyens nos prévisions et l’ampleur des travaux prévus », a ajouté Campeau. « Quels chemins seront élargis, ce genre de choses. » 

Une copie du plan de transport de 2019 est disponible ici : www.clarence-rockland.com/en/hotel-de-ville/resources/MMTMP1.pdf. 

Une violente tempête hivernale qui a frappé l’est de l’Ontario a contraint les organisateurs à annuler un événement pharedu carnaval d’hiver annuel de Clarence Creek. 

Environnement Canada avait prévenu qu’une importante tempête hivernale toucherait la région dans la soirée du mercredi 12 février, entraînant de fortes chutes de neige, des conditions de déplacement dangereuses et des fermetures de routes. L’agence météorologique avait prévu des accumulations de neige pouvant atteindre 30 à 40 centimètres (cm), avec des précipitations dépassant cinq centimètres par heure durant la nuit, jusqu’au matin du jeudi 13 février. 

Mais la tempête ne s’est pas arrêtée là. La neige a recommencé à tomber dans la soirée du samedi 15 février et une bonne partie de la journée du dimanche 16 février, avec des accumulations supplémentaires de 10 à 20 cm, selon Environnement Canada. 

En raison de ces conditions météorologiques difficiles, le Club Lions de Clarence Creek a pris la décision difficile d’annuler les courses sur glace ainsi que toutes les activités prévues pour le dernier jour du carnaval, le dimanche 16 février. 

« Cette décision n’a pas été prise à la légère », a déclaré Nicholas Lavoie, président du carnaval d’hiver du Club Lions, après avoir publié une déclaration en ligne annonçant l’annulation de plusieurs événements. « Nous savons à quel point les gens aiment cet événement, et la décision a été difficile à prendre. » 

Lavoie a précisé que d’autres options avaient été envisagées, y compris la possibilité de reporter l’événement à une date ultérieure. 

« Nous ne pouvions tout simplement pas prendre une telle décision à la dernière minute », a-t-il expliqué. « Les gens se préparent longtemps à l’avance pour ce week-end, et cela demande des mois de planification. Nous ne savons pas qui sera disponible à une date ultérieure et qui ne le sera pas. » 

De nombreux habitants ont exprimé leur déception en ligne, soulignant que cet événement représentait une tradition annuelle permettant à la communauté de se rassembler et d’assister aux courses de voitures sur glace. 

« J’ai été un peu surpris par la réaction », a admis M. Lavoie. « Je savais que les gens seraient déçus, mais je ne m’attendais pas à une telle réaction. » 

Les chutes de neige incessantes ont également posé de sérieux défis logistiques. Les bénévoles devaient constamment déneiger les pistes en prévision de l’événement. De plus, la neige a compromis l’accès aux stationnements, et avec le nombre de spectateurs attendus, il n’y avait tout simplement pas assez d’espace pour accueillir toutes les voitures. 

En fin de compte, Lavoie a insisté sur le fait que la sécurité de tous était la priorité absolue, qu’il s’agisse des participants, des bénévoles ou des spectateurs. 

« La sécurité de tous ceux qui participent à cet événement annuel est notre priorité, et nous ne voudrions pas qu’un incident malheureux vienne assombrir cette magnifique tradition », a-t-il déclaré. « Nous sommes profondément déçuspar cette annulation et comprenons la frustration de nos coureurs et des participants. Nos organisateurs partagent cette déception, car ils ont travaillé sans relâche pour offrir un événement mémorable. »