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Press release
7 May 2018

Serge Simard, Liberal candidate in the riding of Dubuc


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En route to the 2018 general election

La Baie, May 7, 2018. – Surrounded by many party members and supporters, Serge Simard was nominated as the official candidate for the Quebec Liberal Party (QLP) in the riding of Dubuc for the upcoming 2018 general election.

Philippe Couillard, Premier of Quebec, Minister responsible for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region and Member for Roberval, had the privilege of introducing Mr. Simard at the nomination.

I have always wanted to serve the residents of my riding and defend the things that are important to them. During the past four years, our government has achieved the goals set by Quebecers and regained the leeway to be able to reinvest in health and education.

– Serge Simard, MNA for Dubuc and Liberal candidate for the 2018 general election.

Note that the Liberal government has balanced our public finances to give us the means to invest more in our priorities. Since May 2014, more than 238,600 jobs have been created in Quebec; the unemployment rate has been at an all-time low for several months; over 1,000,000 Quebecers now have access to a family doctor; taxes have decreased; and major investments have been made in health and education, in particular.

In Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, in April 2014, the unemployment rate stood at 10.8%. Serge and I had a big challenge ahead of us, but also a very clear vision for the future of our region. In June 2015, we established our priorities with the different socio-economic actors by holding the regional economic summit, chaired by Serge. Since then, we have stayed the course, and our region now has the wind in its sails. Our businesses have modernized and diversified, quality jobs have been created, and exciting projects have emerged. The unemployment rate is now at 4.9%, and 9,600 jobs have been created since our election. If we can say with confidence that our region is doing better and that people are living better, it is largely thanks to Serge’s dedication, hard work and involvement. It is therefore a great pleasure for me to be at his side today for his nomination. Together, we have brought our region into the new economy, and we have improved the quality of life of the people who live here. Together, we want to go even further. We have ambition for Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean

– Philippe Couillard, Premier of Québec.

Having actively contributed to the regional economic summit in June 2015, I want to continue to participate in the implementation of the priorities established by the various working groups. What inspires me is that this summit was conducted by people from the region, for the region, and together we will meet the challenges of the future.

– Serge Simard, MNA for Dubuc and Liberal candidate for the 2018 general election.

Promising projects for the riding of Dubuc

Over the past four years, our government has made important announcements in line with the priorities of the residents of Dubuc.

Since the beginning of our term, we have accomplished several projects:

2014

  • Forestry investments, which gave forestry workers stability and predictability and encouraged the development and growth of this industry
  • $2.6 million for the expansion of Jolis-Prés school in Laterrière

2015

  • $6.59 million for the expansion of Jean Fortin school in Saint-Honoré (adding 12 classrooms and a gymnasium)
  • $3.73 million for the addition of a gymnasium and the renovation of 4 classrooms at Saint-David school in St-David de Falardeau
  • The Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean regional economic summit and the creation of 11 working groups, with the mandate to continue the work started at the economic summit
  • $15 million for the establishment of the new aluminum patio manufacturing plant in La Baie (Sigmadek)
  • Allocation of 16 new spots at the Cajolerie childcare centre in Saint-Honoré
  • $172,000 for port receiving infrastructure at Saint-Fulgence
  • Establishment of the first Quebec aluminum development strategy to promote the growth of this industry in Quebec and promote it internationally
    • Doubling the aluminum processing in Quebec by 2025
    • Supporting equipment manufacturers and specialized suppliers for export markets
    • Strengthening Quebec’s position among the biggest producers of primary aluminum in the world

2016

  • Announcement of the establishment of an industrial port area in Saguenay
  • Announcement of financial assistance of $510,000 to support the church of Notre-Dame-de-l’Immaculée-Conception’s roofing project in Laterrière
  • More than $1.8 million for school infrastructure work (Médéric-Gravel, Georges-Vanier, and Sainte-Thérèse schools in La Baie, Jolis-Prés in Laterrière and La Source in Saint-Honoré)
  • $40,000 for the renovation of the Perce-Neige ski resort in Bégin

2017

  • Extension of Highway 70 between Chicoutimi and Chemin de la Grande-Anse
  • $128,000 for the Ateliers de Fabrication du Saguenay, a Saint-Ambroise company that specializes in processing metals in the agricultural, industrial and commercial sectors, to train new employees
  • Government support of nearly $4.8 million for the Bois-Joli primary school in the Shipshaw district of Saguenay for the addition of 8 new classrooms
  • Financial assistance of $792,000 for the Mont-Édouard ski resort in Anse-Saint-Jean to enhance tourism in the region
  • $1.9 million to set up floating jetties near the cruise ship wharf in La Baie and acquire shares of the company Croisières du Fjord
  • More than $6 million to connect homes in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean to high-speed internet

2018

  • Announcement of the expansion and renovation of the operating room, the day surgery and the medical device reprocessing unit (MDRU) at the Chicoutimi hospital. This project will strengthen the role of the Chicoutimi hospital on the regional scale and beyond, in several specializations
  • $1.6 million for the Le Valinouët ski resort to enhance nature and adventure tourism in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region
  • Investment of $2.9 million for Arianne Phosphate for its Lac à Paul project

Development of the labour market

  • The unemployment rate is 4.9%, one of the lowest rates in 40 years. In fact, it has declined 5.9% since April 2014, from 10.8% in April 2014 to 4.9% in March of this year for the region.
  • Since we came into office in 2014, 9,600 jobs have been created in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean.