Residents in Drummondville, Quebec, are set to have a more influential representation at the National Assembly with the addition of a new riding in the city. The existing Drummond-Bois-Francs riding, situated east of the Saint-François River and Saint-Joseph Boulevard, remains unchanged, while the newly established Marie-Lacoste-Gérin-Lajoie riding now covers the western sector of the city.
Following a legal dispute lasting several months, Quebec introduced Bill 3 to prevent the elimination of two regional ridings in the Gaspé Peninsula and Montreal. This decision also paved the way for the establishment of two fresh ridings in the Centre-du-Québec region and the Laurentians. Élection Québec representative Julie St-Arnaud-Drolet highlighted that the area had surpassed the maximum number of electors permitted by law, necessitating corrective measures to ensure fair and equitable representation at the National Assembly.
Mathieu Audet, the chief of staff for the Mayor of Drummondville, noted the city’s consistent population growth in recent years, estimating a projected population of 100,000 within the next five years. Audet emphasized the significance of the new riding in better reflecting the community and attracting residents due to industrial opportunities, immigration, and regional appeal.
While acknowledging the benefits of increased representation, Audet pointed out challenges in mobility and healthcare arising from the growing population. He stressed the urgent need for improved healthcare facilities, particularly the replacement of the outdated Sainte-Croix Hospital, a concern shared by residents and officials alike. The current hospital’s inadequacies have led to delayed surgeries and medical procedures, exacerbated by functional issues and structural deficiencies.
Efforts to address these healthcare deficiencies have seen the inclusion of a new hospital construction project in Quebec’s infrastructure plan, with Santé Québec approving the design plans for the modular emergency department. Despite these positive steps, community leaders like Robert Pelletier from the Coalition for a Regional Hospital in Drummondville remain vigilant in ensuring the swift progression of the hospital project post-election. Pelletier emphasized the need for strong commitment from candidates in the region to advance the project promptly and effectively, underscoring the collective determination to oversee the project’s expeditious completion regardless of the election outcome.
