The Robert-Baldwin riding in the West Island has been a stronghold for the Liberal Party for many years, with a significant percentage of anglophone residents.
Stretching across Dollard-des-Ormeaux and part of the Pierrefonds-Roxboro borough, this riding is now gearing up for a crucial election. What are the pressing issues on voters’ minds that could influence their decision on election day?
Nahla Hussein emphasized the urgent need for improvements in the healthcare system, stating, “It is terrible here.” Another resident highlighted concerns about the economy and securing a better future for the next generations.
Two prominent candidates, Brigitte Garceau of the Quebec Liberals and Sophie Leroux of the CAQ, shared their perspectives with CityNews. Garceau stressed the importance of addressing the housing crisis, criticizing the CAQ for neglecting the issue. Leroux, on the other hand, emphasized the necessity of investing in infrastructure.
With a population of around 77,000, Robert-Baldwin is a diverse community where languages like Arabic, Italian, Spanish, Punjabi, and Tamil are commonly spoken. Garceau expressed her commitment to ensuring that all communities, including the anglophone population, feel heard and valued.
As voters turned out for advance polling, concerns about protecting the rights of anglophone and allophone communities were brought to the forefront. Long-time resident Lucky Singh lamented the lack of political attention towards the West Island, expressing a sense of being unheard and overlooked.
Despite its historical Liberal dominance, candidates are actively engaging with voters to secure their support. Leroux highlighted a vision of Quebec autonomy, while Garceau stressed the importance of voting Liberal to uphold rights and interests.
