The record, 1 avril 2014, Cahier 1

Richmond riding overview Page 5 THE SSSS!^^16LÉE The voice of the Eastern Townships since 1897 Alexandre Fox atCFL combines Mike Hickey - Page 7 75 CENTS + TAXES PM#0040007682 Tuesday, April 1, 2014 2014 Quebec election campaign Who’s Who in Sherbrooke: Luc Fortin By Gordon Lambie Liberal Party Candidate Luc Fortin says he is not here to be the new Jean Charest.Married with two young children, the 31-year-old entrepreneur manages a public relations firm with his wife and says that he has come to Sherbrooke to give Quebec’s sixth largest city a strong presence in the National Assembly.This is Fortin’s first candidature in a provincial election but, if elected; he would not be new to the national assembly.“I spent six years on Parliament Hill in Quebec City,” Fortin explained, “two years as press attaché for Benoit Pelletier.when he was Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs Minister and a little bit more than a year and a half with Yolande James when she was minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities.After that I spent two years with Mr.Charest as communications councillor for the Premier.” This last position, which he held right up until the 2012 election, brought Fortin to Sherbrooke often on business with Charest.Though not a Sherbrooke native, the Liberal candidate rejected criticism that he has been parachuted into the riding by his party, arguing that he knows the city well due to the fact that his wife’s family has been in the city for generations.“I always joke that I married Sherbrooke,” Fortin said, explaining that his wife is the daughter of City Councillor Jean-Francois Rouleau.“I don’t come from Sherbrooke, but I know the city well; we had plans to move here even before I decided to run in the election, so that the children would be closer to their grandparents.” Based on what he knows of the city, the aspiring MNA identified employment and the economy as the local Cont’d on page 3 PQ would invoke notwithstanding clause to ensure charter’s survival THE CANADIAN PRESS/PAUL CHIASSON PQ leader Pauline Marois makes a point flanked by candidates Pierre Karl Peladeau, left, and Alexis Deschenes during a news conferena Monday in Trois-Rivieres.The Canadian Press Parti Québécois Leader Pauline Marois says she is prepared to invoke the notwithstanding clause to ensure her party’s controversial secular charter is adopted.Marois says she has plans to reintroduce the values charter project as it currently stands if her party forms a majority government in next Monday’s Quebec election.Marois told a news conference Monday that any legal threat against the charter will be met with the notwithstanding clause.The clause is enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and allows Parliament or provinces to override the charter in order to adopt legislation.The federal government and other parties have already said they will take' whatever action is necessary to stop the charter.In the past, Marois has said she was confident the charter would be able to withstand legal challenges, but is bringing up using the seldom-used clause for the first time.Identity issues and language have taken centre stage a week before the vote.Sherbrooke officially postpones spring Sherbrooke The City of Sherbrooke is advising the public that special snow removal operation by blowers began Sunday night and that it will extend the deadline for the removal of automobile shelters.Maintenance and road service is proceeding with the removal of snow on both sides of King Street West, between Wellington Street and Jacques -Cartier Blvd and around school corridors where there is no sidewalk.In addition, given the presence of snow banks on several streets, the city is asking citizens to avoid parking vehicles at the curb at night, even though the law provides for the ban only until April 1.Citizen cooperation could facilitate the passage of emergency vehicles if needed.For its part, the City of Sherbrooke is relaxing enforcement of regulations for the removal of car shelters, as many are trapped under thick layers of ice and snow.Citizens have until April 30 instead of April 15, to take their shelters down.To check on changing weather and road conditions, the public is invited to visit the Facebook page and Twitter account for the City of Sherbrooke regularly.RECORD SPECIAL OFFER for Record print subscribers: Receive a full year's subscription to the online edition for only $5 with every new 12 month print subscription or renewal.Read The Record online any time, any place Subscribers can view each new issue of The Record, as well as Brome County News, The Townships Outlet and our many special sections with just the click of the mouse.To subscribe, go to www.sherbrookerecord.com, click on e-dition and follow the simple instructions.For information or assistance call 819-569-9528 billing@sherbrookerecord.com Page 2 Tuesday, April 1, 2014 The Record e-edition There for you 24-hours-a-day 7-days-a-week.Wherever you are.ccess the full edition of The Sherbrooke Record as well as special editions and archives.Renew or take a new 12-month print subscription and get a 12-month online subscription for an additional $5 or purchase the online edition only for $55.Record subscription rates 1 year print: $120.6 month print: $63.3 month print: $32.12 month web only: $55.1 month web only: $4.99 Applicable taxes are added to above amounts.Web subscribers have access to the daily Record as well as archives and special editions.Subscribing is as easy as 1,2,3 when you go to www.awsom.ca Click Subscribe.Choose newspaper.Complete form and wait for an email activating your online sub-script ion.Weather i J J / TODAY: * f - SUNNY HIGH OF 6 1 WEDNESDAY: CLOUDY m ) HIGH OF 6 V! LOW OF-2 > / / 1 THURSDAY: MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS - HIGH OF 3 ^ LOW OF-6 FRIDAY: SUNNY HIGH OF 5 LOW OF-8 \ SATURDAY: y CLOUDY.FLURRIES ¦ y .HIGH OF 6 LOWOF-2 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record Fundraiser Exhibition for the Frontier Animal Society at Studio Georgeville Elsa Mongeau, from 9:30 a.m.to 10:30 a.m.Admission is Terry Loucks Record Correspondent Over two upcoming weekends, April 5 and 12, Studio Georgeville will be head-lining multifaceted and interesting activities for animal lovers, directly aimed at the all important goal of supporting a very active non-profit organization in our community—the Frontier Animal Society (FAS), created 27 years ago in 1987 by Joyce Dekker.Louise Abbott, Robert Chauvette, Philippe Des-ormeaux, Dominique Gagnon, Caroline George, Liz-abeth Laroche and Brigitte Mittelhammer (Gypsy Arts), Niels Jensen, Gary MacDonald, Tricia McDaid, Agnes McKenna Power, Sara Mills, Denis Palmer, and Linda and Charles Peacock will show works in various media in celebration of animals during the two full weekends.Here is the calendar of events for the exhibition: Saturday, April 5: Book launch at Studio Georgeville, 20 carré Copp, Georgeville, from 1-3 p.m.Robert Chadwick will launch his book Buster and the Magic Star, featuring Buster the cat.He will also make a slide presentation— “Cats.Dogs, and the Origins of Civilization.” There will be a $5 charge at the door.All proceeds will go to the FAS.Also April 5: The opening reception for the exhibition “In celebration of a second chance” will be held from 3 p.m.to 5 p.m.at Studio Georgeville.Charles Peacock will introduce the FAS, and there will also be a showing of Louise Abbott’s short video about the FAS.Sunday, April 6: Yoga class at Studio Georgeville with $10.All proceeds will go to the FAS.Saturday, April 12: Lucie Blanchette, a gifted trainer from Au Bonheur des chiens, will give a dog-training demonstration with FAS dogs at 2 p.m.at Studio Georgeville.While in Georgeville, enjoy a bite to eat at the village’s new restaurant, Triticeus, 17 chemin de Magoon Point, Georgeville.Light fare, reasonably priced, in a beautiful setting.Open from 7 a.m.until 2 p.m.on Saturday and Sunday.For more information: you can visit the Studio Georgeville Facebook page, or the website (www.studio-georgeville.com), or phone 819-843-9992.You can also visit the FAS website (www.frontieranimalsoci- ety.ca).The Frontier Animal Society is a no kill shelter and animal sanctuary located in Ogden that has been in operation for numerous years.The shelter is currently home to about 20 dogs and 40 cats.The shelter provides a safe and caring environment for numerous adoptable dogs and cats while they await their second home.During a recent visit, Brenda was faithfully taking two large beautiful dogs for a walk.All the animals are lovingly cared for; hence, neutered/spayed, including up-to-date routine shots.Dogs are also vaccinated for kennel cough and cats are tested for feline leukemia and FIV.All dogs are microchipped prior to leaving with their adoptive family.All donations of $20 or more are tax deductible.Sherbrooke app hackers take provincial finals Sherbrooke The team representing the City of Sherbrooke has won the Quebec Open Data Hackathon competition held last weekend in Quebec City.This major provincial event in the Field of information technology (IT) brought together the winners of regional competitions held a week earlier in Sherbrooke, Montreal and Quebec City.“I warmly congratulate the Sherbrooke team of five developers in the field, for this victory,” said Sherbrooke Mayor Bernard Sévigny, “While at HackSherbrooke, we had a taste of the full potential of creativity, innova- tion and collaboration related to open data.This contest demonstrates unequivocally the strength of solutions created by the people and for the people.” Tlie winning team won a $12,500 grant through its “Today” application.The app developed by the Sherbrooke team is available at todayapp.ca and is designed for all those looking for things to do in different cities in the province.It includes more than 40 sets of open data and demonstrates the usefulness to cities and the Government of Quebec, of democratizing access to information as well as the potential benefits of open data New Cégep de Sherbrooke Director of Education Record Staff Sherbrooke The Executive Director of the Cégep de Sherbrooke, Marie-France Bélanger, has announced the appointment of Jocelynn Meadows as director of education and programs in the faculty of arts and letters.With a bachelor’s degree in pre-primary education from the University of Quebec at Rimouski, Meadows has 25 years of experience in the world of education.She has been employed by the Cégep de Rimouski throughout and has gained an extensive knowledge of the Cégep system and the mission of colleges.In Rimouski, Meadows taught English in the regular sector and assumed the roles of coordinator of the department of languages, educational consultant, and academic affairs officer for the teachers union.She also served on the organizing committee of the Cégep de Rimouski Staff Association and was a member of the Union of Professionals.For over ten years, Meadows was a manager of a company that aims to develop an English summer camp for children aged 6 to 12 and also participated in the organizing committee of the Science Fair.She also became known as a member of the Association for College Research (ARC), for the Cégep Commission of the Board of education.In 2013, she became a member of the board of the Quebec Association of college education (AQPC), for which she also hosted educational activities on student engagement.“Through her many experiences, Ms.Meadows is a perfect fit for the position of director of education and sector programs.She will not fail to take advantage of her great sense of organization, her rigour, and her team spirit for the success of the Cégep’s students,” the college says in a press release.Meadows will assume her new post on April 14.Ben by Daniel Shelton HERE'S MY IPE4 .UET5 SAMPLE CUISINES FROM /4?0UNPTHEW0RLPMVE CLOSE OUR EYES, SRI N THEJ globe anp point.WHEREVER OUR FlNOEK TwEu/T ^ LANES, WE HAYE TO EAT ^( p ATA RESTAURANT FEATUR- UMM.) VJE INC POOP FROM THAT > ITALY./ v country, om?y THIS ISN'T EXACTLY WHAT I WAS HOPING , -1 FOR g OTLYL '/ I MiiSaiiii The Record newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Tuesday, April 1, 2014 Page 3 Police briefs: Tough weekend for drunk drivers Waterloo Police conducted a surveillance operation around bars, in downtown Waterloo early Saturday morning and stopped a 44-year-old resident of Ste-Anne-de-la-Rochelle on Foster Street, who they discovered had outstanding fines and a sanctioned licence.The driver was handed a fine of several hundred dollars in addition to having his vehicle impounded for 30 days at his expense.Police then observed an individual who tried to avoid going near a patrol car, which attracted the attention of police, who then proceeded to investigate.After stopping him, they found that the driver, a 34 year old man from Sutton, was intoxicated.Placed under arrest, he failed a breath test.A prohibited weapon (brass knuckles) was also seized during the search.The suspect will appear later in connection with this event.Meanwhile, his licence was suspended for a period of 90 days.In Brome-Missisquoi, a Friday night roadblock on Léopold St.in Cowansville turned up no impaired drivers, but one ticket for excessive acceleration was issued.The police then took stock of a nearby bar where they discovered two underage patrons.Findings of offence were issued for a $90 fine and a complaint will be filed with the Régie des alcools et des jeux.On Saturday evening, a citizen alerted police about a vehicle traveling erratically on Route 139 towards Cowansville.Armed with this information, police were able to locate the vehicle and arrest the driver, who turned out to be impaired by alcohol.The 24 year-old from Cowansville failed the breathalyzer test, registering more than twice the legal limit.He will appear in court at a later date but in the meantime, his licence has been suspended for 90 days and his vehicle seized for 30 days at his expense.During a routine patrol Sunday evening, police caught a driver speeding on Route 139 near Ch.Giard near Brigham.During the intervention, they noticed the driver was intoxicated.The 55-year old Granby man failed a breathalyzer test, registering a BAC over twice the legal limit.The use of force was required to subdue the man because he was very agitated.The man was eventually taken to hospital for evaluation.Also on Sunday, police conducted a joint road safety operation in Cowansville, paying particular attention to the nonuse of seat belts and cell phone use while driving.Six findings were issued and two notices for mechanical verification were issued to owners whose vehicles had major defects.In addition, five warnings were issued to other owners for various minor defects.During another routine patrol, police recognized a 26-year old individual near a convenience store in Cowansville.The man was wanted on eight warrants by the SQ.and one from the Granby police.The suspect was taken into custody and detained at the station until a court appearance Monday.He will also be charged with breach of conditions as he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs despite a ban by the Court.Luc Fortin ConTd from page 1 priorities, with a focus on youth retention.“From here to 2031 there will be more than 17,000 fewer people aged 15-64,” Fortin explained, quoting an article from last Thursday’s issue of La Tribune.“There is clearly an aging of the population underway here in Sherbrooke.” Based on that threat of a shrinking workforce, Fortin said that the key to economic success lies in the creation of a promising vision of the future for the area’s young people.“We need to find a way to retain our youth in the city, to bring back those who’ve left, and to attract newcomers,” the Liberal candidate said, “how do we do that?Quite simply by offering them employment opportunities.” Saying that he wants to stimulate job growth and entrepreneurship in Sherbrooke, Fortin said that he already sees a lot of key components in the city that will help spur economic activity.He pointed to the hard work of groups like Sherbrooke Innopole, the local chambers of commerce and the city itself as engines helping to promote the region, but said that he would unite their efforts under the banner of a “Sherbrooke economic team.” This team would act as a gathering point for common missions between the different agencies and help promote the region's potential to investors.“There’s a lot of potential,” he added, pointing out that the common front would also indicate the governmental backing of Sherbrooke’s economic agencies, which is very attractive to those considering investing in local initiatives.He likened the initiative to the Liberal’s Plan Nord, but on a smaller scale and in a different location.Asked if it was intimidating to run in the former riding of the last Liberal Premier, and if he s encountering lingering hostility or problems having to do with the past liberal government on the campaign trail, Fortin said no.“Every election takes place in a particular context,” the candidate said, “the last election, in 2012, was created in a climate where people wanted change.They wanted to send a message, and that’s what they did.At the same time, I meet people every day here in Sherbrooke who say that they voted against Jean Charest but now regret that action when they see the changes that have taken place over the last 18 months.” Continuing from that, Fortin established that it is not Charest’s shoes that he is here to fill.“Jean Charest is not a candidate in the present election;” Fortin said.“I came here to replace Serge Cardin.I came here to put all my heart and all my energy into communicating the projects and concerns of the people of Sherbrooke to the National Assembly, and to give the city back a strong voice.” The young Liberal reiterated his past criticism of the long-time Sherbrooke politician, saying that locals have been telling him, “by the dozen,” that Cardin has been absent in his role as MNA.“Even among the 125 other deputies of the National Assembly, there are people who don’t know who the deputy for Sherbrooke is,” Fortin added.“This is the sixth largest city in the province, we should have a strong voice at the National Assembly.That hasn’t been the case these last 18 months.” Despite a strong push GORDON LAMBIE Luc Fortin.from the Parti Québécois to present themselves as being in touch with the youth of Quebec, Fortin said that he feels the party doesn’t understand the re alities of the demographic.He said that the youth support is not present on matters of sovereignty or the proposed charter of values, and that today’s youth are more interested in building bridges with other communities than burning them down.“The youth are open to the world, and for them the old de- bates are behind them,” the liberal candidate said, expressing what he has heard during his trips to the University of Sherbrooke during the campaign.He emphasized his argument by pointing out the way that educational institutions across the province have come out against the charter.Fortin called the issues of the election very clear, pointing to jobs, the economy, education, health and support of our families and oui elders as the “real issues” facing the province.He echoed party leader Philippe Couillard in ac cusing the PQ of attempting tc distract the population bj proposing, “False solutions tc false problems,” but said he was ready to work with MNAs o! other party allegiances on the common issues of Sherbrooke’' three ridings once the electior is over.“I work very well with Karine Vallieres and Guy Hardy, we arc in constant communication,’ Fortin said, “but we have the re sponsibility, after the election; are over, to rise above partisan ship.When we’re elected ther we represent the whole of the population, and that is what am ready to do.” “Philippe Couillard’s Libera team wants to gather Quebecer; around common projects tc stimulate job creation and the economy,” the Sherbrooke can didate said.“I think the choice is very clear for Quebecers.” Lennoxville Elementary School Benefit Dance on Saturday, April 5 at the ANAF.Unit 318 (The Hut) 300 St.Francis, Lennoxville featuring Slightly Haggard All proceeds will go towards the L.E.S.extra-curricular activities.Admission $10.Donations welcome: (Please drop it off at the school by April 4).Everyone welcome.18+ Travel Vaccination Service Hepatitis A and B Typhoid Update your immunization schedule Thursdays 10 a.m.to I 1:30 a.m.Rachel Lajeunesse Sylvie Lussier Marie-Claude Lapointe Jean Cou tu Santé Beaute, 147 Queen Street Lennoxville Blood Test: On appointment only.For more information, the team from the laboratory will be glad to help you.819-569-3601 Page 4 Tuesday, April 1, 2014 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record Major fire in Ayer's Cliff TERRY LOUCKS No one was injured during the long seven hour intervention in Ayer's Gifflast Thursday.Terry Loucks Record Correspondent Avery old but often renovated duplex type home with a bright red tin roof on the main street of Ayer’s Cliff was completely destroyed by a daytime fire on Thursday, March 27.The initial call came into the village Fire Hall at 11:25 a.m.and the fire brigade was on the scene within minutes, since it turned out that the fire at 904 Main Street was only a few houses away from them.However, flames and smoke had quickly engulfed the historic home, resulting in a general call that involved more than seven hours of work by two dozen volunteer fire fighters The newly created Intermunicipal Fire agreement (Régie) was put to the general alarm test with the added arrival on scene of the equipment and human resources from Hatley, Stanstead as well as Newport, Vermont, all helping out the Ayer’s Cliff fire crew.According to Fire Chief Dany Brus, this was the first time the village had had a major fire since 2012, and this was also the first time that the American counterparts had joined in to help.“Their specialized equipment and 30 minute response time from Newport were all extremely positive factors in this team effort to extinguish what became a very stubborn fire taking many hours to finally con- trol.” As in most very old dwellings, this building had been renovated many times throughout the years, even to the point of having three different roofs.each new one re- built on top of the old one during these many years.Chief Brus mentioned in a telephone interview that “this was one of the major reasons why the fire became so tricky and difficult to extinguish, adding more strenuous work for the fire fighters, as they had to tear off parts of the red tin roof to get to the original underlying old cedar shingle roof.” Although some furniture was saved because of the quick response, the large home became a complete loss.Nobody was home at the time, includ- ing the renter of an adjoining apartment.The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but according to Brus, “some repairs were recently done in the apartment, which was the area where the fire started.” There is little separation between the homes on main street, and luckily the rare south winds were blowing the smoke and flames across the street and not towards the neighbouring homes.Nevertheless, in a defensive measure, the fire fighters generously watered down the home closest to the fire source on the west side, preventing the fire to spread.Luckily as well, nobody was home at the time, and no one was injured during the long seven hour intervention.UdeS research team makes ‘Discovery of the Year’ Record Staff Sherbrooke A Université de Sherbrooke research team project has been listed as the top 10 scientific discoveries of 2013 by Quebec Science magazine.Dr.Xavier Roucou and his research team made an extraordinary discovery that pushes the boundaries of life that undermines traditional views of medicine and biology, the existence of so-called alternative proteins.These findings will help better understand the behaviour of cells that generate certain neu-rodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.Already cited as one of the top ten discoveries of 2013 by the magazine, the work of the team from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the CHUS Research Centre Was recognized Monday as the 2013 Québec Science Discovery of the Year, an honour awarded by the magazine’s readers for what is described as “a bold and major discovery that has revolutionized the world of research.” The discovery of more than 80,000 proteins, named alternative proteins, disrupts the traditional views of medicine and biology by challenging what we know about proteins.Having scanned the entire human genome, Roucou and his team let go of the dogma that each gene corresponds to a single protein.According to their data, each mature RNA messenger, an intermediate used by cells for protein synthesis, encodes 3.8 proteins, on average, rather than one, as was believed.This discovery is a major breakthrough, since these alternative proteins have “passed under the radar” of researchers to this day.The identification of these proteins opens a new path in understanding neurodegenerative diseases.“It is very important to me since this prize is from both the scientific community and the amateur scientists who voted for the research project, says Roucou, a professor in the Department of Biochemistry."Besides, I want to thank all those who voted for this discovery.The whole team is very honoured by this recognition." “The Québec Science Discovery of the Year award is the only science prize to be awarded by the general public," says Editor Raymond Lemieux.Readers were apparently impressed by the research, which garnered 28 per cent of the vote.“What interested me most about this discovery is that it is not only an end, but a spring- board to further progress.This is, in my opinion, the true meaning of scientific research -to advance knowledge, but also to provide avenues for other research teams to move forward," said one.“For the daring behind the publication of these results, congratulations to Professor Roucou and his team!” said another.Roucou’s team in the research into alternative proteins consists of students Benoît Van-derperre, Danny Bergeron, Cynthia Bissonnette, Catherine Lapointe, and Solène Vander-perre, as well as research professionals Guillaume Tremblay and Julie Motard.Formula Growth $1.1 million donation includes Bishop’s Montreal Montreal-based invest- ment firm Formula Growth Limited is advancing business programs at Concordia, Bishop’s, McGill universities and HEC Montréal.Formula Growth through a combined donation of $1.1 million will support the following initiatives: John Dobson-Formula Growth Investment Room at Concordia’s John Molson School of Business (JMSB).• The Dobson-Lagassé Entrepreneurship Centre at Bishop’s.• The Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship at McGill’s De-sautels Faculty of Management.The Dobson/Formula Growth experience as part of the Parcours entrepreneurial Rémi-Marcoux at HEC Montréal.“The $1.1 million gift is a vote of confidence in higher education.It is an investment in our city, in Quebec and Canada,” says company president Randall Kelly.Formula Growth’s donations reflect a half-century history of philanthropy and entrepreneurship initiated by its late founder John W.Dobson.“We are deeply grateful for the support,” says Concordia President Alan Shepard.“This gift fosters our longstanding commitment to providing innovative learning environments for Montreal’s future leaders." Michael Goldbloom, C.M., principal of Bishop’s University, says: “’The Dobson-Lagassé Entrepreneurship Centre connects students and young entrepreneurs with experienced business executives.This is a great model.This gift will allow us to continue to see it grow.” Source: Scott McCulloch The Record newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Tuesday, April 1, 2014 Page 5 2014 Quebec election campaign Parti Québécois tries again to get Richmond riding By Stephen McDougall Special to The Record For the past 40 years, the Parti Québécois has tried to convince voters in the riding of Richmond to elect their candidates instead of staying with Liberal provincial legislature member Yvon Vallieres.In nine of the past 10 elections, Vallieres came out the winner, solidly defeating nine different PQcandidates.Then, in 2012, with the Charest government on the ropes, he retired and let his daughter Karine Vallieres take over.But the riding borders were changed to merge the old Johnson riding with Richmond and throw in a chunk of Sherbrooke to create a larger territory with some 57,000 residents.The belief was the riding would finally go to PQ candidate Etienne Alexis Boucher, who was the Johnson representative for the past four years.Boucher mounted a slick ad campaign asking voters the question “Do you know who I am?” Despite his efforts and confidence, not enough voters did and returned the Vallieres name to the legislature, although by a close margin of 269 votes.This time around, the two candidates are facing off again and both are being cautious about the outcome.Instead of attacking the other’s character or abilities, the two leading candidates are criticizing the other’s party.“The PQ is an electoralist party,” charges Vallieres.“All they want is enough votes to gain their majority, so they will choose any popular position that will accomplish that goal.” In a scripted interview with The Record, Vallieres argues the party cannot be trusted to forgo an independence referendum if most Quebecers show no interest in holding one.“When their star candidate, Pierre Karl Peladeau, stands up and cries out for a sovereign Quebec, you know what the party’s priority is.If you vote for this party, Canadian unity is in trouble.” But when asked to comment on the controversy of choosing wealthy conservative Peladeau as a PQ candidate, Vallieres backs off.“I don’t want to comment on individual candidates,” she says.“I am more concerned with the party we elect to run our government.” Boucher also steers clear of candidate bashing, though he quickly comes to the defence of Peladeau, even though the media magnate sticks out of the PQfold because of his past role as a union buster.“We are a party of coalition,” Boucher argues in defence of PKP, as he is known in the media.“It shows our party can embrace all political sides.Just remember that one of our PQ Premiers, Lucien Bouchard, was a conservative.The important thing is that PKP is a successful entrepreneur who has created hundreds of jobs in Quebec.” But Boucher has a harder time defending his party’s confusing environmental position.The party started out its term of office in 2012 by canceling a $58 million loan to the local Jeffrey asbestos mine to please the environmental lobby.Then the PQ temporarily suspended drilling for shale gas and mining of uranium, also to boost its green image.But last fall, it gave that same lobby pause when it supported the drilling for oil in Anticosti Island and gave a qualified green light to a pipeline that would bring oil from Alberta to Quebec “We want to emphasize our green side, but we still need oil and a pipeline is safer than railway cars,” argues Boucher, referring to the Lac-Megantic disaster last summer that left 47 people dead.“We want to get off our dependence on oil and electrify our transportation system, but the oil will create hundreds more jobs now.” Boucher defends his party’s record of creating jobs with a $50 million economic diversity fund the PQgovernment granted the Asbestos area.He does not seem concerned that two economic development projects that had been on the planning board for years were suddenly made public at the outset of the election.“It is better to show we are doing things than say there has been nothing done,” he says about the start of a new magnesium smelter pilot project and the granting of a provincial park status for Ham Mountain.“The Liberals can’t deny the mine loan was made with no thought of the election they called a month later,” he argues.“We believe that loan helped them keep the riding then.Now, the asbestos mine is closed and is no longer an issue in this election.Our job creation record is.” Asked about the magnesium and park projects, Vallieres chooses not to label them as tools of political manipulation by the PQ.She argues the projects were the work of the local municipal economic planners, who should not be tar- nished by the present election.She also takes a soft tone when it comes to a local environmental issue, the question of fluoridation in municipal tap water.The issue came up last winter when the town of Richmond opted out of a provincial fluoridation program because of residents’ concerns over long-term health effects.But the town soon found itself penalized $260,000 by Quebec for doing so.Vallieres argued last year the penalty was “deplorable,” but did not mention the fact that her party had pushed for the program before the last election.She also did not comment when it was learned that PQ health minister Rejean Hebert also endorsed the program, saying it is “good for teeth.” The issue was further complicated by Boucher, who during the last election called for the elimination of the program for environmental reasons.But when asked about the program now, Vallieres refuses to refute or support the practice, saying it is best settled by a parliamentary commission the PQ set up to study the issue.“This issue has be decided by a group of experts and representatives,” she says.“It is not a black or white decision.” When asked for his take on the program now, Boucher also declines comment, arguing it is an issue best settled between the government and the residents of Richmond.What could sway the outcome of the riding’s choice is the presence of the Coalition and Solidaire parties in the race.Colombe Landry of Quebec Solidaire admits votes for her party will weaken support for the PQ given that both parties represent moderate socialist programs and Quebec independence.But she argues the PQhas lost its way and is more concerned about power than principles.“If you want transparency in how Quebec becomes independent and a clear, uncompromising stance on the environment, we are the party,” she maintains.“The PQ is coy about holding a referendum and does not even have a constitution ready.We would make sure oil, shale gas, uranium and asbestos are totally banned, not pushed aside to be used later to create quick jobs to get votes.” Quebec Coalition (CAQ) candidate Alain Dion believes Quebec is poorly managed by the other parties and wants curbs put on bureaucracy and spending.He denies his party would weaken the Liberal vote and let the PQtake the riding.“We are not similar to the Liberals,” he says.“We want to cut spending, not increase it like they do,” he said.“Most voters here want to see spending cuts.” For voters at a Danville Legion brunch last Sunday, the choices were not appealing.Serge Chagnon believes Vallieres will win the riding again given the riding’s Liberal past.“She has made no errors and the PQ party is starting to scare people with their independence talk.“At the same time, the Liberal leader is not appealing to many voters.” Noella Beaudoin says she will vote for the party rather than for the local candidate.“The candidate does not help single, working people like me, and never has,’ she says.“I never liked (PQ leader Pauline) Marois and I hear the Liberals are leading in the polls now.” For Charlie Coburn, the candidate is the more important factor in this race.“I usually vote for the candidate that lives the closest to me, and that is Vallieres,” he says.“If she does half the things her father did, I will vote for her.” Read all about it - Two decades of headlines compiled into 2 books The Record has scanned and digitized original copies of the front pages of our newspaper from the turn of the century.Read about the efforts and sacrifices of two World Wars, the Depression, fires, floods, crime and punishment.More than that, the pages are a testament to the builders and leaders whose names grace our street signs and institutions.The Record was a driving force behind the formation of boards of trade, a watchdog over town councils, a lead advocate for the extension of the railway to local communities and a vigilant protector of the region’s natural resources.Our goal today is to print volumes in segments highlighting the most important stories of each decade.• Volume 1 is from 1911-1920 • Volume 2 is from 1921-1930.Only a limited number of the bound 10” x 13” editions have been printed and are for sale for only $25.each plus taxes ($28.75).Drop by our office at 1195 Galt St.East, Sherbrooke and pick them up.For more information call 819-569-9528 or email us at billing@sherbrookerecord.com Page 6 Tuesday, April 1, 2014 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record -v ’-"=3 H 1 T A IF 1 Political pundits have plenty offodder for analysis and commentaries for weeks to J- 2d.Uli 1 UJrv.1 come.Stunned, soothed, and impressed Susan Mastine Words can soothe, state the obvious, enthuse, entertain, and get us into big trouble.That reality undoubtedly hit Liberal leader Philippe Couillard with full force, after he declared in the midst of last week’s leaders’ debate that he believes bilingualism to be an asset.His actual phrasing was: “Le bilinguisme n’est pas une menace, mais un atout.” More than one jaw in Quebec dropped at that moment.How could someone vying for the position of premier of this province dare to utter such a statement, and with such a strong sense of firm conviction?While some viewers were, and are still, clearly aghast and outraged, others in their living rooms were positively pleasantly astounded, jumping out of their comfy seats and cheering right out loud—thinking of little else since.Was divulging this pro-bilingual stance a reflection of courage, folly, inexperience?Whatever it was, political pundits have plenty of fodder for analysis and commentaries for weeks to come.That many were still pondering this situation was evident last Saturday evening at the awards gathering honouring the “esteemed albeit wretched writers” who had participated in the Bulwer Purple Prose Literary Contest by composing flowery and florid opening sentences to the worst of all possible novels.Before beginning the revelation of the winners, who were invited on stage to read “the purple products of their quills,” esteemed and hilariously witty emcee Ross Murray, despite his avowed intention to the contrary, let slip several astute allusions to the current political atmosphere, coloured with comicality, of course.That the tiny English-speaking community of Bulwer, Quebec should devise such a creatively, colourful fundraising activity, highlighting literary flair not, and presenting an opportunity for the expression of truly charming musical talent and savoury homemade cuisine on the same occasion, is an amazing accomplishment.Inspired by the man for whom the Eastern Townships hamlet of Bulwer in named—18th