Darius Shahheydari
PONTIAC June 24, 2020
Pontiac MNA André Fortin is leaving his role in health care aside after . . .
being appointed House Leader of the official opposition and finance critic.
The change in role was offered to him by Dominique Anglade, the new leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, as the result of a cabinet reshuffle.
“Most party leaders find new roles for their MNAs when they come into the leadership position,” said Fortin. “So I was happy to take on the responsibility.”
He compared his new role as House Leader to a well-known sports position,
“House Leader is almost the quarterback that [delegates] responsibilities to other MNAs, who coordinate all of our parliamentary actions,” said Fortin
Fortin said the House Leader position allows him to put the issues of Pontiac at the heart of their legislative actions.
“As for the finance critic position, I see it as a continuity of the health portfolio which I held previously,” said Fortin.
He said that in the time of the pandemic, everybody was worried about the health care system.
“Now that we are transitioning to a period that’s more focused on the economic recovery, well the public finances will take a very significant role,” said Fortin.
Fortin wants to use his new positions in order to serve the people of the Pontiac, like moving files important to the region into the government’s consideration.
“More importantly, I want to make sure the official opposition provides a solid alternative to the government…which is obviously necessary in our democracy” said Fortin.
The economic recovery is the number one thought on people’s minds across the province, according to him. In one of his first actions as finance critic, he was able to ask the government to give help to small businesses.
“I know there’s a lot of small business owners across the Pontiac who feel that the government hasn’t done quite enough to ensure their survival over the summer months,” said Fortin.
Fortin also mentioned there are other issues in Pontiac that are agriculture and forestry development based.
“We still have a number of issues related to health care that are important to this region,” said Fortin. “We’re still awaiting news as to how and when the obstetrics department will be able to reopen.” he said.
Fortin said that, as our province prepares for a potential second wave, to him it is important to know how to spend money wisely in the healthcare sector.
“The finance and health care ministers have to work together wisely,” he said. “In terms of the opposition, it will be the same. I could work with our new healthcare critic.”
So far, the public response has been positive, according to him.
“From the number of Quebecers that I’ve talked to, I think people are generally satisfied,” said Fortin. “Everyday I make sure that Pontiacers could be proud of the way I do politics and the roles that are mine.”
