Canuel-Jolicœur was born and raised in Montreal and has lived and worked in both Ontario and Quebec. She is a bilingual francophone. Her husband is an anglophone from Fort-Coulonge and two of her three children are enrolled in the anglophone Western Quebec School District.

She has lived in Aylmer for 15 years while working as a public servant for the federal government.

Canuel-Jolicœur said that her involvement in the community is what inspired her to run for office.

“I’ve been involved with different women’s shelters that help women who are victims of violence. I’ve been helping also with different sports associations like the Minor Hockey Association of Aylmer. I helped with the floods in 2017 and 2019. I am also involved with the school boards and schools where my kids are attending. But now I want to be involved with another level,” said Canuel-Jolicœur about her involvement in the community.

Her work with domestic violence victims includes being on the board of directors of Maison D’Aide Et D’Hebergement in Aylmer, which is attempting to build eight women’s shelters in the region.

Now that she’s running, she hopes that she can make a positive impact on the region if elected.

“My priority for Pontiac is the health care service, reopening the obstetrics unit in Shawville and adding more

health care services that are humane and efficient,” said Canuel-Jolicœur about her priorities.

She blamed much of the current problems of the Pontiac Hospital on the centralization of healthcare under the previous provincial Liberal government.

“It’s very important that health services are decentralized and that the Shawville hospital can manage its own services,” she said.

On economic development and cost of living, Canuel-Jolicœur said:

“The CAQ has already improved high speed internet coverage, which will be completed at the end of September. It’s going to be great to go on and continue to work and improve cell phone coverage.”

She said that improvements in internet connectivity and cell services will greatly help local businesses and farmers.

Referencing her recent meeting with MRC Warden Jane Toller, Canuel-Jolicœur added:

“I want to support the social and economic development of Pontiac by supporting entrepreneurship and our farmers. And there are very interesting priorities for forestry and mills. I want to work with the mayors of the Pontiac to further these priorities.”

On education, Canuel-Jolicœur said she hoped to see an expansion of satellite programs from CEGEPs and universities into the Pontiac.

As to why she thinks the Pontiac should break with the Liberal Party of Quebec (LPQ), which has represented the riding since 1973, she said:

“It’s time for a change. The CAQ has already shown that they are the party that have done the most for the Pontiac. If the CAQ is re-elected and I’m elected as the deputy for the Pontiac, then the Pontiac will have a very strong voice in the National Assembly.”

On tensions over Bill 96 and concerns among the anglophone community, Canuel-Jolicœur said:

“My husband is an anglophone. So, when he was hearing what was going on in the news, he was very concerned, and I was too for my children. But there is some misunderstanding. It doesn’t affect your rights to study in English. You will still have your health care services. I do not feel if you’re an anglophone in Quebec that it really affects you. We shouldn’t be concerned. It really is more for new immigrants arriving in Quebec. So immigrants will have to learn French when they arrive.”

Canuel-Jolicœur says she plans to present herself as a candidate by meeting people and listening to their concerns.

“I hope the residents of the Pontiac will vote for me because I can bring good change,” concluded Canuel-Jolicœur.

In other election news, the LPQ announced they are committed to doubling the supplement for purchasing school supplies

The Québec solidaire (QS) announced the slogan “Changer d’ère” (“Changing eras,”) which is aimed at targeting younger voters and signals generational change. In a tweet announcing the slogan, QS spokesperson Gabreil Nadeau-Dubois said that Quebec’s problems won’t be solved with solutions from the 90s.

The CAQ likewise announced “Continuons,” (“Let’s keep going”), as their slogan, which implies continuity.

The election is expected to officially be called in the coming weeks.

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