The West Island riding of Robert-Baldwin has had a Liberal MNA for decades, and nearly four-in-10 residents are anglophones.
The riding includes Dollard-des-Ormeaux and part of the Pierrefonds-Roxboro borough. As voters head to the polls, what’s top of mind and what could shape their choice on election day?
“Really my priority is health care,” said Nahla Hussein. “It is terrible here.”
“The economy and the future of our children and our grandchildren,” another person said.
Two of the candidates running in the riding – Brigitte Garceau of the Quebec Liberals and Sophie Leroux of the CAQ – spoke to CityNews.
Garceau says housing is a key priority. “The CAQ denied the crisis in housing for many years,” said Garceau, the current MNA who is seeking re-election. “We have pockets of poverty here in the West Island. We do.”
Leroux pointed to “investment in infrastructure” as a priority.
Robert-Baldwin is home to roughly 77,000 people, with a population that is predominantly non-francophone. Arabic, Italian, Spanish, Punjabi and Tamil are among the other languages commonly spoken in the riding.
“I’m tired of hearing our cultural community and of course our English community saying we feel like second-class citizens,” Garceau said.
“Our goal is to protect the French culture but at the same time, they need to be heard so if there’s services, I’ll make sure as an MNA that their voices are heard,” added Leroux.
Voters in the riding showed up for advance polling on Monday, with some telling CityNews the protection of anglophone and allophone rights remains a key concern.
“Unfortunately, I’ve lived in Montreal for over 40 years and I’ve seen the decline of politics in the West Island,” said resident Lucky Singh. “No one cares about us.”
“I have no voice. That’s how I’m feeling. And I think most Canadians who live here in the West Island have no voice.”
“I need to be protected by the law for the anglophone because these days they consider them as a minority,” Hussein said.
“We’re all Quebecois,” said Zakaib Richard. “My parents and grandparents are born here. Even though my last name isn’t French Canadian, I’m still Quebecer.”
“It’s too much ‘them against us,’” another voter said. “We contribute here. All my friends, all my past have moved out, and that’s wrong.”
While Robert-Baldwin has long been considered a Liberal stronghold, candidates are still making their pitch to voters.
“We’re about moving on,” Leroux said. “Typically Liberals have been about fighting the referendum, but we’re about autonomy in Quebec and working with the federal government.”
“The most important thing is they need to vote Liberal,” said Garceau. “We are second in the polls and we certainly are advocating for their rights and interests.”
CityNews also reached out to the Parti Québécois, Conservative Party of Quebec and Québec solidaire candidates for interviews but they were unavailable.
Add CityNews Montreal as a trusted source on Google to see more local stories from us.
