Liberal MNA outlines priorities at caucus meeting in Orford
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
At the Quebec Liberal caucus retreat held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Orford on Jan. 21, Désirée McGraw, Member for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and Official Opposition Critic for the Estrie Region, emphasized the party’s efforts to reconnect with the Eastern Townships. Speaking from her temporary role as the party’s regional spokesperson, McGraw highlighted key challenges and opportunities identified during her frequent visits to the region.
McGraw underscored the purpose of the caucus retreat, explaining that it served as a platform to strategize for the upcoming parliamentary session while engaging with local stakeholders. “We spent yesterday on the ground all over this region, meeting with companies and organizations,” McGraw said, adding that the discussions centred on addressing pressing issues and bringing concerns back to the National Assembly.
Regional neglect and community resilience
One consistent theme in McGraw’s interactions with Eastern Townships residents was a sense of neglect under the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government. “People feel completely ignored and abandoned, whether it’s in healthcare, food security, or social services,” she noted.
McGraw pointed to the closure of certain healthcare facilities and the strain on the CHUS as glaring examples of the government’s shortcomings. She also described meeting with women’s organizations that expressed frustration over a lack of funding to support vulnerable populations, including immigrant women and single mothers.
“There’s a hidden face of homelessness here,” McGraw explained, citing the plight of older women and young mothers resorting to desperate measures, such as sexual exploitation, to secure housing.
Despite these challenges, McGraw praised the region’s resilience and innovation. She highlighted a local coffee company that has fully electrified its operations, becoming the first in the world to do so, and expressed admiration for its efforts to diversify its market amidst economic uncertainties. “Small businesses here demonstrate incredible dynamism,” she said, noting that 50 per cent of the company’s clients are based in the U.S., which presents both opportunities and risks due to potential tariff changes.