Liberal lead holds as campaign heats up with debates
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
With the April 28 federal general election quickly approaching, the campaign in Compton–Stanstead is gathering momentum. Liberal candidate Marianne Dandurand holds a commanding lead in the riding according to the latest 338Canada projection, published April 11, which places her at 50 per cent ± 8 per cent—a full 30 points ahead of the next contenders. The Bloc Québécois and Conservatives are tied at 20 per cent, with the Greens at 4 per cent, the NDP at 3 per cent, and the PPC at 2 per cent.
The race to succeed outgoing Liberal MP Marie-Claude Bibeau features six main officially registered candidates. The Record contacted all six to conduct structured interviews. Five responded. Conservative candidate Jacques Painchaud did not reply to four different attempts by Friday’s deadline.
First debate draws a crowd
The first candidate debate took place on April 7 at the Pavillon des arts et de la culture in Coaticook, drawing nearly 150 attendees, according to a press release. Organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Coaticook Region (CCIRC), CIGN FM radio, the CDC of the MRC de Coaticook, and Le Progrès de Coaticook, the event was hailed as a success by its organizers.
Present for the Coaticook debate were Marianne Dandurand (Liberal), Nathalie Bresse (Bloc Québécois), Jacques Painchaud (Conservative), and Sébastien Tremblay (Green). Valérie Laliberté (NDP) and Paul Lehmann (PPC) were absent. The debate covered trade relations with the U.S., supply management, rural housing, climate change resilience, cell service coverage, and the federal deficit.
Another debate is scheduled for April 15 at 6 p.m. in East Angus, offering what may be the last public exchange among the candidates before election day.
Paul Lehmann (PPC): “Freedom is the core of democracy”
Representing the People’s Party of Canada, Paul Lehmann is a Lennoxville-raised entrepreneur with deep roots in the Eastern Townships. After arriving in Sherbrooke for speed skating in the 1990s, he studied at Champlain and Bishop’s, eventually settling here to raise his family.
“I talk politics all the time. At some point, you have to stop talking and act,” he said. “The PPC’s 21-point platform matched what I’ve been thinking.”
His main focus is freedom of expression. “We’re in a time where people want to decide what we can or can’t read. That’s dangerous. I’ll censor myself, thank you,” he said.
Lehmann also drew connections between immigration, housing affordability, and strained social systems. “Mass immigration without proper planning is hurting us. We’re seeing food banks serve seniors who can’t make ends meet, while others game the refugee system with help from consultants.”
He emphasized support for small farms and rural food sovereignty. “I grew up on a fish farm. We lost everything to NAFTA. I understand why farmers are nervous about trade deals.” He believes Canadian agriculture needs better protection and pointed to his own experience with aquaculture regulation and international competition.
Though PPC leader Maxime Bernier opposes supply management, Lehmann says he would advocate for regional needs. “I want to thread the needle. Our small farmers are the heartbeat of this riding.”
Marianne Dandurand (Liberal): “We need strong regional voices at the table”
Liberal frontrunner Marianne Dandurand is a former journalist and longtime political advisor to current MP Marie-Claude Bibeau. Born in Bonsecours and now living in Sherbrooke, Dandurand has worked in regional tourism, agritourism, communications, and market research.
“I love this region. I know the issues. I’ve seen them up close from Ottawa and from home,” she said.
Dandurand’s campaign emphasizes protecting agriculture, improving rural infrastructure, and maintaining strong cross-border relationships. “We’re not immune to what’s happening in the U.S.,” she said. “We have to be ready, especially when it comes to tariffs and trade.”
She supports cell service expansion and says fibre optic coverage, while improving, still misses some corners of the riding. “Let’s bring the province, Ottawa, and municipalities together and actually fix this,” she said.
On supply management, she’s unequivocal. “It’s critical to our farms and our food system. I worked on this with Bibeau, and I’ll continue the work.”
Dandurand said her experience in Agriculture Canada has given her a detailed understanding of how Ottawa works and how federal programs can either help or hinder local economies. She emphasized the need for policies that reflect regional realities, not just national averages.
She pledged to maintain an office in Lennoxville if elected, calling it the most central and practical location for constituents. “Even if I’m not elected, I’ll still be working to support projects I’ve seen across the riding.”
Sébastien Tremblay (Green): “Let’s get ahead of the climate curve”
Green Party candidate Sébastien Tremblay is a teacher in Magog who lives in western Sherbrooke. A longtime party volunteer, he stepped in to run when no other local candidate came forward.
“I’ve worked on campaigns before. This time, I’m the one wearing the button,” he said.
His priorities include mental health care for adolescents, housing accessibility, water protection, and climate resilience. “One in seven teens needs support. We need more services, and they need to be free,” he said.
Tremblay emphasized that Compton–Stanstead’s mixed urban-rural character makes it a test case for progressive policy. “We have a lot of variety in this riding. The Green Party’s platform is flexible enough to support everyone from Coaticook to western Sherbrooke.”
He noted his personal connection to environmental issues through fishing and local water sources. “Lake Memphremagog is vulnerable. Zebra mussels are already showing up in Massawippi. This is serious. Ottawa needs to be proactive.”
He added that Greens want decision-making power decentralized to communities. “The people closest to the issues should be the ones shaping the solutions,” he said.
Valérie Laliberté (NDP): “The cost of living is what people talk to me about”
NDP candidate Valérie Laliberté has served as a political assistant in Compton–Stanstead and Sherbrooke, and worked for the federal government in service delivery.
“I’m not here with an agenda. I’m here to listen,” she said.
Laliberté said the main concern she hears from voters is affordability. “People are stretched thin. Groceries, housing, everything. We need to make life livable again,” she said.
She praised the NDP’s role in the creation of the national dental plan. “We’ve been pushing for that for years. It’s finally happening. That’s the kind of difference we can make.”
Although she missed the April 7 debate, Laliberté emphasized that she has a long-standing connection to the region, having gone to primary school in Compton and worked in several local municipal offices.
She said she would prioritize transparency and public accessibility. “I’ll be available. I’ll go door to door, I’ll hold small community meetings. I’ll respond,” she said. She added that balancing her campaign and parenting two young children has been a challenge, but also keeps her grounded.
Nathalie Bresse (Bloc Québécois): “We protect what’s ours”
Bloc Québécois candidate Nathalie Bresse is a longtime mayor of Ascot Corner and a well-known figure in local governance. At the Coaticook debate, she strongly defended Quebec’s agricultural model and the need for Ottawa to respect provincial jurisdiction.
“Supply management is not negotiable. It’s not just for farmers. It keeps prices stable for families,” she said.
Bresse said she was drawn to the Bloc because it reflects her values. “Whether it’s Liberals or Conservatives in power, the Bloc is there to ensure Quebec doesn’t lose out.”
She raised issues of cell service and rural transport at the debate, criticizing what she called “urban-centred” federal policies. “Montreal MPs aren’t talking about Compton–Stanstead’s cellphone coverage. But I am.”
She promised to remain visible and present. “People here know me. I’ve been at every carnival, every fundraiser. You’ll see my face.”
Jacques Painchaud (Conservative): present at the debate, silent elsewhere
Although Conservative candidate Jacques Painchaud participated in the April 7 debate in Coaticook, he has yet to make himself available for interviews or respond to The Record’s requests. At the debate, he echoed party themes of economic restraint, cutting the federal deficit, and reducing bureaucracy. However, his platform remains largely undefined in local media.
With the East Angus debate looming, voters may get another chance to hear directly from him.
Looking ahead
In a riding where political momentum is often determined by local presence, strong debate performances and community engagement can matter. But with the Liberals holding a 30-point lead, it’s an uphill battle for challengers.
The April 7 debate showed that residents are engaged: nearly 150 turned out to hear about trade, tariffs, cell service, and climate change. Organizers have urged all citizens to participate. “Here, men and women can vote without fear or judgement,” said Vicky Désorcy, chair of the CIRCC board, in the release. “Let’s take advantage of that right.”
For Compton–Stanstead, the coming days will be decisive—not just in terms of who wins, but how deeply candidates can connect with the people they hope to represent.
