QUEBEC CITY – Liberals will be working tomorrow in Quebec City, as the Quebec caucus holds Winter meetings with important representatives of the region’s economic, technology, and research sectors. The mayor of Quebec City, Régis Labeaume, will also meet with the caucus.
“In order to develop our Quebec program, it is of the utmost importance to listen to the concerns of community leaders in and around the old capital region,” said the President of the Quebec Caucus, Pablo Rodriguez. “When the Conservatives were first elected in 2006, they promised the world to get this region’s vote. You can’t help but notice that not a lot has been done.”
“You can’t say that the region of Quebec has benefited much from four years under a Conservative government,” said the Liberal Leader’s representative in Quebec, MP Marc Garneau. “Just look at the drill hall file – it’s a mess. Nearly two years have passed since the fire destroyed the old ‘Manège militaire’ and the Conservative government has done next to nothing, while Minister Verner does not seem at all concerned.”
During the meeting, the Liberal caucus, MPs, senators, and candidates will listen to representatives from a number of different groups, including the Quebec Board of Trade, the Quebec Port Authority, the Pôle - Quebec Chaudière-Appalachians and the Quebec Congress Centre, who will be speaking about regional economic development issues. The afternoon work session will feature the Rector of Laval University, the President of INO, as well as representatives from the National Institute for Scientific Research, who will present on research, technology and innovation.
At the end of the day, Mayor Régis Labeaume will present Quebec City’s priorities for the coming years. All these presentations will allow the Quebec caucus to prepare a Liberal electoral platform which will take the region into account.
“It’s important to our caucus that we share with our fellow citizens the bold ideas a Liberal government would quickly put in place to make Canada the country we want it to be for its 150th birthday in 2017,” said Mr. Garneau. “It will be a difficult task, especially since we will have to move our country forward while dealing with the enormous deficit left behind by Stephen Harper.”