Virginie Dufour Outlines Her Priorities as New Parliamentary Session Begins
As the new session of the National Assembly of Québec opens today, Virginie Dufour, Liberal MNA for Mille-Îles, says she intends to continue being a strong voice for residents of eastern Laval while advancing several key priorities.
Dufour noted that while the CAQ government delayed the start of the parliamentary session, the Liberal opposition is ready to work. “This summer, citizens told me about their difficulties in accessing public services, especially in health care. People no longer have confidence in the CAQ, despite the recent cabinet shuffle,” she said. “My role is to represent the concerns of Mille-Îles residents with the rigour and transparency they expect.”
Focus on the Environment
As the official opposition critic for the environment, Dufour previously introduced a bill to address the ongoing risks posed by so-called “forever chemicals” (PFAS) to ecosystems, drinking water, and public health. She is currently sponsoring a petition on the National Assembly’s website calling for the CAQ government to release a full assessment of PFAS contamination in Québec’s potable water sources.
“The clock is ticking. The CAQ is not only turning a blind eye but putting Quebecers’ health and our environment at risk,” she argued.
Dufour also pledged to press the new Environment Minister, Bernard Drainville, for stronger action on waste management. She referred to the government’s use of closure in March, which authorized Stablex to destroy an ecologically sensitive area in Blainville to expand a hazardous waste site for U.S. materials.
Housing Affordability
As the official opposition critic for housing, Dufour previously tabled a bill in response to the sharp rise in rents. The bill calls for the creation of an independent committee to provide objective recommendations on how the Tribunal administratif du logement sets rental criteria.
“Quebecers are being hit hard by the rising cost of living and by an affordability crisis,” she said. “At the same time, access to homeownership is slipping further away for first-time buyers.”
She added that under the CAQ government, there has been no productivity growth in the construction sector, while costs have risen faster in Québec than elsewhere in Canada. “It’s time to invest in innovation and productivity to reduce construction costs and address the housing crisis.”
