The City of Vaudreuil-Dorion has announced its support for Vaudreuil MNA Marie-Claude Nichols' request to the Quebec Toponymy Commission that the future Île-aux-Tourtes bridge be named the Paul-Gérin-Lajoie bridge.

The municipal council unanimously adopted a resolution to this effect at its regular meeting on Monday, September 18.

Paul-Gérin-Lajoie, who passed away in June 2018, was a leading figure in provincial and regional politics. Among other things, he contributed to the economic, social and cultural development of Vaudreuil-Soulanges, notably with the creation of the Cité-des-Jeunes high school in Vaudreuil-Dorion and the region's first vocational school.

A citizen of Vaudreuil-Dorion, Paul-Gérin-Lajoie founded the weekly L'Écho de Vaudreuil-Soulanges et Jacques-Cartier in 1957. 

In 1960, Mr. Gérin-Lajoie was elected Member of Parliament for Vaudreuil-Soulanges under Jean-Lesage. That same year, he became Minister of Youth and launched his school reform. 

As Quebec's first Minister of Education, he abolished the classical colleges and established a public education system that was free and compulsory until age 16. 

Paul-Gérin-Lajoie was also a key player in the history of Quebec's international relations, leading to the Gérin-Lajoie doctrine recognizing Quebec's right to establish direct relations with foreign countries in areas within its constitutional jurisdiction.

In August 2018, Marie-Claude Nichols announced that she had taken steps to have the current Vaudreuil riding renamed Paul-Gérin-Lajoie.