Earlier this week, Marie-Claude Nichols, independent Member of Parliament for Vaudreuil, submitted a request to the Commission de toponymie to have the future Île-aux-Tourtes bridge named the Paul-Gérin-Lajoie bridge.

She subsequently obtained the unanimous support of the Vaudreuil-Dorion municipal council via a resolution adopted at the council's regular meeting on Monday, September 18.

"I am very pleased to have the support of the City of Vaudreuil-Dorion, and I will be seeking the support of the MRC and its 23 member municipalities. Paul Gérin-Lajoie was a great builder of Quebec and deserves an infrastructure in his memory. Mr. Gérin-Lajoie's family is very touched by this initiative" says the politician at the National Assembly. 

A key figure in regional and provincial politics 

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. 

So the poll question of the week is: Should the Île-aux-Tourtes bridge be renamed in honor of Paul Gérin-Lajoie? The choices are:- Yes, because he had a major influence on Quebec and the region;

- Yes, a new bridge means a new name;- No, because the history of Île-aux-Tourtes must also be commemorated;

- No, because from my point of view, the name of the bridge is not an issue. 

What's your opinion on the matter?