One year after being elected for a third term, Marie-Claude Nichols, independent MNA for Vaudreuil, looks back positively on her work for the people of her riding, and remains determined to be a strong voice for the region.

"It's already been a year since the citizens of Vaudreuil honored me by choosing to represent them once again. A lot has happened since then, but my objective has never changed. I get up every morning determined to advance the priorities that matter to our region and motivated to fight for the  interests of my constituents. I am proud of the work that has been done thus far, although I realize that there are still many challenges left to be conquered.”

Traffic problems

Over the past few months, MNA Nichols has taken numerous steps to ensure that the CAQ government listens to the solutions proposed by local stakeholders to improve traffic flow on the Île-aux-Tourtes bridge during rush hour.

Finally, on September 29, changes were made, a great victory for MNA Nichols.

“I’m relieved that the minister finally listened to reason and has agreed to implement a dynamic traffic management system during peak hours as well as reopen a fifth lane on the Île-aux-Tourtes bridge. These are measures that I and many other local stakeholders had been pushing for for months but that had gone ignored by Minister Guilbault and the CAQ government. This will alleviate rush hour traffic on the bridge and make life easier for road users.”

Public transit on the new Île-aux-Tourtes bridge

It should be noted that the CAQ reneged on its commitment to integrate reserved transit lanes on the new Île-aux-Tourtes bridge, a decision unacceptable to MNA Nichols.

She has repeatedly questioned the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Geneviève Guilbault, as to why her government decided to remove reserved transit lanes from the route, but has never received an answer.

Ms. Nichols also criticized the lack of connection between the REM and the new $2 billion infrastructure.

For the MP, "it's proof of this government's lack of long-term vision. We need to manage with the population's present needs in mind, but also anticipate those of the future."

Parking for the new Vaudreuil-Soulanges hospital

According to the MP, the CAQ's decision to abandon the multi-storey parking lot planned for the new Vaudreuil-Soulanges hospital in favor of surface parking was another demonstration of this government's lack of consideration for the region's citizens.

MNA Nichols, like many others in the region, denounced the fact that the government is imposing standards on Quebec municipalities in terms of land use planning, wetland protection and farmland development, "when it does not respect them itself".

Sport-études and Arts-études programs

Nichols has actively worked toward a solution to enable students at École secondaire le Chêne-Bleu to continue in their special pedagogical programs. In response to overcrowding at the high school, the administration had sent a letter to parents of students enrolled in sports - and arts oriented curriculums informing them that they would have to transfer to École secondaire de la Cité-des-Jeunes in September if they wished to remain in their programs.

Contrary to what was implied, however, the corresponding government accreditation was not transferable from one school to the other, meaning that the programs would simply have been cancelled. Thankfully, parents rallied to the cause alongside their MNA.

As a result of their combined efforts, the Sport-études program will
officially be recognized at Cité-des-Jeunes. This recognition which, despite what was indicated in the transfer announcement by the Centre de services scolaire des Trois-Lacs, had not been granted, will make it possible for students who switch schools to maintain their specialization and enjoy similar standards to those in place at Chêne-Bleu.

In addition to these important local issues, Nichols has been involved in reviewing the bills on family law reform, public security, health, MNA compensation and financing of the Conseil de la magistrature.

She has also questioned the government about cost overruns for the Conseil de la magistrature during the review of justice ministry budget estimates and about available options for saving the Clinique de la Cité Vaudreuil during the review of health ministry estimates.

Finally, Nichols has tabled petitions on several matters of local importance and drawn attention to the achievements of many of her constituents.