Last week, the independent Member of Parliament for Vaudreuil, Marie-Claude Nichols, began a tour of businesses and industries in her riding. Between now and next autumn, she hopes to increase her number of meetings with the economic community, to learn more about the challenges facing local businesses and their development projects.

After visiting Winpak a few weeks ago, she continued her tour at Mitchel Lincoln packaging, Vaudreuil division, a leader in corrugated packaging. The company, which employs nearly 1,000 people, including around 100 in our region - the majority of whom are Vaudreuil-Soulanges residents - is well established in the area.

Welcomed by president Normand Bonin and vice-president of operations Christian Roy and his team, Ms. Nichols discovered the facilities and learned more about the investments made by the company to improve its plant and its commitment to eco-design of its products.

The prospects and scope of the company's printing capabilities were also discussed. The MP was impressed by the importance management places on the well-being of its employees.

Marie-Claude Nichols is committed to maintaining close ties with the companies in her riding.

"Our businesses and industries enable our region to develop and stand out, thanks in part to our geographic location, and our citizens to hold good jobs. It's therefore a priority for me to find out about the challenges and issues they face, as well as their development projects,” says Ms. Nichols. I'd like to thank Mr. Roy and the Mitchel Lincoln team for their warm welcome and the information they shared with me.It's by having both feet on the ground that I can fully grasp the reality of the people back home, and thus gather the information I need to represent them in Quebec City."

The MNA says she has other company visits on the agenda in the coming weeks. She hopes to paint an overall picture of the economic vitality of her riding by visiting companies in different sectors.

She will also be talking to the region's economic development organizations to get their point of view and find out about their concerns.