Recognition for the Huntingdon riding’s rural realities is a top priority for Dale Langille, the candidate for the Canadian Party of Quebec (CaPQ).
When it comes to shoring up the local economy in the face of economic uncertainty, Langille explained that the CaPQ would work to reduce internal trade barriers within Canada, cut the corporate tax rate, and diversify the province’s export markets.
“For Huntingdon, this also means recognizing the importance of our agricultural and rural economy,” he said. “We need to strengthen local supply chains, processing and distribution, while making it easier for businesses to operate and expand,” he added, before noting that solutions will mean creating the conditions that allow local entrepreneurs to make their own investment and hiring decisions.
For farmers facing costly climate change adaptations, this means strengthening the resilience of the agriculture sector while allowing producers more freedom. The CaPQ will strengthen local food supply chains through investments in production, storage and processing. Langille said policies affecting rural infrastructure, transportation, trade and food production must reflect the realities of agricultural communities. “Farmers need practical solutions, predictable rules and access to markets – not policies that make it harder to operate a family farm.”
Access to healthcare and education is also fundamental to the vitality of the smaller communities that make up the riding. Langille advocates for an infrastructure approach that considers population growth, the needs of seniors, travel distances, existing infrastructure and the ability to recruit and retain qualified professionals.
Ensuring the small communities that make up the riding remain viable places to live, work, raise a family and grow older represents a pressing issue for Langille. “As the candidate for Huntingdon, my focus would be on making sure that the riding is not treated as an afterthought because it is rural,” he concluded.