The Gleaner sent the same series of questions to all the candidates representing Quebec’s major political parties in the Beauharnois riding. As of press time, we had not received responses from those running for the Quebec Conservative Party or Quebec Solidaire.
Conservative candidate Angélika Homère is originally from Haiti. She is a sociologist, entrepreneur, and a resident of Beauharnois. In the biography on her party’s website, Homère explained that she hopes to build a more prosperous Quebec by advocating for responsible management of public finances, better support for families, a reduction in excessive regulation, and more efficient access to essential services.
Virginie Hockers, of Québec Solidaire, founded the BellesHarnoises Hockey League in Beauharnois with her partner. Her party has promised to build 50,000 new social housing units in Quebec. To reduce the cost of living, Québec Solidaire has also proposed the creation of publicly run grocery stores, a two per cent cap on grocery store profit margins, and a wealth tax on the top 0.1 per cent of the population.
Following the September 17 deadline for filing candidacies in the riding, there are two additional candidates who have entered the race. The Green Party of Quebec is fielding Charmaine Carvalho, while Démocratie Directe has nominated Karine Pelletier as its candidate.
The Green Party has proposed an eco-socialist transformation based on environmental protection, social justice, peace, democracy, and the strengthening of public services in Quebec. In response to issues such as the housing crisis, the rising cost of living, climate change, and the deterioration of public services, the Green Party is proposing free public transit, more affordable housing, public grocery stores, massive investments in the ecological transition, and the strengthening of health and education services.
For its part, Démocratie Directe has promised to make the results of consultations public before they are voted upon, to publish expenses related to government offices, travel, and allowances, and to allow voters to recall a representative who betrays their mandate before the end of their term.
Advance voting will take place on September 27 and 28 across the region, while the election will be decided on October 5.