A new provincial voice
Russell Township Mayor Pierre Leroux addressed a crowd during his official nomination in St. Isidore on Fri., April 13. Courtesy photo
Kalynn Sawyer Helmer
Villager Staff
ST. ISIDORE – After the recent announcement that Russell Township Mayor Pierre Leroux would be seeking election as the MPP Liberal candidate for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, Leroux’s official nomination took place in St. Isidore last Friday.
Leroux took to the podium for his first official address as the nominated candidate. Along the way he thanked current MPP Grant Crack who is stepping down from the position after six and a half years. Leroux said: “I would like to thank MPP Grant Crack for all that he has done. He has been a man of his word, a true gentleman and someone I have come to call friend. I wish him well in his future endeavours and thank him for his unrelenting service for the people of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell.”
Leroux’s experiences as mayor gives him a platform at the local level. He told those present he hopes to build on those experiences to make possible actions that were not so during his mayoral career. He explained: “Being at the municipal level means that I have to play by the rules put in place by the province. However, being at the provincial level I would have the opportunity to influence changes to these rules, to impact our community in a positive fashion.”
While Leroux’s platform is sure to reveal itself over the coming weeks, his speech focused on growing opportunities and caring for the residents’ futures. “We have the opportunity to invest in areas such as economic development by way of infrastructure projects or social development, through increased care for our seniors and most vulnerable residents or increased education opportunities for our youth,” he said. “All these types of investments will benefit the proud residents of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell. That is why the relationship with local mayors and the ability to understand local issues is so vital to the prosperity of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell.”
Since his announcement, Leroux said he has been approached by a number of residents both in favour of and opposed to his party’s election. Yet Leroux’s message remains the same despite political affiliations – “Together we can do better.”
Leroux concluded his address and said he did not believe in political promises as a method to be elected. He did promise however: “Whether you are a francophone or an anglophone, a man or a woman, a millennial or a senior, urban or rural; even if you identify s red, blue, green or orange or none of the above, it doesn’t matter; I will be there to fight for you, to represent you and your family at Queen’s Park. To provide a strong reasonable voice for everyone here in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell because I truly care about this community and its people.”
Election day is drawing near and voters are encouraged to ensure they are registered to vote and have a say in this election.
