Politicians flock to Magdalen Islands as residents deal with storm aftermath

Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) and Parti Québécois (PQ) leaders François and Paul St-Pierre Plamondon headed to the Magdalen Islands Monday, in a race to win over Magdalen Islands residents dealing with the aftermath of post-tropical storm Fiona.

The riding of almost 10,800 voters has historically vacillated between the PQ and the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ). Last election, outgoing MNA Joël Arseneau won his seat by just 15 votes over the Liberal candidate.

But this time, the PQ candidate is facing stiff competition from the CAQ's Jonathan Lapierre. Lapierre is well-known in the community, as mayor of the Magdalen Islands since 2013 and a city councillor since 2005. He has stepped away from his municipal duties during the campaign.

With just one week to go before the provincial election, both party leaders made sure to meet residents affected by the storm.

In a news conference Monday afternoon, Legault, the incumbent premier, announced the government would set up a local office and hold a public meeting on Tuesday to help people apply for financial compensation.

Legault said his decision to visit the islands was not politically motivated and had been planned long ago.

"I think I was able to separate the two roles," he said.

St-Pierre Plamondon said it was touching to hear the testimony of residents hit hard by the storm.

He said he met some fishermen who told him they had had to secure their boats to phone poles in the middle of the storm because they didn't have access to lifts to take their boats out of the water, an issue he blamed on the federal government.

"That's a consequence … of one government too many and of files that don't move forward," the PQ leader said. "It's the safety of people that's in question."

Like Legault, St-Pierre Plamondon said his visit was not politically motivated. He was there, he said, to help Arseneau make a list of the people and businesses that need financial assistance.

"No matter when an event like this happens, it's important to travel there and to measure what needs to be done," he said. "Our work is to make sure that no one gets forgotten."

Liberal Leader Dominique Anglade says she will travel to the Magdalen Islands and the Gaspé peninsula this weekend.

During a visit to the islands on Sunday, CAQ candidate and Public Security Minister Geneviève Guilbeault said she couldn't confirm when the funding promised by Legault will start rolling in.