Warden discusses recent FQM conference, meeting with health minister
Warden discusses recent FQM conference, meeting with health minister
MRC Pontiac Warden Jane Toller stopped by CHIP 101.9’s studios this week to discuss her recent attendance at a meeting of the Fédération québécoise des municipalités (FQM) and the issues that were discussed.
She highlighted a short meeting that took place between the wardens of the Outaouais and Quebec’s Health Minister Christian Dubé regarding short-staffing issues in the region’s health care facilities. She said that she and her colleagues expressed their concern that bonuses given to imagery technicians in Hull and Gatineau might lead to a loss of staff at peripheral hospitals.
Toller also spoke about the discussions surrounding Bill 57, incoming legislation from Quebec’s Minister of Municipal Affairs Andrée Laforest which would impose fines on people who harass or intimidate elected officials. She pointed to the recent resignation of the mayor of Gatineau, who cited the “hostile” political climate as part of the reason for her departure.
She said that the pandemic was a turning point when it came to hostile interactions between citizens and elected officials.
Critics, such as the Ligue des droits et libertés, have cautioned that the bill as it is currently written could stifle legitimate political debate and freedom of expression.
