This text is part of the special section Municipalities
After a first year in office, Daniel Côté, the president of the Union of Quebec Municipalities (UMQ), is far from having completed his work. Not only because he is only halfway through his mandate, but above all because the major projects that drive him are only beginning to yield results.
Provincial and federal politics occupy the top of the headlines, but Daniel Côté does not budge: municipalities are at the heart of almost all the issues that affect citizens on a daily basis. “All municipalities can identify with the priorities that the UMQ defends. Our objective is simple: it is to succeed in being more representative, of both urban and rural areas, of young and old citizens, and of Quebecers of all origins. »
In his opinion, the municipal world is even the perfect vehicle for advancing coexistence and the quality of life of the community.
“Municipalities have a certain power of action on several key elements,” he explains. The fight against climate change, for example, starts with local actions. Planting trees, maintaining green spaces or establishing shorelines are all things a municipality can do. »
Unity is strength
And when city councils come together, they can jointly tackle bigger jobs. One of the files at the top of the pile at the UMQ office concerns the electrification of municipal vehicles, while Daniel Côté wants the organization to become a “catalyst” for the electrification of transport in Quebec.
“We are organizing a group for the purchase of vehicles and charging stations. We want to make the UMQ a leader in purchasing expertise, because more types of vehicles are now going electric. After sedans, we are already witnessing the arrival of electric vans, and soon it will be the turn of heavy vehicles,” predicts the man who is also the mayor of Gaspé.
The notions of sustainable transportation and mobility are also central to the objectives set by Daniel Côté at the UMQ. Improving public transportation in urban and rural centers is one of its priorities, as is the desire to support intercity transportation, whether by air, rail or bus.
He will have the opportunity to test the intermunicipal network from May 19, when a vast tour of the regions of Quebec will begin from his Gaspé stronghold. Until the end of the summer, the elected official intends to visit the 17 regions of the Belle Province to “feel the pulse on the ground” and “meet the different realities of Quebec”.
“We are going to visit the regional centers of Quebec and chat with the members of the municipal councils in order to better understand the local priorities, he indicates. I am a pragmatic guy, and feeling what is happening on the ground will help enormously to fuel the actions of the second year of my mandate. »
A “group shot”
This pragmatism has already made itself felt in early childhood centres. Bill 1, aimed at accelerated development of the childcare services network, was adopted in April, after public consultations where Daniel Côté and the UMQ worked “closely” with the Minister of Families, Mathieu Lacombe, to reform the child care system.
For 2022, housing is the main issue. The Quebec Affordable Housing Program, which supports rental housing projects for low- or modest-income households, has seen its funding increased, and the last federal budget also gave pride of place to envelopes intended for housing.
By making housing a priority, the UMQ hopes to make a joint effort to also tackle the problems of labor shortage and inclusiveness that afflict the regions. These three elements are essential for developing businesses in the regions, explains Daniel Côté.
“There is a parallel to be drawn between the issue of inclusion and the labor shortage that is rife throughout Quebec,” he says. We can include more immigrants, disabled or elderly people in the labor market. The Government of Quebec is looking for fiscal means to help regional businesses, but I think that collectively, there is a way to do more. »
To share its vision, the UMQ will receive the leaders of the various provincial political parties next September, in view of the general elections scheduled for this fall. In this municipal meeting, Daniel Côté promises to “communicate the expectations of elected municipal officials” and to listen to the vision of the municipalities that inhabits each of the leaders.
Because in his opinion, if a person chooses to settle in the region, it is a “sustainable” choice, provided that it offers “a living environment and interesting jobs”.