With parliamentary sessions wrapping up last Friday in Quebec City, Marie-Claude Nichols, independent Member of the National Assembly (MNA) for Vaudreuil, is taking stock of the past year’s achievements.

Several significant challenges marked Vaudreuil in 2024. Local concerns such as the hospital parking dispute, flood zone mapping, and traffic problems had far-reaching impacts on the riding’s residents.

Additionally, Nichols actively worked on critical bills in the National Assembly, making 2024 a busy year as she prioritized defending the interests of Vaudreuil's population.

Returning from Quebec City, she is now embarking on her holiday season tour of local events.

“For me, 2024 was a year of intense advocacy to bring recognition to our region's issues and the solutions proposed by our local stakeholders—challenges faced with a government that has mastered the art of imposing a one-size-fits-all model,” Nichols said, referring to flood zone mapping and the Highway 20 extension.

“The CAQ refuses to listen to locally proposed solutions and insists on enforcing its uniform approach. However, each region in Quebec has its unique reality, and solutions must be adapted accordingly,” she lamented.

Despite these obstacles, Nichols expressed pride in the gains achieved for Vaudreuil and the projects she led during the parliamentary session.

Mobility: A Top Priority

Once again, mobility challenges in Vaudreuil were brought to the National Assembly this year.

Working with local stakeholders, Nichols proposed several solutions to the CAQ government. She addressed Geneviève Guilbault, Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility (MTMD), and even François Bonnardel, Minister of Public Security, regarding major safety issues tied to traffic congestion.

Nichols called on Minister Guilbault to implement mitigation measures such as dynamic lane management, permanent toll-free access on Highway 30, synchronized traffic lights on Harwood Boulevard, and a Highway 20 bypass route.

After persistent advocacy, the MTMD reinstated dynamic traffic management last spring and introduced a new lane configuration on Highway 40.

While acknowledging these improvements, Nichols deemed them insufficient, given motorists’ frustration with persistent congestion issues.

To highlight the daily impacts of these traffic problems, Nichols encouraged residents to share their experiences on social media using the hashtag #mobilitéVaud, which has since become a popular tool for sharing traffic-related information.

Flood Zone Mapping

In response to increasingly frequent extreme weather events, Environment and Climate Change Minister Benoît Charrette launched a project to update Quebec’s flood zone maps. This project could affect over 2,000 properties in Vaudreuil-Dorion alone, including municipal buildings, schools, senior residences, and even the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

Nichols urged the CAQ government to listen to the public and consider the City of Vaudreuil-Dorion’s proposal to build a dike to protect sensitive areas from major flooding.

She argued that a uniform regulatory model should be avoided in favor of tailored solutions developed with municipalities, which are best equipped to assess real risks and adaptation strategies for climate change.

Legislation That Impacts Citizens' Lives

Participating actively in parliamentary committees to pass or amend laws is a key part of an MNA’s work.

In 2024, Nichols worked on several significant bills, including:

- Bill 54: Aimed at reducing criminal and penal delays and improving justice administration.

-Bill 56: Reforming family law and establishing a parental union regime.

-Bill 57: Protecting municipal officials and facilitating the unimpeded exercise of their duties while amending other municipal laws.

She also contributed to the passage of four other bills, addressing issues like consumer protection against abusive commercial practices, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, legal aid tariffs, and streamlining administrative processes for municipal contracts.

Additionally, Nichols participated in budgetary reviews for Hydro-Québec, the Ministries of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Justice, and Municipal Affairs. She also made representations in the electoral map revision commission, which had implications for regional ridings.

Recognizing the regional pioneers

Nichols is already planning her work for 2025, which includes efforts to honor individuals who have significantly contributed to the region.

“In 2025, I will continue to advocate for Vaudreuil with the same vigor, hoping that CAQ members use the holiday break to reflect on this challenging year and adopt better resolutions for the year ahead,” she said.

Her plans include advocating for the new Île-aux-Tourtes Bridge to be named after Paul-Gérin-Lajoie and for a pavilion in the new Vaudreuil-Soulanges hospital to honor Dr. Monique-Rozon-Rivest, who greatly contributed to the community’s health and well-being, especially for children.

She will also continue pushing for the long-awaited Highway 20 bypass, a vital project to reduce isolation in the region and support local businesses.

“During this magical season, I wish everyone in Vaudreuil riding the happiest of holidays and invite those who can to support our local organizations and consider buying locally,” Nichols said.

“I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2025, and I look forward to meeting you at the various activities our region offers during this special time!”

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