As the fall parliamentary session comes to a close, Marianne Dandurand, Member of Parliament for Compton–Stanstead, presents a session report highlighting concrete actions for the region, local businesses, and families in her constituency.
“My work as an MP starts with something simple: listening to what people experience on the ground and making sure those realities are brought to Ottawa. This session, I devoted all my energy to advancing very concrete issues for our region,” said Ms. Dandurand, who also chairs the Rural Caucus.
Regional Priorities Advocated in the Caucus and Government
Amid uncertainty caused by the U.S. administration’s trade decisions, Ms. Dandurand raised the concerns of local SMEs, particularly in the lumber and kitchen cabinet sectors, to help preserve jobs.
Significant consultations were also conducted with municipalities, emergency services, telecom companies, and university researchers regarding cellular coverage. “The lack of cell service in rural areas is not just an inconvenience. It’s a matter of safety, economic development, and equity. After extensive discussions on the ground, I will introduce a private member’s bill in early 2026 to promote deployment in rural regions,” Ms. Dandurand explained. A former journalist herself, she also emphasized the need to better support local media, which play a crucial role in democratic life and providing local news.
Regionalized immigration remains a central focus of her parliamentary work, to better meet the labor needs of businesses and promote the sustainable settlement of newcomers in the region.
She also advocated for the implementation of Build Canada Homes, a new agency designed to accelerate the construction of affordable housing with flexible criteria and streamlined bureaucracy suited to the realities of rural communities.
Ministerial Visits to Support Regional Priorities
Several ministers visited the constituency during the fall. Joël Lightbound met with entrepreneurs to discuss the impacts of the new “Buy Canadian” policy and the defence procurement strategy. These initiatives will help local businesses access more public contracts and better manage international trade tensions. His visit followed that of Mélanie Joly, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, who met with manufacturing companies to discuss access to Canadian and international markets.
The region also welcomed Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, to discuss rural violence and security issues linked to limited cellular coverage. “Bill C-16, the Victims Protection Act, introduces important reforms to better protect women who are victims of domestic violence and children, and is highly welcomed by local organizations that support these populations.” It strengthens legal tools to combat domestic violence, creates a coercive control offence, and improves victim safety.
Continuous Work in Service of Citizens
Since June, the constituency office has assisted 212 people with federal processes, primarily related to immigration, but also with the Canada Revenue Agency and Service Canada. Ms. Dandurand also participated in over seventy events and held more than eighty meetings with citizens, local businesses, and community organizations.
The MP also traveled to Vermont to meet with U.S. policymakers and economic stakeholders, and earlier this fall welcomed an official U.S. delegation to the region, in order to maintain and strengthen cross-border socio-economic ties in a complex geopolitical context.
“I will continue to vigorously defend the priorities of Compton–Stanstead and rural regions, staying true to what I hear on the ground,” she concluded.
