Who is Jacky Poirier, candidate for Cap-aux-Meules–Entry Island?

Candidate Jacky Poirier, who is running in the district of Cap-aux-Meules and Entry Island, has made a name for himself over the past year as a fervent critic of elected municipal officials.

The rental entrepreneur was president of Tourisme Îles de la Madeleine for almost three years, before resigning in 2023 to get involved in the protest movement against the increase in commercial and industrial property taxes.

Having just celebrated his 50th birthday, he now hopes to take part in the decision-making process by sitting on council, and says he looks forward to working with the other elected officials of the Municipalité des Îles.

 “I am not submitting my candidacy to go look for a fight, what I want is openness. I want healthy management. I want the current elected officials to open the books, and to stop telling us when we are at the Council meetings that we have a time limit to ask questions. There are very important and even worrisome issues. So, I go in with an open mind, with a mind of continued improvement. There is nothing wrong, indeed it is very healthy, to constantly re-evaluate.” (Loose translation from audio)

According to Mr. Poirier, the three priority issues for councillors should be to back off the Passe Archipel project, as well as the Cap-aux-Meules eco-district and the new Grande-Entrée community center.

As such, he doubts that Islanders need a new public infrastructure at the extremity of the archipelago.

“They tell us today that we absolutely need a community center. There is La Salicorne, the seniors building, the church that can also be used as a hall. There is also the school gymnasium, and it raises the question as to why they never put money on the Capitole de l’Est, they’ve been working 8 years on this hall, citizens of Grande-Entrée have been asking for 5 years to fix the roof, I don’t understand. When is the last time this hall was used? Is this a real need?” (Loose translation from audio)

The candidate is also of the opinion that there is “room for improvement” in the eco-district project, particularly with regard to the land drainage and decontamination process.

As for Entry Island, he admits that there are gaps in the services offered, and says he is committed to the quality of life of its residents.

To view the original article and listen to the interview (in French):

Qui est Jacky Poirier, candidat pour Cap-aux-Meules–Île-d’Entrée?

Special thanks to the Council for Anglophone Magdalen Islanders for the translation.