Focus Montreal introduces Montrealers to people who are shaping our community, and brings attention to their stories.
It airs Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and midnight.
With the municipal elections in Quebec just around the corner, Focus Montreal is hosting a series of televised debates in the lead-up to Nov. 5.
This week, Global News turns its attention to the issues affecting the communities of Beaconsfield and Vaudreuil-Dorion
Beaconsfield mayoral candidates’ debate
Beaconsfield, often described as a quiet bedroom community, sits along the shores of Lac Saint-Louis, 25 kilometres west of Montreal.
The population of nearly 20,000 enjoys an indoor recreation complex which includes a swimming pool and hockey rink, as well as a network of outdoor parks and soccer fields. There is also a community and cultural centre at Centennial Hall on the waterfront and two private yacht clubs on municipal land.
But for some, Beaconsfield isn’t as quiet as it could be. Residents are becoming increasingly frustrated by what some feel is a lack of action to construct a sound wall along Highway 20.
The two men vying to be mayor of Beaconsfield — incumbent mayor Georges Bourelle and challenger James Bonnell — tackle the noise issue as well as other hot-button topics.
Vaudreuil-Dorion mayoral candidates’ debate
The off-island suburb of Vaudreuil-Dorion is one of the fastest growing communities in Canada, with the number of residents increasing by almost 50 per cent since 2006.
Currently, more than 38,000 people call Vaudreuil-Dorion home.
The Vaudreuil-Soulanges district, with a population of around 150,000, is one of the only regions of its size in Canada without its own hospital facilities.
Residents are supposed to be served by a hospital in Valleyfield, but many head across the border to Hawksbury Ontario.
In April of 2016 the province of Quebec announced plans for the Vaudreuil-Soulanges regional hospital, but acknowledged it could take six years to build.
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Pierre Séguin faced off against current Vaudreuil-Dorion mayor Guy Pilon over key issues such as urban sprawl, availability of services for English speakers, as well as access to healthcare.
READ MORE: Electoral race heating up in bustling off-island suburb of Vaudreuil-Dorion
Next week on Focus Montreal, incumbent Christina Smith will debate Patrick Martin and Beryl Wajsman over what’s at stake for Westmount and we’ll meet the candidates in Pointe-Claire who are vying for the top job, after long-time mayor Morris Trudeau announced he would not seek re-election.
Have a question for the candidates in your neighbourhood?
E-mail us at montreal@globalnews.ca with subject line “Questions for my candidates.”
WATCH BELOW: Montreal elections debate
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