Honourable senators, it is municipal election season in Quebec.

Across the province, residents of our cities, towns and RCMs are getting ready to choose the people who will be responsible for shaping the future of their communities.

As you know, municipalities play a vital role in the lives of Quebecers. They are the local governments par excellence. The decisions made around municipal council tables have a direct and tangible impact on our quality of life. For that reason, the current election period is a valuable opportunity to debate the collective decisions that we want to make for our communities.

Today, I would like to congratulate everyone who decided to throw their hat in the ring. I especially want to congratulate young people and women, who are often under-represented around our municipal council tables. Entering municipal politics takes courage, generosity and a deep attachment to one’s community. This year, however, there is a cloud hanging over the elections: the Canada Post labour dispute.

Despite its legality, this strike is having a real impact on these municipal elections. Some municipalities depend on the postal service to deliver notices of registration, reminder cards and election documents. This situation could prevent some people from receiving the information they need to register on time or to fully exercise their right to vote.

In a democracy, every vote counts. Any obstacle that prevents citizens from engaging is a loss for our community. All stakeholders must ramp up their efforts to minimize these impacts.

To conclude, I hope the campaign is both respectful and inspiring for all candidates. I hope that Quebec voters will turn out in large numbers for this important democratic event on November 2.

Our municipalities are the beating heart of our society. It is up to all of us to ensure that their future is shaped with ambition, dialogue and respect.

As citizens, we have a fundamental responsibility to vote. I invite you to do so on November 2.