Episode #37
Gregory Kelley Talks Québec Politics, Healthcare & the Economy
A Conversation with Gregory Kelley: Québec Politics, the West Island & the 2026 Election With Québec’s provincial election approaching on October 5, 2026, Sean Broady sits down with Jacques-Cartier MNA Gregory Kelley for a wide-ranging conversation about the issues being discussed across the West Island and the province. The episode moves beyond campaign talking points to explore Kelley’s background in public service, the concerns he says he is hearing from constituents, and his perspective on healthcare, the economy, language, sovereignty, government efficiency and the future of Québec. From the West Island to the National Assembly Kelley shares how politics and public service have been part of his family for generations. Growing up in Beaconsfield, attending local schools and later studying history, political science and public administration helped shape his interest in government and community service. He also reflects on the path that eventually took him to Québec City, including his work in Indigenous affairs and other government portfolios before being elected in Jacques-Cartier in 2018. For Kelley, representing the riding means serving constituents regardless of how they vote and staying connected to the community he grew up in. What West Island Residents Are Talking About The conversation turns to the issues Kelley says are coming up most often while speaking with residents. Economic uncertainty and U.S. tariffs are part of the discussion, along with concerns about healthcare access, Québec sovereignty, language policy and the possibility of another referendum. Sean adds that education and the quality of public services are also recurring concerns among the families, homeowners and business owners he speaks with across the community. Small Businesses, Red Tape & Québec’s Economy As a small-business owner, Sean raises the challenges entrepreneurs face when navigating taxes, paperwork, regulations and government bureaucracy in Québec. Kelley discusses proposals from his party intended to reduce regulatory burdens and describes the idea of creating a dedicated government effort focused on efficiency and reviewing existing regulations. He acknowledges that changing such a complex system would not happen immediately and argues that meaningful reform would require working directly with businesses and examining regulations across multiple government departments. The conversation also touches on tariffs, interprovincial trade, renewable energy and Québec’s ability to attract and support businesses as economic conditions change. High Taxes & the Quality of Public Services The discussion asks a question familiar to many taxpayers: if Québec residents pay comparatively high taxes, what should they expect from healthcare, roads and other public services? Kelley argues that government efficiency and infrastructure maintenance need greater attention. Sean and Kelley also discuss bureaucracy within the public sector and whether giving people closer to the front lines more decision-making authority could improve how services are delivered. Healthcare, Family Doctors & Emergency Rooms Healthcare becomes one of the episode’s biggest topics. Sean and Kelley discuss the difficulty some families experience when trying to see a family doctor for relatively routine medical problems and how limited frontline access can contribute to visits to hospital emergency departments. Kelley outlines several ideas supported by his party, including expanded telemedicine, greater support for seniors receiving care at home, increased access to frontline clinics and measures intended to bring more healthcare professionals into the system. The conversation also addresses doctors leaving Québec, recognition of internationally trained physicians and increasing capacity in medical education. Language, Rights & Québec’s Anglophone Community For many West Island residents, language policy remains a major issue. Sean and Kelley discuss the experience of anglophone Quebecers, recent language legislation and the broader challenge of protecting French while maintaining a sense of inclusion among anglophone, francophone and allophone communities. Kelley explains his party’s approach to individual and minority rights and discusses his opposition to several policies adopted by the current government. He argues that political leaders can protect French while also focusing on unity and ensuring that Quebecers from different linguistic backgrounds feel represented. Sovereignty & the Return of the Parti Québécois The conversation examines why Québec sovereignty has returned to the political conversation and why the Parti Québécois has regained attention ahead of the election. Kelley gives his interpretation of the PQ’s resurgence and discusses why he believes federalist parties need to make their case for Québec remaining within Canada rather than assuming the sovereignty debate has disappeared. Sean also raises the uncertainty another referendum could create for homeowners and families in the West Island. Energy, Trade & Québec’s Relationship with the Rest of Canada With Canada reassessing its economic relationship with the United States, the discussion expands to energy and interprovincial trade. Sean asks about pipelines and the possibility of moving more Canadian energy across provincial borders. Kelley says future projects would need to be evaluated based on their specific details and discusses environmental considerations, Indigenous participation and potential economic benefits for Québec. He also emphasizes opportunities to expand renewable electricity production and improve energy connections between provinces. Why Voting & Civic Participation Matter The episode also explores voter participation, particularly among younger Quebecers. Kelley encourages residents to learn about their local candidates, compare party platforms and participate in the democratic process regardless of which party they support. The conversation touches on how Québec’s political financing system connects public funding to votes received, as well as the role political parties play both in government and in opposition. With the 2026 Québec provincial election scheduled for October 5, the discussion provides timely context for West Island residents following the campaign. What Does an MNA Actually Do? Away from campaign issues, Kelley offers a behind-the-scenes look at life as a Member of the National Assembly. He describes early mornings following the news, caucus meetings, Question Period, voting, parliamentary committees, reviewing legislation and working with researchers on proposed amendments. At the same time, an MNA must continue responding to constituents and local issues back home. It is a part of political life that Kelley says many residents rarely see, particularly the amount of time legislators spend working in parliamentary committees. Looking Ahead for the West Island The conversation closes closer to home. Kelley reflects on growing up in Beaconsfield and what he values about communities including Pointe-Claire, Baie-D’Urfé, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and Senneville. For both Sean and Kelley, one recurring theme is the role local residents, businesses, elected officials and community organizations play in supporting one another. Whatever happens politically at the provincial level, the episode ends by returning to the community where the conversation began: Montreal’s West Island.
