As a citizen who has always been involved in his community, it was only natural that Jean Rousselle became the MNA for the riding of Vimont and Auteuil in 2012. Very attached to his neighborhood, where he has lived since the age of eight, he shares with us two subjects close to his heart: public security in Laval and the conservation of Boisé d’Auteuil.

Prevention at the Heart of Solutions
Rousselle is currently the Official Opposition Critic for Public Security for the Government of Quebec. “We are lucky to have a very good police force in Laval,” he affirms. Rousselle is well-positioned to talk about this, having himself been a police officer for more than 30 years for the Laval police department.

“We have a good police force, but we still need more resources due to the worrying increase in the number of shootings and the increased presence of certain street gangs in Laval and Montreal,” he notes.

Indeed, with regards to street gangs, Rousselle emphasizes the importance of prevention. “One of my objectives would be to organize a forum bringing together all the major stakeholders in this issue: the police force, the school community, community organizations, sports and artistic associations, youth centres, etc. When we talk about street gangs, we have to go further. When a young person drops out of school, you have to reach out to them, because it’s a time when they are vulnerable,” he says. “We have to help them find fields of interest, and if it’s not at school, it has to be through sports or the arts, for example, or through local organizations. This is why it’s essential to meet with them and understand their needs.”

Rousselle provides the example of mobile social workers, who work directly in the streets. He says this is a huge advantage that the city of Laval has. “More is needed, because they are directly on the ground and play a very important preventative role that directly influences the safety of Laval residents,” he explains.

The Government of Quebec has provided a budget to better control the circulation of firearms, but according to Rousselle, the same is needed for prevention. At the local level, it’s necessary to work upstream and downstream in order to find sustainable solutions in the short term, which will be reflected in the long term.

A Wooded Area Bringing Together
All Citizens

At the heart of the Vimont and Auteuil district for more than 25 years, Boisé d’Auteuil brings together citizens young and old. Together, they want to protect this green space which is at the center of their living environment.

Touched by the citizens’ passion for this wooded area, Rousselle explains: “I have never seen citizens support each other so much. They take care of it, they protect it, they decorate it, they make a skating rink in winter…However, one of their fears is that several plots of land on which it is located are private. If there is the slightest construction, it will harm the ecosystem of the wooded area and therefore all its magic.”

A request has been filed for the city of Laval to buy back this private land in order to protect it. Rousselle also asked that the provincial government lend a hand to the municipality to ensure the protection of this space that is so dear to the citizens of Vimont and Auteuil.

“Laval is fortunate to have a large green corridor. It’s therefore all the more essential to protect these wetlands and wooded areas. It’s important for people, and it’s important for the environment. And the environment reminds me of my grandchildren. What planet do I want to leave them?” he reflects.

“And quite simply, I want to help these citizens, because the mutual support that exists around this wooded area is beautiful. This contributes to a neighborhood where life is good.”