The city of Quebec benefits from a concrete announcement in the Legault budget, namely $15 million for active mobility. But Mayor Bruno Marchand has to reach into provincial envelopes for his projects on public housing, immigration and homelessness.
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Bruno Marchand’s $500 million shopping list included $53.7 million over five years in support of his Active Mobility vision, which includes expanding bike lanes. The Quebec Infrastructure Plan (PQI) grants him $15 million.
For the Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale, Jonatan Julien, this “covers the first two years of the application by the City of Québec”.
The Capital Transportation Network, which is still in transportation, will benefit from an unspecified share of a $1.6 billion investment in public transportation projects for a garage designed to electrify its bus fleet.
Tram and third link
For the streetcar, the government is paying $237.4 million for “preparation work,” a sum that is included in the overall budget for the project, which is currently set at nearly $4 billion.
For the third link, still “in planning”, no amount is entered in black and white in the budget. Mr. Julien assured the state “provision amounts” in order to avoid a “shock”, but did not want to quantify them so as not to damage a possible tendering process.
“The Third Link project office is maintained, it is irresponsible,” Haroun Bouazzi of Quebec Solidaire criticized, in contrast to Conservative Party leader Éric Duhaime, who lamented the lack of funds.
housing and homelessness
The government is investing “record amounts” in social housing, that is $650 million over six years for more than 5,250 homes across Quebec, the minister says with satisfaction. Mayor Marchand charged 500 a year for the capital for five years. The city is “top notch” in this area and should “do well,” argued Jonatan Julien.
A total of $565 million will go into the mental health and homelessness component and “we’re going to work, Bruno and I, to make sure the funds are flowing for the region,” Mr Julien said. On immigration, he reiterated his pledge to double the proportion of immigrants in the capital within five years.
Levi’s
The Lévis side lists several road projects in the PQI, as well as the $112 million construction site for the reserved lanes on Guillaume Couture Boulevard, but no word on Mayor Gilles’ request for assistance in buying land for Davie Lehouillier.
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