Public and political figures who are set to protest the Quebec tramway project this Sunday continue to reiterate that even if the tenders are going well, it’s not too late to back down.
According to Donald Charette, spokesman for Québec Mérite Mieux, there is still time to ring the death knell of this project that is not finding the social acceptance of Quebecers.
“No, it’s not too late. People have to mobilize […] Only the rolling stock contract was awarded, and even worse, the penalty for terminating the contract is $5 million,” Mr Charette said, adding that this sum is minimal given the exorbitant cost of the project.
After claiming the illegality of the streetcar project that was rejected in court, Donald Charette continues his cabal.
“Bad Project”
“For us it’s always the same message from the beginning: we have to stop this bad project.”
The same speech for Stéphane Lachance of the group Tramway non merci, initiator of the “Respect March” that will start on Sunday at 1 p.m. from Quebec City Hall.
He even thinks the Legault government, unhappy with the Third Link project, may be tempted to back down on the streetcar.
“We need to send a message. It’s a way of demonstrating to the political class that there are people who disagree and that they need to be taken into account,” says the former candidate for the Quebec Conservative Party (PCQ).
Check the route
Former leader of Démocratie Québec Anne Guérette will be among those who will speak before the march. She always says she supports a Quebec structuring project, but claims elected municipal officials need to go back to the drawing board.
“The current project definitely needs to be reviewed. It’s full of bugs. In particular, we must review the route, analyzes Ms. Guérette, who quickly adds: And it’s not too late.
The one who says she speaks as a committed and non-partisan citizen says the “inflated cost” of the project should raise alarm.
“We could build a lot more roads with less money by serving citizens better,” she says.
PCQ Chair Éric Duhaime and Climat Québec Head Martine Ouellet will also be at the march, which aims not only to crack down on the construction of a tram but also to denounce the CAQ’s “broken” promises.