During the fall 2021 election campaign, candidate Bruno Marchand, leader of Quebec Strong and Pride (QFF), divided his commitments into five main themes. One year later, The newspaper checked with both the mayoral party and the opposition parties to analyze the level of performance. While opponents generally believe the Marchand administration has no real “vision” for the city, the mayor’s team claims they’ve managed to make their mark quickly.
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“Quebec Family Paradise”
File photo, Stevens LeBlanc
The Petit Champlain district
Obligations:
- Establishment of further shopping streets
- Improved quality of life for seniors
- Doubling of investments in sports facilities
The two vice-presidents of the board, Pierre-Luc Lachance and Marie-Josée Asselin, highlighted the organization of the Seniors’ Summit and the launching of the process of offering municipal land and plots for the creation of day care centers.
Claude Villeneuve, head of Quebec First, agrees that these huge projects are “underway”. He wants to “give the runner a chance,” he says.
“Quebec Economic Engine”
File photo, Stevens LeBlanc
Laurier Boulevard, a commercial artery
Obligations:
- Make Québec the country’s most entrepreneurial city
- Combat labor shortages by various means
Jackie Smith, Transition Quebec director, notes that these two priorities seem “a bit contradictory.”
For his part, Eric Ralph Mercier, director of Quebec 21, recalls that “the mayor is imbued with a community culture” and that “it takes much more than good feelings to lead a city”.
As for Québec City Councilors forte et fiere, the reactivation of the Office of International Relations is highlighted, one of whose tasks is to facilitate recruitment abroad.
Claude Villeneuve is mixed about the fight against labor shortages being “slow”.
“Quebec Leads on Climate Issues”
With kind approval
The future streetcar of Quebec
Obligations:
- Ten improvements to the tram project
- Modern vision of mobility
- Stopped development in forests
Marchand’s administration points out that it has implemented eight of the 10 proposed improvements to the tram, but concedes that it was impossible to change things about the concrete slab and the power cables.
“On the record, the city is not cut in two. We didn’t build the Berlin Wall,” said Marie-Josée Asselin.
Claude Villeneuve believes that “there’s always something mixed about each of the ten engagements unless it’s simply given up”.
For his part, Jackie Smith regretted the tariff increase at the Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC).
“Benevolent Quebec for All”
Archive photo, Didier Debusschère
Homelessness in Quebec
Obligations:
- fight against poverty
- Against the loneliness of seniors
- Zero roaming
Opponents unanimously regret that the mayor himself apparently lacked “benevolence” in the file of the Korean-born restaurateur, who was unable to provide services in French due to the lack of French-speaking staff.
The vision of “zero homelessness” is also considered unrealistic. Claude Villeneuve was also concerned about the “social tensions” that were growing in the lower town.
The Marchand administration reiterates that “zero homelessness” is a long-term goal.
“Simple and Effective Quebec”
File photo, Stevens LeBlanc
The town hall
Obligations:
- Transparency about expenses and ongoing projects
- You better take care of the inheritance
In the eyes of Éric Ralph Mercier, “the cost explosion of the tram” illustrates the lack of transparency in the Marchand administration.
The details of these additional costs are not yet known, he recalls.
Jackie Smith admits to knowing about multiple projects as she sits on multiple committees.
“But I don’t know if it’ll come out in the media,” she nuances.
Claude Villeneuve notes the existence of “interesting things” but adds that we must wait and see the rest before judging.
For his part, Pierre-Luc Lachance insists that data is becoming more and more accessible to citizens.
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