The four-month extension of Yvon Charest’s mandate as federal negotiator on the Quebec bridge purchase file is “a good sign,” said Jean-Yves Duclos.
File photo, Stevens LeBlanc
” It’s him [Yvon Charest] who bears the burden of bringing this matter to a close. He cares a lot. He is fully committed to this. He has our full confidence in that,” said the liberal federal minister on Tuesday.
On September 30, the Quebec government renewed its bridge lease with Canadian National in extremis. Mr. Charest appreciated that this agreement could speed up the process of handing the rusting, centuries-old infrastructure back to the federal government. At the same time, he confirmed that his mandate as chief negotiator would last until January 31, 2023.
” He [M. Charest] looks to the future with more confidence than a few weeks ago,” added Mr. Duclos.
During the recent Quebec election campaign, Yvon Charest made two public appearances on the subject. He asked the Legault government to stop “petty politics” and revealed that the cost of maintaining the Quebec Bridge would be about the same as tearing it down.
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