Despite the increase in costs, “going back” in the tram file is “not an option,” insists Federal Minister Jean-Yves Duclos.
“The project had significant delays, significant route changes and significant inflation. These three things result in higher costs, but that doesn’t take away our responsibility to act on behalf of our city. We have to catch up [par rapport aux villes de même taille au pays]and the federal government will be there,” said the Quebec MP and federal health minister.
Several sources have recently suggested that the updated cost of the tram, which will be unveiled earlier this year, would now be between five and six billion. That’s one to two billion more.
Mr. Duclos has not received any official update, but he recalls that such a network will fulfill several crucial roles: it will structure Quebec’s economic and social development and help reduce congestion and pollution.
The minister is not concerned about the level of support for the project as people are likely to see more of the problems at this stage. He reminds that anywhere else, once the project is complete, people would never return.
coming storm
The minister confirms that the federal government has still not received a formal request from the Quebec government for the use of federal funds available for public transit, the deadline of which is March 31, 2023. He is nevertheless confident hearing Minister Jonatan Julien that it will be ready in time.
There’s 2.7 billion left in that envelope, and it’s very likely some will go to absorb cost overruns, he reiterates. Mayor Marchand said yesterday that talks between Prime Ministers Trudeau and Legault on the issue went well yesterday and that we are “in solution mode”.
Then, with the imminent start of development work on the project, “the city is going to experience difficult times in the next few years, it will be complicated for City Hall and Mr. Marchand’s team. It’s going to be brewing, said M. Duclos, speaking of a storm. But as the saying goes, you can’t make omelettes without breaking eggs. »
It is therefore important that the city and the two governments stick together, says the minister rightly. “We’re on the right track, we have to move forward together,” he emphasizes.
The Minister welcomed with optimism the fact that relations between the City of Quebec and the Government of Quebec have been good since the arrival of Jonatan Julien as Minister in charge of the Capitale-Nationale.
“What I’m hearing from the city is that there’s a different attitude and tone […], he said. I think this relationship is absolutely fundamental because for the Canadian government to be useful, both must be able to agree. »
Mr Duclos has known Mr Julien for several years. He appreciates this “great athlete who is very connected to Quebec and very committed, positive and who sees solutions when we see challenges. I like our relationship so far and we will continue to work together. »
Quebec Bridge
Regarding the Quebec Bridge, Mr. Duclos says that “we are very close to a solution” to make the federal government the new owner of the bridge, especially now that the lease between CN and the Quebec government has been renewed.
He compares the negotiator Yvon Charest, a “solid man” who volunteered to be included in the file at the request of the federal government, with “Frodo from Lord of the Rings”.
The bridge, the minister said, would be safe for at least 75 more years once the necessary work was done and it would cost much more to destroy it to re-establish a link. To be continued.
