It takes years to build a good reputation, but it doesn’t take much to lose it. The same applies to political credibility.
There is a limit to the ability to back down from commitments or one’s word without seriously damaging one’s brand.
In the national capital, François Legault has carried out a dizzying back-and-forth ballet over the last six years, the result of which is an embarrassing standstill.
The life-or-death promise of a third link between Quebec and Lévis was abandoned and reinstated after an electoral defeat in Jean-Talon.
To explain his about-face, the head of the CAQ candidly said he wanted to consult the population by putting the third link back on the table to find out “what I can do to get more of your support”.
CAQ elected officials went a step further this week and confirmed that there would indeed be a new proposal for a third connection.
Minister for Capitale-Nationale Jonatan Julien claimed that a new third connection was being examined “intensively” by the CAQ.
On ice
It won’t be as intense since the government has put the tram or any other public transportation project in Quebec on hold for the next six months.
I do not see how the CAQ could decide on the location of a new road link without knowing which transport project will be the best structured, chosen by the Caisse de dépôt et Placement to which it has delegated a mandate.
So absolutely everything is frozen.
And what about the CAQ’s statement about the tram?
The party supported the project during the election campaign despite apparent reluctance.
It was only on September 20 that the CAQ voted for a motion supporting Bruno Marchand’s version.
Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault reiterated that her government “has always been in favor of this project”.
However, the invitation to a discussion with the mayor of Quebec this week after the release of the $8.4 billion bill seemed somewhat staged.
The government had already decided to withdraw his file.
Above all, please
Here too, François Legault made no secret of his motives and commented on his decision on Thursday.
“What I want […] It’s a great structural transportation project that people will love.”
The funny thing is that a few hours earlier, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois had presented this preference of the Prime Minister.
“There are politicians who govern with polls and there are politicians who govern with courage. Well, François Legault, Quebecers understood what kind of politician he was.”
Even people from Montreal or regions of Quebec who watch François Legault turn around again and again take notes.
It’s nice to want to listen to the population.
On the other hand, fear of being dissatisfied without ever making a decision or of reconsidering your decision after backing out of a commitment leaves a mark.
Some will remember the label “unreliable” that Jean Charest tried to apply to François Legault during the 2012 election campaign…
