BRUSSELS | Mayor Bruno Marchand is upset by Minister Geneviève Guilbault’s lack of enthusiasm for the tram and public transport in general and believes she needs to prove that she is the right person for the position of Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility.
“It’s up to her to prove it, but she doesn’t have three years ahead of her.” It’s up to her to show that she is ready to fight for sustainable mobility in Quebec and all of Quebec. If she does not prove this quickly, we will conclude that she will not be a good carrier.
From Belgium, where he is completing the final leg of his foreign mission, Quebec’s mayor struggled Thursday to digest the departure of Deputy Prime Minister Geneviève Guilbault. The Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, who also holds the post of Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, did not mention the Quebec tram project during a conference of the Quebec Urban Transport Association, indicating that her government does not intend to address all of the public’s shortcomings to finance transport companies.
His responsibility
The mayor thinks that we do not think it is possible for Ms Guilbault to take up the issue of sustainable mobility and wonders whether she is in her place. “It is his responsibility. It is expected to bring sustainable mobility […] We need someone who sees further and has a vision. If she didn’t, she would delay Quebec.”
As for the social acceptance that the minister wants the mayor to demonstrate for his tram project, the mayor throws the ball back to her and asks her directly: “We also need you as minister.”
He points out that if the Legault government expects to receive a certificate that meets a social acceptance threshold, it “does not understand what social acceptance means”. “It’s a process, it’s not a result. In any case, there is never a definitive result.”
Harm the economy
Sustainable mobility and public transport are important vectors for the economy, emphasizes Mr. Marchand. Chambers of commerce, economic institutes, employers and companies are demanding better service and are in favor of the tram, he says. He fears that taking action against this project would be a blow to the economy.
Organizations also reiterated their support for the project this week.
“It’s economical. It is the ability to attract workers. I hope she does. If it fails to position sustainable mobility, Quebec would lose. Quebec City, the region and Quebec. In 2023, the challenges of sustainable mobility in Quebec are glaring. She is a leader in sustainable mobility, she is the one who has that in her title as minister.”
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