The mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand, raised his voice towards the government of the CAQ, which according to him leads “an attack in good standing against the City of Quebec”. For him, there is no question of dropping the shared streets and he will not accept “any condition” in exchange for the granting of a decree for the tramway.
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“Currently, what we have is an A37 pass. We have the impression of being in Asterix and the Madhouse, then that each time we arrive at our destination, there is always a step further. »
Outraged by the conditions suddenly imposed by the CAQ on the tramway project, Mayor Marchand put his fist on the table, in a very heartfelt speech following the exits of ministers François Bonnardel, Éric Caire and Geneviève Guilbault, who led a charge against the intentions of the City of Quebec to develop shared streets on René-Lévesque.
- Listen to Bruno Marchand’s interview with Mario Dumont on QUB radio:
“We don’t want any conditions. We want to work together. We expect decrees as soon as possible, without conditions. If they don’t change their mind, I’m going to be very disappointed. And I won’t be the only one. You can attack me, I have strong shoulders, but in doing so, you attack the citizens of Quebec.
- Listen to Vincent Dessureault at the microphone of Geneviève Pettersen on QUB Radio:
Known since June
And let the government take it for granted, the mayor has no intention of giving up the shared streets in the tramway project. “No way.” He also slipped that elected officials had been aware of this scenario since last June.
“The last day is a bad day for the cities of Quebec, for the local governments that we are, for the city of Quebec, for the citizens of Quebec. The frontal charge that the government of Quebec has decided to lead with its deputies from the region and its ministers against me is a direct and formal attack against the city of Quebec.
He rejected the arguments of provincial elected officials who claim that traffic will be heavily affected downtown if the City implements a shared street on René-Lévesque.
“Completely wrong”
“When I hear the government say that it will be a parking lot on Laurier and on Grande Allée, it’s completely false,” insisted the mayor, who reiterated the virtues of the tram in terms of the fight against climate change, mobility and the economy.
He had entered the press briefing carrying the children’s chair, this famous work produced by schoolchildren from Quebec and which is placed in the executive committee room to remind elected officials of the importance of future generations. He proposed to send one to the Council of Ministers.
On several occasions, he criticized the CAQ for adopting an electoralist attitude. “I think the CAQ is doing the good old calculation of ‘my ridings are pro-auto so if I demonize public transit, it’s going to be a winner for me.’ I think that’s short-sighted politics.”
He asks the government “that the boots follow the chops” if he really wants the tramway project.
Area of expertise
He also demanded that the government stop putting its paws in the areas of jurisdiction of the municipality. He invited the elected representatives of the CAQ to stand in the next municipal elections if they want to influence the development of the City. “This is the city’s plan. The government does not want to have conditions imposed on it, so why is it doing this with us? »
As for his declaration, which irritated Minister Bonnardel, to the effect that Quebec is not building a tramway for peripheral municipalities, Bruno Marchand does not regret it. Anyway, even if he had not done so, according to him, the government would have found another reason to wince.
“They find any pretext. When you want to get rid of your dog, you say he has rabies.
sell your soul to the devil
As for the third link, a project dear to the CAQ, the mayor does not intend to support it without knowing the details.
“If what I’m being asked is to sign a blank check for a tunnel without having the ins and outs, the answer is no. […] I will not sell my soul to the devil.”