Zurich – While holding discussions with the Minister of Public Security, François Bonnardel, the City of Quebec will continue to demand more money from the Legault government so that its Police Service (SPVQ) can effectively fight against the violence of criminal groups , warned Bruno Marchand.
Even if the Marchand administration ultimately responded favorably to Minister Bonnardel’s proposal for there to be more collaboration between the SPVQ and the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), the mayor of Quebec maintained that his initial request, made last year, has not changed.
“I’m going to keep asking for money. He may say no to me, but the comparison with Montreal doesn’t hold up. The goal here is to have an impact on a delicate and complicated situation, but which will not be resolved in a week,” insisted Mr. Marchand from Switzerland where he is continuing his European mission.
Last year, Quebec City requested $77 million over five years, or $63.3 million to combat armed violence and $13.7 million for mental health services. However, Minister Bonnardel systematically refused to grant these amounts.
“The right formula”
Before the mayor left on his mission, some confusion surrounded this issue. Mr. Marchand, who learned of Mr. Bonnardel’s proposal in the middle of a press briefing, initially gave the impression of rejecting it. Three days later, he gave a favorable response without formally accepting it.
“Mr. Bonnardel and I restored the shot. We didn’t talk because the schedule was a little complicated, but we texted each other. Our teams are working to find solutions. That’s why we haven’t announced anything yet. The solutions are not there. We will announce them if we can find the right formula. We must find solutions quickly,” added the mayor.
The recent increase in crime in Quebec can be explained in particular by the struggle between the Hells Angels and the Blood Family Mafia for control of the sale of narcotics in the region. Mr. Marchand has often repeated that we must act quickly and not wait for the situation to deteriorate as in Montreal.
Bruno Marchand not worried about the tramway
Taïeb Moalla
The Quebec Journal
Even if Minister Geneviève Guilbault refused on Friday to commit to a precise timeline for an agreement on the tramway, the mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand, has not shown signs of concern.
“It can be adopted at the next council of ministers this week [2 octobre]. I don’t have control over the agenda of the council of ministers. It’s not up to me to decide that. The information I have is that it is progressing well and that it is imminent. The teams are working and I am told that they are working well,” he said yesterday and Sunday.
On September 13, the mayor demanded that a pre-agreement between the Legault government and the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec infra (CDPQi) be signed by the end of September. Unless there is a surprise, this deadline will likely be passed.
“It’s true that I talked about the end of September, but it was not an ultimatum,” he downplayed. At this point, between September 30 and October 2 or October 9, I am able to live with that. I am not able to live with the fact that we would say to ourselves “in November, in December, we have no information”.”
In his eyes, the main thing is not to miss the 2025 construction season.
Diplomatic meetings in Quebec
Marchand returns to the charge
Taïeb Moalla
The Quebec Journal
Without directly contradicting Minister Jonatan Julien, the mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand, made a point of saying that international diplomatic meetings are not of equal value.
Mr. Marchand was reacting to an outing in which the minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale argued that 70% of international meetings are held in the Capitale-Nationale.
“Out of all the meetings held, it is [le taux de 70%] an indication. But you also have to take the most important meetings into account. That Danielle Monosson [consule générale des États-Unis à Québec] be welcomed in Quebec when she comes with the American ambassador, perfect. This is good news. But it does not have the same value as Emmanuel Macron,” said the mayor, from Switzerland where he is participating in a mission.
A few days ago, Mr. Marchand regretted that last week’s meeting of the prime ministers of Canada and Quebec with French President Emmanuel Macron took place in Montreal rather than Quebec.
