Registration tax: Jackie Smith resigns from the RTC board

As announced, the head of Transition Québec Jackie Smith resigned from the board of directors of the Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC) on Wednesday evening.

She had issued an ultimatum to Mayor Bruno Marchand at the start of the afternoon: either he took steps with the SAAQ for an increase in the registration tax, or she resigned from the THAT of RTC.

According to her, a tax increase of $1,167 would finance free public transportation in the capital.

SAAQ approval

So that the SAAQ approves a tax increase for the year 2025, the municipal council must adopt a by-law by May 31 and to meet this deadline, the Marchand administration must table a proposed by-law at the next council meeting next Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Mayor Marchand asked for an extension of the deadline, but time is running out, says Jackie Smith.

I was elected on a platform, free public transport. The last two years, I held my nose every time we voted to increase prices, because there was no other option, there was nothing else on the tableshe explained in an interview on the show First hour.

Yesterday, the RTC announced a 3% increase in its prices from July 1.

This is something we’ve been talking about for years […], then we have it, it’s on the table, we have the opportunity. It’s an easy choice for me.

Increase the tax from $30 to $1167

The Limoilou municipal councilor asked to increase the annual contribution of motorists to $1,167, instead of the $30 that they have been asked to pay since 1992.

In an interview with Radio-Canada, she explained that this amount corresponds to the rate charged for a monthly subscription renewed over 12 months.

She believes that such an increase would increase ridership and invest in the development of the public transportation network.

% of our ridership before the pandemic, but from the second year, we will have time to buy new buses, hire new drivers, etc.”,”text”:”The first year, we risks being at 100% of our pre-pandemic ridership, but from the second year, we will have time to buy new buses, hire new drivers, etc.”}}”>The first year, we risk being at 100% of our pre-pandemic ridership, but from the second year, we will have time to buy new buses, hire new drivers, etc.she explains.

Jackie Smith also assures that she could not have settled for a tax increase below the amount she is proposing to stay in office.

She adds that the RTC suffers too many constraints from the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility.

% of the budget RTCthis year it’s just 17%, so what are we supposed to do? “,”text”:”Things are bad because we don’t have recurring funding. Normally the Ministry of Transportation provides 30% of the RTC budget, this year it’s just 17%, so what are we supposed to do? “}}”>Things are going badly because we don’t have recurring funding. Normally, the Ministry of Transport provides 30% of the budget of the RTCthis year it’s just 17%, so what are we supposed to do? she asked herself.