“Prime Minister Trudeau will leave a lasting positive legacy to Canadians,” said the federal MP for Quebec, Jean-Yves Duclos, in a written statement on Monday.
In the minutes following Justin Trudeau’s announcement of his resignation, the man who recently served as lieutenant of Quebec was quick to list his leader’s good moves since his election as prime minister in 2015.
Locally, Mr. Duclos cites a series of achievements for which he “has been a powerful force for the people of my own region of Quebec.”
First and foremost, he names, is his help in obtaining financing for the Quebec tramway, the relaunch of which was made official in mid-December by the various partners.
The share of federal funding in the megaproject is, however, at the origin of a ping-pong game that has been going on with Quebec Minister of Transport, Geneviève Guilbault, for months. Quebec is pressing Ottawa to “secure” the promised sums to reach the 40% contribution to which it has committed.
The MP for Quebec, Jean-Yves Duclos, was accompanied by his leader Justin Trudeau for an important announcement on the future of the Quebec bridge. (Caroline Grégoire/Archives Le Soleil)
The recent purchase of the Quebec bridge is also among the good moves of Justin Trudeau’s government, according to Mr. Duclos. After years of negotiations, this transportation infrastructure that he describes as “essential” passed into the hands of Ottawa, which entrusted its management to a federal crown corporation.
“And in 2023, we corrected the historic error of the previous government by integrating the Davie shipyard into the National Shipbuilding Strategy,” the Quebec MP did not fail to point out.
Marchand welcomes “dedication”
Justin Trudeau announced Monday that he will step down as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada once his successor is chosen. His resignation resonated well beyond Ottawa.
In a first reaction published on social networks, the mayor of Quebec underlined “the dedication which is necessary to be elected for more than sixteen years to the Canadian Parliament”.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in Quebec to announce the purchase of the Quebec Bridge by Ottawa. Mayor Bruno Marchand was also present. (Caroline Grégoire/Archives Le Soleil)
“Time will allow us to recognize Canada’s progress during Mr. Trudeau’s nine years as Prime Minister,” wrote Bruno Marchand.
“Canada has progressed”
“Since 2015, Prime Minister Trudeau has worked tirelessly to support Quebecers and Canadians. Under his leadership, Canada has moved forward on reconciliation, fighting climate change, tackling the housing crisis and building a better future for all who live in this country. thanked his Minister of Public Services and Supply, Jean-Yves Duclos.
“I have relied on his leadership, guidance and friendship over the years.”
— Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Supply and Lieutenant of Quebec
Among the “important steps” taken in recent years, Mr. Duclos notes the Canada Child Benefit and the affordable daycare program, “the very first” Canada’s National Housing Strategy and the measures put in place for the middle class under the “leadership of Prime Minister Trudeau”.
