Departure of Justin Trudeau: an agreement on tramway financing hoped for “as quickly as possible”

Funding for the tramway project must be sealed “as quickly as possible,” insists the Quebec Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIQ), at a time when Justin Trudeau’s days at the head of the country are numbered.

• Also read: Tramway: vagueness persists over federal funding for the megaproject

“We have two levels of government [à Québec et à Ottawa] who agree on a project that they have prioritized, then let’s resolve the financing issue as quickly as possible,” asks Frédérik Boisvert, the new president of the CCIQ.

In interview with The Journalhe cites the integration of the Davie shipyard into the federal naval strategy and the purchase of the Quebec bridge as being the two “most important” legacies of Justin Trudeau in the Quebec region.

The tram project is also part of this assessment which he describes as “interesting”.

However, questions persist regarding federal funding and the conservative Pierre Poilievre, leader in voting intentions, repeats that he will not put “a penny” into the project if he is elected.

“It is certain that we must resolve this matter as quickly as possible,” concedes Mr. Boisvert.

“The tramway will also be a big deliverable from this government, so let’s make sure that the financial package is put together. There is still time,” he wishes.

Duclos reacts

Justin Trudeau committed in 2019 to injecting $1.2 billion into the project, which has since gone through several versions. This envelope has now reached some $1.5 billion. However, Quebec is demanding a federal contribution reaching 40% of the bill, or $3 billion.

In an interview with LCN, federal Minister Jean-Yves Duclos recalled that the funds are available, but could not say whether the money will be paid before the next election is called.

“There is approximately 1.5 billion which is “booked”, which is reserved in an account for the Quebec region and there, invoices are needed, obviously, to issue checks on this “checking account”. And the bills come with the investments that will take place over the coming months and years,” argued the Liberal lieutenant in Quebec.

He once again warned against a possible Poilievre government that would decide to ax the project. “It would deprive the Quebec region of billions, tens of billions of dollars in public and private investments,” he denounced.

No worries

For the organization Access to viable transports, Justin Trudeau’s resignation does not “change anything” about the tramway. According to general director Marie-Soleil Gagné, the partnership with CDPQ Infra “changed the game”.

“We are hopeful that the project is still in motion because the needs are still the same, we are still the only city of this size in Canada not to have a structuring public transport network and it is still an aberration” , she comments.

On social networks, Mayor Bruno Marchand wanted to highlight “the dedication” of Justin Trudeau during his years in the House of Commons. “Time will allow us to recognize Canada’s progress during Mr. Trudeau’s nine years as Prime Minister,” he added.