Two rooms, two atmospheres
Do you feel like public transit projects are stalling here? Take a look at what’s happening on the other side of the country—it might make you cringe. While Quebec is cutting budgets, the Vancouver metropolitan area has just hit the jackpot.
The figure is staggering: $1.5 billion. That’s how much Vancouver will receive from the federal government over 10 years through the new Canada Transit Fund (CTF). Specifically, from next spring until 2036, the western metropolis will receive an average of $150 million per year. Fresh money, predictable, ready to be invested. And here? It’s a different story. Municipalities are up in arms over the $200 million in cuts imposed by the CAQ government on the Public Transit Development Assistance Program (PADTC). The contrast is striking.
« A problem of vision »
For Marie-Soleil Gagné, Executive Director of Accès transports viables, the verdict is clear: the Legault government « has not done its homework. » In her view, this is a cruel lack of vision. Ultimately, who will pay the price? The population, she warns. She politely suggests looking westward for inspiration. Why? Because in Vancouver, municipal, provincial, and federal governments have been working together for years. They have woven a veritable « mobility web » where trains, ferries, and buses complement each other. In fact, two SkyTrain extensions are under construction there: we’re talking about 20 kilometers of additional track and 14 new stations.
Meanwhile, at the National Assembly, tensions are rising. Monsef Derraji, parliamentary leader of the official opposition, is boiling with impatience. « Sign this agreement! » urges the Liberal representative from Nelligan. For him, the money is on the table, available. He finds it ironic—not to say infuriating—to see another province pocket exactly the amount that the Legault government has just cut. His conclusion? We have a government that is « weak » in the face of the federal government, which « does not believe in public transit. » He is urging Quebec to act, especially since Ottawa has already cut $5 billion from the FTCC’s overall budget.
Tense negotiations and billions at stake
So where is Quebec’s money? For now, nowhere. With no agreement signed on the framework for transfers, the province is left empty-handed. Radio-Canada has done the math: Ottawa has already committed nearly $4 billion in base funding across the country. More than half of this windfall is going to Ontario. The amounts for Quebec? Not yet detailed.
However, discussions are continuing. Quebec Transport Minister Jonatan Julien is negotiating with his federal counterpart, Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson. They met in Montreal before the holidays, in what was clearly a cordial meeting that led to some progress. Jonatan Julien’s office assures us that even though the minister will not be seeking re-election in the next election, his determination to see his projects through remains intact. The crux of the problem is classic: Quebec wants the money without conditions, Ottawa wants to keep an eye on its funds. And let’s face it, trust is at an all-time low. The CAQ’s numerous flip-flops—think of the Quebec City tramway or the third link—have burned the federal government. Speaking of the tramway, the figures are on the table: Ottawa is currently contributing $1.44 billion out of a total bill of $7.6 billion. Quebec would like to see the federal government double its contribution to pay for 40% of the project. That said, regardless of the outcome of this standoff, the arrival of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) as project manager should help tie up the financing package.
According to the source: ici.radio-canada.ca
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