Quebec is racing against time to secure federal funds for its tramway project before the election, amid political tensions and funding concerns.
Quebec: So, Quebec is really trying to get federal cash for its tramway project before the election rolls around. They’re feeling the pressure, especially with the clock ticking.
Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault is pushing for a review of the funding agreement from 2018. It seems the feds only coughed up $92 million so far, while Quebec City has already spent a whopping $572 million.
Guilbault mentioned that they won’t finish the whole tramway before the election, which is a bit of a bummer. She’s saying they’re just following the federal program’s rules.
On the other hand, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is making it clear that if his party wins, the tramway won’t see a dime of the promised $1 billion from the Trudeau government. He’s got his eyes set on a different project instead.
Some insiders think Guilbault’s request is a bit far-fetched. A federal source even said it looks like Quebec is begging for help, which isn’t a great look for the Coalition Avenir Québec.
Construction for the tramway has already been pushed back to 2027, which is a real setback. The CAQ government has been trying to prioritize a third link across the St. Lawrence River, but that’s had its own share of issues.
Now, if they start changing the funding agreements for the tramway, it could open a whole can of worms for other projects. It’s a tricky situation, and the Quebec government really needs to step up.
