Tramway future in peril

Outaouais left behind as Quebec redirects Tramway funding to other projects

Sophie Demers 

Quebec’s Minister of transport and sustainable mobility Jonatan Julien announced the provincial government is shifting the responsibility of the Tramway project to Mobilité Infra Québec (MIQ), a government agency mandated to optimize transportation projects. Quebec says MIQ will update the analyses that have been completed and make changes to ensure “a responsible financial framework”.

“Mobilité Infra Québec welcomes the mandate entrusted to it by the government for the greater Gatineau region,” said Renée Amilcar, President and CEO of MIQ. “In close collaboration with the City of Gatineau and the Société de transport de l'Outaouais, we will fully contribute our shared expertise to analyze the work done, examine possible options, and support the development of a structuring public transit project, responsible and adapted to the needs of citizens.”

On the same day, February 17, Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette and Edmond Leclerc, President of the Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) board of directors held a press conference to address the news. They confirmed that Quebec was pulling their funding for the project, which means a $163.5 million loss for the Outaouais region. The Quebec government had committed to financing 60% of the cost over a year and a half ago. The federal government was to cover the remaining 40% of the cost.

The Tramway project was slated for Aylmer to reduce traffic and provide reliable public transit connecting the East and West sides of the city. Gatineau and the STO have been preparing for the project over the last few years, putting a project office together, getting necessary studies together, and approving development projects to densify the neighbourhoods near the planned tramway lines.

“What angers me the most is that the money will not come back to the people of Gatineau, and Outaouais will be used to finance public transport projects elsewhere in Quebec. It's outrageous, and it's inadmissible,” said Marquis-Bissonnette.

For the STO, this decision means they are forced to shut down their tramway project office. The direct result is that 50 employees' jobs will be terminated. The ministry of Transportable and sustainability mobility will reimburse any outstanding costs for the STO’s tramway office.

The mayor says that MIQ will evaluate the work that has been done by the STO office and come to the same conclusion — that the solution to the traffic problem in the west of Gatineau is the tramway, highlighting that this decision is a waste of money, time, and resources.

“For Aylmer, it’s a big deal. Every morning, residents face great mobility needs. West-east travel is arduous. This decision impacts the mobility of thousands of people. It also impacts our ability to meet our climate plan objectives for GHG reduction as well as our urbanization goals,” said Mitigomijokan councillor and Vice-Chair of the STO Board of Directors Rachel M. Deslauriers.

The project received mixed reactions for residents, with many supporting the infrastructure project and others voicing their discontent. During the February 17 Gatineau council meeting, some residents suggested alternatives for the project, glad to hear it might not be realized, while others called Quebec’s decision shameful and disrespectful.

Many other elected officials have spoken out on the subject, such as Greg Fergus, Member of Parliament for Hull-Aylmer, who said, “What’s happening is simple: the provincial government is treating us, once again, like a second-rate region. Outaouais is not an afterthought; it’s a pivotal part of Quebec. I call on the Quebec Government to treat us as such.”

André Fortin, Member of the National Assembly for the Pontiac, called out the CAQ government, stating, “This government has lost all credibility when it comes to the Outaouais. Giving the tramway money to other regions of Quebec is the latest in a long list of broken promises in our region. More than ever, it’s time to change the government.”

Despite the news, the Gatineau mayor says she is not giving up hope on the project and will continue to advocate for Gatineau with all levels of government.