Photo: Jean Balthazard Le Devoir “The mandate [of CDPQ Infra] is clear, the sentence is so clear. From memory, it’s mobility and inter-river mobility. So let's not assume conclusions. Let’s let the fund work,” Jonatan Julien said on Wednesday.
Caroline Plante – The Canadian Press in Quebec
4:55 p.m.
- Quebec
Contrary to what Bernard Drainville declared last week, it is not “certain” that the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) will propose a new Quebec-Lévis link at the end of his analysis.
This is what the minister responsible for the National Capital, Jonatan Julien, said on Wednesday, alongside an announcement concerning the development of the banks east of Quebec.
Jonathan Julien thus contradicts Bernard Drainville, who affirmed last March 25 in front of business people from Lévis that it is “a given” that CDPQ Infra will present a project for a third Quebec-Lévis link, since “that's what their mandate.”
Is this really a given ? journalists asked Mr. Julien on Wednesday. “No,” the minister replied. For me, what is certain is that the fund has a mandate. »
“No,” replied Mr. Julien on Wednesday. The mandate is clear, the sentence is so clear. From memory, it’s mobility and inter-river mobility. So let's not assume conclusions. Let’s let the cash register work,” he said
The latter could ultimately propose a third link, but “there is no obligation in that regard,” he clarified. “I will not presume on the finality of his mandate. »
Revived project
Last week, Mr. Drainville said this: “The commitment we have from the fund is that they will submit a project for an inter-bank link. That’s a given. They are going to submit a project for a link between the two banks. »
He argued to journalists that in the official mandate letter, “there is an inter-rival link”, when, upon verification, this is not the case.
Mr. Did Drainville err in making these statements ? “I’ll give you my answer,” Jonatan Julien simply replied.
Also read
- The third link is still alive, assures Drainville
- The PQ commits to reviewing its position on the third link
- The CAQ promises a consultation on “mobility” in the Quebec region
Last fall, the day after its electoral defeat in Jean-Talon, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) said it was considering reviving the project for a third Quebec-Lévis highway link, which it had -even buried in spring.
The CAQ then mandated the CDPQ Infra to evaluate ways to “improve mobility and fluidity in the Metropolitan Community of Quebec, particularly between the two shores”.
The organization must submit its report in June.
Compatible with the Samuel-de-Champlain promenade
On Wednesday, Mr. Julien revealed the results of the idea competition for phase 4 of the Samuel-de-Champlain promenade. He said a third link that would lead to the east would be “compatible” with what was imagined.
The Samuel-de-Champlain promenade aims to give citizens access to the St. Lawrence River again. The ideas retained for phase 4 all highlight natural environments.
Above all, we propose to transform the Montmorency highway into an urban boulevard. “Certainly it’s compatible,” assured Mr. Julien. There is no contrario to the CDPQ Infra project. »