(Trois-Rivières) If the outgoing mayor of Quebec Régis Labeaume published a long letter which deconstructs the third link, it is because it is bitter and does not digest the defeat of his runner-up Marie-Josée Savard in the municipal elections, supports the Legault government.
Friday, Mr. Labeaume openly expressed his “concerns” about the tunnel project between Quebec and Lévis, the cost of which is estimated at up to $ 10 billion. In a very critical letter posted on Facebook, he asks the government to reconsider his project.
The government served him a reply on Saturday, on the occasion of the general council of the Coalition futur Quebec (CAQ), in Trois-Rivières. According to Minister Jonatan Julien, right arm of Régis Labeaume before making the jump to the CAQ, the outgoing mayor is linked to the verdict of voters last Sunday. “I understand that M. Labeaume [soit] disappointed with the results of the last election. I understand that he must mourn ”after 14 years at the head of Quebec City.
Ultimately I observe a multi-page letter issued on a Friday before the swearing-in [du nouveau conseil municipal] with several elements that seem to have a tinge of bitterness.
Jonatan Julien, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and ex-right-hand man of Régis Labeaume
PHOTO FREDERIC MATTE, ARCHIVES THE SUN
Minister Jonatan Julien with Régis Labeaume during a press conference, in July 2021
For the Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region, Geneviève Guilbault, the government now wants to “move on” after the reign of Régis Labeaume and sees “with a very good eye the new era which is dawning” with Bruno Marchand at the town hall. “It’s going to be good,” she said.
Prime Minister François Legault is “not surprised” by the criticisms of Mr. Labeaume. “I always felt he didn’t have a lot of downforce” on the third link, he said. He said that a majority of citizens of Quebec and Lévis are in favor of the project. “Me, I work for citizens, I do not work for Régis Labeaume. He rejects the alternative solution proposed by the latter – a new layout of the tracks on the Pierre-Laporte Bridge according to rush hour.
We looked at all the options, it takes a third link […] and it’s better to have a tunnel.
François Legault, Premier of Quebec
He will meet the new mayor Bruno Marchand next week. “He proposed changes” to the tramway project, “and we will look with him what is the best scenario for citizens,” said the Prime Minister.