Bruno Marchand’s locomotive

I took the road to Quebec in the hope of meeting an influential member of what could well become, according to many political analysts, the real opposition of the next government of François Legault.

I did not stop at parliament. I went straight to City Hall, in the heart of Old Quebec.

It is that, according to what is said, the caquistes will win a large majority of seats in the National Assembly. The rival formations will share the crumbs. Then, an unofficial opposition will be formed of a new guard of elected municipal officials.

Mayors whose appearance on the scene last year brought a breath of fresh air to several cities, from Quebec City to Sherbrooke, via Laval and Longueuil. New kind of elected officials, determined to form a common front to fight – finally! – against climate change.

That’s good, because we don’t talk a lot about the climate in this election campaign. But we don’t have a second to lose.

So here I am sitting in front of a tray of pastries in the elegant office of the mayor of Quebec. In this castle setting, with chandelier and tapestry, the multicolored running shoes that have become his trademark stand out more than ever.

But Bruno Marchand is quick to deflate my balloon. Unofficial or not, the opposition to the government, “it can’t be the cities”, he decides. “Have you ever tried to play opposition with your banker? Good luck ! »

Hit. The mayor of Quebec is frank. Above all, pragmatic. “The choice of the voters of Quebec, we will not be able to oppose it for four years; we wouldn’t go anywhere. We must work with the government that will be elected and hope that it too sees the need to act – and to act quickly. »

It is understood, the mayors do not have the means to oppose the government, which holds the purse strings. Still, the recent volte-face by François Legault – who first closed, then opened the door to the “green pact” requested by cities to adapt to climate change, clearly shows the influence that elected municipal officials can exert to the Prime Minister.

These elected officials demand a green pact of several billion “out of necessity”, says Bruno Marchand. They do it because they know only too well that if they wait for the next flood or the next road washed away by the erosion of the banks, it will cost ten times more. We need to predict. Adapt. “But mayors also do it because they believe in it,” adds Mr. Marchand.

He, in any case, believes in it. Hard as iron. That’s why he got into politics.

Courage is needed. Especially in Quebec, where a certain radio gives him no respite. In the spring, Bruno Marchand pointed out that the mercury had climbed 30°C above seasonal normals in Antarctica. “Radio X is playing this clip over and over to make me look like a thick…” As if a mayor shouldn’t feel concerned about what is happening outside the limits of his city. As if he should care about the fate of the planet. “It’s a bit stupid, as a way of thinking. »

Thousands of Quebecers marched on Friday for the climate. This urgency, we hardly feel it within the outgoing government. Over the past few months, we have heard:

• the Minister of the Environment assure, without supporting study, that the third link will contribute to… brake urban sprawl;

• another minister asking the mayor of Quebec to stop “polluting the lives of drivers” with projects like the tramway;

• a candidate, possibly a future minister, to say to journalists: “Let go of me with the GHGs! “.

Above all, do not rush the voters, they seem to tell us. Do not deprive them of their gas-guzzling vehicles. The people are not ready. She won’t follow us if we push the envelope too far. She could even rise up, like the yellow vests in France!

I find this discourse disheartening. Not Bruno Marchand. “They are somewhat right,” he slips to me. Pragmatic, once again. He compares politics to a locomotive; if she pulls too fast, too hard, the wagons risk stalling.

The train must be slowed down. Make sure everyone gets on board. “It’s our only chance of success. If the cars stall because the locomotive is going too fast, maybe we’ll get to our destination in time, but we’ll get there on our own. »

It seems to me, however, that we are no longer there. You have to press the accelerator. Even if it means mixing people up in their habits.

Scientists keep repeating it: our way of life is unsustainable. If we do not limit global warming to 1.5°C, we will reach a point of no return. You have to shake yourself off. Now. We are already late.

Reminds me of the film’s climate metaphor Don’t Look Up. A meteorite is heading towards the planet. Scientists are trying to alert the population. Nobody listens to them. Nobody wants to be disturbed.

But it will be necessary to disturb. Who knows, people might even end up finding it enjoyable. Wellington Street in Verdun was voted the coolest street in the world after being transformed, recalls Mayor Bruno Marchand. In the Quartier des Spectacles, he adds, Sainte-Catherine Street attracts hundreds of delighted pedestrians. To try it is to adopt it.

Still need to dare. “We have to move the locomotive forward, admits the mayor of Quebec. Even if it means losing the election. I would rather look the younger generations in the eye and tell them: “We did everything we could when we knew” than: “I was re-elected, but I lacked a bit of courage. I was scared. I was afraid that, on the radio, people would laugh at me because I cite Antarctica as an example of the fact that the planet needs love”. »