The regional transport cooperative of Quebec, promoted by the Parti Québécois (PQ) and the CSN, does not hold water in its current form, according to the Minister of the Economy, Pierre Fitzgibbon.
He thus explained on Wednesday why the government had still not granted financial support to the TREQ project, which aims to improve the supply of services in several regions of Quebec.
Since the first wave of the pandemic, Air Canada has abandoned regional connections and several voices are being raised to demand the restoration of this service deemed essential.
The PQ criticizes the government for having refused financial aid of $4 million to help the coop, which has 15,000 members.
“The Ministry and Investissement Québec have looked at the proposal, as have I, and there are several things that do not hold water in TREQ’s proposal,” replied Mr. Fitzgibbon.
However, he is awaiting the tabling of the action plan for air transport by his colleague Minister of Transport, François Bonnardel, before negotiating with TREQ. However, this plan has been awaited for 16 months, lamented the PQ.
The CSN, for its part, argued that the business model was viable and advantageous. TREQ will improve the air service in the region which is deficient, supports the central union. TREQ claims to be able to sell a Sept-Îles-Montreal plane ticket for $350, instead of the $1,200 on the current market.
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