Passing through Montreal City Hall to meet Valérie Plante, the leader of the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ), François Legault, promised on Tuesday to launch work to create the “Eastern Gateway” in the sector. from Anjou. But in terms of public safety, he stuck to his commitment of $250 million for the hiring of police officers, even if this measure is deemed insufficient by the mayor of Montreal struggling with multiple shootings in the metropolis.
François Legault was the first party leader to visit Mayor Plante for a private meeting. They discussed public safety the day after a particularly busy evening for Montreal police who had to respond to four incidents of gun violence. They also addressed the issue of social and affordable housing, the environment and transport. “For me, the success of Quebec depends a lot on the success of our metropolis. I have big ambitions for Montreal. »
Projects for the East
The head of the CAQ announced his intention to create a “Porte de l’Est” which would include a slab-park built above Highway 25, at the height of Yves-Prévost Boulevard, in order to reconnect two residential neighborhoods located in Anjou. A CAQ government would also transform the service roads of Autoroutes 25 and 40 into urban boulevards and build an overpass for buses, cars, cyclists and pedestrians over Autoroute 25 to connect Boulevards Bélanger and Chateauneuf. With the blue line which will be extended to Anjou, it is normal to want to reconnect the districts, he explained.
If his party were returned to power, work would begin by 2026, added Mr. Legault.
On the subject of armed violence, although he says he takes the situation seriously, the head of the CAQ did not want to make any new promises. Last August, his government announced the granting of 250 million for the hiring of additional police officers in Montreal. “I expect to see more [sur le terrain] “said Mr. Legault.
In terms of housing, his party believes that the investments already committed will be enough to satisfy the cities. “With the 2.6 billion that are being invested for 15,000 housing units and the 1.8 billion to create 11,700 new affordable housing units, we think that will be enough to meet housing needs, including in Montreal” , he said.
Tuesday morning, the mayors of big cities had called for a “green pact” accompanied by an amount of 10 billion over five years to support Quebec municipalities in their fight against climate change. On this subject, François Legault retorted that it was necessary “to respect the ability of Quebecers to pay” and preferred to rely on the Plan for a green economy with an envelope of 7 billion unveiled in November 2020. “The proposals large cities will be well received, as long as they offer, for the proposed cost, a good return on GHG reduction,” he explained. This program will also be open to the various ministries, state companies and private companies, he recalled.