Uncovering fake news, verifying politicians’ statements, finding the real figures: our Bureau of Investigation, based in Montreal, Quebec and Ottawa, specializes in the art of reestablishing the facts. Our journalists and researchers present their findings to you to help you see more clearly the week’s news.
THE STATEMENT
During a lively question period, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said Monday that she never said that there would be a first shovelful of ground for the Voyageur South island project before 2021. The project aimed to build housing in downtown Montreal.
Voyageur Island, in downtown Montreal.
Photo Agence QMI, JOEL LEMAY
FACTS
For Valérie Plante, it is true, for her political party, it is false.
Robert Beaudry, who was responsible for housing at the time, mentioned in a report broadcast on May 13, 2019 on Radio-Canada that “the construction project” would take place before the end of his party’s first mandate, i.e. in 2021.
“This is our will,” he said.
Since then, the project has still not broken ground.
The former Voyageur terminus belonged to UQAM, before being bought by the Quebec government. Montreal acquired the land in 2018 for $18 million.
The City finally submitted a call for tenders for the construction of 700 housing units on January 12. Work is expected to begin in summer 2025.