Contrary to what Bernard Drainville declared last week, it is not “given” that the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) will propose a new Quebec-Lévis link at the end of its analysis.
This is what the minister responsible for the National Capital, Jonatan Julien, said on Wednesday, alongside an announcement concerning the development of the banks east of Quebec.
Jonathan Julien thus contradicts Bernard Drainville, who affirmed on March 25 in front of business people from Lévis that it is “a given” that CDPQ Infra will present a project for a third Quebec-Lévis link, since “that’s what their mandate”.
Is this truly acquired? journalists asked Mr. Julien on Wednesday. “No,” replied the minister. For me, what is certain is that the fund has a mandate. »
“No,” Mr. Julien replied on Wednesday. The mandate is clear, the sentence is so clear. From memory, it’s mobility and inter-river mobility. So let’s not assume conclusions. Let’s let the fund work,” he said.
The latter could ultimately propose a third link, but “there is no obligation in this regard”, he clarified. “I will not presume on the finality of his mandate. »
Project revived
Last week, Mr. Drainville said this: “The commitment we have from the fund is that they will submit a project for an inter-bank link. That’s a given. They are going to submit a project for a link between the two banks. »
He told reporters that in the official mandate letter, “there is an inter-rival link,” when, upon verification, this is not the case.
Did Mr. Drainville err in making these statements? “I’ll give you my answer,” Jonatan Julien simply replied.
Last fall, the day after its electoral defeat in Jean-Talon, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) said it was considering reviving the project for a third Quebec-Lévis highway link, which it itself had buried in the spring.
The CAQ then mandated the CDPQ Infra to evaluate ways to “improve mobility and fluidity in the Metropolitan Community of Quebec, particularly between the two shores”.
The organization must submit its report in June.
Compatible with the Samuel-de-Champlain promenade
On Wednesday, Mr. Julien revealed the results of the idea competition for phase 4 of the Samuel-de-Champlain promenade. He said a third link leading to the east would be “compatible” with what was imagined.
The Samuel-de-Champlain promenade aims to give citizens access to the St. Lawrence River again. The ideas selected for phase 4 all highlight natural environments.
Above all, we propose to transform the Montmorency highway into an urban boulevard. “Certainly it’s compatible,” assured Mr. Julien. There is no contrario to the CDPQ Infra project. »