A major cultural center project, the construction of which had been expected in Longueuil for years, has been removed from the list of infrastructures funded by the Quebec government, indicate documents filed this week, at the same time as the Girard budget.
A sum of $20 million was announced in 2016 for this project, which was to give a new roof to the Théâtre de la Ville and the Orchester symphonique de Longueuil.
This decision comes as a by-election is to be held next month in the riding of Marie-Victorin, which covers part of Longueuil.
The Liberal candidate, Émilie Nollet, denounced Friday the decision of the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ).
“The CAQ chooses to abandon the project, she wrote on social networks. It is shameful. The importance of the arts, I believe in it. I will fight for culture in Marie-Victorin. »
Former candidate for mayor in the last municipal elections, the director general of the Orchester symphonique de Longueuil, Jean-Marc Léveillé, was unaware of this new twist in the file when The duty contacted him Thursday afternoon.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” he said
According to Mr. Léveillé, the municipal administration had reassessed the project and the costs had exploded before the last election. “Allow me to doubt the assessment of 150 million, because it was blown all of a sudden on the eve of the start of the electoral campaign,” he said, implying that it was a way to torpedo the project.
The most recent Quebec Infrastructure Plan (PQI), which covers the period 2022-2032, mentions the Longueuil Cultural Complex project.
“Project removed from the list of projects published in the PQI 2021-2031”, indicates the document tabled Tuesday at the same time as the budget of the Minister of Finance, Eric Girard.
The Ministry of Culture responded to the Homework that details would follow on Friday about this decision.
More details will follow.