Allegations of Montreal Infrastructure Neglect Levied Against CAQ Government
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Montrealists Slam Legault Government for Ignoring City's Infrastructure Woes
It's the Quebec Solidaire (QS) that's calling out the Legault government for sidelining Montreal's needs in infrastructure projects. This accusation comes hot on the heels of the freezing of 10 school construction projects and the delay of the Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital site due to budgetary reasons.
According to QS deputies, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) shows little interest in Montreal. Guillaume Cliche-Rivard, a Solidaires deputy, confronted the government during a press conference, stating, "They made promises... and, all of a sudden, poof! We put this on the back burner. I think that's a serious lack of respect for Montrealers."
The city has voiced its discontent over the freeze on school sites, especially when several sectors of the island are grappling with school overcrowding. Without primary schools, growing neighborhoods in the metropolis are forced to send hundreds of students to schools outside their district.
The Griffintown neighborhood, known for its persistent demand for a primary school, is situated within Cliche-Rivard's riding. He pointed out that Quebec had frozen a 24-classroom school project on the verge of becoming a reality. The City is about to hand over a plot of land to the Montreal English School Board to build this school, accompanied by a community playground. "Everyone has recognized the needs of the neighborhood for a primary school. It's an evidence. The CAQ also recognizes it," lamented the Solidaires deputy.
Insight: The Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital, which is teetering on the edge due to water leaks, elevator malfunctions, and even squirrels within its facility[1], serves as a testament to the allegations of neglect by the Legault administration.
In addition, QS colleague Sol Zanetti brought up the Legault government's abandonment of the ambitious renovation of the FACE school, a flagship institution in the metropolis, due to budgetary constraints. The renovation of the Roberval Academy, whose building has been condemned due to unsanitary conditions, has also been delayed for years.
Education Minister Bernard Drainville defended the Legault government's investments in school construction and renovation, claiming that the committed amounts for the Quebec Infrastructure Plan for the school network have increased by 160% since the CAQ took power in 2018.
However, Vincent Marissal, another QS deputy, views the one-year delay in the Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital site extension as another instance of the government's disregard for the metropolis. With only two CAQ deputies representing the 27 ridings that make up the island of Montreal,QS believes the government prioritizes its own interests over the needs of the city.
In response, Health Minister Christian Dubé highlighted the government's commitment to projects like extending the blue metro line to the Anjou Galleries, repairing the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine tunnel, and fixing the Olympic Stadium's roof.
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- Quebec Solidaire (QS) has criticized the Legault government for their disregard of Montreal's infrastructure issues, citing the freezing of school construction projects and the delay of the Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital site.
- The City of Montreal has expressed dissatisfaction over the freeze on school sites, particularly in light of school overcrowding in several island sectors, forcing students to attend schools outside their district.
- QS deputy Guillaume Cliche-Rivard lamented the CAQ's freezing of a 24-classroom school project in the Griffintown neighborhood, a demand long acknowledged by both the community and the CAQ.
- In response to QS's claims, Health Minister Christian Dubé highlighted the government's commitments to projects such as extending the blue metro line and repairing the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine tunnel, but QS still maintains that the Legault government prioritizes its own interests over Montreal's needs.
