Montreal homes expropriated for REM project

REM project

Last May, Quebec Transport Minister Laurent Lessard introduced a bill that would allow the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec to speed up the process for the construction of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) project – a bill that would force the expropriation of land and prevent property owners from contesting it. Due to the summer break the bill was not officially put through. As many as 163 properties would have to be expropriated, 15 of them being homes expropriated for REM project.

REM map of tracks – 15 homes expropriated for REM project

On Wednesday September 27th, Bill 137 was quietly put forth and adopted, regardless of much criticism and the call to study the proposal further. Even in despite of a report published in January by the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE), raising serious concerns about potential environmental consequences of the project – Premier Philippe Couillard and Mayor Denis Coderre both announced it would still go ahead. Unfortunately, it is one political promise they kept.

Last May, the provincial minister of municipal affairs and land occupancy, Martin Coiteux, was cited as saying ‘that if people were allowed to contest their expropriations, that could mean cases being entangled in court for months or even years, in turn delaying the project… it’s about speeding up the process so that we can realize that project in a time horizon which is reasonable& the possibility to dispute is withdrawn and the work has to start in the fall in order for the project to be completed by 2020.’

Nicolas Marceau, the Parti Quebecois’ finance critic, had said that people will have no chance to contest losing their homes and that Bill 137 is a ‘legal bulldozer’.

Linking a good part of the Greater Montreal area, the 67km system would connect the areas of downtown Montreal, the South Shore, West Island, North Shore and Trudeau airport – with hopes of alleviating congestion in the Metro system. But many feel it would do very little and the part of the project linking the Trudeau airport, West Island and Deux-Montagnes area is a waste of money as it would cut in to existing train service – and ridership would not go up with the LRT system, as it would just be diverting riders from AMT trains. Instead, the money might be better spent improving the train lines along the route, which in turn would provide better and faster service for commuters.

The estimated cost for the project was $6 billion – up from the original $5.5 billion first announced. The Caisse de Dépôt was committed to financing $3 billion, with another ‘conditional’ $2.5 billion needed from the financial participation of both the federal and provincial governments – for a total of $5.5 billion then. In Quebec’s budget announced on March 28th, they committed to investing $1.3 billion in the project and ‘several hundred millions for related work’ – while the federal government has also promised $1.28 billion in funding.

At this point one cannot help but question why the government is in such a rush, and not taking the required time needed for a project of this magnitude in order to review the report by BAPE and other professionals – but more importantly, the concerns of its citizens.

Other articles from mtltimes.catotimes.caotttimes.ca

Montreal Toronto train

Toronto to Montreal train in under 40 minutes

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
NFL

Revolutionizing sports with technology enhancing athletic performance

The integration of technology in sports is transforming the way athletes train and perform. From data analytics to virtual training environments, technological innovations are reshaping athletic performance. As these advancements continue to evolve, their impact on sports management and performance becomes increasingly significant. In today’s sports landscape, technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing both

flying private

Private Jet vs. First Class: Is flying private from Montreal worth it?

Flying private or choosing first class is a big decision. Both options offer comfort and luxury. But they differ in cost, convenience, and privacy. This article compares both choices for travellers leaving from Montreal. The goal is to help you decide which option suits your needs. Cost of Flying Private vs. First Class Private jets

safest cities

Why Montreal is one of the safest cities to visit in 2025

If you’re planning a trip to Canada, Montreal has been ranked the sixth safest cities to travel to in 2025, according to a recent report by insurance company Berkshire Hathaway. When you break it down, Montreal’s safety is a combination of aspects that makes this city a favourite destination among safety-conscious travelers. Here’s a look

dermal fillers

The ultimate guide to dermal fillers: Are they worth it?

For decades now, dermal fillers have remained the go-to treatment for fighting the signs of aging, such as lines, wrinkles, and sagging. Apart from these, they are also extensively used to elevate some facial features by adding contour and volume to areas like lips, cheeks, and chin. Although the average cost of a dermal filler

Winnipeg’s Bold Commerce announces new PayPal integrations

Winnipeg’s Bold Commerce announces new PayPal integrations

Bold Commerce has built on its existing long-standing relationship with financial services platform PayPal. The firm has announced that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Canada currently using its OpenCart and Gravity Forms solutions will benefit from the integration of PayPal’s full payments suite. This includes digital wallets, Venmo, Fastlane, as well as its Buy

Mtltimes Subscription

The latest on what’s moving Montreal and the world – delivered straight to your inbox