Quebec Premier François Legault, who was urged by several speakers to apologize for breaking his flagship promise to build a third highway link between Lévis and Quebec, as did Bernard Drainville (Lévis MP), does not hear that the citizens of Quebec ask for forgiveness of the Greater Quebec City. He believes he made the best decision for Quebec, considering the latest data on traffic between the two coasts.

“In the end, I made the decision and I’m going with that. If the data changes, we have to change the decision. I’m pragmatic (in exercising power), and the best solution is a third link dedicated solely to public transport. As Prime Minister, I have to make the best decisions for Quebecers. If it’s a difficult decision, I will not apologize for making the best decision for Quebecers,” Mr Legault said during a press crowd at the National Assembly on the 25 Quebec City Region and the Prime Minister.

François Legault reiterated that he understands the disappointment of “many people”, particularly those from eastern Greater Quebec City, and pounded out emphatically that there was “no conspiracy” and that his decision to abandon the third highway link had not been made beforehand last fall’s elections.

“Up until April 5, I had data on travel times that justified the construction of a third freeway link, when travel times on bridges in Quebec were longer than some bridges in Montreal. The new data tells us that travel times in the Quebec City region are not unreasonable and projections do not predict a significant increase in travel times through 2036. So it wasn’t financially justifiable,” argued Mr. Legault.

No compensation for Lévis

Questioned by journalists on the matter, the Prime Minister rejected the idea put forward this morning by Chutes-de-la-Chaudière MP Martine Biron of paying “some kind of compensation” to the Chaudière-Appalaches for abandoning the third motorway connection project.

“As Prime Minister of Quebec, I ensure that all urgent infrastructure projects are carried out in all regions of Quebec,” said François Legault, sharing his desire to “move forward as quickly as possible” to make the new version of the third link a reality.

In the same breath, the head of government of Quebec took the opportunity to express his support for Éric Caire, CAQ MP for La Peltrie and Minister for Cybersecurity and Digital. Because this denier “had put his seat on the line” to ensure the Coalition avenir Québec would reach the third highway link, several members of the company, including representatives from the Quebec Conservative Party, are calling for his resignation.

“I give Eric Caire my full support. It is not a decision by Éric Caire (to abandon the third motorway link) but by François Legault,” concluded the Prime Minister.