While inviting Québec’s environment minister to speed up efforts on the climate crisis, Steven Guilbeault considers the third Québec-Lévis link project “incompatible” with the fight against climate change.

“We cannot believe that we can fight climate change by expanding the road network,” affirmed the Federal Environment Minister on Thursday morning, a few hours before François Legault proceeds to unveil the composition of his Council of Ministers.

His counterpart in Quebec ultimately remains Benoit Charette. When asked about his expectations regarding the new mandate of his Quebec counterpart, Mr Guilbeault mentioned that priority must be given to public transport and the protection of the territory.

In his view, the motorway tunnel project, which is being defended tooth and nail by the Coalition avenir Québec, makes “no sense” while everyone, “even the best on the planet” must “do more” and do it “faster” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions .

“For me, this is clearly a project that is incompatible with the fight against climate change, which will lead to an increase in urban sprawl. Yes, we are moving more and more towards a fleet of electric vehicles, but that in itself doesn’t justify the fact that we’re inviting urban sprawl,” he told The Canadian Press.

Minister Guilbeault regretted that this urban development would take shape at the expense of nature, on wooded areas and agricultural land.

“Old Liberal Reflex”

The Liberal-elect made the comments on the sidelines of an announcement in Montreal about recreational routes in the country. Mr Guilbeault did not want to advance on the position that the Legault government’s ball carrier should take on the third-link in terms of the environment.

Conservative environmental critic Gérard Deltell has invited the federal minister to mind his own business.

“Again the bad old liberal reflex of always commenting on something that is none of his business. It’s a provincial question. Mr. Guilbeault can’t really slow his momentum,” the Quebec region MP told a press crowd in Ottawa.

According to him, the project was “much discussed” during the provincial election campaign, and the results of the Oct. 3 election show positive popular support.

Mr Guilbeault, arriving in Parliament on Thursday afternoon, replied that the fight against climate change is everyone’s business. However, he made it clear that he did not want to play the role of referee in the third link file. Environmental impact assessments, especially by the federal government, would make it possible to determine whether it was a good project or not, the minister said.

However, his position resonated with the New Democratic Party’s deputy leader, Alexandre Boulerice.

“I think this kind of polluting highway project that encourages urban sprawl is totally inconsistent with our greenhouse gas reduction goals. But neither should Mr Guilbeault teach a lesson because he is already unable to meet his own goals,” the New Democrat climate change critic launched.

The new version proposed by the Legault government last April aims to build two more modest tunnels than initially announced, with certain lanes reserved for public transport, but only during rush hour.

Mr. Guilbeault also believes that Quebec must first focus on improving the province’s public transport service before moving on to electrifying the automobile fleet. Manufacturing electric cars requires a significant amount of natural resources, he says.

The minister said he wanted to work with his Quebec counterpart on conservation issues while Montreal hosted a UN conference on biodiversity in December.

$55 million for recreational trails

Mr. Guilbeault was on the edge of the Lachine Canal on Thursday morning to announce a $55 million investment over five years to preserve, enhance and develop the more than 17,000 miles (28,000 km) of Trans Canada Trail network that connects 32 of Parks Canada managed locations traversed.

“This funding will enable a better connection of the different sections of the hiking trail, facilitate access and ensure its sustainability,” said the Federal Minister.

For example, the funds provided could support various projects in Quebec, such as the improvement of a cycle path along the Saint-François River in the MRC of Val-Saint-François in Estrie and new shelters for cross-country skiers and hikers on the Caps de Charlevoix hiking trail.

According to Parks Canada, 80% of Canadians live within 30 minutes of a section of the Trans Canada Trail.

This article was produced with financial support from the Meta Fellowships and The Canadian Press for News.