Final deal on tramway by December 15: Caisse de Dépot has “good hope” of achieving it

MONTREAL — Two weeks after signing a preliminary agreement with the Legault government to build Quebec's tramway, the Caisse de Dépot et Placements du Québec Infra (CDPQI) says there is “good hope” of a final deal here by Dec. 15. .

This was stated by Philippe Battani, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Communications and Strategy, CDPQ Infra. NewspaperWednesday, in Montreal, during an event at the Urban Development Institute of Quebec.

“Yes. I hope that on or before December 15th we will have an agreement with the Quebec government. Negotiations are ongoing. They are going well. I can't say much,” he said.

Concerned not to harm the ongoing negotiations, Mr. Batani did not want to elaborate. 20% to 30% of CDPQI's financial participation in the megaproject and he did not think of making this investment profitable. Quebec Mayor Bruno Marchand insisted on the same discretion over whether — or — the tramway project would begin in the 2025 construction season.

“It is being discussed, being defined… it will be in the contract. We are working on a deal,” he repeated.

pride

Last June, when CDPQI unveiled its CITÉ plan, it laid out a sweeping plan to change the face of mobility in the Greater Capitale-National region, in three phases and over 15 years. Is Caisse disappointed that the government only gave the greenlight to part of the first phase (the 19 km tramway between Le Gendre and Charlesbourg)?

“We are proud to have the mandate to plan the first phase of the CITÉ plan and also plan the conditions for the construction of the tramway in its first phase,” replied Philippe Battani.

“The contract is still valid”

Alstom spokesman Olivier Marcille, who attended the same event, confirmed that a $569 million contract with the city of Quebec for the construction of tram trains in April 2023 “remains valid” despite legal audits. Managed by the Government of Quebec.

“The agreement is still valid. We are waiting for the signal to restart the machine. “I guess you could say there was some impatience – I would say “excitement” – to start this project,” he commented.

Mr. Marcille also mentioned a recent union excursion in which CSN insisted that a tramway was possible Maintaining and creating jobs in Quebec. “As the only rail manufacturer with an industrial footprint in Quebec and Canada, we appeal that the products that roll here are made by our employees and our expertise here,” he noted.

Mr Marsil did not want to elaborate on exact deadlines for the construction of the trains, as the final contract on the tramway had not yet been signed. He also declined to comment on the fact that German company Siemens has publicly stated that it has no intention of challenging the trams contract in court.