Report on Gaspé rail transport: between concerns and support

Entitled “The Gaspé train, an orphan file”, the document highlights various examples of the Quebec government’s lack of will.

The president of the body, Éric Dubé, regrets that the title of the report minimizes all the work done since he took office at the SCFGin 2014.

To say that the railway file is an orphan file after investing so much time and effort, let’s just say it appeals to me and it picks up on mehe admits.

The report also presents an observation of the powerlessness of regional stakeholders vis-à-vis the government.

According to the firm responsible for writing the report, political and economic stakeholders in the Gaspé, such as the SCFG and elected municipal officials, seem to hold little influence and are handcuffs in this file.

” When I look at what we have done since 2014, a great challenge that we collectively succeeded in, I have never felt handcuffed to claim things and move the file forward. »

Mr. Dubé recalls that in 2014, the SCFG had a financial deficit and was under the protection of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. The rail was almost on its way out at that timehe says. We are no longer there today.

However, the president says he understands that some people are complaining that the project is not progressing quickly enough.

He also indicates that the investments as well as the calls for tenders are continuing for the repair of the rail and that the SCFG is still in discussion with the Ministry of Transport to move the file forward.

Lots of support

Despite the concerns raised by the SCFG, several regional stakeholders support the report. The MNA for Gaspé, Méganne Perry Mélançon, supports the demands presented there.

The elected official deplores the fact that Quebec continues to backtrack on the issue of rail rehabilitation to Gaspé and considers it one of the failures of the government of the Coalition avenir Québec.

” We expect more from governments, which often have more interest in big projects in Montreal or Quebec City, and here, we have trouble getting the attention needed to move these issues forward. »

The MNA also denounces the consequences of the numerous postponements in rail repairs on the development of the region as well as on the mobility of Gaspé residents.

The director general of the Chamber of Commerce of La Côte-de-Gaspé, Marie-Claude Brière, is of the same opinion. The transport file is a priority file. We have to make progress on the train file, because it is a type of transport that is requested by our community.

The environmental grouping Together for the Sustainable Future of Greater Gaspé also supports the conclusions of the document.

One of the main points raised in the report is that the train is an alternative more energy efficient and less harmful to the environment.

” Scientific studies show that, compared to other modes of transport, all forms of railway achieve the most energy-efficient performance. Average fuel consumption is inherently more efficient. »

For the group’s president and spokesperson, Lise Chartrand, all the delays in the railway repair work mean an increase in greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, in an emergency context. climatic.

If we want to be serious about reducing greenhouse gases, the train is an obligation. It’s necessary! supports Ms. Chartrand.