“In urban North America, we're still stuck driving alone”

Environment Minister Benoît Charette was pressed Tuesday to answer questions from journalists regarding reports by Economy, Innovation and Energy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon that Quebec has “too many vehicles.” Roads and municipalities should take responsibility to solve this problem.

• Read more: “Too many cars” on the roads: Courage and investments in public transport are needed

After recognizing that “in an ideal world, there would be fewer vehicles,” Mr. “That's not realistic,” Charette said.

Union of Municipalities of Quebec (UMQ) president Martin Tambous recalled on the show that he feared the task of carrying out Minister Fitzgibbon's wishes would fall on the shoulders of Belle-Province mayors. balance sheet “In an ideal world, the government would do well to respond positively to the request of the 53 mayors of UMQ's board of directors asking the government to make public transportation in all areas of Quebec a national priority.

Mr. Damphousse criticizes the fact that the government has not provided any additional funds to municipalities to “allow” them to reduce vehicle fleets.

The option of taxing motorists more is apparently still on the table, although the Legault government has rejected Quebec Solidaire's famous “orange taxes,” with the party proposing a series of measures to penalize those who prioritize cars over public transportation.

Warren's Mayor explains that Montreal implemented a registration tax this year.

Mr. According to Damphousse, this type of initiative could be a way to finance future public transport projects.

“We don't need to impose taxes, but we need to collectively find ways to improve public transportation because that's the only way to reduce our greenhouse gases and reduce the number of vehicles on the roads,” he says.

However, in the same “realistic” idea raised by the two ministers, the head of UMQ underlines that the public transport network is “deficient”, especially when we leave the big metropolises.

“Unfortunately, in a North American city, we're still stuck with solo driving,” he says. It's sad, but we tirelessly plead with the government to expedite funding for public transport.

***Watch the interview with Martin Tomfousse in the video above***