Electric light rail train for Greater Montréal: Representatives of the Three Levels of Government in Saint-Laurent Respond to the Announcement of the Project

SAINT-LAURENT, QC, April 29, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The representatives of the three levels of government in Saint-Laurent have expressed their enthusiasm over CDPQ Infra's proposal of a future electric train system covering most of Greater Montréal (Réseau électrique métropolitain (REM)). Such a rail system could have a key impact on economic development as well as on the quality of life of residents on this territory. The REM could make it possible for Saint-Laurent to benefit from faster access to various strategic areas in Greater Montréal—including a route leading to the downtown area in only 12 minutes' time.  

Saint-Laurent Mayor Alan DeSousa, Jean-Marc Fournier, MNA for Saint-Laurent and Minister responsible for Canadian Relations and the Canadian Francophonie, as well as Honourable Stéphane Dion, MP for Saint-Laurent and Minister of Foreign Affairs in Canada, are well aware of the major investments that still need to be made in order for this proposal to materialize. However, they said they were confident about the prospects of this light rail train (LRT) system being launched and believe that it would give rise to substantial economic spinoffs.

To Saint-Laurent Mayor Alan DeSousa: "The REM will advance the Saint-Laurent community's  development and competitiveness. It will also breathe new life into Montréal's entire western hub, which represents 340,000 jobs or 27% of the jobs on the island. Moreover, our Administration is very pleased that CDPQ Infra has taken into account the representations that we made several years ago with our partners, Développement économique Saint-Laurent and Technoparc Montréal."

"In order to defend the interests of Saint-Laurent's residents and companies, I will be supporting my government colleagues in advancing this major project. CDPQ Infra's proposal represents really big progress in terms of public transit for the entire metropolitan Montréal community (Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal), with a vast economic impact on all of Québec," stressed Mr. Fournier.

"The project proposed by CDPQ Infra could have a very positive impact on the residents in my Saint-Laurent riding and I'm delighted over the discussions surrounding such a large-scale project. Our government has agreed to invest $60 billion in public transit infrastructures over the next ten years. We will continue to work closely with our provincial and municipal counterparts so that we can ensure support for the projects that they identify as priority ones," added Mr. Dion.

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Arrondissement de Saint-Laurent

Image with caption: "from left to right: Jean-Marc Fournier, MNA for Saint-Laurent and Minister responsible for Canadian Relations and the Canadian Francophonie, Alan DeSousa, Mayor of Saint-Laurent and Stéphane Dion, MP for Saint-Laurent and Minister of Foreign Affairs in Canada (CNW Group/Ville de Montréal - Arrondissement de Saint-Laurent)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160429_C3505_PHOTO_EN_678923.jpg

Arrondissement de Saint-Laurent : 514 855-6000, ext. 4313 - Mobile: [phone]; Electoral division office of Jean-Marc Fournier: 514 747-4050; Office of Honourable Stéphane Dion: 514 335-6655