Photo: Quebec government officials announcing a $9.7 million investment in sustainable mobility projects, aimed at enhancing environmentally friendly transportation solutions. (TF) Photo: Tashi Farmilo

With notes from Mary Baskin, Marie-Eve Turpin and Lily Ryan

In a landmark decision to advance sustainable transportation, the Quebec government has dedicated $9.7 million to support innovative mobility projects. The funds, announced by Geneviève Guilbault, Vice Premier and Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, alongside Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, and Minister Responsible for the Laurentides region, mark a significant commitment to environmentally friendly transportation solutions.

The new initiative, part of the Programme d’aide aux nouvelles mobilités (NOMO), aims to integrate services such as bus, bike-sharing, and car-sharing within municipalities through technology and communication advancements. This move is seen as a crucial step in making transportation more sustainable, connected, and tailored to the needs of the community.

“In our 2023-2028 Road Safety Action Plan, we pledged greater support for municipalities in the financing of active transport, and that’s precisely what we’re implementing today,” said Geneviève Guilbault. “Providing efficient, attractive, and accessible options to reduce solo car usage is essential for encouraging a shift in transportation modes. Our government is investing to support initiatives that steer us in this direction. I encourage eligible municipalities, organizations, and companies to submit their projects right away and join the fight against climate change actively.”

The NOMO program’s funding will also extend to the development of travel management plans by employers, benefiting their staff and encouraging more environmentally friendly commuting options. These measures are part of a broader effort to shift away from solo car use and toward more sustainable modes of transportation.

Benoit Charette highlighted the transportation sector’s role in environmental issues, stating, “The transportation sector is the main emitter of greenhouse gases in Quebec. It’s an area where there is still much to do, and where solutions inevitably involve innovation and the use of active, collective, and shared transportation. The projects that will be financed will contribute to making these diverse modes of transport more attractive compared to solo car use, encouraging their adoption by a majority.”

This investment by the Quebec government reflects a growing awareness of the need for sustainable transportation solutions. With climate change concerns mounting, the move toward more environmentally friendly mobility options is not just a matter of convenience but a necessary step for the health and well-being of communities and the planet.