Peter Black
May 22, 2024
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
peterblack@qctonline.com
Calling it a “great day for the Quebec City region,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed the federal government will buy the historic Quebec Bridge for a token $1 and pour some $1 billion into its rejuvenation over the next 25 years.
The May 15 announcement took place at the lookout behind the Quebec aquarium, with the 107-year-old, 543-metre-long “Wonder of the World” in the background.
It was the exact same setting where three years ago federal ministers announced the Trudeau government’s intention to purchase the bridge from Canadian National, and hired retired insurance executive Yvon Charest to spearhead negotiations.
Trudeau thanked Charest, who was out of the country and unable to attend the announcement, for his efforts. “Without his work, we would not be here today,” Trudeau said.
MP Joël Lightbound, in whose Louis-Hébert riding the bridge is located, introduced the officials at the ceremony, noting he has been “waiting for this day since the first day I was elected” in 2015.
Trudeau also saluted Jean-Yves Duclos, the MP for the Québec riding and minister of public services and procurement, calling him the “pillar” of the long and complicated negotiations with CN and the Quebec government.
Duclos credited the signing of the deal 31 years after CN took over the bridge to “hope and hard work,” spanning the terms of eight ministers of transport. He said the revamping of the bridge will offer the region “new options” for transit.
Duclos also saluted former Quebec City mayor Régis Labeaume, who, along with longtime Lévis Mayor Gilles Lehouillier, pushed for the resolution of the impasse that saw the painting of the bridge started more than 10 years ago and then halted. There was even a “Bill, Paint Your Bridge” campaign aimed at Microsoft founder and major CN shareholder Bill Gates.
Duclos also thanked citizen groups who have led campaigns for action to preserve the bridge. He thanked Trudeau “above all” for his commitment to the bridge negotiations and the betterment of the Quebec City region.
Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez, who also serves as Trudeau’s Quebec lieutenant, lent an extra note of levity to the event by making reference to the iconic Quebec TV series, Les Boys. He said it took “dureté de mental” (mental toughness) to get the job done, in particular the perseverance of Duclos, the expertise of Charest and the commitment of the prime minister.
Rodriguez joked it would be Duclos who paid the symbolic dollar for the bridge as minister of procurement.
Jonatan Julien, Quebec infrastructure minister and minister for the Capitale-Nationale Region said the bridge is “a heritage jewel” that is “in the DNA” of people in the region. He praised the persistence of the federal government since taking power in 2015, to see the bridge’s future ensured.
Quebec City Coun. Maude Mercier Larouche, whose district includes the bridge, said people of the area are very proud of the bridge, but it has “lacked a bit of love” and the rejuvenation of the structure will allow future generations to feel the same pride.
Mayor Bruno Marchand said, “There would be nothing happening here today without political will,” calling the announcement “an immense day for the people of Quebec.”
He thanked the prime minister, whom he called Justin, saying the acquisition of the bridge would not have been possible without his support.
“We are entering a new era for mobility in the region,” Marchand said.
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Photo by Peter Black