LJI Reporter
Tashi Farmilo

The Coalition S’allier pour le tramway is urgently appealing to the federal government to confirm
funding for the next crucial phase of the Gatineau-Ottawa tramway project. As the 2024-2025
federal pre-budget consultation process concludes, the coalition emphasizes the need for at
least $200 million to progress to the essential study phase of the project.

Patrick Robert-Meunier, General Director of MOBI-O, expressed frustration over the lack of
federal commitment, highlighting the project’s significance for the region’s transportation
infrastructure. “The tramway project is at a standstill without federal funding. It’s disheartening to
see the federal government invest billions in Ottawa’s public transit while neglecting our side of
the river,” he stated.

The absence of federal support not only hinders the project’s advancement but also contradicts
the government’s vision of promoting sustainable transportation and reducing greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions. “The federal government cannot claim to support ecological transition while
neglecting structuring transit projects like the tramway,” Robert-Meunier added.

If the required funding for the next phase of studies is not secured, the project will inevitably
come to a halt. “Without financial support from the federal government for the tramway project,
we’ll be compelled to pursue alternative avenues,” Robert-Meunier explained. “However, this
would lead to a substantial squandering of public funds invested in a system that offers only
short-term viability.”

Postponing the tramway project not only delays its implementation but also hinders progress
towards transportation behavior change and GHG emission reduction. “The tramway project
represents a pivotal step toward fostering sustainable transportation practices and mitigating the
environmental impact of traditional transit methods,” Robert-Meunier emphasized.

The Coalition S’allier pour le tramway, launched in early 2021, comprises organizations from
various sectors advocating for the development of a tramway network between the western
sector of Gatineau and the downtown areas of Gatineau and Ottawa. The coalition has reached
out to several federal ministers, including Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia
Freeland, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Ministers Sean Fraser, Jean-Yves Duclos, and
Pablo Rodriguez, urging them to prioritize the project.

Every day without clear federal commitment to the Gatineau-Ottawa tramway project results in
significant costs and deprives the federal capital region and its population of the modern
transport infrastructure needed for efficient movement and access to downtown areas, which
have been severely impacted by the pandemic. For more details, visit
https://www.sallierpourletramway.com/.

Photo: Members of MOBI-O alongside key community partners gathered for a photograph on
September 11, 2023, marking the occasion of the 15th Défi sans auto solo and the unveiling of
a new sustainable travel planning platform. (TF) Photo courtesy of MOBI-O