(Quebec) The first debate between the candidates for the succession of Régis Labeaume gave rise to numerous skirmishes on Tuesday evening over the tramway, taxes or even the third link.
The five candidates did not spare the attacks during this debate organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Quebec. Mr. Labeaume’s runner-up has also launched several points at Bruno Marchand, chef of Quebec strong and proud.
Marie-Josée Savard reacted strongly when Mr. Marchand, who had repeated since the start of the campaign wanting to increase residential taxes according to inflation, specified over the discussions that these increases would be capped at 2.5%.
“We have just added a new chapter to the book“ Taxes according to Merchant ”. Every time we ask questions about taxes, there are other things added, ”said Team leader Marie-Josée Savard.
“We are able to explain our things in two lines, you I think it takes two pages! ”
The candidate referred to Mr. Marchand’s desire to set up a fee for promoters who would like to build projects along the route of the future tramway. Mr. Marchand was imprecise two weeks ago when he spoke about this measure for the first time.
“Yes the promoters who will get rich with the tram should pay a royalty. It will not change anything for the citizens. For us it is courage, to seek new capital ”, launched Bruno Marchand, who notes that in 2024 the City will have to leave its coffers 84 million for the tram.
“Money doesn’t grow on trees, Mme Savard ”, to launch Mr. Marchand, who also promises to lower the taxes of the traders if he is elected.
Gosselin described as “naive”
Lively debates have, of course, also taken place about the tram. Only one of the five candidates wants to abort the project and instead promises a light rail. The opponents of Jean-François Gosselin doubt the realism of this project, especially since it promises to carry it out in the envelope of 3.3 billion allocated to the tram.
According to the head of Quebec 21, the government of François Legault “will not have the choice” to finance his project.
“If I am going to seek a mandate from the citizens of Quebec City, the government will not have the choice to respect the decision of the citizens. That’s democracy, ”said Mr. Gosselin, who also proposes a tax freeze for two years.
These remarks visibly irritated the leader of Democracy Quebec, Jean Rousseau. “You think being elected will make the government give you everything you want. I apologize but it doesn’t work like that. It’s naive, ”said Jean Rousseau.
The latter criticized the Labeaume administration and Mme Savard on the trees that will be cut for the tram. “Cutting trees with you is a lottery. We were at 1700, now we have reached 600. How many trees will it be? Asked Mr. Rousseau.
He also reiterated his wish that the Quebec-Lévis tunnel be entirely dedicated to public transport.
Jackie Smith, head of Transition Quebec, is the only candidate to categorically oppose the tunnel dear to the Legault government.
“It is a project which threatens to disfigure the City of Quebec, of which you want to become mayor”, launched Mme Smith, who proposes a series of important measures to tackle the climate crisis.
Another televised debate will take place on October 20.