Mid-term meeting with the mayor

Transport and Mobility: “I understand that it’s difficult,” says Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin

The Bulletin editorial team interviewed Mayor Pedneaud-Jobin on October 31 to go over the mandate to date. Mr Pedneaud-Jobin addressed the issue of traffic and mobility for Aylmer. He noted that traffic congestion needs improvements.

“In 2018, 60% of the STO’s investments were made in the west end of the city, because we are aware that the situation is difficult. I know it’s difficult. Buses are full, roads are busy and moving can be difficult.

“What I would like to say to people in the west is that we understand how difficult it is and that they are not forgotten, in the short term with the STO or in the long term with the train project. I was in Premier Legault’s office this morning and one of the first things he mentioned as a priority was the train project. For me, this project is the top priority in western Gatineau to make life easier for thousands of people,” said Pedneaud-Jobin.

The declaration of this priority from the provincial government to the Mayor of Gatineau followed the unanimous adoption by the National Assembly of a motion recognizing the Outaouais as an administrative region with specific characteristics and which has accumulated a significant delay in its funding. The Government of Quebec had already indicated that it was prepared to fund 60% of the $2.1 billion project earlier this year.

During the election campaign, Greg Fergus, Member of Parliament for Hull-Aylmer, expressed that the issue was a priority for him and that there would soon be major news about the project, but for the time being, the project was still waiting for a federal grant to move forward.

Pending the train project, the Mayor pointed out that his administration had increased funding for the Three-Year Capital Plan by 60% in six years, representing a 72% increase for paving and 35% for snow removal since 2013. (This series of articles about the mid-term continues in future editions.)