Pointe-Claire, August 12, 2010 – Francis Scarpaleggia, Member of Parliament for the Montreal West Island riding of Lac-Saint-Louis, has reiterated his support, previously stated in a 2005 press release, for a comprehensive West Island-wide commuter rail service with a stop at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport.
Furthermore, in 2007, the Lac-Saint-Louis M.P. called on then federal Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon, among others, to press for having a West Island representative on the project steering committee for an eventual Trudeau Airport rail link to downtown Montreal. The goal was to have a distinct West Island voice on the steering committee to ensure West Island mayors be better able to influence the shape of the rail-link project and adapt it to the needs of West Island commuters and the broader West Island economy. The Harper government’s response was non-committal at best.
Scarpaleggia once again laments the passive federal attitude toward the project, namely the Harper government’s reluctance to support the “Lucien l’Allier option” with a downtown terminus at Lucien l’Allier Metro station.
“The federal government will be contributing monies to an eventual rail project. It has a right to have its say in what the project should finally look like. The principle of accountability to taxpayers means that federal dollars should be used to support the growing consensus in the West Island—that now includes off-island support—for the ‘Train de l’Ouest option’ being put forward by former Member of Parliament Clifford Lincoln, former West Island industrial commissioner Georges Nydam, and a coalition of local MNAs and Mayors. The Harper government should get off the fence and support this consensus project,” Scarpaleggia said.
“The federal government’s attitude toward major transportation infrastructure projects must change. It must become less of a detached passive observer and more of a proactive partner. The federal government should use its influence to favour those options that make the greatest sense for local populations, their environment, and their economy,” added the West Island M.P.
