A group representing public sector workers and some environmental groups have filed a motion to stop the planned light rail project in its tracks and send it back to the drawing board for more in-depth public consultations.
The Syndicat canadien de la fonction publique (SCFP-CUPE), Coalition climat Montreal, Coalition Trainsparence and Pour un meilleur projet que le REM are supporting the motion that argues that the public consultations on the project weren't enough and didn't address several concerns including what it will mean for your tax bill, train fares or existing train service.
"They have never come out to say the Vaudreuil-Hudson line will be reduced or closing. They've never said that the Mascouche line will be abandoned because they have to transfer. They have never said that it will completely limit the access from St. Jerôme to downtown. They have never verified if the Montreal-Quebec line will be affected," said lawyer Ricardo Hrtschan.
"We are not against the project, we're against the process."
Lawyer Ricardo Hrtschan says they're not against the project, they're against the process. #CJAD pic.twitter.com/v63V6JqDBs
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) March 24, 2017
The group's motion also wants the agreement between the Quebec government and the backers behind the train, the Caisse de dépôt, nul and void because "it represents the abdication of the parliamentary independence of the government in favour of purely commercial motives."
Lawyers now have to set the timetable to debate the motion before a judge.