The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) has cut $200 million from the budget of the PADTC, the provincial public transit development program, breaking yet another public transit promise.
“This is terrible news for our municipalities and, ultimately, for users, who were counting on this investment,” said Patrick Gloutney, president of CUPE Quebec. “The CAQ governs from one broken promise to the next. To soundly manage our public transportation corporations, we need consistent and predictable funding.”
The Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ) is justified in denouncing the unannounced cuts in the PADTC’s 2022–2025 budget envelope—a drop from $1.2 billion to $998 million.
Katherine Bouclin, vice-president of the ground transportation sector, added, “These budget cuts compromise the municipalities’ and transit corporations’ ability to maintain adequate public transport services. Don’t be fooled: services will be cut. Yet, the situation is already fragile, and higher public transit budgets are a necessity.”