Bruno Marchand’s Big Win Fuels Quebec City’s Tramway Momentum
The municipal elections in Quebec City have brought a major shift in the city’s political scene, with Mayor Bruno Marchand securing a decisive re-election that he believes cements the future of the long-debated tramway project. Describing it as a “wind of unstoppable momentum,” Marchand expressed confidence that the project now has the political backing it needs to move forward.
Speaking to La Presse the day after his victory, Marchand revealed that he had already spoken with Quebec Premier François Legault, who reaffirmed his support for the $7.6 billion public transit plan. According to Marchand, there’s no hesitation at the provincial level — the tramway is moving ahead. The election results appear to validate that stance, with nearly 61% of voters choosing candidates who support the tramway. Marchand himself captured 49.4% of the vote, giving his party 18 out of 21 seats on the city council — a clear mandate for progress.
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“It would’ve been complicated not to have a majority,” he said. “A strong mandate is good for the citizens of Quebec. It brings an irresistible momentum, whether it’s for the tramway or for negotiations with other levels of government.”
The mood within the provincial government seems to have shifted as well. During the campaign, some members of the ruling Coalition Avenir Québec had expressed skepticism about the project. But Minister of Transport Jonatan Julien made it clear — there would be no pause, and the project would proceed as planned. Marchand praised Julien’s stance, saying he had been “solid” in advancing the region’s interests and sticking to the facts amid political noise.
Opponents of the tramway have suggested that the federal government, struggling with budget deficits, might withdraw its funding. Marchand dismissed those fears, saying he expects major infrastructure investments to remain a priority in the upcoming budget. “What I’m hearing is that there will be cuts in operational budgets, but big investments in infrastructure. For projects like the tramway, that could be very positive,” he explained.
Still, not everyone is celebrating. Stéphane Lachance, leader of the Respect Citoyen party, which won three council seats, admitted he was “not happy” with the results but vowed to form a strong opposition. He believes low voter turnout among his supporters contributed to the loss. Meanwhile, former opposition leader Claude Villeneuve’s party was completely shut out, leaving its future uncertain. Villeneuve, who refused to take an anti-tramway stance, said he chose to stand by what he believed was best for the city’s future — even at the cost of his political career.
For Mayor Marchand, that kind of conviction is something he deeply respects. “Claude loved this city,” he said. “If anyone doubts that, they’re wrong. Only time will tell how things evolve from here, but for now, Quebec City has clearly chosen its direction — and it’s moving forward.”
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