La Presse editorializes against elevated REM
La Presse’s Nathalie Collard editorializes against an elevated REM downtown: “On réfléchit également à réparer la cicatrice causée par la Métropolitaine. Et on viendrait ériger des pylônes de béton en plein centre-ville ? Ça n’a tout simplement pas de bon sens !”
A Twitter follower points out that Brian Myles expresses a similar opinion for Le Devoir.
Daniel D 13:37 on 2022-03-11 Permalink
I think there needs to be a conversation around the REM controversy being a symptom of a wider problem, that of the segregation of power and responsibilities between Canadian municipalities and provinces (correct me if I’m wrong, but I think this is a general problem across the country and constitutional in nature?)
Obviously, on paper, it’s nuts for a city to be excluded from its own transit planning. And yet, here we all are.
Nick D 10:38 on 2022-03-12 Permalink
Municipalities are entirely creates of provincial statute – provinces can draw whatever lines they want around their powers. You saw a radical example of this in 2018, when Ontario changed the number of seats on Toronto city council during the middle of a municipal election.
DisgruntledGoat 02:13 on 2022-03-13 Permalink
There are valid concerns regarding the REM not being coordinated with the ARTM, and the general lack of coordination of public transit agencies. And ignoring public consultation in the early stages of the project.
What is intellectually dishonest is drawing a comparison between a Robert Moses-style 6-lane expressway + 8 lanes of frontage roads total on both sides, versus a median-footprint elevated electric rail project.
I live close-ish to the met, the comparisons of electric rail running down the median of Sherbrooke Est being along the same lines is hilarious.
I am struggling to comprehend.
ant6n 09:56 on 2022-03-13 Permalink
> Obviously, on paper, it’s nuts for a city to be excluded from its own transit planning.
Even more so that the regional transit planning authority is excluded as well. And that the actual planning is done by some private entity interested in making money from building transit, on collusion with the PM.