New coalition calls for public inquiry into Montreal light-rail project

A coalition of unions, environmental activists and citizens groups is calling for a public inquiry into the proposed light-rail project that will link parts of downtown Montreal with the South Shore and the West Island.

The environmental benefits of the$5.5-billion project aren't likely to offset the damage that will accompany its construction, said the coalition, which is calling itselfTrainsparence.

Quebec's pension fund, theCaissededptet placement duQubec,has committed $3 billion to building the 67-kilometrelight-rail network.The balance is expected to come from the federal and provincial government.

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The call for a closer look at the project comes as Quebec's environmental review board, known by its French acronym BAPE, is examining what impact it will have on wildlife and wetlands.

"When we start peeling back the layers of this project we see that there is just problems upon problems," saidMathieuVick,spokesperson for Trainsparence and a researcher with theSCFP-CUPEunion.

He calls the rail project's projected greenhouse gas reductions"a drop in the bucket."

"They refuse to also include the emissions that will be increased due to urban sprawl," saidVick.

"Their choice of technology, the sky train, will taketonnesof cement to build ... It willtake about 60 years for the train to recuperate thoseGHGs[greenhouse gases]they've emitted during the construction."

CDPQInfra, theCaissededpt subsidiary responsible for the project, says it hasbeen working with concerned groups and municipalities to update and improve the plan.

"The project was the subject of a series ofupgrades that addressquestions raised in recent months," wrote CDPQInfra spokespersonJean-VincentLacroix in an email to CBC.

"Today we begin the second part of the public hearing on the project. We will continue to respond transparentlyto the questions asked as part of this process."

TheTrainsparencecoalition is composed of SierraClubQubec,SauvonsL'Anse--l'Orme,Option Transport Durable, Montreal ClimateCoaltionand theCanadian Union of Public Employees among others.

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