Confidentiality agreements for LRT updates anger local politicians

Local politicians around Montreal are being asked to sign confidentiality agreements in order to receive information about the light-rail network proposed by theCaisse de dpt et placementdu Qubec.

According to those who have seen the agreement, it bars elected officials from revealing information about the project for three years.

Brossard city councillorDoreenAssad said she wasasked to sign the agreement before a meeting last month where other councillorswere to receive an update about the Caisse's plan to build anelectric, fully automated 67-kilometre rail line.

Assad balked when she read the form.

"That day I chose not to sign it myself for two reasons," she said.

"I found that it was very large in terms of what I can and cannot say. And the period of time it covered seemed very large for me. Three years is a bit much."

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Assadsaid signing the agreement would have restricted her ability to represent her constituents, even though she supports the light-rail project.

"It's going to allow me leeway to properly defend their interests," she said of her decision.

Defence against speculation?

In order to construct the rail network, which will include 24 stations linking the South Shore,downtownand the West Island, theCaissewill need to purchase land.

Given the sums involved, and the potential benefits to real estate value,Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre said the confidentiality agreements make sense as a way to prevent real estate speculation.

"The train could have an impact on the value of land," Coderre told Radio-Canada. "Disagreeable things could happen."

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The Caisse subsidiary responsible for the light-rail project, CDPQ Infra, also defended the agreements as a way to level the playing field ahead of potentially lucrative supplier contracts.

"There are many business who will be interested in the call for tenders," saidCDPQ Infra spokespersonVincent Lacroix."We want to offer information, but in a way that's fair."

The light-rail project is currently undergoing an environmental assessment review. A final report from theBureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement(BAPE)is expected by the end of December.

The Caisse has committed $3 billion of funding to the project. The federal and provincial governments are expected to contribute the remaining $2.5billion.