The MP for Manicouagan has already won the support of some 20 municipalities but cannot understand why Quebec is dragging its heels on this issue.
As it is up to Quebec to submit a request to Ottawa, Jonathan Genest-Jourdain will meet with Quebec Transport Minister Norman McMillan in the coming weeks to discuss the minister’s position.
“I think this should have been addressed years ago. Since nothing has been done, let’s find out why there is a lack of will,” said the MP, who hopes to see real action taken before the end of his term in Parliament.
Last year, Premier Jean Charest allocated an additional $122 million over five years to extend Highway 138 along the Lower North Shore.
Julien Boudreau, chair of the Conférence régionale des élus and reeve for Minganie, is concerned that the work may drag on without the help of the federal government. “We believe that federal assistance would make it possible to connect the residents of the Lower North Shore with the rest of Quebec in a shorter time frame,” he said.
