Quebec to make announcement on future of REM de l'Est project

Big changes may soon be coming to the REM de l'Est project.

Premier François Legault is expected to speak alongside Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante about the project at 11:30 a.m.

According to sources speaking to Radio-Canada, Legault could announce that the city of Montreal will have a seat at the table in the project's design.

The city is expected to be added to the decision-making committee, along with developer CDPQ Infra, giving it a say over the $10-billion project going forward. Mayor Plante has long been pushing for the city to have a heavier hand in shaping the public transit project. 

The REM de l'Est was set to include 23 stations along 32 kilometres of track, stretching from downtown to the eastern neighbourhoods of Pointe-aux-Trembles and Montréal-Nord, which have long been underserved by public transit, through a mix of underground tunnels and elevated tracks. 

However, the project hit fierce opposition — including from the city of Montreal itself — suggesting the elevated platforms would be an eyesore and would "fracture" the urban landscape. There were also concerns it would impact the quality of life in nearby neighbourhoods, including the city's historic Chinatown.

It's not yet clear whether the potential change in governance would lead to revisions or delays in the project.

The project was already put on pause after CDPQ Infra sought to delay public environmental hearings this spring.