Extension of Metro's Blue line delayed yet again

The Quebec government is delaying its decision whether to go ahead with an extension of the Metro's Blue line, despite promises an announcement was forthcoming. 

• Quebec counting on federal budget to include Metro Blue line extension

An eastward extension of the subway line was mentioned in the recent provincial budget, and Transport Minister Jacques Daoust had previously said the government would unveil details about the project this June. 

• Federal Budget 2016: What's in it for Quebec

But speaking to reporters on Friday, Daoust appeared to push back that timeline, saying the government would make an announcement "within a year from now." 

He suggested that the government's near-term financial interests were better served by another ambitious public transit project, the light-rail network that has been proposed by Quebec's pension fund.

• Ambitious light rail project for Montreal proposed by Caisse de dépôt

That project would link parts of the South Shore and the West Island to downtown, but requires the provincial and federal government to kick in funds to complement the $3 billion committed by the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.

The Metro extension, however, would be the entirely the responsibility of the Quebec government, Daoust said.

"When I have a project where I finance it 100 per cent, and another where I finance it in the range of 25 or 20 per cent, then my return on investment on investment is much quicker in that case," he said.

The federal government has indicated it is willing to fund the Blue line extension. Ottawa has set aside $775 million for public transit infrastructure in the Montreal area over the next three years.

During a visit to Montreal last month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said some of that could go to the Metro extension, if Quebec signaled the project was a priority.

• Justin Trudeau prepared to fund Montreal Metro's Blue line extension

On Friday, Daoust insisted that the extension remained a priority for his government. Proposed extensions of the Blue line have been announced in 2009 and 2013 — neither of which materialized.