CAQ admits it should do more to improve public transit maintenance

A view inside a Montreal Metro car. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)

Christine Fréchette’s government is acknowledging that it should be doing more to maintain public transit infrastructure, particularly when it comes to the Montreal Metro system.

During a parliamentary committee hearing on Tuesday morning, Finance Minister Eric Girard admitted that his government could do more if it had the “financial capacity.”

Citing data from the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM), Québec solidaire (QS) MNA Haroun Bouazzi argued that the Metro currently needs a $7 billion investment in asset maintenance.

“The stations are falling apart,” he pointed out.

“I agree with you that we should be doing more in terms of public transit asset maintenance, particularly on the Montreal Metro. I don’t want to deny that,” replied Girard, adding that “there is a situation with the Montreal Metro.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on May 26, 2026.