Nelligan Green Party candidate hopes for strong second-place finish on transit platform

Nelligan riding's Green Party candidate Jonathan Théorêt expounded on the importance of public transit improvements in the West Island area, particularly via the addition of a tramway network, at a small press scrum today shortly after officially registering his candidacy.

"$23 billion are lost from the Quebec economy with our reliance on cars," Théorêt said at a convenience store parking lot near the electoral office for Nelligan on St. John's Boulevard moments after registering.

He presented a tramway project for the Island of Montreal, one that was first revealed to the public by municipal opposition party Projet Montréal in February 2007.

"I'm not saying we officially endorse that party," Théorêt explained. However, he said, the tramway project is a good example of sustainable development in Montreal, and the Green Party of Quebec would advocate for a very similar one.

The hypothetical tramway would pass through Pierrefonds Boulevard in the West Island.

Théorêt also advocated for better bus and train services in the West Island. "The Liberals have been here since forever. What has changed since the Liberals were here?" Asked Théorêt.

He pointed how difficult it is to catch a train between the West Island and downtown Montreal outside of rush hours. "You have to wait an hour, an hour and a half, sometimes two hours," he said.

Théorêt did praise the recent prolongation of the 470 express bus' schedule. The 470 makes non-stop trips from Pierrefonds to Côte Vertu metro in St. Laurent.

The Green Party of Quebec's plan for transport calls for $40 billion invested over 20 years.

Théorêt, who was a Green candidate in Nelligan in last year's provincial elections, has no illusions about a sudden win in a riding which has voted Liberal since its creation in 1980. "I got 7.6 per cent (of the popular vote) last time," he said, adding he hopes to double that amount come December 8 to finish in a strong second place. "This will lay the groundwork for the future," he said.

He added the Greens hope to elect a significant number of MNAs in 2008, in order to better support sustainable development projects by putting pressure on whichever government is ultimately elected.

Théorêt also lamented the low representation of voters among those 25 years old or younger. "Only 20 per cent of them vote," he said, adding a large part of his campaign would focus on getting people to vote.

He also decried provincial Green Party leader Guy Rainville's rejection from the upcoming televised debate on November 25. "This is a big, big gap in democracy," he said.