Question Period Note: Federal Funding for the Third Link

Will the Government of Canada provide funding to the Québec-Lévis Tunnel (also known as the “Third Link”) in the Quebec region?

• We are committed to connecting the country and improving the quality of life of Canadians through important infrastructure projects.

• My department has not received a formal proposal to fund the Québec-Lévis Tunnel; however, should such a proposal be submitted, it will be reviewed promptly and diligently. While highway infrastructure projects are not eligible under current infrastructure programs, there is potential to look at the public transit component of the project.

If pressed on environmental assessment
* Federal funding for this project, like any other infrastructure project, would be subject to all applicable regulations, including the Impact Assessment Act.

• The Québec-Lévis Tunnel Project is a proposed 8.3 km long tunnel connecting downtown areas of Québec City and Lévis, under the St. Lawrence River. The Government of Quebec has publicly requested that the federal government invest up to 40% of the project costs. As of January 21, 2022, no official proposal has been submitted to INFC.

• The project is primarily highway infrastructure which, if submitted to INFC, would not be eligible under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program or Public Transit Program. The public transit component, which includes connecting Québec City’s Structuring Public Transit Network (tramway) and Guillaume-Couture Reserved Lanes, could be eligible, subject to the sub-allocations available for public transit under the Canada – Quebec Integrated Bilateral Agreement, signed in June 2018.

• The Québec-Lévis Tunnel is a component of a larger vision for public transit and transportation in Quebec’s national capital region, the Réseau Express de la Capitale (REC), which also includes:

o Québec City’s Structuring Public Transit Network;

o The development of more than 100 km of new reserved bus lanes to provide public transit services in Québec City’s suburbs; and

o Public transit service provided to the south shore through connection of Québec City’s and Lévis’ transit systems, notably with the Guillaume-Couture Reserved Lanes in Lévis.

• The Québec-Lévis Tunnel would be 19.4 m wide and 8.3 km long, and it will require the design and construction of the biggest tunnel boring machine in the world. The tunnel would connect downtown areas of Québec City and Lévis and include a public transit component connecting the Quebec Structuring Network (tramway) and Guillaume-Couture Reserved Lanes, two projects funded by INFC. It would include several stations, including two underground. Project total cost is estimated between $6 billion and $7 billion; however, it could go up to $9.5 billion if contingencies are taken into account. Preliminary work is expected to begin in 2022, with tunneling planned for 2027 and commissioning for 2032.

• On October 29, 2021, the Hon. Steven Guilbeault, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, told the media about his intention to launch a federal environmental assessment of the project under the Impact Assessment Act. The Government of Quebec reacted by saying a federal assessment would be duplicative given a provincial one will also be conducted.

• The Mayor of Québec City has so far refused to take a position with regards to the project. He is waiting for the Government of Quebec to confirm the final design of its project before determining if it meets the needs of Québec City. The City of Lévis has always strongly supported the project.

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