Trip to New York: Marchand “lacks transparency”, according to the opposition parties

Accusing Bruno Marchand of his “lack of transparency,” the three municipal opposition parties at City Hall are asking if the Quebec mayor has “something to hide” on his trip to New York.

The mayor of Quebec, must fly to the Big Apple on Wednesday night, especially support the Port of Quebec at a meeting with his peers in New York. However, this trip was only announced to the media on Tuesday afternoon, just 24 hours before it starts.

“That’s very unusual for me. In addition, it concerns a sensitive issue: the port. It gives an impression of instability. He gives the impression that he doesn’t really want people to talk about his existence. It is clear that we do not want to draw attention to this mission,” lamented Claude Villeneuve, head of Quebec First.

On Tuesday, Mayor Marchand explained that media visits to the Port of New York and the New York Economic Development Corporation have been banned. However, in the eyes of Mr. Villeneuve, this is a “false prevention”, since meetings behind closed doors are, at least, common at missions abroad.

“Lack of Respect”

Similar reasoning from Stevens Mélançon, municipal councilor for Équipe Priorité Québec. “It’s a lack of transparency and a lack of respect for the public and the media,” he said. There may be some secrecy, but nothing stopped the mayor from meeting the media after his meeting with the Port of New York or with New York City Hall and giving them the information.

According to him, “when the mayor goes out, we want to be told about what is happening. “

For her part, Jackie Smith, head of Transition Québec said “[trouver] It’s very suspicious.”

“With the CEO of the Port of Quebec quickly leaving to hold a meeting with the Port of New York, what is worth talking about?” We are not supposed to know what is happening in New York! He wants to hide something especially since he is going with Mario Girard [PDG du Port de Québec]».

In Mr. Marchand’s office, we wanted to point out that the mayor of Quebec promised to take care of his trip when he returned. Bruno Marchand will return to Quebec on Saturday after this first trip to New York as mayor. The town council is expected to go back to school on Tuesday, August 27.