As the early autumn wind swept across the rocky shores of the Gaspé Peninsula, Bloc Québécois MP Alexis Deschênes stood before a crowd of about 150 residents in Chandler, Quebec. Behind him, the inactive rail line that once connected this remote eastern Quebec region to the rest of Canada seemed to underscore his message.
“For too long, the people of the Gaspé have been treated as though they live on an island,” Deschênes told the nodding crowd. “But we are not an island. We are Quebecers who deserve reliable transportation options that the rest of the province takes for granted.”
This passionate town hall meeting last week marked the public launch of Deschênes’ ambitious transportation infrastructure plan for the Gaspé Peninsula. The three-pronged proposal aims to revitalize rail service, improve highway connections, and enhance regional air service – a comprehensive approach he’s calling “The Gaspé Connection.”
The timing isn’t accidental. With federal budget discussions looming and Quebec’s provincial government recently announcing its own infrastructure priorities, Deschênes sees an opportunity to secure much-needed federal support for his region.
“We’ve been promised improvements for decades,” said Marie-Claude Savoie, owner of a tourism business in Percé. “Every election, politicians come with big promises, then we’re forgotten again once the votes are counted.”
The frustration is palpable throughout the region. Once-reliable rail service along the 325-kilometer track from Matapédia to Gaspé has been suspended since 2013 due to deteriorating infrastructure. The VIA Rail passenger service that connected the peninsula to Montreal was discontinued even earlier.
Transport Canada‘s most recent assessment estimated restoration costs at $235 million, though provincial officials suggest the true figure may be considerably higher. The Société du chemin de fer de la Gaspésie (SCFG) has completed repairs on small sections of track, but full restoration remains years away.
Highway 132, the main road circling the peninsula, presents another challenge. Sections of the coastal highway regularly face closures due to erosion and landslides, particularly as climate change intensifies coastal storms. A 2023 study by Quebec’s Ministry of Transport found that 76 kilometers of Highway 132 will require major reinforcement or rerouting within the next decade due to climate vulnerabilities.
“When the highway closes, entire communities can be cut off,” explains Dr. Pascal Bernatchez, coastal geomorphologist at the Université du Québec à Rimouski. “It’s not just inconvenient – it’s a public safety issue when ambulances and emergency services can’t get through.”
The regional airport in Gaspé currently offers limited commercial service, with only seasonal flights to Quebec City and no direct connections to Montreal. For many residents, accessing specialized medical care or attending business meetings often requires a grueling 10-hour drive.
Deschênes’ plan calls for $450 million in federal funding over five years, with matching provincial contributions. The proposal would fully restore rail service, reinforce vulnerable highway sections, and subsidize year-round commercial flights to both Quebec City and Montreal.
Critics, however, question whether such investment makes economic sense for a region with just over 90,000 residents. Conservative MP Pierre Paul-Hus called the plan “fiscally irresponsible” during a parliamentary exchange last month, suggesting the Bloc is “playing politics with unrealistic promises.”
But Deschênes points to economic potential being strangled by poor connectivity. “The Gaspé receives over 800,000 tourists annually despite these transportation challenges,” he noted, citing Tourism Quebec figures. “Imagine what we could achieve with reliable infrastructure.”
Local business leaders agree. “We have companies here that can’t get their products to market efficiently,” explained Claude Côté, president of the Gaspé Chamber of Commerce. “Transportation costs eat up profits that could be reinvested in jobs.”
The proposal has found surprising allies. Environmental groups have endorsed the rail restoration aspect, noting that improved passenger rail service could reduce carbon emissions from long-distance car travel. The Conseil régional de l’environnement estimates that restored rail service could eliminate approximately 5,600 tons of carbon emissions annually.
Demographics add urgency to the infrastructure question. The region’s population has aged more rapidly than the provincial average, with 27% of residents now over 65, according to the latest Statistics Canada data. “Many seniors can no longer make the long drive to medical appointments,” explained Johanne Bérubé, director of the Gaspé Seniors’ Advocacy Network. “They’re forced to relocate or go without care.”
Indigenous communities also stand to benefit. The Mi’gmaq of Listuguj, Gesgapegiag, and Gespeg have expressed support for improved transportation options. “Better connectivity would help our youth access educational opportunities while maintaining ties to their communities,” said Chief Darcy Gray of Listuguj.
Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez has so far been noncommittal about federal support for the Gaspé plan. His office released a statement acknowledging receipt of Deschênes’ proposal, noting that “regional connectivity remains a priority, and all serious infrastructure proposals receive careful consideration.”
Provincial Transportation Minister Geneviève Guilbault has been more receptive, confirming that Quebec has earmarked $150 million for Gaspé rail improvements in its 2025 infrastructure budget. However, this falls well short of the total funding required.
As Deschênes wrapped up his presentation in Chandler, he emphasized that this isn’t just about convenience. “This is about economic justice and regional equity,” he told the crowd. “The people of the Gaspé deserve the same transportation options as those in Montreal or Quebec City.”
For residents like fisherman Jean-François Lemieux, the issue transcends politics. “I don’t care if it’s the Bloc, Liberals, or Conservatives who get this done,” he said after the meeting. “We just need someone to finally understand that without transportation, our region can’t survive, let alone thrive.”
As federal budget season approaches, all eyes in the Gaspé will be watching to see if Deschênes can transform his ambitious plan from proposal to reality, or if it will join the long list of promised improvements that never materialized for this beautiful but isolated corner of Quebec.
