Christine Fréchette expressed surprise at not being informed or consulted by the Carney government about its plan to transfer the management of Montréal-Trudeau International Airport to private sector control. Speaking at a press briefing following the Quebec election debate, she emphasized that as a federal asset, the government should have involved her in the decision-making process. Fréchette’s opponent, Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, criticized the lack of consultation on privatizing an airport that he refers to as being in “our backyard.”
Fréchette mentioned that the privatization idea had been circulating earlier but emphasized the need to ensure that it does not result in increased costs for airport users. She stated that her party would closely monitor the project to safeguard the interests of the public. In a separate briefing, St-Pierre Plamondon raised concerns about Ottawa consulting Quebec before finalizing the decision.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his plan to transfer the management of Canada’s largest airports, including Montreal, to private investors while retaining federal ownership of the assets. The move has sparked debate and calls for better communication and transparency in such decisions.
