In their first meeting since the Oct. 1 provincial election, Quebec Premier François Legault and Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante were cordial and friendly but didn't budge an inch on their respective positions on a couple of topics including her proposed pink metro line.
Legault repeated that another metro line would be too costly and that it wasn't in their plans but he added that he "may be open if it's cheaper."
Legault said it was his responsibility to look at all the needs of Quebecers and fit them into his budget, including the blue metro line, the east end tramway and the outlying regions around Montreal.
That didn't discourage Plante who said they agreed to look at the current studies underway and they'd talk again.
Legault reiterated his plan to ban pot smoking in public places, saying it was to protect the youth and that they don't want to trivialize it.
He added that if tenants can't smoke in their apartment, they could work on finding them a place to do it.
Plante said the current law — smoking pot in public places where tobacco smoking is already allowed — works best for the city and that they'll wait to see the final regulation the CAQ government comes up with.
Plante said the same thing for the government's plans to ban religious symbols for public service workers in a position of authority.
Legault insisted that would include police, judges and teachers instructing children and not city council.
Legault and Plante did agree on one new thing: developing the eastern part of the city. They said they'll create a working group to come up with a global plan to develop the area.
Legault said there is contaminated land there that opens up onto the river and that it would be a great opportunity to develop that land.
Former mayor of the borough of Rivière-des-Prairies/Pointe-aux-Trembles Chantal Rouleau also took part in the meeting. She is now the CAQ MNA for Pointe-aux-Trembles and minister responsible for Montreal.