Within the next few days, a Quebec Superior Court judge is expected to issue a key decision on the future of the much-touted light rail network that the Quebec government hopes will begin running in a few years.
The $6 billion REM project, backed by the government and the Caisse de Dépôt, is facing a legal challenge from a coalition of citizens and environmental groups, who say public hearings on the environmental impact of the project last year weren't thorough enough.
Back in January, the environmental review board, the BAPE, rejected the plan, saying the project as it stood had too many unanswered questions. The board suggested there wasn't enough information about whether agricultural land around where the lines would run would be protected.
It also said there were concerns about the project's financing, and projected ridership figures which suggested the network wouldn't compel that many people to leave their cars at home.
A judge began hearing arguments on Tuesday. Opponents want the project halted and environmental hearings re-started.
The government and the Caisse are looking to have their legal challenge thrown out.
The 67-kilometre REM network is projected to link downtown Montreal to the airport and the West Island, as well as the north and south shores. The Caisse de Dépôt will provide the bulk of the money, with the Quebec and federal governments chipping in the rest.
The original plan was to have it up and running by 2020, but that target date could be pushed back if the hearing process has to be done all over again.