REM de l'Est

File:Réseau Express Métropolitain (inauguration) 06.jpg, with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, Quebec premier François Legault, Montreal mayor Valérie Plante, CDPQ CEO Charles Emond, and others]]

Multiple times in 2018, the recently elected Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) provincial party, led by premier François Legault, promoted the possibility of expanding Montreal's Réseau express métropolitain (REM) light metro network, a key public transport project of the previous Liberal administration that had broken ground that same year.{{cite news |last1=Labbé |first1=Jérôme |title=La Caisse de dépôt étudiera des scénarios de transport collectif vers le nord, le sud et l'est |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1168151/reseau-express-metropolitain-prolongements-cdpq-infra-train-tranway |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=Radio-Canada |date=May 6, 2019 |language=fr}}{{cite news |last1=Magder |first1=Jason |title=Montreal's $6.3-billion REM: 'We will start work almost immediately' |url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/montreals-6-3-billion-rem-we-will-start-work-almost-immediately |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=Montreal Gazette |date=April 12, 2018}} The REM was born out of a 2015 partnership between the Quebec government and its public pension fund manager, the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), wherein the latter would invest in and manage large infrastructure projects in the province for the first time.{{cite news |title=La Caisse de dépôt misera sur les infrastructures québécoises |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/701843/entente-financement-infrastructure-caisse-depot-placement-quebec |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=Radio-Canada |date=January 13, 2015 |language=fr}} The {{convert|67|km|mi|2|abbr=on}} project was seen as cost-effective, especially for North American standards.{{cite news |last1=English |first1=Jonathan |title=How Montreal Built a Blueprint for Bargain Rapid Transit |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-30/how-montreal-s-new-rapid-transit-line-saved-millions-per-mile |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=Bloomberg |date=October 30, 2023}}

On May 6, 2019, the Quebec government formally instructed the CDPQ to study different scenarios for expanding the REM towards the suburban cities of Laval and Chambly, as well as implementing a structuring public transport network in eastern Montreal. These scenarios fulfilled some of the same objectives as other already proposed transit projects, such as the Montreal Metro's Pink Line and the east end tramway on Notre-Dame Street.{{cite news |last1=Robichaud |first1=Olivier |title=Le REM vers l'Est plutôt que la ligne rose et le tramway? |url=https://www.huffpost.com/archive/qc/entry/rem-vers-est-plutot-que-ligne-rose-et-tramway_qc_5cd0f8d2e4b0226c530b8734 |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=HuffPost |date=May 6, 2019 |language=fr}} The Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM), the governmental agency in charge of overseeing public transport in Greater Montreal, was not invited to participate in the process, something Montreal mayor Valérie Plante criticized and demanded be reversed.

On December 15, 2020, CDPQ Infra, the infrastructure subsidiary of the CDPQ, announced the "REM de l'Est" alongside the governments of Quebec and Montreal.{{cite web |title=The east end of Montréal will have its own Réseau express métropolitain |url=https://www.cdpqinfra.com/en/news/pressreleases/the-east-end-of-montreal-will-have-its-own-reseau-express-metropolitain |website=CDPQ Infra |access-date=January 13, 2024 |language=en |date=December 15, 2020}} The firm had then yet to inaugurate the original REM system's first line.{{cite news |last1=Nerestant |first1=Antoni |title=The REM takes off, marking new era in Montreal public transit |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/rem-first-rides-inauguration-brossard-montreal-gare-centrale-1.6920333 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=July 28, 2023}}

The REM de l'Est was announced as a {{convert|32|km|mi|2|abbr=on}} extension of the REM, with 23 stations connecting the underserved east of Montreal Island to downtown Montreal.{{cite web |title=Discover the REM de l'Est |url=https://cdpqinfra.com/en/rem-est#sector |website=CDPQ Infra |access-date=January 15, 2024 |language=en |date=December 12, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Faucher |first1=Olivier |last2=Hodgson |first2=Coralie |title=REM de l'Est : de l'enthousiasme et des interrogations |url=https://journalmetro.com/actualites/montreal/2589203/rem-de-lest-de-lenthousiasme-et-des-interrogations/ |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=Journal Métro |date=December 15, 2020 |language=fr}} Like the REM, the REM de l'Est would have been an electric, fully automated (GoA4) light metro system.{{cite news |last1=Ouellette-Vézina |first1=Henri |title=REM de l'Est à 36 milliards: L'ARTM songe à abandonner les trains automatisés pour réduire les coûts |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2023-08-16/rem-de-l-est-a-36-milliards/l-artm-songe-a-abandonner-les-trains-automatises-pour-reduire-les-couts.php |access-date=18 January 2024 |work=La Presse |date=16 August 2023 |language=fr}} From the downtown station in Ville-Marie borough, trains would have gone towards Cégep Marie-Victorin in Montréal-Nord, in the northeast, and Pointe-aux-Trembles, on the eastern tip of the island. The former trip was estimated to take 30 minutes and the latter 25 minutes, with headways of 2 to 4 minutes at peak hours.

{{convert|24|km|mi|2|abbr=on}} of rails would have been elevated, while the remaining {{convert|8|km|mi|2|abbr=on}}, comprising most of the northern branch towards Cégep Marie-Victorin, as well as a 500-meter downtown section between Robert-Bourassa terminal station and Bleury Street, would have been underground. The latter section, like the tip of the northern branch in Montréal-Nord, was switched to a tunnel in 2021.{{cite news |last1=Cloutier |first1=Jean-Sébastien |title=Le REM sera entièrement souterrain dans Montréal-Nord |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1790036/reseau-express-metropolitain-montreal-nord-tunnel-cdpq-infra |access-date=January 6, 2024 |work=Radio-Canada |date=May 3, 2021 |language=fr}}{{cite news |last1=Prost |first1=Mathieu |title=REM de l'Est : une portion souterraine de 500 mètres serait viable |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1821281/tunnel-sous-terrain-ligne-jaune-orange-montreal-etudes |access-date=January 6, 2024 |work=Radio-Canada |date=September 2, 2021 |language=fr}} Construction for the REM de l'Est was set to begin in mid-2023, with inauguration scheduled for mid-2029.

Upon announcement of the REM de l'Est, many celebrated the planned introduction of rapid transit to the East Island's public transport offer, which consists mostly of bus lines. Supporters welcomed the prospect of new economic development in the sector, a formerly largely industrial area.{{cite news |last1=Scott |first1=Marian |title=Radical revision of REM de l'Est includes axing downtown portion of project |url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/legault-plante-make-announcement-on-rem |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=Montreal Gazette |date=May 2, 2022}} Potential socioeconomic benefits in areas such as Montréal-Nord, one of the poorest in the city, were also highlighted by some, including that borough's mayor.{{cite news |last1=Grescoe |first1=Taras |title=Pourquoi le REM est plus qu'un moyen de transport en commun local |url=https://lactualite.com/environnement/pourquoi-le-rem-est-plus-quun-moyen-de-transport-en-commun-local/ |access-date=23 March 2024 |work=L’actualité |date=5 August 2023 |language=fr}}

File:Boulevard René-Lévesque, Montréal, as seen from Rue Saint-Denis 20170410 1.jpg where elevated tracks were planned]]

The elevated portion of the REM de l'Est received significant criticism and media attention, taking up much of the public discourse surrounding the system.{{cite news |last1=Hanes |first1=Allison |title=Hanes: REM de l'Est drama shows how ARTM's navigation skills have been devalued |url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/transit-authority-says-rem-de-lest-planners-should-go-back-to-drawing-board |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Montreal Gazette |date=February 8, 2022 |quote=So far, public criticism has mainly focused on the impact of all those concrete pillars towering over neighbourhoods, ruining esthetics and diminishing the quality of life.}} The aerial tracks generated concerns of urban disfigurement, especially in downtown Montreal on a section of René-Lévesque Boulevard.{{cite news |last1=Corriveau |first1=Jeanne |title=Un train de défis pour le REM aérien |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/transports-urbanisme/596066/un-train-de-defis-pour-le-rem-aerien |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=Le Devoir |date=March 1, 2021 |language=fr}} Tracks would have bordered Montreal's Chinatown to the north, with a station planned on a vacant lot next to one of the area's four paifangs, leading some critics to worry the structures would visually block an entrance to the neighbourhood.{{cite news |title=Chinatown revitalization group says REM station would be another blow to historic district |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/chinatown-rem-montreal-project-neighbourhood-1.6379069 |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=March 10, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Scott |first1=Marian |title=REM de l'Est will ruin Chinatown's landscape: critics |url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/rem-de-lest-will-ruin-chinatown-views-critic |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Montreal Gazette |date=March 14, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Henriquez |first1=Gloria |title=Chinatown advocates fear REM de l'Est will hurt heritage and community |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8682232/chinatown-advocates-fear-rem-de-lest-will-hurt-heritage-and-community/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Global News |date=March 14, 2022}}

CDPQ Infra stated that it had studied six different underground options for the downtown branch of the network and that all of them had been ruled out due to safety and financial risks.{{cite news |last1=Teisceira-Lessard |first1=Philippe |last2=Chouinard |first2=Tommy |title=Centre-ville: Enfouir le REM serait " une catastrophe " |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2021-02-19/centre-ville/enfouir-le-rem-serait-une-catastrophe.php |access-date=25 March 2024 |work=La Presse |date=19 February 2021 |language=fr}} These complications were attributed to the proximity of Metro lines and century-old sewer lines as well as to the frailty of the soil. The Caisse's CEO, Charles Emond, stated that tunneling would make the construction of the system three times as expensive and twice as long.{{cite news |last1=Fillion |first1=Gérald |title=REM de l'Est : le projet aérien est le seul possible, selon le PDG de la Caisse |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1773473/caisse-depot-placement-charles-emond-rem-est-projet-aerien-resultats-immobilier |access-date=25 March 2024 |work=Radio-Canada |date=26 February 2021 |language=fr}} Montreal mayor Valérie Plante, as well as some experts, asked for detailed information before ruling out the underground option.{{cite news |last1=Bergeron |first1=Maxime |title=Valérie Plante veut voir des preuves |url=https://plus.lapresse.ca/screens/68546cca-9262-42bb-984d-754c53b74466%7C_0.html |access-date=25 March 2024 |work=La Presse+ |date=25 August 2021 |language=fr}}{{cite news |last1=Ouellette-Vézina |first1=Henri |title=REM de l'Est: Plante promet 500 millions pour prioriser l'aménagement urbain |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2021-10-25/rem-de-l-est/plante-promet-500-millions-pour-prioriser-l-amenagement-urbain.php |access-date=25 March 2024 |work=La Presse |date=25 October 2021 |language=fr}}{{cite news |last1=Corriveau |first1=Pierre |last2=Gariépy |first2=Sylvain |title=Opinion: A view from the outside is a must for the REM de l'est |url=https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/opinion-a-view-from-the-outside-is-a-must-for-the-rem-de-l-est-1.5326229?cache=pawumraq |access-date=25 March 2024 |work=CTV News |date=26 February 2021 |language=en}}

The integration of elevated structures also proved challenging in other sectors. In a report, Montreal's public consultation office, the OCPM, warned the REM de l'Est would "scar" the Faubourgs sector in the Centre-Sud, an industrial and heavily trafficked area which the city hopes to revitalize.{{cite news |last1=Corriveau |first1=Jeanne |title=L'OCPM craint une "cicatrice" de plus dans le Centre-Sud |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/transports-urbanisme/597142/rem-de-l-est-l-ocpm-craint-une-cicatrice-de-plus-dans-le-centre-sud |access-date=January 6, 2024 |work=Le Devoir |date=March 18, 2021 |language=fr}}{{cite news |last1=Ducas |first1=Isabelle |title=Secteur des Faubourgs: Un nouveau quartier à " échelle humaine ", promet Valérie Plante |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2021-06-10/secteur-des-faubourgs/un-nouveau-quartier-a-echelle-humaine-promet-valerie-plante.php |access-date=January 6, 2024 |work=La Presse |date=June 10, 2021 |language=fr}} Further east, in the borough of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, trains would have run across the southern edge of Morgan Park in the Ancienne-Cité-de-Maisonneuve sector, now a provincial heritage site.{{cite news |last1=Gyulai |first1=Linda |title=REM de l'Est runs up against Morgan Park area's heritage |url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/heritage-classification-for-maisonneuve-districts-morgan-ave-could-block-elevated-rem |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=Montreal Gazette |date=December 20, 2021}}{{cite news |title=Former Cité-de-Maisonneuve declared a heritage site |url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/former-cite-de-maisonneuve-declared-a-heritage-site |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=Montreal Gazette |date=March 27, 2022}}

In a report, an expert advisory committee expressed concern that the structure would "fracture" Montreal's urban landscape and bisect neighbourhoods.{{cite news |last1=Bergeron |first1=Maxime |title=REM de l'Est: Le comité d'experts redoute une " fracture urbaine " |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2022-03-08/rem-de-l-est/le-comite-d-experts-redoute-une-fracture-urbaine.php |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=La Presse |date=March 8, 2022 |language=fr}} Addressing such concerns, CDPQ Infra unveiled a redesign on March 9, 2022, featuring a leaner platform, more elaborate pillars and a 16-kilometer pedestrian promenade along René-Lévesque Boulevard, Notre-Dame Street and Sherbrooke Street.{{cite news |last1=MacLellan |first1=Ainslie |title=New designs for Montreal's REM de l'Est address concerns, promoters say |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/new-designs-for-montreal-rem-de-lest-1.6377941 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |date=March 9, 2022}} The plan would have removed four of the eight car lanes on René-Lévesque, adapting the space for pedestrians and cyclists.{{cite news |last1=Bergeron |first1=Maxime |last2=Ouellette-Vézina |first2=Henri |title=REM de l'Est: CDPQ Infra dévoile son projet " grandement amélioré " |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2022-03-09/rem-de-l-est/cdpq-infra-devoile-son-projet-grandement-ameliore.php |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=La Presse |date=March 9, 2022 |language=fr}} However, the city of Montreal, rather than CDPQ Infra, would have been expected to cover the related costs.

File:Reseau express metropolitain - 001.jpg

The elevated sections of the system also raised concerns of noise pollution and disruptive vibrations from the passage of trains, especially in residential areas.{{cite news |last1=Boisclair |first1=Valérie |title=Des modifications au REM de l'Est attendues cet automne |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1803282/consultations-publiques-rem-est-modifications-projet-cdpq-infra |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=Radio-Canada |date=June 21, 2021 |language=fr}} In the year after the REM de l'Est was announced, the Collectif en environnement Mercier-Est (CEM-E, {{literal translation}} "Mercier-Est environment collective"), a local advocacy group with 20 or so members, emerged as a prominent critic of the project, especially of its predicted negative impacts on local residents.{{cite news |last1=Bérubé |first1=André |title=Un café avec... Daniel Chartier |url=https://estmediamontreal.com/un-cafe-avec-daniel-chartier-collectif-environnement-mercier/ |access-date=19 January 2024 |work=EST MÉDIA Montréal |date=22 February 2022 |language=fr}}{{cite news |title=REM de l'Est: l'opposition au tracé aérien n'en démord pas |url=https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2021/07/17/rem-de-lest-manifestation-contre-le-trace-aerien |access-date=January 6, 2024 |work=TVA Nouvelles |agency=Agence QMI |date=July 17, 2021 |language=fr}}{{cite news |last1=Lamoureux |first1=Julien |title=Un an après son annonce, le REM de l'Est ne fait toujours pas l'unanimité |url=https://www.24heures.ca/rem-est-projet-trace-contestation |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=24 heures |date=November 22, 2021 |language=fr}} The CEM-E distributed thousands of flyers and organized assemblies and protests, some of which were covered by news media and attended by local politicians.{{cite news |last1=Laplante |first1=Coralie |title=Manifestation contre le REM de l'Est |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2021-11-20/manifestation-contre-le-rem-de-l-est.php |access-date=January 6, 2024 |work=La Presse |date=November 20, 2021 |language=fr}}{{cite news |last1=Paré |first1=Jason |title=REM de l'Est: report ou pas, le CEM-E ne lâche pas le morceau |url=https://journalmetro.com/actualites/montreal/2796840/rem-de-lest-report-ou-pas-le-cem-e-ne-lache-pas-le-morceau/ |access-date=19 January 2024 |work=Journal Métro |date=25 March 2022 |language=fr-FR}}{{cite news |last1=Paré |first1=Jason |title=Des citoyens rejettent le REM de l'Est, peu importe la mouture proposée |url=https://journalmetro.com/local/2792987/citoyens-rejettent-rem-de-est-peu-importe-mouture-proposee/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |work=Journal Métro |date=17 March 2022 |language=fr}} An emblem spread by the CEM-E, a red circle-backlash symbol over a duo of evil-eyed elevated trains looking threateningly at cars underneath, became a de facto symbol of opposition to the REM de l'Est.{{cite news |last1=Colpron |first1=Suzanne |title=REM de l'Est: " Qu'on arrête la course folle " |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2021-08-30/rem-de-l-est/qu-on-arrete-la-course-folle.php |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=La Presse |date=August 30, 2021 |language=fr}} Op-eds by members of the CEM-E were published in most of Montreal's daily newspapers.{{multiref|{{cite news |last1=Chartier |first1=Daniel |title=Le REM de l'Est, un dossier opaque |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/opinion/lettres/631749/le-rem-de-l-est-un-dossier-opaque |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=Le Devoir |date=September 13, 2021 |language=fr}}|{{cite news |last1=Chartier |first1=Daniel |title=Opinion: Proposed REM de l'Est would be catastrophic |url=https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-proposed-rem-de-lest-would-be-catastrophic |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=Montreal Gazette |date=February 15, 2022}}||{{cite news |last1=Chartier |first1=Daniel |title=Un référendum sur le REM de l'Est : une fausse bonne idée |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/debats/opinions/2021-06-13/un-referendum-sur-le-rem-de-l-est-une-fausse-bonne-idee.php |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=La Presse |date=June 13, 2021 |language=fr}}|{{cite news |last1=Chartier |first1=Daniel |last2=Lincourt |first2=Michel |title=Opposition du Collectif en environnement Mercier-Est au REM de l'Est |url=https://journalmetro.com/debats/2742860/opposition-du-collectif-en-environnement-mercier-est-au-rem-de-lest/ |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=Journal Métro |date=December 13, 2021 |language=fr}}}}{{r|daignault2020}}

On January 25, 2022, CDPQ Infra announced plans to reroute a 4-kilometer stretch of elevated rail that was a main target of criticism from local residents, including the CEM-E.{{cite news |last1=Daignault |first1=Ronald |title=REM de l'Est: Deux poids, deux mesures |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/debats/opinions/2020-12-19/rem-de-l-est/deux-poids-deux-mesures.php |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=La Presse |date=December 19, 2020 |language=fr}} Under a deal with the Canadian National Railway Company (CN), the REM would have run along already existing tracks used by CN freight trains instead of the originally planned stretch of Sherbrooke Street.{{cite news |last1=Magder |first1=Jason |title=Proposed REM de l'Est to be rerouted along existing rail corridor |url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/proposed-rem-de-lest-to-be-rerouted-along-existing-rail-corridor |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=Montreal Gazette |date=January 25, 2022}} The CEM-E and other local residents maintained their opposition to the elevated structure.{{cite news |title=Montreal residents slam plan to build REM track through east end neighbourhood |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/rem-sherbrooke-montreal-dubuisson-avenue-1.6327694 |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=January 25, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Goudreault |first1=Zacharie |title=Le tracé du REM de l'Est révisé sur 4,5 km |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/transports-urbanisme/664464/le-trace-du-rem-de-l-est-revise-sur-4-5-km |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=Le Devoir |date=January 26, 2022 |language=fr}}

Supporters of an elevated REM de l'Est highlighted the potential improvement of eastern René-Lévesque Boulevard, perceived as car-heavy and unattractive, and the perspective of unique views of the city and the St. Lawrence River from aboard the train.{{cite news |last1=Bergeron |first1=Maxime |last2=Ouellette-Vézina |first2=Henri |title=REM de l'Est: Accueil en dents de scie pour la nouvelle version du projet |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2022-03-09/rem-de-l-est/accueil-en-dents-de-scie-pour-la-nouvelle-version-du-projet.php |access-date=25 March 2024 |work=La Presse |date=9 March 2022 |language=fr}}{{cite news |last1=Tison |first1=Marc |title=Transport: L'architecte français qui croit au REM de l'Est |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/2021-11-22/transport/l-architecte-francais-qui-croit-au-rem-de-l-est.php |access-date=25 March 2024 |work=La Presse |date=22 November 2021 |language=fr}}{{cite news |last1=Girard |first1=Mario |title=REM de l'est: Montréal monte à bord du train |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/2020-12-16/rem-de-l-est/montreal-monte-a-bord-du-train.php |access-date=25 March 2024 |work=La Presse |date=16 December 2020 |language=fr}} Some cited examples of various cities with elevated railway where those systems are considered successfully integrated. The fierce opposition from local residents has been argued as a case of NIMBY culture.{{cite news |last1=Myles |first1=Brian |title=Comment développer le transport collectif au-delà du REM? |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/opinion/editoriaux/794784/inauguration-du-rem-comment-developper-le-transport-collectif-au-dela-du-rem |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=Le Devoir |date=July 19, 2023 |language=fr}}

Supporters of the REM de l'Est expected the system to reduce urban sprawl and car dependency in Greater Montreal and, thus, lower the city's greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and help mitigate climate change.{{cite news |last1=Fréchette |first1=Christine |last2=Yaccarini |first2=Christian |title=REM de l'Est: Un puissant levier de développement |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/debats/opinions/2021-03-13/rem-de-l-est/un-puissant-levier-de-developpement.php |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=La Presse |date=March 13, 2021 |language=fr}}{{cite news |last1=Savard |first1=Christian |title=Et si le REM de l'Est était un bon projet? |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/opinion/idees/597350/montreal-et-si-le-rem-de-l-est-etait-un-bon-projet |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=Le Devoir |date=March 22, 2021 |language=fr}} CDPQ Infra claimed the project would save 35,000 tons of GHGs per year.{{cite web |title=The east end of Montréal will have its own Réseau express métropolitain |url=https://www.cdpqinfra.com/en/news/pressreleases/the-east-end-of-montreal-will-have-its-own-reseau-express-metropolitain |website=CDPQ Infra |access-date=January 7, 2024 |date=December 15, 2020}}

Many praised the planned removal of four (out of eight) car lanes on René-Lévesque Boulevard, a major axis of east-west traffic in downtown Montreal, alongside the elevated system. The plan, which would have reallocated space to pedestrians and cyclists, raised some concerns related to traffic congestion.

File:Valérie Plante attends the UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal (52549828210) (cropped).jpg]]

Criticism towards the REM de l'Est also targeted envisioned competition between CDPQ Infra's network and other public transport networks in Montreal, such as the Montreal Metro, the Exo commuter rail network and the Pie-X bus rapid transit (BRT) corridor.{{cite news |last1=Auger |first1=Michel C. |title=REM de l'Est : double emploi et cicatrice |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1758049/rem-est-nord-ligne-verte-train-srb-cdpq-artm |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=Radio-Canada |date=December 18, 2020 |language=fr}}{{cite news |last1=Hodgson |first1=Coralie |title=REM de l'Est: cannibalisation des usagers? |url=https://journalmetro.com/actualites/montreal/2625019/rem-de-lest-cannibalisation-des-usagers-transport/ |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=Journal Métro |date=March 18, 2021 |language=fr}} All of these networks are under the jurisdiction of the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM).{{cite news |last1=Castilloux |first1=Charlotte R. |title=Mise en service de l'ARTM et du RTM |url=https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2017/06/01/mise-en-service-de-lartm-et-du-rtm |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=TVA Nouvelles |agency=Agence QMI |date=June 1, 2017 |language=fr}}

Montreal mayor Valérie Plante and leaders from all three opposition parties in Quebec's National Assembly demanded that the ARTM and/or the city be more involved in negotiations surrounding the project.{{cite news |last1=Corriveau |first1=Jeanne |title=Retard appréhendé pour le REM de l'Est |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/687543/retard-apprehende-pour-le-rem-de-l-est |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=Le Devoir |date=March 17, 2022 |language=fr}}{{cite news |last1=Corriveau |first1=Jeanne |title=Montréal veut un rôle décisionnel pour le REM de l'Est |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/transports-urbanisme/672747/montreal-veut-un-role-decisionnel-pour-le-rem-de-l-est |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=Le Devoir |date=February 10, 2022 |language=fr}} Many echoed their demand, sometimes arguing the Caisse's financial incentives hindered the pursuit of an optimal transit network for the city.{{cite news |last1=Collard |first1=Nathalie |title=REM de l'Est: Pas de projet sans Montréal |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/debats/editoriaux/2022-02-12/rem-de-l-est/pas-de-projet-sans-montreal.php |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=La Presse |date=February 12, 2022 |language=fr}}{{cite news |last1=Beaudet |first1=Gérard |title=Détournement du bien commun par CDPQ Infra |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/opinion/idees/698343/des-idees-en-revues-des-idees-en-revues-detournement-du-bien-commun-par-cdpq-infra |access-date=January 9, 2024 |work=Le Devoir |date=April 12, 2022 |language=fr}} In an internal analysis, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), the agency which runs Montreal's Metro and city buses, concluded: "The Caisse's primary mandate is to grow its assets. Transport agencies' objective is to develop complementary networks that benefit clients. Both mandates are legitimate but often incompatible."{{cite news |last1=Teisceira-Lessard |first1=Philippe |title=REM de l'Est: " Ce modèle n'est pas viable ", juge la STM |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2022-02-09/rem-de-l-est/ce-modele-n-est-pas-viable-juge-la-stm.php |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=La Presse |date=February 9, 2022 |language=fr}} The STM also claimed to have been informed of the REM de l'Est just a day before its announcement. Similarly, Valérie Plante claimed to have learned of the 4-kilometer rerouting along the Canadian National tracks just a day in advance.{{cite news |last1=Messier |first1=François |title=REM de l'Est : la Ville doit participer à la prise de décisions, insiste Plante |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1861277/montreal-train-electrique-rem-valerie-plante-cdpq-quebec |access-date=21 February 2024 |work=Radio-Canada |date=10 February 2022 |language=fr}}

On February 8, 2022, the ARTM released an 84-page report critical of the REM de l'Est, allegedly without solicitation from the Quebec government.{{cite news |last1=Chouinard |first1=Tommy |title=Le REM de l'Est déraille |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2022-02-08/le-rem-de-l-est-deraille.php |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=La Presse |date=February 8, 2022 |language=fr}} In the report, the ARTM argued the system only met a fraction of the transit needs of East Islanders, based on a 2013 estimation that only 12% of targeted riders commuted daily to downtown Montreal.{{cite news |last1=Magder |first1=Jason |title=Transit authority says REM de l'Est planners should go back to drawing board |url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/transit-authority-says-rem-de-lest-planners-should-go-back-to-drawing-board |access-date=January 9, 2024 |date=February 8, 2022}} Based on that same study, the agency also predicted the network would convert only a small number of car users to public transit. Furthermore, the ARTM shared other critics' worry that a branch of the REM de l'Est would "cannibalize" the ridership of the Metro's Green Line, to which it would have run parallel.{{cite news |last1=Auger |first1=Michel C. |title=Politique: Se débarrasser du cannibale |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/contexte/chroniques/2022-02-13/politique/se-debarrasser-du-cannibale.php |access-date=January 9, 2024 |work=La Presse |date=February 13, 2022 |language=fr}}

The ARTM's report was seen as a major sign of jeopardy for the REM de l'Est.{{cite news |title=Avenir du REM de l'Est : Legault et Plante se renvoient la balle |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1860600/montreal-avis-autorite-regionale-transports-gouvernement-legault-artm |access-date=January 9, 2024 |work=Radio-Canada |date=February 8, 2022 |language=fr}} CDPQ Infra, in its response, stated it would abandon the project without the agency's backing but also criticized its report. Notably, it argued that the ARTM's worry of ridership cannibalization was inconsistent with the agency's past claim that the Metro's Green Line was nearing saturation.{{cite news |last1=Goudreault |first1=Zacharie |title=REM de l'Est: CDPQ Infra réplique à l'ARTM |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/673491/rem-de-l-est-cdpq-infra-replique-a-l-artm |access-date=January 9, 2024 |work=Le Devoir |date=February 12, 2022 |language=fr}} CDPQ Infra also claimed that the report underestimated potential cars-to-public-transport modal shift by 300%. Others, including provincial transport minister Chantal Rouleau, argued the 2013 numbers used in the study were out of date.

The dispute between the Caisse and the ARTM was decried by some, including Eastern Montreal's Chamber of Commerce (CCEM), which labeled it "internal fighting" and stated that it was taking place "at the expense of Eastern Montreal".{{cite news |last1=Ouellette-Vézina |first1=Henri |last2=Chouinard |first2=Tommy |title=REM de l'Est: Valérie Plante " surprise " par la position de François Legault |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2022-02-08/rem-de-l-est/valerie-plante-surprise-par-la-position-de-francois-legault.php |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=La Presse |date=February 8, 2022 |language=fr}}

"Social acceptability" of the REM de l'Est was a stated key concern of the Quebec and Montreal governments, and its lack thereof was eventually cited by them as the main reason behind the project's cancellation.{{cite news |last1=Ouellette-Vézina |first1=Henri |last2=Bergeron |first2=Maxime |title=REM de l'Est: Québec et Montréal reprennent le flambeau |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2022-05-02/rem-de-l-est/quebec-et-montreal-reprennent-le-flambeau.php |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=La Presse |date=May 2, 2022 |language=fr}} Nonetheless, a Léger poll conducted a week before the cancellation but published afterward found that 67% of residents of eastern Montreal were favorable to the project, while 24% were unfavorable.{{cite news |last1=Bordeleau |first1=Jean-Louis |title=Les deux tiers des habitants de l'est de Montréal favorables au REM, selon un sondage |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/716034/les-deux-tiers-des-habitants-de-l-est-de-montreal-favorables-au-rem-selon-un-sondage |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=Le Devoir |date=May 27, 2022 |language=fr}}

On May 2, 2022, Quebec premier François Legault, along with Montreal mayor Valérie Plante, announced its government had decided to eliminate from the REM de l'Est's proposed network the downtown section running west of Dickson Street. According to Legault, the elevated stretch, which would have run over eastern René-Lévesque Boulevard and Notre-Dame Street, alongside Chinatown and across the Faubourgs sector and Morgan Park, lacked social acceptability. CDPQ Infra backed out of the revised project, which it considered unprofitable. The firm sold its research to the Quebec government for close to $100 million but kept its trademark for the name "REM de l'Est", leading the project to eventually be renamed "Projet structurant de l'Est" ({{literal translation}} "Eastern Structuring Project"), or PSE.{{cite news |last1=Lecavalier |first1=Charles |title=Valérie Plante a fait volte-face sur le REM de l'Est, dit le PDG de la Caisse |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2022-05-03/valerie-plante-a-fait-volte-face-sur-le-rem-de-l-est-dit-le-pdg-de-la-caisse.php |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=La Presse |date=May 3, 2022 |language=fr}}{{cite news |last1=Bergeron |first1=Maxime |title=REM de l'Est: La question à 10 milliards |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/chroniques/2023-01-24/rem-de-l-est/la-question-a-10-milliards.php |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=La Presse |date=January 24, 2023 |language=fr}}

File:Réseau Express Métropolitain (inauguration) 10 - Charles Émond.jpg

In his first public remarks after the announcement, the Caisse's CEO, Charles Emond, claimed the firm had offered Valérie Plante a seat at the negotiations table weeks prior and that she had been pleased. However, according to Emond, she quickly seemed to have changed her mind: "Ten days later, she calls the government to say she wants a new project. The government told me it didn't think the Caisse would be a part of it. … [They] told me: 'That's the end of the REM de l'Est.'"{{cite news |last1=Bergeron |first1=Patrice |title=Plante's change of mind torpedoed Caisse's REM de l'Est involvement: Emond |url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/plantes-change-of-mind-torpedoed-caisses-rem-de-lest-involvement-emond-says |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Montreal Gazette |agency=La Presse Canadienne |date=May 3, 2022}} Emond was criticized by the provincial opposition parties for blaming Plante.{{cite news |last1=Bergeron |first1=Patrice |title=Opposition rallies around Plante after Caisse chief's REM de l'Est accusations |url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/opposition-rallies-around-plante-after-caisse-chiefs-rem-de-lest-accusations |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Montreal Gazette |agency=La Presse Canadienne |date=May 4, 2022}} Some sources also claimed Legault's decision was motivated by a desire to avoid conflict with Valérie Plante before the upcoming 2022 Quebec general election, where his party hoped to make gains on Montreal Island.

The Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM), an impactful critic of the REM de l'Est which many had requested be more involved in the project, was put in charge of the Projet structurant de l'Est, alongside the provincial Ministry of Transportation, the city of Montreal and the Société de transport de Montréal (STM).{{cite news |last1=Corriveau |first1=Jeanne |title=Le projet du REM de l'Est retiré des mains de CDPQ Infra |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/politique/706146/cdpq-infra-ecartee-du-projet-du-rem-de-l-est |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=Le Devoir |date=May 3, 2022 |language=fr}} First details on the PSE included that it would be connected to the Metro's Green Line via Assomption station, rather than be directly linked to downtown Montreal, and that a subsequent second phase of the project would extend towards the city of Laval and the region of Lanaudière.

It was initially unclear how similar the network would be to the REM de l'Est.{{cite news |last1=Corriveau |first1=Jeanne |title=L'ARTM étudiera plusieurs scénarios qui avaient été écartés pour le REM de l'Est |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/713838/rem-de-l-est-l-artm-etudiera-plusieurs-scenarios-qui-avaient-ete-ecartes-pour-le-rem-de-l-est |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=Le Devoir |date=May 21, 2022 |language=fr}} The ARTM stated it would study multiple scenarios that had been discarded by CDPQ Infra, including abandoning automation, thus allowing trains to run at ground level and avoiding elevated structures, or burying a larger portion of the network. Concurrently, both François Legault and Valérie Plante stated that only a fraction of the project needed to be altered. Provincial transport minister Chantal Rouleau also claimed 85% of the route would be maintained, while the Caisse's CEO, Charles Emond, speculated only 10% of the work remained before new calls for tenders could be initiated.

File:Réseau Express Métropolitain (inauguration) 02.jpg]]

However, on July 1, 2023, the ARTM's proposed project was revealed to be a $36 billion fully-underground light metro system, without a direct downtown link but with an extension of the REM de l'Est route towards the neighbourhood of Rivière-des-Prairies and the cities of Laval and Charlemagne.{{cite news |last1=Ouellette-Vézina |first1=Henri |title=Rapport final sur le REM de l'Est: 100 % souterrain pour 36 milliards |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2023-07-01/rapport-final-sur-le-rem-de-l-est/100-souterrain-pour-36-milliards.php |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=La Presse |date=July 1, 2023 |language=fr}} Days later, François Legault rejected the project, citing its cost, more than three times that of the REM de l'Est.{{cite news |title=$36-billion price tag makes new REM de l'Est proposal 'unrealistic,' Legault says |url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/36-billion-price-tag-makes-new-rem-de-lest-proposal-unrealistic-legault-says |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=Montreal Gazette |agency=La Presse Canadienne |date=July 5, 2023}} He further claimed the ARTM had never been instructed to develop an entirely underground system. The ARTM was widely criticized for its proposal. Quebec's Minister of Finance, Eric Girard, said the $36 billion price tag "discredits the project from the start". Christian Savard, director of the urbanist nonprofit Vivre en Ville, said the proposal seemed "more like a political battle against elevated structures than a reasoned approach by public transport experts".

On August 17, 2023, a tramway system was revealed to be in consideration for the PSE.{{cite news |last1=Thériault |first1=William |last2=Ouellette-Vézina |first2=Henri |title=Est de Montréal: Un projet de tramway à l'étude |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2023-08-17/est-de-montreal/un-projet-de-tramway-a-l-etude.php |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=La Presse |date=August 17, 2023 |language=fr}} This was criticized by Valérie Plante, who pointed out the mode's lower speed and said that the "project as presented should not be reconsidered".{{cite news |last1=Teisceira-Lessard |first1=Philippe |title=Tramway dans l'est de Montréal: Plante accueille froidement l'idée |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2023-08-18/tramway-dans-l-est-de-montreal/plante-accueille-froidement-l-idee.php |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=La Presse |date=August 18, 2023 |language=fr}} On January 12, 2024, the current iteration of the PSE was confirmed to be a tramway.{{cite news |last1=Ouellette-Vézina |first1=Henri |title=Projet structurant de l'Est: Un tramway pour une fraction du prix |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2024-01-12/projet-structurant-de-l-est/un-tramway-pour-une-fraction-du-prix.php |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=La Presse |date=January 12, 2024 |language=fr}} The system was initially announced as comprising 28 stations, spanning {{convert|31|km|mi|2|abbr=on}} and costing $13 billion.{{cite news |last1=Prost |first1=Mathieu |title=Projet de transport dans l'Est : l'ARTM propose un " projet sur rail " pour 10 milliards $ |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2048245/tramway-est-montreal-rem-artm |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=Radio-Canada |date=9 February 2024 |language=fr}} However, the ARTM's final proposal, released on May 31, 2024, comprises 31 stations, spans {{convert|38|km|mi|2|abbr=on}} and would cost an estimated $18.6 billion.{{cite news |last1=Ouellette-Vézina |first1=Henri |title=Projet structurant de l’Est: Un tramway plus cher, mais plus vaste |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2024-05-31/projet-structurant-de-l-est/un-tramway-plus-cher-mais-plus-vaste.php |access-date=7 June 2024 |work=La Presse |date=31 May 2024 |language=fr}} Its route is similar to that of the REM de l'Est, although it doesn't include a direct link to downtown Montreal and instead adds stations in Rivière-des-Prairies, Montréal-Est and the off-island suburbs of Terrebonne and Repentigny.{{cite news |last1=Valois-Nadeau |first1=Benoit |title=L’ARTM propose un tramway à 18,6 milliards pour relier l’est de Montréal et Repentigny |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/transports-urbanisme/814048/artm-propose-tramway-18-6-milliards-relier-est-montreal-repentigny |access-date=7 June 2024 |work=Le Devoir |date=31 May 2024 |language=fr}} A new tunnel would allow the tracks to cross the Des Prairies River. Tramways would run at {{convert|30|km/h|mph|2|abbr=on}} for most of the route.{{cite news |last1=Ouellette-Vézina |first1=Henri |title=Projet structurant de l’Est: Accueil mitigé pour le tramway à 18,6 milliards de l’ARTM |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2024-05-31/projet-structurant-de-l-est/accueil-mitige-pour-le-tramway-a-18-6-milliards-de-l-artm.php |access-date=7 June 2024 |work=La Presse |date=31 May 2024 |language=fr}} The PSE is projected to open in 2035 or 2036. While Valérie Plante and provincial transport minister Geneviève Guilbault stated support for the project, it was criticized by some city planning advocates for its chosen mode of transport and its lack of a direct downtown link.

Despite its official name, the PSE initially generally kept being referred to as the "REM de l'Est" in news media. Since the announcement of the PSE's pivot towards tramway, however, the distinction between the two appellations has become more established.{{cite news |last1=Labbé |first1=Jérôme |title=Un système léger sur rail à 13 milliards pour remplacer le REM de l'Est |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2041169/rem-est-montreal-transport-collectif |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=Radio-Canada |date=January 12, 2024 |language=fr}}

The REM de l'Est network would have comprised 23 stations (excluding a 24th "potential" station, Viauville), spanning 6 boroughs of Montreal.{{cite web |title=REM DE L'EST – PROGRESS REPORT : Vision for urban and architectural integration |url=https://www.cdpqinfra.com/sites/cdpqinfrad8/files/2022-03/Presentation-vision-architecturale-202202_EN_final_v1.pdf |website=CDPQ Infra |access-date=24 January 2024 |date=9 March 2022}} Two branches, the north-south Marie-Victorin branch and the east-west Pointe-aux-Trembles branch, would have merged downtown to create a common segment. 15 stations would have been elevated, while the remaining 8 would have been underground. All would have been universally accessible and featured platform screen doors.{{cite web |title=5 things to know about the REM de l'Est |url=https://cdpqinfra.com/en/news/articles/five-things-to-know-about-the-rem-de-lest |website=CDPQ Infra |access-date=January 15, 2024 |language=en |date=December 7, 2021}}

The network would have been connected to the original Réseau express métropolitain, to all four lines of the Montreal Metro, to two Exo commuter rail lines and to the Pie-IX bus rapid transit.{{cite web |title=Discover the REM de l'Est : New connections |url=https://cdpqinfra.com/sites/cdpqinfrad8/files/medias/pdf/2022/Cartes%20-%20REM%20de%20l'Est/Mars2022/RESEAU_Grand_Montreal_RGB_2022-03-08_EN.jpg |website=CDPQ Infra |access-date=23 January 2024 |date=8 March 2022}}

No choice of rolling stock had been announced by the time the REM de l'Est project was abandoned on May 2, 2023, as the deadline for bids was still months away.{{cite web |title=Public Procurement Notice : Integrated, world-class public transit project : Réseau express métropolitain de l'Est de Montréal |url=https://www.cdpqinfra.com/sites/cdpqinfrad8/files/2021-10/03-CDPQI-AAM-EN_notice_to_market.pdf |website=CDPQ Infra |access-date=30 January 2024 |date=19 October 2021}} In the notice to the market released by CDPQ Infra, the description of the desired rolling stock was nearly identical to the one that had been made for the original REM, which employs Alstom Metropolis trains.{{cite news |last1=Dion |first1=Mathieu |title=L'appel d'offres du plus gros projet de transport collectif du Québec est lancé |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1832698/rem-de-lest-avis-au-marche-appel-offres |access-date=30 January 2024 |work=Radio-Canada |date=19 October 2021 |language=fr}}{{refn|group=note|In 2018, the manufacturing of these trains in India had drawn backlash in Quebec due to the lack of local content requirements.{{cite news |title=Les trains du REM seront construits en Inde |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1094753/debut-travaux-rem-reseau-express-metropolitain-premiere-pelletee-terre-trains-inde-alstom |access-date=30 January 2024 |work=Radio-Canada |date=12 April 2018 |language=fr}} The Coalition Avenir Québec provincial party, which was since elected into power, was among those who wished for at least parts of the contract to be awarded to Bombardier Transportation's factory in La Pocatière, Quebec, instead of Alstom.{{cite news |title=La CAQ renégocierait le contrat du REM |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1085240/bombardier-francois-legault-lapocatiere-renegociation-contrat-rem |access-date=30 January 2024 |work=Radio-Canada |date=22 February 2018 |language=fr}} In 2020, however, Alstom acquired the Quebec-founded manufacturer and its factories — a deal which incidentally saw the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec becoming Alstom's largest shareholder.{{cite news |last1=Tomesco |first1=Frédéric |title=It's the end of the line for Bombardier Transportation as Alstom buys train-making business |url=https://montrealgazette.com/business/local-business/aerospace/end-of-line-draws-near-for-bombardier-trains-as-alstom-confirms-talks |access-date=30 January 2024 |work=Montreal Gazette |date=18 February 2020}} Following the acquisition, Alstom had indicated support for local content requirements in public transport contracts in Quebec. The Fédération de l'industrie manufacturière ({{literal translation}} "Federation of the manufacturing industry"), a collective of Quebec unions, stated it wished for the REM de l'Est rolling stock to be manufactured by Alstom in the newly acquired La Pocatière factory.{{cite news |last1=Bourque |first1=Olivier |title=Les prochaines voitures du REM fabriquées au Québec? |url=https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2021/11/13/les-prochaines-voitures-du-rem-fabriquees-au-quebec-1 |access-date=18 February 2024 |work=TVA Nouvelles |date=13 November 2021 |language=fr}}}}

• Urban rail transit in Canada
• {{Portal inline|Railways}}

{{reflist|group=note}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://cdpqinfra.com/en/rem-est#sector Archived official presentation of the REM de l'Est by CDPQ Infra]
• [https://cdpqinfra.com/sites/cdpqinfrad8/files/medias/pdf/2022/Cartes%20-%20REM%20de%20l'Est/Mars2022/CARTE_REM_de_l_Est_Trace_RGB_EN_2022-03-08.png Official route map of the REM de l'Est at the time it was cancelled.]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELgPfJ_ok7o Rendering of the proposed René-Lévesque promenade]

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