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Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard has joined Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante in demanding more transparency on the the service monopolies obtained by the Réseau express métropolitain (REM), the electric train project that will service the Montreal area between Brossard and Deux-Montagnes.

On Wednesday, the Presse Canadienne obtained a copy of a confidential agreement that calls for the REM to enjoy transit monopolies in several zones in and around Montreal island as well as “feeder” provisions that also compel local transit authorities to steer their clientele toward REM stations.

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On Thursday, Couillard came to the defence of the plan, saying the REM needed the monopolies to be successful.

But in a press conference Friday, he echoed concerns voiced Thursday by Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, who is demanding that the Caisse de dépôt — which is overseeing the $6.3-billion project — provide more details. Echoed, but with a slightly different focus.