Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

Six of the 11 independent district councillors have extended their support to mayoral candidate Yves Ducharme in the upcoming by-election. With the hope to continue the independent reign at the head of council, district councillors Gilles Chagnon, Jocelyn Blondin, Mike Duggan, Denis Girouard, Jean Lessard, and Mario Aubé have agreed to back the former Gatineau mayor.

All six of the male councillors highlighted Ducharme’s political experience as making him the ideal candidate to finish the mandate.

“He understands how the city works,” said Chagnon. “That has not changed very much.”

After serving as a Hull City councillor from 1986 to 1992, Ducharme served as the mayor of Hull from 1992 to 2001. Once the surrounding cities joined what is now known as Gatineau, Ducharme became mayor of the newly formed city from 2002 to 2005 until he was defeated by now councillor Marc Bureau.

“What’s important here is that it’s only a 17-month mandate,” said Chagnon. He argued the short timeline would present a large learning curve for someone new at the helm.

Ducharme was delighted to receive support from the majority of independent district councillors. “Just like me, these elected officials are close to citizens and their priorities. They are there so that the Ville de Gatineau offers quality services, respects their ability to pay, and encourages the presence of more housing,” Ducharme wrote in a press release.

Photo caption: Gatineau district councillors Mario Aubé, Jean Lessard, Mike Duggan, Jocelyn Blondin, and Gilles Chagnon share their support for mayoral candidate Yves Ducharme at an announcement at the Maison du citoyen on April 22.

Photo credit: Screenshot of video provided by Yves Ducharme