Author name: Gatineau Bulletin

Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

The Gatineau Social Pediatrics Centre (CPSG) is proud to have officially inaugurated the collective learning project entitled Boîte à Musique (BAM), dedicated to the development, creativity, and learning of vulnerable children in the region, on September 18 at the Gatineau Social Pediatrics Centre in the Old Hull sector.

Inauguration proceedings

Several partners, collaborators, community members, and guests of honour were present for the occasion, including The Honourable Greg Fergus, Member of Parliament for Hull-Aylmer and representative of Social Development Canada (ESDC).

The event began with opening remarks and a presentation of the CPSG and the BAM project. Speeches were then given by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Pierre Landry, guests of honour, and partners. The inauguration then gave way to the official ribbon cutting, followed by a musical performance and an official closing ceremony presented by CPSG Dr. Anne-Marie Bureau. The event concluded with a guided tour of the centre.

“La Boîte à Musique embodies our mission: to provide children with a caring environment where they can develop their full potential, despite the challenges they face,” emphasized Landry.

“The Government of Canada is truly proud to be one of the groups supporting this vital project for our region,” commented Fergus.

Boîte à Musique

BAM is a collective music learning project that offers various types of activities for vulnerable youth in the region. It is funded in part by the Government of Canada through the Social Development Partnerships Program as well as by the following partners: BBL Construction, 1001 Voix, the Conservatoire de musique de Gatineau and the Choquette Legeault Foundation.

Conceived over 10 years ago in partnership with the Conservatoire de musique de Gatineau, the project took shape in 2017 and 2018 with two editions of the 1001 Voix benefit show. These events raised nearly $125,000. In 2022, the project came to fruition thanks to funding from ESDC, where several schools and early childhood centres (CPEs) were able to host the first workshops.

Since then, it has enabled the participation of over 540 children, including 530 activities and 289 workshops in partner kindergarten and CPE classes.

Mission:

• Break social isolation

• Contribute to children’s well-being by reducing their stress

• Develop self-expression and self-confidence

• Promote creativity

• Strengthen the sense of belonging

• Increase accessibility to learning music

The Gatineau Social Pediatrics Centre

Since 2009, the centre’s mission has been to accompany, support, and provide care to vulnerable children in the region, aged 0 to 17. The team is composed of over 20 professionals, including doctors, therapists, neuropsychologists, and more.

The numbers:

• More than 2,300 children supported since 2009

• 1,115 children received services between 2024 and 2025

• More than 11,076 interventions

• 70 mothers supported

• More than 200 children monitored this year

• 56 infants assisted since 2021

Photo: Musical performance with one of the doctors from the Gatineau Social Pediatrics Centre on the violin, the Boîte à Musique coordinator on the guitar, and a child receiving care at the centre on the bass (September 18, 2025) (MG) Photo: Mélissa Gélinas

Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

Several topics garnered attention during the Municipal Council meeting held at the Buckingham Service Centre on September 16. Residents were able to express their views on various topics related to civil security, road safety, labour negotiations, and more.

Hydrogen Pipeline Project in Buckingham

Many members of the Buckingham Residents Association expressed their concerns about the route of the Enbridge Gaz Québec and Evolugen project, which involves the capture and transportation of 100% pure hydrogen at high pressure (3,500 kilopascals). The pipeline will cover more than 20 kilometers, passing through residential and sensitive areas in Buckingham and Masson-Angers, where many properties, seniors’ residences, daycares, gas stations, and more are located.

Moreover, more than three areas along the route are susceptible to landslides, in addition to being a route used by 7,000 heavy trucks transporting hazardous materials.

“This is, in particular, a world-first project imposed here in Gatineau […],” explained Véronique Santos, a member of the Buckingham Residents Association.

Although this project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, residents are particularly concerned about the route, which could compromise public safety due to the risk of explosions linked to the volatile and flammable nature of hydrogen. “Hydrogen transportation can be very promising for energy transition, but not at the cost of public safety,” said Santos. “Our position remains the same: we oppose the proposed route, not the project.”

“Enbridge is imposing the riskiest option when we know there are other, safer routes available. They chose the route of the facility and also benefited from its acquired rights on Georges Street, where their buried natural gas pipelines are already located.”

Consequently, the project could not be subject to a Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE) given the project’s characteristics (pipeline diameter and pressure in kilopascals), which were below the regulatory thresholds. Members of the Buckingham Residents Association nevertheless lobbied for the project to obtain a discretionary application for a BAPE from the Ministry of the Environment. For these reasons, the City of Gatineau voted unanimously in favour of the application.

Petition Against Speeding

A total of 182 signatures were collected to reduce the speed limit on Bertrand Street in Buckingham. Despite one resident’s success in getting signs installed indicating the 40 km/h zone, the speed limit has not been reduced. “With a population that continues to grow in our busy area, our young children are not safe,” says Sylvie Laframboise, a Bertrand Street resident for 30 years and a signatory of the petition.

“There are also a lot of four-wheelers and motocross bikes travelling at high speed,” explained Carl Simpson, a Bertrand Street resident and signatory of the petition. According to him, Bertrand Street serves as a shortcut to avoid having to pass in front of the police station located on George Street, which consequently causes a high volume of traffic. Edmond Leclerc, city councillor for the Buckingham district, recommends continuing to call 3-1-1 to obtain speed records. “By talking about it and trying all the other speed reduction measures, I believe we can get speed bumps, but the street has to qualify,” he said.

Gatineau Fire Department

Nicolas Houle, president of the Gatineau firefighters union, and Jean-François Olivier, vice-president of the Gatineau Firefighters Association, attended the city council meeting to denounce the city’s inaction regarding the various ongoing issues within the Gatineau fire department, such as the lack of equipment and outdated equipment and poor working conditions.

“Despite all our efforts, no representative from the City of Gatineau has followed up with us,” said Houle.

According to Olivier, there was only one negotiation meeting with the City in 2025.

The mayor emphasized that there are no negotiations when it comes to security. “The best way to have a collective agreement that suits you and meets your needs is for it to be negotiated,” she commented. “This is the solution we’ve been hoping for from the beginning, and I think everyone needs to compromise on that.”

Photo: City Council meeting at the Buckingham Service Centre (September 16, 2025) (MG) Photo: Mélissa Gélinas

Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

The Gatineau Police Service (GPS) received a call shortly after 5 pm regarding a body found in the waters of the Kitchissipi Marina, located on the Ottawa River in Gatineau, on September 10.

“Once on scene, police officers assisted the paramedics,” said Maude Laverdière, Public Relations Officer for the GPS. The person was, however, pronounced dead at the scene.

For now, there is no indication of a criminal offense or suicide, according to the GPS. The identity of the person has not yet been released.

The investigation is ongoing and has been transferred to the coroner, where investigators are working in collaboration.

Photo: Kitchissipi Marina (May 14, 2025) (MG) Photo: Courtesy of Kitchissipi Marina, Gatineau

Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

Following numerous negotiations within the City of Gatineau, the situation of the Gatineau Fire Department remains unchanged. Recently, a mediator had to withdraw from the case because the issues were deemed too divergent between the City and the department. As a result, the provincial government must now impose the arbitration process.

“This is the mandatory step,” explained Nicolas Houle, Vice-President of the Gatineau Firefighters Association. “We must follow the process, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we agree with it. We have always believed in negotiation.”

To achieve this, approximately three arbitration meetings with the City will be scheduled this fall. According to Houle, these are very few meetings to resolve the various issues. “We certainly won’t stand idly by,” he said. “Nothing’s going well.”

In addition, many requests have been made regarding the lack of fire engines. Most recently, the team had to travel to a fire scene in a pickup truck. There are also problems with facilities, outdated equipment, and more.

According to Houle, cases often end up in court. “For example, in 2015, when I was a fire station captain, I filed a report to have a shower repaired,” he explained. “In 2016 and 2017, I had to file two more reports and, in 2022, without a response, we were forced to file a complaint with the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST). It took seven years to win our case.”

Furthermore, a complaint against the City regarding bad faith negotiations and obstruction of the union’s work has also been filed. Hearings were held last spring, but the fire department has yet to receive a response. “You have to understand that our members have expectations, too,” Houle commented. “We have families. We still haven’t received a pay raise, not to mention our collective agreement, which has been unsettled for two years.”

Houle affirms that they will not stop demanding their services until the situation improves. “It’s unacceptable and it has to change,” he said. “The City isn’t protecting us well. We’re asking to be treated fairly and we’re seeking recognition for the health risks associated with the work we do.”

Notably, to make their case heard, hundreds of firefighter emojis have been featured in recent Facebook posts by the Mayor of Gatineau.

Photo: Firefighters at the Gatineau City Council meeting (June 10, 2025) (MG) Photo: Screenshot

Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

A winter-spring 2025 citizen satisfaction web survey conducted by Léger was responded to by an average of 502 Gatineau residents aged 18 and over. During the press briefing on September 9, city councillors and the Mayor of Gatineau, Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, commented on the results.

Generally speaking, there were no major differences compared to the 2023 survey, according to Mario Aubé, city councillor for the Masson-Angers district. Indeed, the survey results show that the satisfaction rate in 2023, at 6.8 out of 10, remained the same for 2025.

However, the results revealed three main issues. The condition of the roads comes first, followed by the mental health of the homeless, and third, tax assessments and property taxes.

“Regarding infrastructure, 41% of respondents said they were satisfied with pothole repairs,” said Aubé. According to him, it’s not the work of our blue-collar workers that is inadequate, but rather the City’s investment.

Regarding the mental health of the homeless, Aubé asserted that it’s not up to the City to get involved. “We have to let Quebec do its job and force it to invest in this area,” he commented. However, the Mayor of Gatineau made it clear that it’s important to continue to structure action on homelessness. “If we do nothing, the problem will continue to get worse,” she emphasized.

Property taxes are a growing concern for Marquis-Bissonnette. “It’s difficult for many people to find housing and pay for groceries,” she said. “The survey indicates that 59% of respondents say it would be difficult to relocate to Gatineau if they had to move.” According to her, this is why the City had to make choices, including imposing a tax on parking lots to reduce the pressure on property taxes.

Despite the results, Buckingham District Councillor Edmond Leclerc believes the survey has no value for him. “It’s obvious that when we take a portrait of the City of Gatineau, we want to know the opinion of Gatineau residents, but in this survey, two of the City’s five sectors are presented for informational purposes only because statistically, the sample is not sufficient,” he said. In this way, according to Leclerc, there could have been a real sounding board if there had been representative samples from the Buckingham and Masson-Angers sectors.

As for the mayor, she believes that the survey is rather representative of the entire population of Gatineau. “Obviously, there are areas for improvement that we have identified,” she said. “I believe, despite everything, that this is an extremely important survey to know where we are and how we will continue to move forward.”

Photo: Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette during the press scrum (September 9, 2025) (MG) Photo: Screenshot

Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

The situation regarding the Maison du Citoyen was brought to light during the City of Gatineau’s press briefing on September 2. Only 45 years after its construction, the building is in complete disrepair, with restoration costing over $200 million.

Inaugurated in October 1980, the Maison du Citoyen won numerous architectural awards. The former City of Hull also received the 1982 award from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators for the most innovative municipal project in the country. Materials such as steel, brick, and granite were used to ensure the building’s long-term preservation. However, the vast majority of the building’s components, such as the plumbing, electrical, mechanical systems, and brick cladding, will reach the end of their useful life within the next five years.

Several scenarios have been put on the table to find a solution to the problem, whether through renovation, demolition, or complete relocation of the facility. Indeed, the executive committee has been considering the matter since October 2024. “This is a discussion that will need to be held in the coming months, as the scenarios become more precise,” said Catherine Craig-St-Louis, municipal councillor for the Carrefour-de-l’Hôpital district.

There is no imminent danger, according to Mario Aubé, municipal councillor for the Masson-Angers district, but the necessary work must still be carried out quickly. “This isn’t the first time we’ve heard that the roof in the Agora is leaking,” he said. “We haven’t invested enough in our infrastructure in recent years, and that’s exactly what we need to do before moving on to other major projects.”

For Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, there will be a lot of management to do. “The Maison du Citoyen is part of our modern heritage, and we have our share of responsibility to preserve it,” she says. According to her, the municipal team isn’t ready to make decisions. There will certainly be urgent decisions to be made regarding certain projects, but none related to the fate of the establishment. “A game plan will be proposed in the 2026 budget that will give direction on how to proceed for the year.”

Photo: Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, Mayor of Gatineau, during the City of Gatineau press scrum (September 2, 2025) (MG) Photo: Screenshot

Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

To mark Local Shopping Week, the Association of Businesspeople and Professionals (AGAP) of Old Gatineau and its partners invited local businesses and residents to participate in the first edition of the festive Main and St-René Open Doors at Main Square on Duquette Street East in Gatineau.

Participating businesses included Chez Lou Patate, Les 3 Cousins ​​Shawarma et Poutine, the Crèmerie Flamingo, the Épicerie Selah, and more. For the occasion, numerous family activities, such as a treasure hunt, children’s face painting, games, music, a barbecue, and raffles were offered free of charge. The NezTincelles (Tenderness Clown) troupe was also on hand to add colour and joy to the Main Square.

In addition, Local Shopping Week is a Quebec initiative in association with Main streets, which took place from August 18 to 24, where more than 80 partners across Quebec, including municipalities, organizations, associations, and more, came together to promote local purchasing. “Everyone decides to do a little bit of what they want, suggest various activities […],” explained Pauline Bouchard, director general of the AGAP du Vieux-Gatineau. For the event, a treasure hunt was proposed to identify different merchants in the neighbourhood. “On a street with an atmosphere like Main, we find what we call concrete businesses,” she added. “You also must have a little interest in going there; otherwise, people don’t dare go in. It’s not like a shopping centre where people go into any store and don’t feel intimidated if they haven’t bought anything. The idea is to reduce the shyness between the sidewalk and the front door.”

AGAP hopes to be able to repeat the event next year. “It will depend on the feedback survey,” said Bouchard. “This year, we had eight weeks of programming with various activities. The issue is always the level of publicity.”

According to Bouchard, however, several improvements were made this summer, including the redesign of the parking space for Studio 157, the reduction of speed limits on the street, the addition of flashing lights at the pedestrian crossing, the beautification of the Square, and more. “To continue these improvements, merchants must continue to be involved and mobilized,” she emphasized.

Photo: Overview of the Main Square during the first edition of Open Doors. Festive Main and St-René (August 23, 2025) (MG) Photo: Mélissa Gélinas

Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

Following two rejections of a $20 million grant from the provincial government for the two-rink arena project in the Buckingham sector, Edmond Leclerc, Buckingham District Councillor, provided an update on the matter during the latest press briefing on August 20.

The $40 million project consists, first, of building a two-rink complex at Hormisdas-Gamelin High School, similar to the one in the Branchaud-Brière complex. This arena would be to replace the existing ones in Buckingham and Masson-Angers, which are considered dilapidated.

The City of Gatineau, the Centre de services scolaires au Cœur-des-Vallées, and Vision Multisport Outaouais are partners in the project. “At this stage, after receiving two grant rejections from the provincial government, it’s up to the city to show that it believes in the project, to demonstrate that it wants to seize the opportunity, and that it wants to offer the Buckingham and Masson-Angers areas new infrastructure,” said Leclerc.

According to Leclerc, the only financial partner missing for the initial investment is the City of Gatineau. “Infrastructure investments must also come through the city, since the Quebec government won’t do it alone,” he explained. “Often, we have to rely on partnerships with the private sector, the school system, and municipalities.”

Leclerc remains positive about the project’s realization. According to him, Vision Multisport Outaouais has been able to make significant progress on the project. “I would be more than willing to have the City become a partner and for us to move forward with financial involvement,” he said.

According to Leclerc, eastern Gatineau is in dire need of new sports infrastructure. “We’ve seen recently in the media that the population feels they’re not getting their fair share,” he said.

Photo: Edmond Leclerc, Buckingham District councillor, answers questions from the media during a press scrum. (August 20, 2025) (MG) Photo: Screenshot

Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

To mark the 17th edition of the Solo Car-Free Challenge that will run from September 1 to 30, and to showcase initiatives promoting sustainable mobility in the Outaouais and Abitibi-Témiscamingue regions, a MOBI-O press conference was held at the Donalda-Charron Library in Aylmer on August 19. Many partners and guests were present for the occasion.

The Solo Car-Free Challenge was started in 2009 from a local initiative led by the Réseau des centres d’expertises en mobilité (RCEM) in central Quebec and Mauricie. “Since then, it has spread across the province, from its second edition,” said Myriam Nadeau, Executive Director of the RCEM. According to Nadeau, this is a friendly competition that aims to regulate the dependence on solo driving by participating, in a spirit of kindness and conviviality, using a mobile application. This will be available, for each edition, on the App Store or via the Android app store and will allow the accumulation of points and rewards.

Since 2021, there has been a 57% increase in participants and a 36% increase in registered organizations, according to Nadeau. “On average, we have traveled 245,000 sustainable kilometers per edition, which is equivalent to circling the Earth six times,” she noted. “In addition, 52,300 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission has been avoided, the equivalent of what 26,000 cars emit per year.”

September 2024 marked the first time the competition took place over a one-month period. “This extension made it easier for people to change their habits,” said Nadeau. In four weeks, more than 3,700 participants across Quebec managed to cover 1.4 million kilometers. Given the success of the previous challenge, it will be repeated for the same duration this year.

“The City of Gatineau is very proud, once again, to be associated with the Défi sans auto solo, which is a promising event to celebrate sustainable mobility in all its forms,” said Catherine Graig-St-Louis, representing Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette. Graig-St-Louis is municipal councillor for the Carrefour-de-l’Hôpital district and chair of the Commission on Transportation, Sustainable Travel and Safety for the City of Gatineau. According to her, this is a relatively difficult initiative because it requires a lifestyle change. This competition will also depend on the infrastructure put in place. “For these reasons, I thank you for participating in the challenge with us so that we can continue to work together to improve sidewalks, bike paths and public transportation,” she said. “I am sure it will become easier and easier.”

According to Patrick Robert-Meunier, co-executive director of MOBI-O, in addition to this competition, there will be several other active transportation initiatives/activities presented in schools starting this fall as part of the At school, on foot or by bike, I can do it! campaign. “With the financial support of the City of Gatineau and the Government of Canada, nine schools in the region will be participating,” he emphasized. “With the start of the school year approaching, we are also taking this opportunity to encourage schools to get involved.” To register and/or for more information on the Solo Car-Free Challenge: https://www.defisansauto.com/

Group Photo: (from left to right) Pierre Guénard, Mayor of the Municipality of Chelsea; Brice Kamgang, Vice-President of the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce; Myriam Nadeau, Executive Director of the RCEM; Simon Desjardins, Advisor, Community Relations at Hydro Quebec; Patrick Robert-Meunier, Co-Executive Director of MOBI-O; Catherine Graig-St-Louis, Municipal Councillor for the Carrefour-de-l’Hôpital District and Chair of the City of Gatineau’s Commission on Transportation, Sustainable Travel and Safety; and Jocelyn Blondin, Municipal Councillor for the Manoir-des-Trembles-Val-Tétreau District and Chair of the STO Board of Directors

Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

To celebrate M-Ado Jeunes’ 30th anniversary, a variety of free activities took place at Maclaren Park (under the bridge) located at 575 Buckingham Avenue on Saturday, August 9. Inflatable structures, games, entertainment, shows, a barbecue, and much more were on hand to create a friendly, festive, and lively atmosphere.

“This summer marked a very special moment in the history of M-Ado Jeunes. We celebrated our 30 years of commitment to the youth of our community!” said Kathy Lépine, Coordinator at M-Ado Jeunes.

Several community organizations in the region contributed to the event, including CDC Rond Point, Centre Alpha Papineau, Maison d’Hébergement Pour Elles des Deux Vallées, Table de développement social de la Lièvre, the City of Gatineau, and the Lièvre Food Bank.

“We would like to sincerely and gratefully acknowledge the involvement of our partners, donors, and sponsors,” said Lépine. “Their generosity demonstrates a deep confidence in our mission and a genuine commitment to the youth in our community.”

Founded in 1995, M-Ado Jeunes is a non-profit organization that collaborates with the City of Gatineau, the Gatineau Police Service (SPVG), and several partners. It operates three service points in the east end of the city, in Buckingham and Angers. Since the beginning, about 7,000 young people have attended these establishments (youth centres) and it has been possible to observe a significant reduction in the rate of juvenile delinquency in the area.

According to Lépine, M-Ado Jeunes’ mission is primarily to welcome young people aged 10 to 17 into a safe, inclusive, and non-judgmental environment where they can create meaningful connections, express themselves freely, develop their autonomy, and reach their full potential. “Our youth centres are much more than meeting places. They are lively, stimulating environments where young people can reflect, get involved, experience community life, and participate in decision-making.”

A variety of programs and interventions are also offered, such as educational workshops, psychosocial support, group projects, recreational activities, and more. “Our activities are accessible, often free or at very low cost, because we take into account the socioeconomic realities of the young people we support,” Lépine emphasized. “We especially encourage their direct involvement in the selection, planning, and organization of activities. It’s their ideas, their projects, their interests that guide our programming.”

As coordinator, Lépine’s role is, above all, people-oriented. “It’s a role I embrace wholeheartedly because it allows me to maintain close contact with the team and the youth, and to ensure that everything we do is consistent with our values,” she said.

The organization’s success, she believes, is the result of true teamwork, united and committed to the well-being of the youth.

Photo: Kathy Lépine, coordinator at M-Ado Jeunes (beige shirt and tattoos) with her entire team (August 2025) (MG) Photo: Courtesy of Kathy Lépine

Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

The Forum Group’s Buckingham Market commercial project officially began the second phase of its construction at the intersection of Maclaren and Lépine on August 12. For the occasion, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on the site by Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, Buckingham City Councillor Edmond Leclerc, and the team from the real estate developer, the Forum Group.

Phase one of the project allowed for the construction of the Super C grocery store, which has attracted a large number of visitors. As for the second phase, the following establishments will be built by the end of winter 2026: a Familiprix pharmacy, a Desjardins Caisse, a National Bank, a Mondou pet store, and a beauty salon. The project will have a total of four phases, which could be completed by 2028.

According to Councillor Leclerc, this commercial development will be quite permissive in terms of services. “If we have entrepreneurs who are well invested in commercial banners, in commercial premises that will be leased by one service or another, I believe it’s up to the market to determine what will be profitable […],” he said.

According to him, this is a welcome commercial opportunity in the area. “The arrival of a new population base also brings a new service base with more diverse businesses,” he explains.

Regarding Buckingham Avenue, Leclerc’s mission in the event of a future mandate would be to implement a specific urban plan like the one seen in the Old Aylmer area. “There may eventually be more oversight to create the right conditions for revitalization,” he commented. “This is a street with a strong atmosphere that we want to revitalize more significantly.”

Photo: Sod breaking with Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, accompanied by Buckingham City Councillor Edmond Leclerc and the Forum group team (August 12, 2025). (MG) Photo: Courtesy of Edmond Leclerc.

Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

With the start of the school year fast approaching, more and more families in the region will be using Centraide Outaouais’ Back-to-School program.

Created in 1995, the program’s goal is to provide new school supplies at a reduced price to children from disadvantaged families. Since its inception, more than 57,000 children have benefited from this assistance. The program is co-managed by some 20 neighbourhood and family organizations in the Outaouais region. “People must register with the organizations that will be responsible for delivering the services,” explained Cédric Tessier, Executive Director of Centraide Outaouais. Several of them will set up a “sharing store” where families can go to shop for their school supplies at 25% of the price. This year, with the rising cost of living, the organization expects to help nearly 2,500 people. According to Cédric Tessier, there has been a sustained increase in the number of applications for the program since 2021.

Across the Outaouais region, the Hull sector appears to be the area with the highest rate of extreme poverty. “This is the area where we see the most children being helped,” said Tessier. “We can also see pockets of poverty in slightly wealthier areas, such as the Aylmer sector, and in all the regional county municipalities in the region.”

Single-parent families and families with only one parent working appear to be those who rely most on financial assistance. “These are people who are active in society, who contribute, but who are unable to make ends meet because of ever-rising prices and wages that aren’t keeping up,” he said.

For more information on the program: https://centraideoutaouais.com/que-fait-on/programmes/retour-en-classe.

Photo: Cédric Tessier, Executive Director of Centraide Outaouais with Daniel Coutu, magician, host and singer (May 1, 2025) (MG) Photo: Courtesy of Centraide Outaouais

Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

Nearly 40 firefighters from the Gatineau Fire Department were deployed to a major fire that broke out at the rear of a semi-detached house located at 1735 Rue Parisien in Gatineau on Saturday, August 2 at 6:29 pm. The flames quickly spread to the adjacent semi-detached house, subsequently affecting a total of four residences.

As stated in witness accounts, the flames first appeared on the rear balcony of the residence. The cause remains undetermined. According to Martin Vézina, Chief of the Intervention Division of the Gatineau Fire Department, the cause was neither criminal nor intentional. Rumors are circulating that the fire was caused by a barbecue. The extent of the damage was estimated at nearly $1 million. “We still managed to limit the damage to the semi-detached house to the right of the residence in question,” said Vézina. However, the original building was declared a total loss.

A total of 12 residents had to be evacuated. None of them were injured. “The police did an excellent job evacuating the residences throughout the response,” Vézina noted.

“Around 10:30 pm, the situation was under control,” he said. “We took the time to sympathize with the affected residents. Some had lived there for some time. This kind of situation is always moving for us, especially for those who have lost everything.”

No investigation will be held into the cause of the incident. “Following the information and the testimonies obtained, the police department and ours decided to leave the cause undetermined,” explained Vézina.

Photo: Firefighter in front of the burning residences on Parisien Street (August 2, 2025) (MG) Photo: Courtesy of Pierre-Luc Lahaie

Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

Marie-Soleil Labelle, a Gatineau resident, student, race car driver, and co-founder of the Gilles Villeneuve Museum racing team, received the King Charles III Coronation Medal on June 14 at the Senate of Canada during an official ceremony.

The medal commemorates the coronation of King Charles III in 2023 as King of Canada. It is awarded by the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall (an office of the Government of Canada).

More specifically, it is a special commemorative distinction to honour the significant contributions of Canadians within their communities or abroad. This medal was created on May 6, 2023, to mark the coronation of King Charles III and it will also be presented to more than 30,000 deserving individuals across the country.

“As the Member of Parliament for Gatineau,” said Steven MacKinnon, “I have the privilege of presenting the King Charles III Coronation Medal to Ms. Marie-Soleil Labelle, in recognition of her exemplary commitment to community service, reflecting the deep values of integrity, altruism, and dedication to others. My sincere congratulations.”

Marie-Soleil, 20, is a young entrepreneurial and committed woman. She is notably involved with the non-profit organization “Women in Motorsports North America,” whose mission is to create an inclusive environment while fostering learning, mentorship, and promotion to ensure the future of this sport, which paves the way for female drivers. Marie-Soleil is also studying at the University of Ottawa to obtain a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

Photo: Marie-Soleil Labelle accompanied by Steven MacKinnon, Member of Parliament for Gatineau, holding the Coronation Medal of King Charles III. (June 14, 2025) (MG) Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Saleh

Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

During the city council meeting on July 8, a few councillors, coordinators, and a lawyer expressed their disagreement with the new regulations affecting the homeless people on the Guertin site. Despite the opposition, the bylaw was ultimately adopted by a majority of 15 city councillors.

This new draft bylaw will, more specifically, regulate the occupation of the site through codes of conduct that must be respected, particularly concerning sanitation and fire services. To do this, a free temporary permit will be required to occupy a space of 20.25 square meters for a period of six months, with the possibility of renewal.

Mario Aubé, city councillor for the Masson-Angers district, understands the desire to regulate the area, but, according to him, adopting a bylaw authorizing its use sends the wrong message. “We’re restricting humans to a ’10 by 10′ by publicly stating that in Gatineau there’s free urban camping […], get your permit, we’ll give you a square space, pitch your tent, and you’ll be good for six months,” he said. “Those who don’t want to follow the rules will end up leaving and going elsewhere.”

This regulation, according to him, targets vulnerable citizens who just want to find a simple space to live. “What we need is real community support to intervene with these people,” he explained. “It’s not the City’s duty to play that role.”

Considering Article 16, which prohibits propane tanks, and Article 17, which prohibits the use of heating devices, the situation is likely to become more difficult once winter arrives. “This will compromise safety during extreme cold,” emphasized Vanessa L. Constantineau, coordinator of the Outaouais Association for the Defense of Social Rights. According to her, this is a project that violates the right to life.

On the other hand, for Alexandre Gallant, coordinator of the Outaouais Regional Collective to Combat Homelessness (CRIO), this rule constitutes an invasion of privacy and personal dignity. “No citizen would accept a city officer entering their home to check if the dishes have been done,” he commented.

Moreover, Gallant pointed out that this new bylaw was implemented without any guidelines. “The City of Gatineau is working on a camp management guide […] which is supposed to explain how to implement interventions, but unfortunately, it’s not ready yet,” he said.

Notably, according to Anne Thibeault, a lawyer at the Outaouais Interdisciplinary Social Law Clinic, these regulations were not presented in their entirety. “Although there was a committee that reviewed its implementation, they had no say in the matter […],” she said. “This is not a proper democratic consultation [….]”

Photo: Mario Aubé, municipal councillor for the Masson-Angers district, answering questions from the media during the press scrum (July 9, 2025). (MG) Photo: Screenshot

Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

To protect and preserve the Lac-Beauchamp Park ecosystem, the City of Gatineau wishes to adopt a conservation plan that aligns with the actions of the Biodiversity Action Plan and the 2024-2029 Water Management Plan.

Lac-Beauchamp Park is a major eco-territory covering over 213 hectares. It also contributes to cultural life by hosting numerous annual activities. However, in recent years, its biodiversity has been severely degraded, particularly in terms of water.

Three orientations of the conservation plan:

• Ensure the preservation and sustainable use of ecosystems
• Raise awareness and inform citizens of the importance of conserving Lac-Beauchamp Park
• Integrate the conservation plan into municipal planning

Objectives of the conservation plan:

• Ensure the protection of threatened and/or sensitive species and natural environments
• Ensure the continuity of annual activities at Lac-Beauchamp Park
• Strike a balance between activities and environmental conservation/protection

“By protecting this unique eco-territory, we are ensuring both the richness of our biodiversity and the quality of life of Gatineau residents,” emphasized Marc Bureau, municipal councillor for Parc-de-la-Montagne and chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee. “That is why the city wants to develop a conservation plan to ensure the protection of natural environments and species, while maintaining sustainable access to outdoor activities.”  Please note that an environmental characterization study is now underway to assess the current state of the park. The results will then be used to precisely determine the measures needed to ensure the park’s conservation.

As for the conservation plan, it will be established once it has been adopted by the municipal council. Based on the information gathered, actions will be implemented this year.

Photo: Lac-Beauchamp Park (June 28, 2025) (MG) Photo: Courtesy of Denis Girouard, Municipal Councillor for the Lac-Beauchamp District

Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

During a heatwave, more than 545 Val-des-Monts residents experienced a power outage that lasted nearly 12 hours on June 25.

According to Hydro-Québec’s website (Info-pannes), the power went out around 9:38 am. However, the announced restoration of power was continually delayed. “We were told that the situation would be resolved by noon, but when I got home from work around 4:30 pm, we were still without power,” said Nathalie Deschênes, a Val-des-Monts resident. “After 12 hours, around 9:49 pm, it was finally restored,” she adds. According to Deschênes, power outages are becoming increasingly frequent in the municipality. “Our generator doesn’t have much downtime as it’s running quite often,” she says. “I plan to get a bigger one, given how often there are outages.”

No information regarding the reason for the power outage has been shared with residents. “The weather was nice, the temperature was normal,” said Deschênes.

However, according to information gathered from Hydro-Québec, the incident was caused by a breakage that was reported during the night. “Our teams arrived on site around midnight and noticed that two (wooden) poles were broken,” says Cynthia Rivard, a community relations advisor at Hydro-Québec. However, the cause of the breakage remains unknown. The installation was temporarily secured.

As a result, the following morning, the teams on site noticed the situation had deteriorated. “Indeed, there were other damaged poles located along Route 307,” said Rivard. “Obviously, this was taken as a priority.”

Several reasons can explain the damage caused to the structures. According to Rivard, the most common causes are tree branches falling on the electrical wires, causing them to break. It can also be a car accident. “This explains the revision of restoration times throughout the day,” she explained.

Recommendations for a power outage during a heatwave:

• Stay hydrated

• Look for cool areas

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors tightly closed

• Use a generator

Photo: Repairing a power pole (April 4, 2025) (MG) Photo: Courtesy of Hydro-Québec

Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

During the fourth edition of the BRAVO Celebration for a First Degree in Canada, nine immigrant students received scholarships worth between $1,000 and $2,000 on May 25 at the Maison du Citoyen in Gatineau. About a hundred people were present for the occasion, including the guest of honour, the Honourable Julie Miville-Dechêne, Independent Senator from Quebec.

The BRAVO Scholarship Fund in Outaouais serves primarily to recognize the efforts of Gatineau students in learning French and obtaining a diploma recognized by the Quebec government. “This is the only scholarship program in Quebec dedicated to young allophone refugees and newcomers,” said Jacques Laberge, retired diplomat, founder and spokesperson for the BRAVO Scholarship Fund in Outaouais. According to Laberge, since 2021, this program has helped more than 42 allophone students from 15 different countries. In addition, over $50,000 has been raised for this purpose. “With the slogan Integration through Education, the BRAVO Scholarship Fund in Outaouais is a tangible demonstration of the solidarity of dedicated and committed volunteers who contribute to the better integration of newcomers in Gatineau,” he says.

The nine recipients were: Hadia Jabarkhil from Afghanistan, Maria Paula Montoya and Valentina Villamil from Colombia, Maja Cica from Croatia, Mohammad Hossein Bokaei Jaci from Iran, Basant Gheth from Egypt, Karine Acadia Irankunda from Mozambique, Ghazal AlHalabi from Syria, and Sandra Rincon Flores from Venezuela.

According to Senator Miville-Dechêne, it was an emotional event. “Hearing each recipient tell their story, their progress, their challenges, and their dreams in French was very touching,” she said. “Each story was remarkable, like that of Basant Gheth, a mother of four who began university studies.”

“I think this event illustrates that a community like Gatineau can contribute to the integration of immigrants and refugees […],” said the Senator. “The initiative of retired diplomat Jacques Laberge and a whole group of volunteers is remarkable. For four years, they have been awarding scholarships, encouraging these young people, and making them feel welcome.”

Photo: Seven of the nine recipients with Senator Miville-Dechêne. From left to right: Sandra Rincon Flores, Valentina Villamil, Maja Cica, Senator Miville-Dechêne, Karine Acadia Irankunda, Maria Paula Montoya, Ghazal AlHalabi, Hadia Jabarkhil, at the scholarship ceremony (May 25, 2025). (MG) Photo: Courtesy of Jacques Laberge

Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

A lockdown alarm was triggered at Hormisdas-Gamelin High School and the adjacent Vocational Training Centre in the Buckingham sector on March 19 at approximately 12:15 p.m.

Following this alarm, the Gatineau Police Service (SPVG) deployed a large number of police officers who quickly arrived on site to secure the area.

During this time, students had to follow lockdown procedures. “I found this experience really stressful,” said Rosealie Charbonneau, a student at the high school. “No one was aware of the situation, and we had to be confined to our classrooms for a long time.” Once the site was secured, the SPVG confirmed that there were no active threats or injuries. However, as a precautionary measure, medical interventions were carried out. The lockdown was lifted around 3:15 pm.

Despite the situation progressing smoothly, it caused a great deal of stress for students and parents. “I learned the news on Facebook,” said Brigitte Gélinas, Rosealie Charbonneau’s mother. “Several rumors circulated that there was apparently an armed person in the school. At the time, no one knew if it was true or false, but it was still very distressing. The news quickly spread at my workplace, and many parents decided to leave to go to the school grounds.”

To date, no cause for this incident has been confirmed and the investigation is still ongoing. The SPVG is taking this opportunity to remind citizens of the importance of seeking information from official sources to prevent the spread of misinformation. As for the rumours reported on social media, they have been denied by the police.

Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

Canadians deserve to age with dignity. To support seniors in the Outaouais region, Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, announced, on behalf of Minister of Seniors Joanne Thompson, that the federal government has approved funding for 42 projects, totaling $6.5 million, under the community and pan-Canadian components of the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) and the Aging Well at Home initiative.

Minister MacKinnon was joined by Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, Mayor of Gatineau, Pierre Guénard, Mayor of Chelsea, several MPs and city councillors, and representatives of organizations at this important announcement, which took place on Thursday, March 13, at the Buckingham Curling Club. “I am extremely proud to announce this government investment, right here in Gatineau, to support our seniors,” said Steven MacKinnon. “The investment announced today is concrete proof of what we can accomplish when we join forces to support our communities,” he added.

This investment will also strengthen our commitment to the most vulnerable seniors. “Today, we are taking a strong step toward their inclusion and well-being,” emphasized the Mayor of Gatineau.

Regarding the distribution of this investment, $5 million over five years will go to the City of Gatineau’s Collective Impact Initiative, selected as part of the 2023-2024 call for project proposals for the pan-Canadian component of the NHSP. “Thanks to this federal investment, we will be able to support 15 initiatives from east to west that will directly reach more than 7,000 beneficiaries,” explained Marquis-Bissonnette.

$800,000 will be used to fund 39 projects in the Outaouais region as part of the NHSP’s community component. “This component will fund a wide range of projects, such as online computer courses, financial education and fraud prevention awareness activities, meal delivery, and the purchase of equipment to help seniors stay informed, connected, and engaged in the community,” said Stéphane Lauzon, MNA for Argenteuil-La Petite Nation.

In addition, $700,000 has been allocated to fund two projects in Gatineau as part of the Home Support Pilot Project component of the Aging Well at Home initiative, to enable seniors to remain safely and comfortably in their own homes. The Mayor of Gatineau highlighted the exemplary work of her colleague Jean Lessard, Chair of the Seniors Commission and City Councillor for the Rivière-Blanche district, as well as all the members. “Thanks to your commitment and determination, we are building a more inclusive team where our seniors find support, a listening ear, and opportunities to fully thrive,” she said.

From left to right: Sophie Chatel, Member of Parliament for Pontiac; Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, Mayor of Gatineau; Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour; Stéphane Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Argenteuil-La Petite Nation, during the announcement of funding for seniors in Gatineau and the Outaouais region at the Buckingham Curling Club (March 13, 2025). MG Photo: Mélissa Gélinas

Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

Gatineau Police are getting a financial boost for their services to people in crisis. Hull MNA Suzanne Tremblay announced funding $732,700 to the Gatineau Police (SPVG) to consolidate its mixed practice projects aimed at meeting the needs of people experiencing homelessness or mental health issues. The announcement was made on February 17 on behalf of the Minister of Public Security, François Bonnardel.

“I am thrilled by this grant, which will allow the SPVG to create a police officer position and a civilian project coordinator position dedicated to homelessness and mental health issues,” said Simon Fournier, SPVG Police Chief.

This financial assistance was allocated to the SPVG through the new Program to Support Concerted Police Practices in Homelessness and Mental Health (PSPPC). In total, 22 police services in Quebec will share a sum of $9 million, including $5.5 million for municipal and Indigenous police services.

Since 2017, the Crisis Intervention Unit (UNIC) team has been working closely with the SPVG team. “So, we already have officers who work in partnership with social workers from the Outaouais Health and Social Services Centre (CISSSO),” said Fournier.

In this sense, the PSPPC will allow the UNIC team to maximize collaboration with its various partners who work in homelessness and mental health in the Gatineau territory, for a period of three years. “The goal is to support, accompany and develop intervention tools with local organizations, in order to improve service to citizens,” stated the police chief.

Lionel Carmant, Minister responsible for Social Services, added, “By supporting this program, we are making a concrete investment to improve care and social services trajectories, to reduce the judicialization of these people as well as the use of emergency services for psychosocial issues or mental health disorders.”

“Faced with increasingly pressing mental health and homelessness issues, this investment of $732,700 is a strong message from our government that confirms its commitment to supporting all members of our community and working toward better crisis management by guaranteeing the safety and well-being of our fellow citizens in Chapleau, Gatineau and Outaouais,” said Mathieu Lévesque, MNA for Chapleau.

Photo: Left to right: Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, Mayor of Gatineau, Simon Fournier, Chief of the SPVG, Suzanne Tremblay, MNA for Hull, and Mathieu Lévesque, MNA for Chapleau, during the announcement of $732,700 in financial assistance to the Gatineau Police Department as part of the Support Program for Concerted Police Practices in Homelessness and Mental Health (February 17, 2025). (MG) Photo: Facebook page Suzanne Tremblay, MNA for Hull