An operation being conducted by Sûreté du Québec’s Internet Child Sexual Exploitation Investigation Team is cracking down on sexual crimes targeting children online. The task force, made up of members of the Gatineau, Montreal, Québec, Laval and Longueil police departments, carried out two searches in the first weeks of November leading to two men’s arrests in Gatineau.
The first search took place on the morning of November 5, on d’Orléans Street located in the Lac-Beauchamp sector. An unnamed 43-year-old man from Gatineau in possession of child pornography was arrested and transported to the police station where he was met by investigators and later released by summons. A police-issued press release dated November 8 details that in addition to the charges of child pornography, a charge of obstruction of police work was submitted to the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions.
The second search was carried out just two days later, on November 7, on Madore Street in the city’s Bellevue district. Pierre Bontemps, 62, from Gatineau was arrested and transported to the police station. He appeared before the Court of Quebec on the same day to face a charge for possession of child pornography and another for having accessed child pornography.
The Gatineau police expressed its commitment to continue “its fight against the sexual exploitation of children on the Internet by participating in the Investigation Team on the Sexual Exploitation of Children on the Internet of the Sûreté du Québec,” in collaboration with Montreal, Québec, Laval and Longueil Police Services.
Police inform investigations for these cases are ongoing and urges anyone who has information about situations of sexual exploitation of young people to make a report at www.cyberaide.ca.
The Gatineau police have released a detailed review of the raid operation that took place in the parking lot of the Robert-Guertin Centre on November 7. The police operation, which began at 6:00 am and was carried out well into the afternoon, had a criminal component, as well as a penal component that involved the expulsion of the occupants from the municipal land.
In what they described as a “large-scale operation,” Gatineau police made 15 arrests, executed five search warrants in trailers and seized more than a dozen firearms, ammunition, a machete, over 1,000 methamphetamine tablets and several other illegal and dangerous items.
The call for the operation came from the City of Gatineau to relocate tents and trailers out of the Robert-Guertin Centre parking lot in order to allow the Village Transition construction site to start quickly.
Recall, November 7’s intervention was divided in two components: criminal and penal. The assessment of the criminal investigation details police seized five trailers as infringing on property. During the operation, a list of items were seized including homemade weapons (metal and billiard balls in stockings and pétanque balls in a pillowcase); two baseball bats; one crossbow with arrow; one lead rifle with a target scope; one rifle and three air guns (firearm replicas). In addition to four scales; two cannabis shedders; more than 10 grams of cannabis; two crack pipes and vape; two passports and various identity documents; several substances and tablets to be identified; many crack rocks and various prescription drug tablets.
Subsequently, police made 15 arrests, two people were released without charge, two more were released on the scene and await charges by summons and eleven people remained detained to appear in the Court of Quebec. Those arrested face various charges including possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, simple possession, breakage of condition, threats, assault on agent, obstacle to the work of police officers, and possession of firearms ammunition. However, police have said further arrests could be made and additional charges could be laid as the investigation is ongoing.
The penal portion of the investigation, which focused on relocating occupants, targeted 13 problematic trailers. Despite “all the efforts of consultation and mediation” made by police, the press release details “the occupants of 13 trailers refused to cooperate and move their trailers.” They were all presented with a written eviction notice by a representative of the City of Gatineau, alongside a verbal notice via loudspeaker twice. Only one person left of their own will. Police detail the notice was given three times and each time occupants refused to cooperate. Those who refused to leave were escorted outside the perimeter to allow for the Public Works Department of the City of Gatineau to begin cleaning the perimeter. By the end of the day, the trailers were towed to the municipal pound and alternative accommodation was offered to occupants of eight of the 13 trailers, while community partners recovered their personal belongings.
The site was later secured by the Public Works Department to prevent other people from settling in the trailers. The Animal Control Section took part in the police operation to take care of the pets that were in the 13 trailers.
The major operation wouldn’t have been possible without the deployment of more than 70 police officers and the participation of several partners, including the SPVG intervention group, the Sûreté du Québec tactical intervention group, investigators and intelligence officers of the Criminal Investigations Division, the Crisis Intervention Unit team of the SPVG and the CISSS of Outaouais, specialized police officers who are part of the SPVG’s Order Maintenance and Restoration Unit, the Canine Unit, the Forensic Identity Service, the Communications Officers, as well as the SPVG Communications Section, the Prosecutors of the Legal Affairs Department of the City of Gatineau, and the Prosecutors of the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions.
Chief Inspector Mathieu Guilbault of the Criminal Investigations Division says the increasing violence in the city hasn’t gone unnoticed, stating the police is actively listening and responding to the population’s concerns.
“We know that violent events in recent weeks have not been reported to the Police Service, that victims are afraid to report situations that worry them or to ask for help, and that witnesses have fears about their safety. We understand that it is difficult for these people to trust the authorities. However, we want to tell them that our employees are ready to listen to them, welcome them and accompany them through the complaint process if they wish to move forward. They will be taken seriously without judgement. We hope that the operations of recent weeks have proven to them that the Police Service will not tolerate any violent offences.”
The investigations at the site of the Robert-Guertin Centre are to continue. Police urge anyone who has information about potentially criminal events that have occurred to contact them via their info line at 819-243-4636, extension 5.
Photo:Chief Inspector Mathieu Guilbault of the Criminal Investigations Division (right) and Stéphane Raymond, Deputy Director of Police Operations and commander of the operation conducted on November 7 (left) answer questions related to the raid that took place in the Robert-Guertin parking lot. (DD) Photo: Gatineau Police
On November 8, Gatineau police and the Fraternity of police officers of Gatineau (FPPG) announced the return of their ‘Cœur pour Noël’ initiative for an eighth consecutive year. Responsible for placing gifts under hundreds of children’s Christmas trees each year, the initiative catered to 1,199 children in 2023 and a total of 5,739 children over the last seven editions.
As done in previous years, the two organizations have called on the generosity of the population of Gatineau, inviting them to participate in large numbers.
Individuals wishing to participate can do so by going to police.gatineau.ca and completing the online registration form. Shortly after, they’ll receive an email detailing the first name, age, gender and the language of the child or children to be spoiled. Participants will purchase a gift valued at $25 to $30, as well as a gift bag for each child assigned to them ahead of the December 7 deadline to deposit gifts.
Before the first week of December, the unwrapped gift(s) and separate gift bags will have to be deposited at the Promenades Gatineau. This year, it will also be possible for participants to deposit gifts at the Galeries Aylmer or the Buckingham Police Station. A full schedule of drop-off locations and times can be found below.
On Christmas Day, the FPPG will distribute all the gifts, their way “to bring joy to the holiday season for many children in need.”
DROP OFF LOCATIONS AND TIMES
PROMENADES GATINEAU (1100, Maloney West Boulevard, Entrance 7, near restaurant area)
TUESDAYS: November 19, 26 and December 3 – between 1:30 pm and 5:30 pm
THURSDAYS: November 21, 28 and December 5 – between 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm
SATURDAYS: November 23 and December 7 – between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm
GALERIES AYLMER (181, Principale Street, Entrance 1)
Gatineau’s PLASMAVIE donor centre, also known as GLOBULE and La Collecte has become Héma-Québec as of November 4th. The change comes following survey results that reported confusion among the public caused by the use of multiple secondary brand names.
“This change is designed to more efficiently fulfill the needs of the province’s healthcare system by simplifying the donor experience, enhancing the visibility of donor locations and clarifying Héma-Québec’s role,” the blood donation organization expressed in a press release.
The previously mentioned survey also found that, while the Héma-Québec brand is recognized by 84 per cent of Quebecers, two out of three donors in donation centre markets did not connect Héma-Québec with its GLOBULE and PLASMAVIE donation centres. The difficulty for them to associate the different brands to Héma-Québec is obstructing the brand’s visibility, public awareness and engagement.
The mother brand says the confusion has resulted in “numerous supply challenges at a time when Héma-Québec is striving to meet ambitious targets for collecting plasma and other blood products to serve the needs of the Quebec population.”
After 25 years, the brand decided to unify under a single name to broaden its reach. Along with a new name came the announcement of additional services and a new logo reflecting their shift from solely being a blood donation organization.
“Héma-Québec has greatly expanded its operations and is now responsible for a diverse array of biological products of human origin, including blood, plasma, platelets, stem cells, mother’s milk and human tissue. Additionally, it offers specialized laboratory testing services,” read the press release.
The changes to Héma-Québec’s activities are set to roll out gradually over the course of several months with a focus on sound resource management.
Ahead of the Heritage Reception’s 20th edition, the City of Gatineau has launched a call for applications recognizing the Gatinois and Gatinoises committed to the preservation of collective heritage. Until December 1, 2024, residents are invited to throw themselves or any third-party in the hat to receive honourary heritage certificates.
The certificates will be presented during the Heritage Reception to be held in February 2025, honouring any person, organization or company that has marked the community with original initiatives centring on preservation, restoration and/or enhancement.
This year, certificates will also extend to dedicated young people, to highlight the importance of the next generation in the conservation of Gatineau’s heritage. The Relève distinction will be awarded to those aged 18 to 30.
Another addition to the reception’s 20th anniversary will include the certificate of excellence in the preservation and restoration of built heritage. Accompanied by a scholarship of $5,000, the certificate will honour the owners of residential or commercial buildings of heritage interest who have carried out preservation and/or restoration work.
“For twenty years, Gatineau has highlighted the talents and dedication of those who ensure that our heritage is preserved, reflecting our history and our collective identity. With the introduction of the Relève distinction, we also celebrate the essential contribution of youth, who, through their creativity and commitment, ensure the future of this precious heritage,” said Caroline Murray, President of the Local Heritage Council and City Councillor for the District of Deschênes. “I invite every citizen, organization and company to share their passion and their achievements that contribute to radiating our common heritage.”
A selection committee plans to meet in December to review applications and successful applicants will be contacted by email that same month. The date of the Heritage Reception will be revealed shortly after.
For any inquiries, residents can email heritage@gatineau.ca or head directly to the City of Gatineau’s Certificates of heritage page on their website.
A new $60 tax on the registration of passenger vehicles will come into effect on January 1, 2025, the city announced last week. The Passenger Vehicle Registration Tax (TIV) will apply to all passenger vehicles registered by the citizens of Gatineau. Revenue generated from the tax will be used to support the costs of public transportation in the city.
“The introduction of the TIV is part of the City’s desire to offer a more accessible, efficient and sustainable public transport network, thus responding to the growing mobility needs of the population,” detailed a press release.
Gatineau will be joining several other Quebec municipalities in the adoption of taxes to finance public transport networks. An initiative that, the city says, “reflects a provincial trend to ensure sustainable and accessible mobility.”
The tax, collected by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) when residents are registering their vehicles, will apply to automobiles, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), motorized homes and minivans. Motorcycles, mopeds and all vehicles for institutional, professional or commercial use are exempt from the TIV.
While the tax has yet to come into effect, the City of Gatineau has already announced the amount will increase from $60 to $90 per vehicle as of January 1, 2026.
Gerard Dubreuil, a 16-year-old Hull resident, was spotted in Ottawa around 3 pm last Wednesday, seven months after he was reported missing.
Gatineau Police say Dubreuil was last seen leaving his place of residence on Freeman Road on March 19, and was reported missing shortly after. He has since been spotted on more than one occasion, the latest being on October 30 across the bridge.
Dubreuil is a 4 ft. 11 in. tall white male, weighing 110 pounds. He has black hair, black eyes and was last seen wearing grey cargo pants, matched with a grey vest and grey shoes. Police and his family, who have expressed fear for his health, safety and well-being are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Dubreuil, who’s assumed to be in Ottawa.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Gerard Dubreuil is invited to contact the local police at 819-246-0222.
In theme with the Quebec Waste Reduction Week, the City of Gatineau has invited companies to take part in an online consultation offering a toolbox to implement better waste management.
Industries, businesses and institutions will have between November 23 and December 11 to attend a consultation on two draft regulations. The first seeks to enforce composting and recycling while the second intends to prohibit or at the very least, regulate certain single-use plastics within Gatineau companies.
This initiative comes as part of the City’s Residual Materials Management Plan (RMSP) set to be carried out until 2029. The plan was adopted in February 2023 following public consultations that found 87 per cent of respondents were in favour of a municipal regulation governing single-use plastics and another 97 per cent agreeing that the City require companies to recycle and compost.
“As soon as the RMSP 2023-2029 was adopted, Gatineau made a commitment to accompany the population and the industries, businesses and institutions of its territory in the integration of new measures, by informing and guiding them,” said Marc Bureau, president of the Committee on Environment and Climate Change. “Thus, I invite them to take advantage of the tools offered to them free of charge and to participate in large numbers in the online consultation, since their opinion counts.”
The objective of the consultation is to better understand the challenges companies face in terms of waste management in order to determine how the City “should proceed so that the application of future regulations is as harmonious as possible.”
Additionally, posters, showcase stickers and various visuals against single-use plastics are available free of charge to be displayed or shared with customers. They can be ordered at gatineau.ca/plastic and will be delivered by mail within 10 business days.
The ultimate goal of the City’s RSMP is to eventually make Gatineau a zero-waste city that “recycles and recovers 100 per cent of its materials by 2050.”
As a demonstration of the province’s appreciation of water resource management, 42 municipal organizations were recognized by Réseau Environnement for their excellence in water management over the past year. The award ceremony took place in Quebec City on October 22 as part of the 46th edition of the Symposium on Water Management.
“Water is our blue gold in Quebec,” said Mathieu Laneuville, President and CEO of Réseau Environnement. “We are fortunate to be able to count on leaders who are taking action to better manage and protect it, like the 62 municipal organization members of Réseau Environnement’s water excellence programs. Like us, these municipalities strive for excellence for our planet and the health and safety of their communities.”
Réseau Environnement, the largest group of environmental specialists in Quebec, currently runs six water excellence programs whose certification is determined by a ranking from 1 to 3 stars. The organization that brings together specialists from public, private and academic sectors promotes the “best practices and innovation in environmental management and acts as a catalyst for innovative solutions for a green economy.”
This year, the City of Gatineau was awarded a total of three certifications for their work in two programs. The Drinking Water Excellence Program, or Treatment PEXEP-T ensures maximum protection against microbiological contamination. A total of 32 municipal organizations, made up of nearly five million Quebecers, are supplied with drinking water from PEXEP-T member plants. Both the Hull and Buckingham municipalities received 3 stars and a Phase 2 Certification for their efforts within the program. The entirety of Gatineau was awarded another 3 stars and Phase 2 Certification in the Wastewater Excellence Program, or (PEX-StaRRE-SM). This program aims to improve the quality of wastewater and sewage sludge from municipal treatment plants by optimizing operations and keeping a constant check on processes.
In addition to awarding municipalities, Laneuville used the symposium, which gathered 200 industry specialists, as an opportunity to address the underfunding of water services.
“Quebec is facing a $45 billion asset maintenance deficit for its water infrastructures. Nearly one-fifth of the entire network is considered to be in poor or very poor condition,” he said. “With the increasingly frequent and intense impacts of climate change, such as torrential rains and the floods we saw this summer, we don’t have the luxury of giving up and saying there’s nothing we can do about it. That would be to misunderstand the members of Réseau Environnement.”
Laneuville revealed that the association is launching a new project “aimed at finding sustainable solutions to adequately finance the water services” on which the Quebec population, both private and public, rely. The goal, he says, is to guarantee 100 per cent water quality, 100 per cent of the time, “everywhere in the province and for generations to come.’’
Réseau Environnement is set to present key recommendations in the coming months.
UNAM Canada, the Embassy of Mexico and the City of Gatineau have proclaimed November 2, 2024 as “Día de los Muertos,” otherwise known as the Day of the Dead. This celebration, which holds profound significance for Indigenous Mexican communities, is traditionally celebrated in late October or early November, marking the end of maize cultivation cycle — Mexico’s staple food.
“The fusion of pre-Hispanic religious ceremonies and Catholic festivities brings together two worlds: one that honors Indigenous beliefs and another shaped by European influences since the sixteenth century,” UNAM Canada detailed in a press release, adding this celebration “highlights the value of our cultural traditions and promotes inclusivity and understanding among the diverse communities that make up these cities.”
Traditionally, the Day of the Dead “commemorates the temporary return of deceased loved ones to the material world.” Each year, an altar is presented at City Hall as part of the festivities. This year, Quebec-born artist Jean-Paul Riopelle, a significant figure in the art world, will be honoured. The altar is set to open at 5:00 pm on October 30 and will be displayed until November 3.
On the Ontario side, UNAM Canada, the Embassy of Mexico and the Canadian Museum of Nature have partnered to put up a second altar, this time honouring endangered and extinct animal species in the Hatch Salon, on the third floor of the museum, at 240 McLeod St. The altar will be available to the public from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on October 31 and later a part of the museum’s Nature Nocturne evening on November 1.
The two unique altars were designed and mounted by students from the Modern American School (MAS) in Mexico City under the guidance of their Professor Fernando Trigo.
The exhibitions promise to feature a variety of activities and workshops for all, highlighting the importance of the day. UNAM Canada invites Gatineau and Ottawa residents to come in large numbers, noting this celebration “strengthens generational bonds and fosters a sense of belonging within the community.”
Photo caption
Photo #1: Collage of the altar, decorations and activities put up at City Hall for the Day of the Dead in 2023. (DD) Photo: UNAM Canada
As part of the Canadian Islamic History Month, whose national theme is “Health and Healing,” Outaouais’ Islamic Centre (OIC) hosted a free all-day event at the Galeries d’Aylmer on October 12. From 9:00 am to 5:00pm, Gatineau residents were invited to join OIC to learn more about the links between health, healing and Muslim traditions throughout history.
A wide variety of experts in the fields of traditional health and healing were in attendance, such as practitioners of naturopathy, orthotherapy, cupping massage and massage therapy. Together, they informed attendees on the benefits of their respective practices and their effects on the mind and body.
A focal point of the event was to highlight medicinal plants that aren’t commonly used in Western medicine. Connoisseurs of natural remedies broke down the benefits of an array of plants such as nigella, called the “seed of blessings” in Arabic, responsible for alleviating indigestion and loss of appetite, mugwort which stimulates period flow and relives cramps, and chamomile, widely known for its calming benefits, among many others.
Vendor booths offering a variety of products, including essential oils, medicinal plants, and services such a cupping therapy were available throughout the day. The event was also a learning opportunity — a quiz wheel offering gifts related to the theme was installed for those wanting to test their knowledge of natural health and healing practices.
The OIC described the event as an opportunity to “learn more about the contribution of Muslims in the fields of health and healing, presented in a simple and accessible way.”
The rest of their program related to Canadian Islamic History Month can be found on their website at cio-oic.ca.
Outaouais’ Islamic Centre (OIC) has joined forces with the Gatineau Police to offer a series of prevention workshops geared to Hull’s younger population. The first workshop, focused on gang prevention, was held at the Gatineau Mosque located at 4 Lois St. on October 5.
In a highly interactive presentation, Alex Thomassin, a former detective lieutenant in the SPVG’s anti-gang unit, outlined the workshop’s key objectives: raising awareness, prevention, strengthening family and community ties, and providing teens with a contact point within the police.
“History started with street gangs out of California, usually from single communities,” he said, opening his presentation by briefly detailing the origins of streets gangs. “This is no longer the case today and most gangs aren’t just one ethnic community anymore. You can have people from all over the place in the same group. Often, it’s the neighbourhood you live in that will dictate which gang you join, rather than where you’re from.”
However, the newly found inclusivity within gangs comes with a significant increase of recruitment in once safe environments, including schools, Thomassin warns.
“How can we keep our children safe when there are active gangs in our schools,” asked a dad who attended the workshop with his daughter. He says that the Polyvalente Le Carrefour students meet at the shopping centre across the street at lunch, between or after classes, with no supervision, and that this only adds to the problem. “My daughter tells me stories of kids asking her to come smoke.”
This is one of the fraternizing tactics used by young gang recruiters to attract members. Once they get the student to agree to leave school grounds, often not by more than a few feet, the recruiters will establish trust with their targets before giving them a test to gauge their loyalty.
“What we often see is young gang members going to classmates and saying ‘Hey, let me borrow your banking card, I’ll deposit and withdraw $2,500 from your account since I do not have a card of my own and you can have $500 for your trouble,’” Thomassin details. Students who are easily enticed by the idea of making easy money usually fall for the trap. The assailant will make a faulty deposit using their account, leaving the student to pay off the debt once it defaults. “They’ll tell you to wait two weeks and contact the police, but I can tell you right now, that [fraud claim] will not work—we will question how the person got access to your card and your PIN number without your consent or knowledge,” he said, also listing ‘holding bags’ usually containing drugs or firearms as another popular loyalty test.
Young men who are recruited are typically targeted to sell drugs, while young girls are often exploited for profit through prostitution. According to the former anti-gang unit detective, the leading reason why teens join gangs is to feel part of a community. But even a group of friends without a formal title can still be considered a gang if they partake in illegal and reckless activities, he warns. He lists gang signs, assigned matching colours and demarking tattoos as a few symbols that can help spot a gang, though “there is a lot of turnover in these groups.” Young people should also look for a hierarchy within the group, assigned roles and codes of conduct adopted by every member.
Circling back to the concerned father’s question on how students can be kept safe, Thomassin pointed to the resources deployed in schools across Quebec. Educational police officers and school councillors are already on duty in most Gatineau schools, he said. “They are trained and always ready and willing to help.” Youth centres can also be a safe space and outlet for students. In all cases, calling or going to the police station is always an option and workshops such as these are a step in the right direction.
“After we’ve explained all the risks and consequences, the ball is in your court,” he said. “The Gatineau police want young people to be as informed as possible so they can have all the tools necessary to make the most informed decision.”
Photo caption
Photo #1: Outaouais’ Islamic Centre (OIC) and the police are collaborating on a series of prevention workshops for the youth in Gatineau. The first one, centring on gang membership prevention had a turnout of 30 highly engaged parents and students. (DD) Photo: Djeneba Dosso
The Multicultural Entrepreneur Action Network (RAEM) will once again host their annual Intercultural Entrepreneur Fair at City Hall on October 26. This 12th edition, featuring a wide variety of services, will be an opportunity for Gatineau residents to support inspiring entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.
“Every year, the RAEM organizes and holds the Intercultural Entrepreneur Fair to showcase their products and services, and thereby highlight the positive contribution of immigrant entrepreneurship to the economic development of the region and of Quebec as a whole,” reads a statement on their Facebook page.
This year intends to be no different. Eventgoers of all ages can expect a wide selection of products and services, fun activities for the whole family and a gourmet corner full of flavors from the four corners of the globe. Entry is free for all for the duration of the event held from 10 am to 5 pm.
Residents from across Gatineau are invited to come in large numbers and support small start-up businesses.
As noted on RAEM’s Facebook page, “It’s an intercultural celebration not to be missed. Come and discover.”
Let yourself be transported to Amsterdam and The Netherlands through breathtaking images starting on October 20 at Cinéma 9 and then on November 3 at Cinéma Starcité Gatineau.
During an immersive film experience, discover “emblematic windmills, flower-filled fields and countless bicycle paths.” Stroll along “canal-lined streets, criss-cross country roads, cruise through picturesque towns and revel in local gastronomy,” all in the comfort of your local theatre.
Amsterdam et les Pays-Bas, au fil de l’eau is the second film in the new season of Les Aventuriers Voyageurs, created by a family-owned production company offering viewers “unique travel experiences through captivating films.” Since its establishment in 2008, more than 80 travel films have been produced and presented in over 50 cinemas and theatres across Quebec.
“Whether on the big screen at the cinema, online in the comfort of your own home, or in schools, libraries and retirement homes, you can discover the world through the eyes of passionate travellers,” described Yannick Gervais, the founder.
The film, shot by experienced travel filmmakers Nancy Gadoury and Dominic Lajeunesse of ExploreNaDoom, will be the first to be featured on the big screen in 17 years.
Photo caption
Photo #1: Amsterdam et les Pays-Bas, au fil de l’eau, a travel film highlighting the dynamic capital and how water transforms the landscape of the fascinating country, will be available on October 20 at Cinéma 9 and on November 3 at Cinéma Starcité Gatineau. (DD) Photo: Aventuriers Voyageurs
Photo #2: Nancy Gadoury and Dominic Lajeunesse of ExploreNaDoom specialize in video production, photography and aerial drone imagery. In 2019, they created their company, ExploreNaDoom, to travel and work at the same time. (DD) Photo: Aventuriers Voyageurs
After making Montreal and Quebec City crowds laugh out loud, Les Producteurs made a pit stop in Trois-Rivières before commencing their six-day residency at Gatineau’s Casino Lac-Leamy Theatre. From Thursday September 26 to 28 and then again the following weekend from October 3 to 5, Serge Postigo and his cast presented this stage adaptation of Mel Brooks’ masterpiece, the most awarded show in Broadway history with 12 Tony Awards.
The Gatineau Bulletin caught up with Marianne Orlowski, who plays Ulla Inga Hansen, ahead of their second opening show on September 27.
Tell me a bit about your artistic background, and then how you came to be part of Les Producteurs.
I’ve been an actress, singer and dancer in Paris for some time now. I did a few musical comedy shows here and there, including Les Producteurs. We played for two years and when Gestev producers came to see the show in Paris, they wanted to put on this show in Quebec — to redo the translation and adaptation by Serge Postigo, therefore doing a completely Quebec version of the show. Being in Paris throughout this show, I wanted to audition for the role of Ulla that I played here. Serge told me ‘Ok, no problem,’ and that’s it: I got my ticket, and I went on the adventure.
This role meant packing up your bags and settling in Quebec for close to a year, what has this experience been like for you?
It’s been almost a year now. I had never set foot in Quebec, and being here feels like I am living a bit of a dream. Already, since the auditions, I was so happy to come here but to be able to discover beautiful regions did it for me. It has been pure happiness.
How would you describe Les Producteurs to someone who has never seen the original or adaptation of the show?
The Producteurs is a musical in the purest tradition of the Golden Age, New York musicals; that’s why I really like it. The script is just incredible. It is Mel Brooks who is the author and it’s not for nothing that it won the Oscar for the best screenplay. The show is very, very funny. Personally, I was a little bit afraid of the reception by the public because it’s actually a very punchy [type of] humour, you really have to listen to that in the fifth degree, but that’s the wonderful thing.
Tell me about the character you play in the show. Who is Ulla Inga Hansen?
Ulla, who is a young Swedish woman full of ambition in life, dreams of becoming a star on Broadway and will do everything to become one. She is a woman who is aware of her assets and the world in which she evolves. She is still quite masculine for the time; we must not forget that this is a story that dates back to the 1960s.
How did you prepare ahead of the Producteurs tour across Quebec?
There are solid singing and dancing skills [required]. We were coached by the band Quartz, who are acapella singers. I was also coached in technical and vocal interpretation, same for dance. Steve Bolton choreographed this show, and I worked a lot with him. And so, I arrived, loaded with all that [training for] a number that is quite physical and intense for me, but which I am passionate about and for which I am very happy to, well, to put on the dress every night.
Tell me about the opening night in Gatineau.
We played our first in Gatineau last night [September 26] at the Casino and it was really, really enjoyable to hear real laughs from an entire audience who were won over by the humour of Mel Brooks like that. I [liked] the staging, which is really fantastic here, and this production and all the artists who are on set. We really had a lot of fun and I think the audience felt that. I had never been to Gatineau, so for me, it’s perpetual discovery and it’s special, too, because it’s the end of our tour; it’s the last city, so I think we may each have a bit of a twinge of heart, nostalgia as well.
You’ve just spent a year of your life putting on this incredible show alongside castmates who have become family. What are you feeling ahead of your last show in Quebec, and what’s next for Marianne?
Nostalgia, in a way. It was a completely crazy year for me to play this show here – this role – Quebec. We are a very united gang, a very close-knit group. I’ve discovered so much here and so many people; I love the Quebecois. So, for that, I have a slight urge to not go home, not that I disown France; I am just very attached [to Quebec], but lo and behold, the future is more in France for the moment. If I am considered to come back here for work in the future, it would be with pleasure.
Photo caption:
Photo #1: After making rounds across stages in Quebec, Les Producteurs made their last stop at Gatineau’s Casino Lac-Leamy Theatre during a six-show residency over the course of two weekends. (DD) Photo: Gestev.
Three shortlisted design concepts have been unveiled for the replacement of the historic Alexandra Bridge.
The designs, dubbed Echo, Rendez vous, and Motion, were presented to the board of directors of the National Capital Commission at a public meeting on October 1.
First serving as an interprovincial passage for trains, horses and wagons, electric streetcars, and pedestrians, the 123-year-old bridge was deemed to have reached the end of its life. In 2019, the Government of Canada directed the crossing be replaced within 10 years.
Working with the public, Indigenous communities, and stakeholders since 2020, Public Services and Procurement Canada and the National Capital Commission have narrowed down the designs to three concepts for the public’s viewing.
The first of the designs was Echo which reinterpreted the current bridge. But the design team’s lead bridge architect Martin Knight clarified that it was not a replica.
“The Echo bridge concept draws inspiration from the historic Alexandra Bridge, combining heritage with modern design. Featuring two V-piers and a refined twin structural truss, it honours the original bridge while remaining in scale with the landscape and with Kīwekī Point,” said Knight.
Spanning 210 metres, the concept would maintain a distinct identity while respecting the landscape of the National Capital Region. Indigenous expression was represented in the design with the inclusion of timbre members between the top cords, invoking the structural bracing of an Algonquin birchbark canoe.
The public spaces were marked by V-shaped supports. This gathering space could be enhanced with seating and seasonal canopies. Like all three design concepts, the pedestrian deck, and the public space were on the upstream side while the roadway was on the downstream. Cyclists would be able to breeze through the bridge’s centre without interrupting passersby with a naturally separated pedestrian deck.
Putting the Ottawa River centre stage as the defining environmental and social component of the landscape, the Rendez vous design wished to strengthen the concept of a meeting place.
“It appears to step lightly in the Kitche Zībī with a pair of graceful arches meeting at water level, acknowledging the river’s importance to the Algonquin Nations and defining a collective vision to create a bridge and urban landscape as a place of exchange,” said Knight.
The set of arches spanning 290 and 220 metres meet a single pier in the river. Although the pair reached more than 15 metres above the existing bridge at their crown, the architect said the arches’ height and transparency amplify views, providing a feeling of openness. Where the arches dip below deck level, the public space forms, creating a seasonal, flexible stage when closed to traffic.
The final design – Motion – took inspiration from the flow of the Ottawa River and the American eel, which calls the river home. “The architectural approach effortlessly blends with its surroundings, weaving a harmonious tapestry of land, water, and sky.”
Its defining three rolling arches mimic the flowing water below, rippling up and down from end to end. The heights of the arches vary with the central arch measuring 3.5 metres taller than the existing bridge and secondary arches 3.5 metres lower, creating a dynamic silhouette that was still in scale with its surroundings.
“The signature form of the bridge marks a new destination for the National Capital core area and provides a rich experience when viewed from below as well as from afar, matching another unique element to this much-loved river scene.”
Two open houses were held in Gatineau and Ottawa to give attendees one-on-one time with the project team in early October. The public can also provide feedback on the three concepts by completing an online survey on the National Capital Commission website until October 24.
The comments will be considered in the final design concept, which will be submitted for approval in spring 2025. The replacement work was expected to begin in 2028 with the new bridge to be operational in 2032.
Photo: The National Capital Commission wants the public’s input on the three concept designs proposed for the replacement of the Alexandra Bridge.
Cries for change and better access to care could be heard from the women gathered at city hall on September 26 during a panel centring on women’s health in the Outaouais.
The panel, led by experts Dr. Ruth Vander Stelt, Marie-Eve Fournier and Patricia LaRue touched on the complexities of navigating a health care system which, despite its developments, still fails women in more ways than one. The hour-long discussion touched on flaws in early medicine, the disparities between care for women and men, reproductive health, and health accessibility issues in the Outaouais and for women living in rural areas.
The main takeaway offered by all three panelists is that health care is far from being analogous. On the contrary, it should be viewed from an intersectional lens to better meet the unique and complex needs of every patient. Despite this, “for years, medical tests were only done on men for men,” pointed out Marie-Eve Fournier, columnist for La Presse, while for women “almost all symptoms were related to stress or menopause.”
The refusal, or perhaps disinterest in going the extra mile to perform tests and diagnoses on women all those years ago has stalled the way they receive care today, she added.
Dr. Ruth Vander Stelt, a Pontiac-based general practitioner, believes the constant downplaying of early symptoms has led to the normalization of pain among women.
“Women are told: ‘it’s all in your head,’ ‘just go and get some rest,’ constantly,” she said, adding the notion that pain should be ignored is often transferred from mothers, generally of older generations — who received the same message from their practitioners — and passed on to their daughters.
Patricia LaRue, the executive director of Outaouais’ Women’s Clinic, named reduced research, limited access to resources and the inability to identify a multitude of symptoms found in women of all ages as repercussions. LaRue runs a feminist medical clinic offering abortion, contraception, sexual health workshops and IUD insertion services to women.
These basic services that should be accessible to female patients often aren’t advertized because the resources are simply unavailable in rural communities, Dr. Vander Stelt said. Due to a lack of access to care in their communities, these women must travel to the city and account for transportation which can cost a fortune by taxi. For women with abusive spouses, trips to the city, even for care, aren’t feasible.
“I’m from the Pontiac and commuting to the city to receive care should not be the solution or the norm,” she said. “Every CLSC should have the right resources.”
Unfortunately, for women in rural areas, their challenges don’t end upon arrival, as obtaining care tailored to their needs is often difficult, primarily due to language barriers.
“Translating barriers are a real issue,” LaRue backed Vander Stelt. “Children are having to translate their mother’s diagnosis because the doctor is unable to communicate in their language, it’s sad and extremely invasive.” This issue extends to newcomers and immigrants or members of a linguistic minority.
In the face of this adversity, many women have turned to social support networks, after their cries were ignored by the health-care system.
“Social media, often seen as a space for misinformation, especially in healthcare, has become a safe space for women,” said Dr. Vander Stelt, listing advocacy and awareness, empowerment, breaking taboos and misconceptions and the receipt of diverse perspectives as benefits of support networks.
LaRue named supporting women’s organizations as another way to boost access to efficient and compassionate care. Fournier suggested doing more research tailored to women’s health. She encouraged doctors to be curious about their female patients, although she understands they’re overworked. Lastly, she preached the benefits of spreading of information by sharing the names of experts both internally and externally to increase their reach.
Still, so much needs to be done, Dr. Vander Stelt said at the end of the Q&A session that followed the panel. “It’s unacceptable,” she said, her voice breaking as tears welled up. She encourages Outaouais women to continue speaking up, as it will allow for change, hopefully. “You guys have the power.”
Photo #1: Action Santé Outaouais and the Assemblée des Groupes de Femmes d’Interventions Régionales (AGIR) partnered to put together a panel and consultation concerning women’s health in the Outaouais. The hour-long panel, featuring experts Dr. Ruth Vander Stelt, Marie-Eve Fournier and Patricia LaRue, was followed by a short Q&A session and a workshop/consultation activity. The statistics and findings pulled from this event will be featured in a report that will be available in 2025. (DD) Photo: Djeneba Dosso
Photo #2: Pictured are two of the three panelists, Dr. Ruth Vander Stelt (right) and Patricia LaRue (left). (DD) Photo: Djeneba Dosso
On September 26, a 56-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman known to Gatineau Police were arrested in connection with a homicide that occurred earlier that morning on boulevard des Allumettières.
In the early hours that day, officers responded to a person on the ground near the intersection of rue Saint-Rédempteur, whose state of consciousness was unknown. The man, 35-year-old Maxim Bourgon-Frigon, also known to police, was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
“His injuries could have been caused by a firearm,” said police. An autopsy was to be performed in Montreal to determine the cause of death.
A portion of boulevard des Allumettières was closed to traffic in both directions until the late afternoon as a larger perimeter was set up for the investigation. Close to 15 hours later, the two individuals were arrested by police.
This was the third homicide of the year to occur in Gatineau, after two incidents in April.
The investigation is ongoing. Police invited anyone with information related to the homicide to contact their information line 819-243-4636, option 1.
Photo: Gatineau Police are investigating their third homicide of the year after a 35-year-old man was found near the intersection of rue Saint-Rédempteur early on September 26.
Photo: Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau Facebook Page
The public will be able to have their say on the proposed design concepts for the replacement of the historic Alexandra Bridge at an upcoming public consultation.
In 2019, the Government of Canada ordered that the over 120-year-old bridge be replaced within 10 years, after a lifecycle cost analysis from the previous year found that replacing the bridge would not only save money but would also be less disruptive to the public.
Now, in the planning and design stages, the National Capital Commission has invited the public to participate in an open house in Gatineau or Ottawa. The sessions will allow citizens to view the proposed designs and provide feedback.
The Gatineau session will be held on October 2 at the Canadian Museum of History from 4 pm to 9 pm, while the open house on the other side of the river will be at the same time the following day at the Shaw Centre.
A third public consultation will be scheduled in the spring or summer of 2025 to review the reference design before moving on to the procurement and implementation stages.
Photo: The National Capital Commission will host two open house sessions to gain the public’s feedback on the proposed design concepts for the replacement of the Alexandra Bridge.
On September 19, The City of Gatineau proudly announced the receipt of a Silver VÉLOSYMPATIQUE Collective Certification during the last meeting of the Commission on Transportation, Sustainable Travel and Safety. The distinction, awarded by Vélo Québec is in addition to the Bronze VÉLOSYMPATIQUE Organization Certification earned earlier this year for City Hall.
Gatineau has heavily promoted the “use of bicycles as a sustainable mode of transportation” since 2016, when the city was awarded with its first VÉLOSYMPATIQUE Certification. In 2019, the City introduced their Cycling Network Master Plan which funded the integration of added bicycle parking lots, bus supports, lockers and repair stations, and secured more than 60 intersections for cyclists by prohibiting right turns at a red light or by adding a marking or bollards.
Since the adoption of their cycling plan between 2019 and 2024, the City has been able to build 55 kilometers of new cycling links. Today, the Gatineau territory offers more than 350 kilometers of cycling links, placing 81 per cent of residents within 250 meters of a bike path. Following the success of their pilot project, the City “is preparing to continue and improve it for the years 2025-2028,” — extending it for four years.
In addition to the improvements made to cycling infrastructure throughout the territory, Gatineau has invested in the wide offer of programs centring cycling activities and events, usually free of charge, for the entire population.
This recognition not only highlights Gatineau’s efforts to promote a sustainable mode of transportation, but also celebrates the growing population of cyclists around the city, said Catherine Craig St-Louis, the President of the Commission on Transportation, Sustainable Travel and Safety.
“I am proud of this recognition that highlights our vision of a city where cycling occupies a central place in the daily travel of citizens. These certifications highlight Gatineau’s efforts to develop a cycling culture, whether through the development and maintenance of infrastructure, or through education programs for the young and the not-so-young alike. Gatineau is more than ever committed to encouraging active mobility and providing quality infrastructure for all cyclists.”
Photo caption
Photo #1: Catherine Craig St-Louis, President of the Commission on Transportation, Sustainable Travel and Safety, posing with the Silver VÉLOSYMPATIQUE Collectivity Certification in front of City Hall. (DD) Photo: Ville de Gatineau.
Gatineau Police reminded the public to exercise caution when entering private sales after three people were arrested following “an online sale gone wrong” in the Gatineau sector.
Officers responded to a call regarding a robbery in a parking lot at 25 chemin de la Savane on the evening of September 21. Police gathered that the individuals met at the location to make an exchange following an online sale.
The press release indicated the two sellers showed up with what appeared to be a firearm and a bladed weapon. “One of them then pointed the gun at the buyer, leading to an altercation between the three individuals,” said police.
All three people were injured during the altercation, with one of the sellers, a 25-year-old man from the Montreal area, still hospitalized as of September 23. The buyer was released without charge, while the 25-year-old seller and the accomplice, who is a minor, will face charges of armed assault, conspiracy, and robbery.
The investigation is ongoing.
Neutral zones
Police advised the public to utilize public spaces during busy hours or secure exchange areas to facilitate transactions following online sales. Secure exchange zones have been deployed to the parking lots of the police stations in the Gatineau and Hull sectors. Identified by blue markings and permanent signage, the neutral zones are under camera surveillance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The neutral zones outside the police stations allow Gatineau residents to facilitate exchanges in a secure location with 24-hour surveillance.
Tips for sellers
As a seller, the police said you should always try to find out about the buyer before making the transaction. If their profile was created recently or provides little information, you should be suspicious. A seller should ensure the validity of the payment before handing over an item to a potential buyer, even if the buyer would like to inspect it before buying.
Tips for buyers
Like being a seller, buyers should learn about the seller before making a transaction. If the seller’s profile provides little information or was created recently, be wary. One should also be cautious if the asking price is much lower than the item’s value, especially if the seller indicates the item is new or rarely used. Asking questions and requesting more photos was also important. Reverse image searches can be done using search engines like “Google Images” to see if the item is listed somewhere else. Buyers should always ask to see the item before making a payment to spot any anomalies from a distance.
Photo (1): Gatineau Police highlight their secure exchange zones in the parking lots of the police stations in the Gatineau and Hull sectors for safe transactions after three people were arrested following an altercation over an online sale.
Photo (1): Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau Website
Photo (2): The neutral zones outside the police stations allow Gatineau residents to facilitate exchanges in a secure location with 24-hour surveillance.
Photo (2): Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau Website
On September 10, the City of Gatineau announced a new support program that will provide financial assistance to existing and start-up residents associations. The conditional announcement came prematurely, ahead of the September 24 municipal council meeting, where the approval of the project will be confirmed. If adopted, “a maximum total amount of $600,000 could be awarded to residents associations,” as early of 2025, compared to the $338,000 granted to the same groups in 2024.
“It is in the city’s interest to increase its support for residents associations, as these organizations play a crucial role in strengthening social cohesion and improving the quality of life in the neighbourhoods,” said Plateau District Councillor and Chair of the Recreation, Sports and Community Development Commission, Bettyna Bélizaire. “By investing more in these associations, the city can not only promote greater solidarity and a sense of belonging among residents, but also ensure more effective management of common areas.”
The city carried out consultations with all of Gatineau’s residents associations between fall 2022 and spring of 2024 to better assess their needs. Together, they turned their focus toward three pressing issues: more financial assistance, better definitions of recognition and eligibility criteria and reinforced support for start-up residents associations.
“This [collaborative] approach laid the foundations of the new program,” the City explained in a press release, adding that beyond the offer of financial aid, this initiative will also improve the current range of services offered by residents associations.
“Increased support promotes local initiatives, strengthens security and stimulates community development, thus contributing to the creation of a more harmonious and dynamic urban environment for all residents,” said Bélizaire.
Based on its adoption at the upcoming council meeting, the new support project would be integrated into the Community Development Support Framework, an initiative aimed at providing residents with the knowledge and skills they need to better their neighbourhoods. In this context, the pilot project could be effective as early as next year, the city says.
Start-up or active residents associations will be able to find more information on available financial assistance and eligibility criteria on the Financial Assistance, Support and Grants page of the municipal website. From there, they will be able to fill out a form to formally submit their request for support.
The city wishes to open this support portal as early as September 25, closing it on October 18 at 4 pm. This will of course be subject to the adoption of the program the day before.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) may have gone too far to stop the mandatory return of federal public servants to the office in downtown Gatineau. In a campaign first called ‘Buy Nothing,’ later renamed ‘Buy Local’— ultimately deleted from the alliance’s social media altogether following backlash — they encouraged public servants to stop frequenting local restaurants during the lunch and happy hours. While their intentions may have been in the right place, their attacks were directed at the wrong targets, said the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce (GCC) in a press release dated September 12.
“We would like to emphasize that the merchants in our city centre are not responsible for these decisions and should not be targeted in this action,” said Etienne Fredette, Director General of the GCC. “They are essential partners in local economic vitality and job creation drivers that support the community.”
The boycott, which only lasted 24 hours before being dismantled, came following the mandatory three-day return to office for public servants working remotely. In a now deleted Instagram post, PSAC urged workers to stop frequenting local businesses in downtown Gatineau and Ottawa. A few hours later, the post was replaced with a campaign to only frequent local restaurants as opposed to big chains.
But the decision to bring employees back to the office is “a problem between the syndicate and the federal government,” Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa stresses. “Small businesses in the city centre in Ottawa are not part of this issue.” He was backed by Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, who added, “With this campaign and boycott, unfortunately, the target is not the right one.”
The alliance, now under hot water and facing pressure from all sides, released a statement on September 12, acknowledging its faults.
“After consulting with local businesses and our members, I recognize that this approach was misguided, and it was never my intention to pit public servants against small businesses,” said Ruth Lau MacDonald, Regional Executive Vice-President for PSAC. “We’re calling on the federal government to work with municipalities and businesses to revitalize downtowns without putting the onus on public servants.”
The ideology that public servants were being brought back to work in-person to revitalize the city core’s economy was a leading factor in the execution of this boycott. It is to be noted that federal workers’ spending increases significantly when they work from the office. Small amounts, all spent downtown in a day’s work, such as gas, parking, breakfast, lunch and/or dinner, drive up their daily tab. The GCC, however, is of the opinion that the “revival of the city centre does not depend exclusively on the presence of public servants.”
“Public servants certainly play an important role in our region, but they are not the only option to ensure the economic and social vitality of our city centre. We have made this mistake in the past and it is crucial not to repeat it,” said Fredette. The GCC named local businesses, professional services and creative and technology industries as entities that build a resilient economy outside of dollars spent by public servants when working downtown.
Despite all this commotion, the government stands firm on its decision to return federal employees to the office three days a week, allocating two days of remote work. The GCC is calling on all stakeholders, including the PSAC to join forces to find solutions that will support workers, businesses and the community alike.
“The economic development of our inner city requires a collaborative and inclusive approach, and we believe it is in everyone’s best interest to foster a prosperous economic environment for residents, businesses and employees.”
Photo caption
Photo #1: The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), who initiated a boycott following the government’s announcement to return federal employees to the office three days a week, found themselves in hot water after dragging local small businesses into their crossfire. (DD) Photo: The Public Service Alliance of Canada.
The Government of Quebec invested $11,576,500 toward renovating and expanding Gatineau’s busiest library in its municipal network.
“The Guy-Sanche Library plays a central cultural role in the community, and it is essential that it continue to offer quality services in an environment adapted to today’s needs,” Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette wrote in a press release. “This expansion and modernization project had become a necessity to meet the expectations of Gatineau residents.”
Located in the Maison de la culture de Gatineau, the library has become a major cultural hub. Having been designed over 30 years ago, the structure now requires sizeable renovations to not only meet the current standards but also the future needs of the population.
Chapleau’s MNA Mathieu Lévesque accompanied Mathieu Lacombe, the Minister of Culture and Communications, Minister responsible for Youth and Minister responsible for the Outaouais region, to make the announcement on September 16. The support stemmed from the Capital Assistance program under the Ministry of Culture and Communications, which will allow the City to receive a contribution of up to 50 per cent of the project’s eligible expenses.
The complete renovation and expansion will total $46.8 million and allow the library to double its current surface area to 5,355 m². Along with the expansion, the existing space will be redeveloped to incorporate areas for children and adolescents, individual and group workshops, new collections as well as multimedia recording and production rooms.
Photo: Fulfilling another campaign commitment, Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette was pleased to receive provincial funding to go toward the expansion and modernization of the Guy-Sanche Library.
The STO, known to oversee and support all major public transit projects, may have some of their workload lightened, as the government is seeking to create a new entity that would manage large-scale development projects.
The bill for the creation of the MIQ comes as studies have started for the city’s tramway project. If adopted, the task force would facilitate the execution of significant transportation initiatives, taking over planning, implementation and decision-making for the STO, who will be consulted periodically. For the transport company’s President Jocelyn Blondin, turning the face of public transportation in Gatineau into consultants for major transport-related projects feels like demotion.
“We must not only be consulted,” he said. “We must be involved at all stages of the project. We recommend that MIQ be obliged to partner with the transport company that will carry out the operation from the beginning of the project.
The project in question, being the city’s tramway, has been handled by STO’s Tram Project Office, which has been overseeing the file up until this point. In addition to the possible dismantling of STO’s task force, the adoption of this bill could represent a lot of changes for the company, the most significant being finances, as they would now assume expenses that were once entirely government funded.
“Capital projects are currently funded by governments,” they detailed in a press release. “A project under the supervision of Mobilité Infra Québec will require a contribution from the STO or the city. The amount could also be decided unilaterally by the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Development. For the STO, capital financing must continue to be 100 per cent assumed by governments.”
This stance was echoed in the parliamentary committee meeting on September 17, where the STO asked that the MIQ be excluded from projects that are related to day-to-day operations and the regular planning of public transport services. Shortly after the meeting, STO released a list of recommendations should the government move forward with the creation of MIQ.
Eliminate the need for government authorization for public transport companies to exercise powers related to selling or developing property to reduce delays. STO also seeks to remove a clause on property sales, as this authority is already granted under existing laws governing these companies;
Amend the Public Transport Companies Act (PTCA) to give public transportation companies the means to promote the real estate development of public transport sites and enable public transportation companies to partner with private entities for construction on transport infrastructure and adjacent real estate developments;
Amend section 92.0.8 of the proposed PTCA to provide that the financial consideration made must benefit the financing of the public transport infrastructure project, or its maintenance, its operation or the provision of services of the transport company according to percentages to be defined jointly by MIQ and the project operator;
Specify the mission assigned to MIQ, in particular by indicating in section 4 of the MIQ Act, that complex transport projects refer to major public road projects, excluding operational tasks like garage expansions, asset maintenance, or improvements to systems central to transport companies, such as fleet management or ticketing;
Clarify MIQ’s areas of intervention and responsibilities in sections 5 and 29 of the MIQ Act, specifying that MIQ’s mobility planning duties do not include the regular planning of a transport company’s public services;
Define MIQ’s responsibilities to exclude regular planning of public transport services from its mobility planning duties in sections 5 and 29 of the MIQ Act;
Provide, in the MIQ Act, that MIQ projects are automatically operated by local transport companies, unless the company is unable to do so;
Provide, in section 74 of the MIQ Act, that the government, municipalities, and transport companies need to negotiate agreements on financing maintenance, operation, and development costs of the project; and,
MIQ’s governance must include expertise in universal accessibility and disability transportation, and it must have the necessary resources for planning and developing accessible infrastructure in all projects.
While MIQ’s future is still far from being set in stone, the STO is prepared to put their foot down in order to continue assuming leading responsibilities on all large-scale development projects in Gatineau.
After all, “The STO will have to respond to the population when the project is in place,” Blondin pointed out. “It is therefore important that it is involved in the different steps to ensure that it is accountable.”
Photo caption
Photo #1: As the city continues to advance research for the tramway project, the government is looking to create a new task force that would take over the tram and all major transportation projects in Gatineau. As the face of public transit in the city, STO is firm on keeping their leading position on all transportation matters. (DD) Photo: Tramway Gatineau-Ottawa
‘Put Yourself In My Place,’ an anti-racism and discrimination campaign created by Gatineau youth, has been officially launched. The city’s Youth Commission collaborated with young people to create 39 capsule videos highlighting microaggressions faced by racialized students. The videos, each one minute or less, capture an “experience through testimony followed by a suggestion to prevent such a situation from happening again.” The capsules, which all end on a positive note, will be broadcast across Gatineau secondary schools and on AdoGatineau.ca throughout the 2024-2025 school year.
The campaign targets teenagers aged 12 to 17, as well as parents, staff of educational institutions and youth-related organizations, with the objective to demystify microaggressions, which are often overlooked. The first step is understanding, detailed co-chairs of the Youth Commission, Tiffany-Lee Norris Parent and Rosalie Bureau, in a press release.
“Microaggressions are usually manifested by a trivial comment or gesture, but which can be hurtful or denigrating for the person who receives it. The Youth Commission wanted to set up a campaign to raise awareness among teenagers about this phenomenon, because it is often difficult to change a behavior that we do not understand. We are therefore very happy to deploy this campaign throughout the next school year and we invite teenagers to discover the capsules.”
The project was made possible as part of the City’s 2021-2024 Action Plan for Cultural Diversity and Living Together in Gatineau. The capsule videos, which feature a wide range of students, all varying in age and race, covers racism, microaggressions and different subject matters, such as body diversity, sexual diversity, agism and sexism. A guide for parents has also been produced to guide them in having intentional conversations about racism, discrimination and related heavy topics with their children.
All the capsule videos, as well as the guide for adults, are available on AdoGatineau.ca, a platform geared to teenagers which offers a multitude of services and resources.
Photo caption
Photo #1: The Gatineau Youth Commission has launched 39 capsule videos to sensitize youth to microaggressions faced by racialized students. From left to right: Alicia Lacasse-Brunet, Esther Beaudry, Tiffany-Lee Norris and members of the Youth Commission. (DD) Photo: Courtesy of the City of Gatineau
The City of Gatineau is actively seeking former employees who held positions in the aquatic sector after June 29, 2016, regarding possible salary adjustments as part of the city’s wage equity program.
“As many of them may have moved or left the region, an appeal is made to the population to trace them,” the city detailed in a press release on September 12. “They may be eligible for a retroactive salary adjustment under the ongoing pay equity process.”
The positions qualifying for the adjustment for the period June 29, 2016 to June 28, 2021, include chief pool lifeguard supervisors, head of beach lifeguard supervisors, monitors, chief monitors, and specialists I and II. For the period starting June 29, 2021, the positions targeted are the same but also include receptionists and assistant lifeguard supervisors.
Automatic deposits will be made into the rightful owners’ bank accounts until the end of December 2024; however, payments can only be issued with up-to-date contact and banking information on file. Therefore, people who have moved since holding one of the jobs listed above should send an email to rh.remuneration@gatineau.ca in order to supply their updated information. Forms for notice of change of address and direct deposits are available on the municipal site under Pay Equity, in the Careers section.
If the personal information is still the same, former employees do not have to contact the municipality. It is unclear whether a deadline to receive the forms has been set; however, salary adjustments for the aquatic sector will not be made past the end of the year.
Limbour’s Canine Companions proudly announced the official opening of a new canine exercise area at Lamarche Park. Fourth of its kind, following Buckingham, Hull and Aylmer, the canine park will offer owners and dogs alike a space to stretch their legs. The ceremonial inauguration, which took place on September 12, welcomed residents and their four-legged companions in large numbers.
“After several years of planning, consultation and construction, we are proud to finally welcome the community to this dedicated space,” said the canine association’s president Stéphane Dubeau. “This is a safe and accessible space for dogs to run around and socialize with other dogs, it is also a gathering space intended to be as welcoming as possible for dog owners, who can enjoy a pleasant visit and a moment of socialization among each other.”
This project, which has been in the works since 2020, is the fruit of a close collaboration between Limbour’s Canine Companions and the City of Gatineau, who invested over $300,000. Infrastructure issues, notably the location of the park, which is located under Hydro-Québec aerial property, delayed construction. The canine park, extending on 3,000 square metres, was built under Hydro-Québec transmission lines, placing them directly on a transmission right-of-way.
“A transmission right-of-way is a strip of land used to install, operate, maintain and repair overhead and underground transmission lines. The width of a right-of-way depends on the voltage of the line, among other criteria,” details the hydro website. In the event that something, such as this exercise area were to be built in the right-of-way, Hydro-Québec gains full access and ownership of the building(s) and land it resides on, “aerial and underground servitude, leases and public land access agreements.”
While Dubeau, the association’s president, confirmed this information, stating there were “minor delays due to Hydro-Québec, because the dog run is under a Hydro-Québec right-of-way,” he did not detail how they came to a resolution allowing them to move ahead with the project. It is unclear if Hydro-Québec has maintained its ownership of the land and aerial space above it.
Nonetheless, he believes every obstacle was worth it in order to create an environment for dogs to exercise safely. Now that it is in operation, the canine exercise park is the first of its kind to be entirely run by a non-profit organization in Gatineau and it has been met with positive feedback.
“Residents of the Limbour district and surrounding area have expressed considerable enthusiasm and support for this project, demonstrating their desire to provide facilities for the entertainment and socialization of their pets,” said Jordan Larochelle, who volunteers for Limbour’s Canine Companions.
The opening of the exercise park is the first phase of a two-part plan for the canine association that wishes to install lights, dog sand for water accumulation and a rock stone trail with the money they raise this year.
For the time being, Limbour’s Canine Companions say they’re simply thrilled to offer Gatineau residents a park with modern, safe facilities to provide a place for relaxation and outdoor activities.
Photo caption
Photo #1: After four long years of delays, construction and negotiations, Limbour’s Canine Companions have officially opened their canine exercise area within the Lamarche Park at 33 Stéphane St. (DD) Photo: Djeneba Dosso
The Public Service Alliance of Canada, the union representing federal employees, is backtracking after its National Capital Region chapter urged its members to “buy nothing” downtown on in-office days.
As of September 9, federal public servants have been mandated to work in the office for a minimum of three days per week, or four for executives, in accordance with the federal government’s new hybrid work policy.
Since the announcement of the return-to-work protocols in May, the labour union has challenged the cookie-cutter approach, deeming telework the best solution.
“Remote work has transformed the way we work. The Government of Canada has an opportunity to shape the future of work in ways that benefit not only workers but our communities,” read the labour union website.
Two days into the mandate, the chapter posted to Instagram encouraging its members to limit spending by packing their own lunches and buying from small local businesses.
“The needs of the downtown core shouldn’t fall on the back of workers and the federal public service,” wrote the union. “Our working conditions shouldn’t be leveraged by politicians to appease commercial interests.”
Concerned with what it refers to as a “boycott campaign”, the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce issued a press release, stating the downtown merchants were not responsible for return-to-work decisions and should not be targeted.
“Civil servants certainly play an important role in our region, but they are not the only option for ensuring the economic and social vitality of our downtown core. We have made this mistake in the past and it is crucial not to repeat it,” wrote the general manager of the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce Etienne Fredette.
The chamber invited constructive dialogue and common solutions to support a sustainable and diversified recovery of the downtown core. “It is imperative to build a resilient economy, capable of adapting to changes while meeting the needs of the community,” wrote Fredette.
The union’s post was removed the following day and replaced by a statement from the regional executive vice president Ruth Lau MacDonald, clarifying the chapter was not calling for a boycott of downtown businesses.
“After speaking to local business leaders and our members, I acknowledge that this approach was misguided, and our intention has never been to pit federal workers against small downtown businesses,” wrote Lau MacDonald.
The union recognized the challenges small business owners downtown faced with the COVID-19 pandemic and apologized for the confusion.
“At the same time, it’s important to remember that remote work has allowed small businesses outside the downtown core to thrive by giving workers the opportunity to support businesses in the neighbourhoods where they live and raise their families.”
Lau MacDonald argued that these businesses will also suffer as public service workers return to the downtown core. “We’re asking for the federal government to work together with municipalities and the business community to revitalize our city centres – without putting the burden on the federal workers.”
Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette agreed that bringing our downtown core into a new age could not be placed on the shoulders of public servants.
“That’s why we’re moving forward on supporting commerce to really have an attractive offer in the downtown area, not just during office hours but so that people want to come on weekends, evenings, to enjoy the cultural offer of restaurants and shops,” said Marquis-Bissonnette.
Photo: Public Service Alliance of Canada’s executive vice president of the National Capital Region apologies after the union encouraged its members to minimize spending downtown as return-to-work protocols come into effect.
Photo: Public Service Alliance of Canada Instagram
Saint-Rédempteur Park is to be redeveloped as Gatineau makes way for the relocation of 33 tents and 37 trailers while construction is underway at the Robert-Guertin Centre site.
“People experiencing homelessness are full-fledged citizens of the City of Gatineau and it is our duty to have everything in place to ensure that they have dignified living conditions that respect their person,” Hull-Wright district councillor and Commissioner for the Fight Against Homelessness Steve Moran.
While the City moves forward with Village Transition with the hope of opening the container village before the winter, those experiencing homelessness on the site will have to be relocated to allow for construction to begin.
Based on Gatineau’s analysis, Saint-Rédempteur Park would allow for easier set up of the tents in the short-term over the Allumettières area. To facilitate the move, the park will undergo three weeks of redevelopment to remove the play structures and vegetation.
Given the fragility of the red tents left over from the first phase of Devcore’s homelessness solution, 30 new tents will be installed at the site following the redevelopment work. As for the trailers, the site could possibly accommodate all the mobile homes, according to a presentation from the city. The temporary sanitary block was currently undergoing winterization to be accessible this winter while awaiting the installation of the permanent block.
“Gatineau is making sustained efforts to work collaboratively and implement structuring solutions. The solutions we are providing now are a first step in a series of actions that will be necessary to meet everyone’s needs,” said Moran.
Photo: The City of Gatineau provides a draft model of the plans for the Robert-Guertin Centre site to accommodate people experiencing homelessness.
On September 10, the City of Gatineau announced a new support program that will provide financial assistance to existing and start-up residents associations. The conditional announcement came prematurely, ahead of the September 24 municipal council meeting, where the approval of the project will be confirmed. If adopted, “a maximum total amount of $600,000 could be awarded to residents associations,” as early of 2025, compared to the $338,000 granted to the same groups in 2024.
“It is in the city’s interest to increase its support for residents associations, as these organizations play a crucial role in strengthening social cohesion and improving the quality of life in the neighbourhoods,” said Plateau District Councillor and Chair of the Recreation, Sports and Community Development Commission, Bettyna Bélizaire. “By investing more in these associations, the city can not only promote greater solidarity and a sense of belonging among residents, but also ensure more effective management of common areas.”
The city carried out consultations with all of Gatineau’s residents associations between fall 2022 and spring of 2024 to better assess their needs. Together, they turned their focus toward three pressing issues: more financial assistance, better definitions of recognition and eligibility criteria and reinforced support for start-up resident associations.
“This [collaborative] approach laid the foundations of the new program,” the City explained in a press release, adding that beyond the offer of financial aid, this initiative will also improve the current range of services offered by residents associations.
“Increased support promotes local initiatives, strengthens security and stimulates community development, thus contributing to the creation of a more harmonious and dynamic urban environment for all residents,” said Bélizaire.
Based on its adoption at the upcoming council meeting, the new support project would be integrated into the Community Development Support Framework, an initiative aimed at providing residents with the knowledge and skills they need to better their neighbourhoods. In this context, the pilot project could be effective as early as next year, the city says.
Start-up or active residents associations will be able to find more information on available financial assistance and eligibility criteria on the Financial Assistance, Support and Grants page of the municipal website. From there, they will be able to fill out a form to formally submit their request for support.
The city wishes to open up this support portal as early as September 25, closing it on October 18 at 4 pm. This will of course be subject to the adoption of the program the day before.
The pressure is on while Gatineau reconfigures the Guertin site to make way for new projects like the Village Transition. This comes at a time when the city has claimed leadership in tackling homelessness.
“The work that’s being done, and will continue to be done by the teams, is really about support, because we don’t want to weaken people who are already vulnerable,” said Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette. “It’s really a case-by-case dialogue, and then seeing how we’re able to support people.”
The former home to the Gatineau Olympiques made the list of demolitions in late February due to its “significant level of deterioration.” A $2.1 million contract for the deconstruction of the arena was awarded in June and it was expected to take at least a year.
The deconstruction of the Robert-Guertin Centre would allow for undertakings like social housing on rue de Carillon, Gîte Ami’s Mon Calme project, and Village Transition to take shape.
The temporary and transitional village solution came as a second phase in a homelessness solution from Devcore after the company provided 48 heated tents to the arena parking lot last winter. The village would take the shape of 60 shipping containers managed by Transition Québec and house up to 100 people for a transitional period of two to five years as they seek permanent accommodation.
But to house more than 50 containers, trailers that currently reside on the Guertin site will have to be reorganized and some may be removed, said Marquis-Bissonnette.
“We don’t want to remove them all, because in fact, what we’re dealing with at the moment, is the transition. It’s the transition between before and after the arrival of the Transition Québec site.”
Over the last year, trailers have arrived on the grounds of the Robert-Guertin Centre. Marquis- Bissonnette said their numbers have increased over the months. According to the City’s data, 70 per cent of those residing in the trailers would like to integrate into one of the containers.
“The idea is not to weaken them until they can integrate into a Transition Québec container. When I say “weaken”, I mean turn them around in a timely manner because the reality is that a trailer is still an improvement in conditions for people experiencing homelessness compared to a tent. But some trailers are going to have to be removed because we’re going to need space to do these jobs.”
Marquis-Bissonnette said the removal of the trailers would be on a case-by-case basis but the mobile homes facing advanced dilapidation would not make the cut.
“The idea is to get people to move with us and then bring them into a continuum of service that meets their needs … Ultimately, these projects on the Guertin site will help improve quality of life and offer services, so they’re essential.”
Photo: The 67-year-old Robert-Guertin Centre is set for deconstruction to allow for new projects aimed to combat homelessness to take shape.
Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette said the City was making strides in terms of economic recovery and homelessness since being sworn in three months ago.
“I would say that things are going very well, both with the work with the administration and the work with colleagues around the table. We feel that we have winning conditions to move forward,” said Marquis-Bissonnette.
With the upcoming budget, the mayor said she hoped there would be significant amounts “that have never been invested since the municipal merger” for the revival of the downtown core. The funds would go to several fronts but particularly to infrastructure.
“We know that one way to revive the economy is to invest in our own municipal infrastructure to attract business,” she said.
When it came to breathing new life into the downtown core, Marquis-Bissonnette said the solution could not rely on the return of civil servants, who since September 9 have been required to work in their offices at least three days per week.
“That’s why we’re moving forward in terms of supporting commerce to really have an attractive downtown offering, not just during business hours but so that people want to come on weekends, in the evenings, to enjoy the cultural offerings of restaurants and businesses.”
To get there, Marquis-Bissonnette hopes Gatineau will become the first major city in Quebec to implement development charges to fund infrastructure projects like the widening work on Vanier Road.
Along with firsts in economic development, the mayor expected Gatineau to take the lead on tackling homelessness but only on the condition that the Government of Quebec provide resources on top of the $5 million already set aside in the municipal budget.
“This is the situation we are seeing right now in Guertin and in other areas of the City. It is the result of a continuum of services that are not adequate for people experiencing homelessness.”
While the responsibility for homelessness does not fall to the City, Gatineau has had to indirectly combat the growing issue as it is “in its own backyard.” In the last four years, homelessness has increased by 268 per cent in Outaouais compared to 36 per cent in Montreal or 33 per cent in Quebec City.
“We are by far the region where there is a greater increase in homelessness, and I think Quebec City understands that.”
By taking leadership, Gatineau planned to be the connecting link between stakeholders and services to provide those experiencing homelessness with more robust and complete services. What form these resources from Quebec are to take has yet to be specified but “will take a lot of time.”
Photo: Mayor of Gatineau Maude Marquis-Bissonnette gathers journalists at the Maison du citoyen to highlight the major projects that will guide the work of council in the coming weeks.
Last Tuesday, the City of Gatineau’s Scientific Council listed artificial intelligence, climate change, roaming and sustainable mobility as the four priorities that will guide their research. Over the next year, the team of researchers, made up of six scholars from the UQO, will use their findings to make recommendations to the city on various issues.
While the concept of chief scientists isn’t new in Quebec, this type of advisory board, made up of experts who can analyze topics and propose suggestions to elected officials, is a first. The Scientific Council is required to propose a list of priorities to city officials, as they have recently done, and their proposals will be reviewed for approval by city council on September 24.
In the meantime, the Scientific Council, a relatively new player in the field, is taking into consideration potential challenges, risks and opportunities they may face. Ana Flavia Alves, director of the Organizational Performance and Business Intelligence and Scientific Department of the City of Gatineau, told CBC News Ottawa-Gatineau that this year, their goal is to better define the roles of stakeholders. “We have tried to clarify the roles and responsibilities as much as possible, but we may have to adjust in this first year of operation,” she said. “One of the objectives of the Council is to keep the municipal council informed of the progress in research, while recalling that the Council aims to support decisions of the elected representatives of Gatineau.”
Now that the Scientific Council has chosen its priorities, they are in the process of reflecting on effective ways to share information with citizens and the municipal council. Hiccups and bumps in the road are expected, as this is the first time a scientific council has been adopted in Quebec. However, the response from city officials and residents has been overwhelmingly positive and welcoming, which must be encouraging for the six researchers tasked with making suggestions that will affect the whole of Gatineau.
Gatineau Police went out on a wild goose chase as early as 4 am on September 6 to locate a man who had shown up at a depanneur on Lorrain Boulevard with what appeared to be a firearm. Later, authorities would discover that the same man was responsible for the theft of two firearms from a vehicle. Both weapons were stolen the night before.
A little earlier, authorities were called to the convenience store in Gatineau’s Rivière-Blanche sector concerning a man who was standing outside, in possession of what seemed to be “a long weapon.” While the mysterious man did not make any threatening gestures or disturbing remarks, he would present himself as a soldier to justify his possession of the weapon. When the police arrived at the scene, the man had vanished.
The information collected at the scene quickly indicated that this man was a regular and that “he possibly lived in a camp located in a nearby woodland.” Police easily located the camp, but the man was nowhere to be found. However, they did receive crucial and incriminating information at the scene.
“When the police located the camp, the individual was not there,” the police-issued press release read. “The police were able to seize two firearms (hunting weapons) as well as ammunition. The checks allowed the police to find the owner of the weapons, who informed them that they had been stolen during that night from his vehicle.”
The police, who spent a good part of the early hours of Friday morning looking for the suspect, were able to locate and arrest him shortly before 6:45 am on Boulevard Lorrain near the intersection of Rue des Fleurs.
The man, who is 34 years old and from Gatineau, was transported to the police station to be met by investigators. He will remain in custody until he appears before the Quebec Court.
Gatineau Police reminds residents that, while it is not prohibited by law to store firearms in a vehicle if all regulations are respected, “zero risk does not exist.” They recommend that firearm owners refrain from leaving them in a vehicle longer than necessary and that they avoid leaving them unattended.
If you’ve recently received a suspicious call from a financial institution’s fraud department alerting you of fraudulent activity on your debit or credit cards, you may have been victim of an elaborate scheme. These fraudsters, with intent to steal their victims’ credit card information and personal identification numbers (PINs), are known to cosplay as bank advisors, police officers or Canada Post postmen. These disguises allow them to obtain access to personal information inconspicuously. The Gatineau Police, who has received over a hundred complaints regarding this scheme since the beginning of last March, released prevention tips on September 5.
“Even for the savviest among us, it can be really hard to know when we’re being conned,” Jay FitzGerald, a TD Bank Fraud Risk Manager told TD Stories. “First, scammers get your attention, mostly by email or phone but sometimes in person. Then they work to win your trust, at which point they’ll go for the score.”
False representative fraud usually involves two or more perpetrators who all play different roles in obtaining both victim’s trust and personal information. Perpetrator One will be charged with initiating contact. Usually by phone but sometimes in email form, they will present themselves as a bank fraud officer and swiftly alert the victim that fraud has been committed on their card. Now panicked, the victim will likely ask for instructions on the best course of action, at which point the perpetrator will reassure the victim, letting them know someone will come pick up the card at their home. This is when the second perpetrator will make his entrance, the police press release details.
“This accomplice is presented as an employee of Canada Post, a colleague of the financial institution he says he represents or a police officer. Some victims give the cards in person to the accomplice, but the majority of them following the instructions of the interlocutor who keeps them online until his accomplice recovers said cards, leave them in a sealed envelope in their mailbox.”
Fraudsters then use the cards to make purchases and withdrawals at varying locations to avoid suspicion. The victims, who may overlook mysterious charges thinking the issue is being resolved by the bank fraud officer they spoke to, usually takes some time to realize they have really been scammed.
The thieves behind these schemes target clients from various financial institutions. They know how to be convincing and ensure “they have enough information about their victims to put them in confidence and convince them to hand over all their cards.”
The Gatineau Police is urging residents to stay vigilant when accepting calls.
“Fraudsters have more than one trick up their sleeve,” they warn. “Current technology allows fraudsters to bring up any number on your display, so even if the number displayed corresponds to that of your banking institution, beware.”
As a prevention tip, they advise to hang up and dial the number indicated on the back of the card when receiving a call from someone who claims to work for a financial institution.
“Fraudsters are skilled,” they add. “They will try to create a sense of urgency in you and will urge you to reveal confidential information to them.”
The best call is always to avoid giving up personal identification numbers (PINs) or card numbers on the phone, especially to an interlocutor whose identity you have not been able to confirm.
While the number of fake representative fraud schemes continues to climb, a little vigilance is all it could take to avoid being scammed.
“If in doubt, hang up and contact your police department,” concluded the Gatineau Police.
The online sleuthing of a theft victim led to the recovery of their high-value bicycle that was stolen from the grounds of the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival.
In the early hours of September 2, an Abitibi resident noticed their expensive bicycle missing from the festival site and filed an online complaint with the Gatineau Police. After some research online, an advertisement was found matching the stolen bike, and the victim reported it to the police.
Officers set up an appointment with the seller to purchase the bicycle the following day. A 37- year-old man and a 41-year-old woman, both from Gatineau, were arrested at the meeting point. The individuals were released following questioning by investigators and the bicycle was returned to its owner. Charges for theft, possession of property obtained by crime, and trafficking property obtained by crime were submitted to the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions.
Photo caption: A theft victim’s vigilance led Gatineau Police to the arrest of two suspects for stealing a high-value bicycle at the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival.
Photo credit: Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau Facebook Page
Thanks to the vigilance of the City of Gatineau and district councillor Alicia Lacasse-Brunet, Bellevue residents impacted by sewage backflow from tropical storm Debby are now able to apply for financial assistance from the Government of Quebec.
“The recent sewer backups in our neighbourhood have had a major impact on many homes, and I’d like to express my full solidarity with those affected,” said Lacasse-Brunet.
The passage of tropical storm Debby brought heavy rains on August 9 and 10, causing extensive flooding and soil movement in the southern portion of the province. Quebec’s Minister of Public Security François Bonnardel quickly announced that financial assistance would be available for eligible municipalities under the General Disaster Financial Assistance Program.
The assistance program works as a last resort measure to support those impacted by certain disasters that do not fall under insurance policies. Expenses like temporary preventive measures, damage to eligible personal property, and emergency work would qualify for financial assistance and compensation.
Almost a week later, the minister clarified the terms and conditions of the assistance program and invited disaster victims who were unsure of their eligibility to submit a claim. Bonnardel reminded citizens to first look to their private insurer before seeking additional assistance through the government program.
“Insurers must assume their responsibilities and compensate citizens according to the terms of their insurance policy. Now, in some cases, we understand that the causes of the losses experienced by several citizens are multiple. That’s why we’ll be looking closely at claims involving mixed causes, such as overflowing waterways leading to sewer backups,” Bonnardel wrote in a press release.
When the rain was at its heaviest, Lacasse-Brunet was on the ground to relay citizens’ concerns and observations to the municipal teams “to ensure a rapid, coordinated response.”
“I’d like to thank Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette for her support and proactivity. She was able to get all the stakeholders around the table to get clear explanations of the situation and plan the next steps, in addition to offering an information session to citizens,” said the Bellevue district councillor.
In a press briefing on August 21, Marquis-Bissonnette told reporters that city crews were tending to the damage.
“There are several explanations for the sewer backup in (the Zone Blanche) sector but what is clear is it’s a situation that is not acceptable. We will have to propose a certain number of actions,” said Marquis-Bissonnette. “We are in the process of developing an action plan for this sector in particular. There will be short-term actions and longer-term actions to ensure that the situation is resolved.”
Among the actions undertaken or planned for the neighbourhood were inspections of the sanitary network’s observation shafts and sewer covers, installing a flow restrictor on the splash pad at Roberval Park, as well as having teams carry out random inspections during heavy rain to find homes with illegal foundation drain connections, which are the source of network saturation.
Photo caption: Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette says city crews are on the ground dealing with the damage inflicted by tropical storm Debby.
Photo credit: Screenshot of Mêlée de presse du 21 août 2024 – Comité exécutif
As public servants and children return to work and school, STO is gearing up to meet the demand that has come with increased ridership by reinstating popular routes. Last week, during their general assembly, the transportation society’s board of directors announced all the improvements that will come into effect this winter.
The ridership seen on the network in recent months and the workforce forecast are the best STO has seen in years revealed Jocelyn Blondin, Chairman of the STO’s Board of Directors. “For the first time since the start of the pandemic, we’re in a position to add service this winter,” she stated.
Already, the STO has hit the ground running by increasing recruitment efforts, which will be vital in carrying out their winter service plan. As of January 6, 2025, the public transit service plans to reinstate routes 100 and 200 during peak hours, giving riders direct access to downtown Gatineau and Ottawa. Route 400 will be maintained during off-peak hours. Additionally, Sunday service will be upgraded to match Saturday service, meaning earlier and later ride options for passengers. The last change to be adopted in January will be a single schedule for weekends and holidays.
These changes come in accordance with the orientations and the decision made by the municipal council, which is committed to improving the city’s transportation services as early as 2026, explains Blondin. “As you can see, we’re already in action.”
This initiative comes after many outcries from Gatineau residents surrounding the city’s “outdated” public transit service. By adopting these improvements, STO is hoping to meet some of the demands of the riders who depend on their services. A communications campaign to advertize the service changes that will come into effect this winter will be launched in the coming weeks.
The City of Gatineau has commissioned a mural for the Allumettières who, 100 years ago, mobilized and then sensitized the community to better working conditions for women during the second labour conflict. The dedicated mural, which is a part of ‘The Allumettières, 100 years later’ project, is currently in progress on the Marché de l’Outaouais (MDO) building.
“The chosen location for this art piece is no coincidence,” reveals Léo Bret, who is currently in charge of development within the MDO. “Our wall was chosen because it is located in the heart of Old Hull, on Eddy Street. As a result, MDO is ‘the canvas’ of [the mural] painted by Quebec artist Danae Brissonnet.”
Brissonnet, who usually works alone, but created this mural with the help of her mother, specializes in public murals, illustrations, mask making and puppetry. Her work, which can be found on buildings across Canada, Mexico and the U.S., is easily distinguished through its bright colours and bold shapes. The Quebec muralist, who draws a clear emphasis on symbolism, mythology and metaphor in her work, lets her artistic process be guided by dreams.
“I think about a theme for several days, do some research and then the images come naturally,” she told the Gatineau Bulletin. “For this mural, feathery colours came up a lot, as did themes like jaws lost to white phosphorus and female workers on industrial assembly lines, like little people entering a big machine. I also reflected on the poetry of matches: instantaneity, light, fire, creation and destruction and the oppositions between life and death.”
For the young muralist, the location of this piece was a no-brainer, as it is closely linked to the values of solidarity and community “just like the associations that promote local products and mutual aid,” she said. The sentiment was shared by the MDO.
“We’re very pleased with this initiative. It’s a work of art that belongs to everyone, and that everyone should make their own in order to enjoy it to the fullest,” Bret said. “This initiative a great opportunity for us to continue promoting our activities and we hope that the City of Gatineau will continue with similar projects in the future.”
Brissonnet, who is currently finalizing the mural on 71 Eddy Street, will also be creating a puppet show around the Allumettières women to inaugurate the mural. The details of the show have yet to be released but she expressed her excitement on her role in this project.
“The Allumettières created the first women’s union in Quebec, and I think that’s an incredible story to tell.”
Photo caption:
Photo #1: Quebec muralist Danae Brissonnet poses with her mother in front of the almost-finished mural on 71 Eddy Street. The piece was commissioned by the City of Gatineau to honour the Allumettières for their work 100 years ago to improve working conditions and promote better wages for women. (DD) Photo: Courtesy
It would not be a Gatineau summer without its annual Hot Air Balloon Festival. The iconic summer send-off began on August 29 and stretched into Labour Day weekend, ending on September 2. Stakes were high for the 37th edition as it was succeeding last summer’s nearly perfect festival which saw a record-breaking attendance of over 225,000, generating $15 million in economic spinoff for the Outaouais region. This year, the five-day festival featured twenty hot air balloons of different colours, shapes and sizes “set to soar to new heights” with all new entertainment and thrilling attractions for everyone.
Music lovers were spoiled with performances from top artists, notably, country star and three-time CCMA Artist of the Year Dallas Smith, Jonathan Roy, Dave Fenley and world-renowned artist and recent Juno Awards winner, Charlotte Cardin as the headliner. They shared the stage with local artists during the all-rap evening on Sunday featuring the biggest names in Quebec rap: Souldia, FouKi, Koriass and Die-On, just to name a few. A selection of DJs tasked with keeping the energy high were on rotation throughout the weekend.
Other forms of entertainment included a three-tier graffiti competition, Silent Disco, car shows and twenty rides for all ages at the Beauce Carnaval amusement park. Monday, September 2 marked Family Day, sponsored by Desjardins and “dedicated to creating unforgettable memories for families.” From 10:30 am to 5 pm, children 10 and under enjoyed family-friendly activities and live shows. In the evening, eventgoers watched multimedia shows and fireworks.
The hot air balloons evening flights, the clear stars of the show, were scheduled to take place every evening around 6:30 pm, weather permitting. This year, hot air balloon rides cost $395 pre-tax. It was also possible for eventgoers to gain access to the festival grounds around 6 am from Friday to Monday to watch the hot air balloons take off.
Photo caption
Photo #1: Gatineau’s annual summer send-off event was back for its 37th edition from August 29 to September 2 at La Baie Park. (DD) Photo: Courtesy
The Apollo Community Centre has officially reopened after modernization work began in Spring 2023 to update the building. The goal of this work was to create a vibrant hub for community life in Gatineau, enabling residents to gather, learn, and create.
“The reopening of the Apollo Community Center marks an important milestone for our community. With the inauguration of this Art Hive in Gatineau, we offer our citizens an inclusive and creative space where everyone, whatever their age or experience, can explore and express their artistic potential,” said Gatineau Mayor, Maude Marquis-Bissonnette. “This renovated center will become a true home for sharing, learning and cultural innovation for all.”
The work included replacing the shingle roof and gutters, replacing windows and doors, renovating basement bathrooms, improving foundation, and installing air ventilation in the kitchen. Other improvement projects include replacing the flooring in the basement and stairwells and painting the walls. The $527,620.28 contract was given to AppellFred inc, who completed the work.
Internal team with the City of Gatineau completed the renovation and modernization of the kitchen, installed a music room, organized the creation of a mural by artist Samuelle Desjardins, and redeveloped the art room. The city also installed internet and Wi-Fi in the building. New furniture was acquired to make the space functional for residents.
Located at 520 rue Carle in Gatineau. The community center hosted an event last Saturday, August 24, welcoming families to participate in various activities. Participants were able to explore the centre’s new facilities, discover the Art Hive and take part in activities such as musical and artistic workshops.
Along with the reopening, the community center launched the La Ruche d’Art Apollo, a project created as part of the city’s new cultural policy. The “Art Hive” is a welcoming space where individuals can explore their creativity. Art and craft material is provided for free and allows participants to explore their artistic side. La Ruche d’Art Apollo, is part of an international network of Art Hives, an initiative that offers citizens of all ages free access to a variety of cultural activities, that explores creativity and fosters artistic expression.
Located at 520 rue Carle in Gatineau. The community center hosted an event on August 24, welcoming families to participate in various activities. Participants were able to explore the centre’s new facilities, discover the Art Hive and take part in activities such as musical and artistic workshops. A team for local libraries was also on site to issue temporary Accès Gatineau cards so participants can register for cultural activities happening in the upcoming months.
On August 28, the Vieux-Gatineau’s business association – AGAP – inaugurated Placette Main, a temporary outdoor public space conveniently located between 348 and 368 Main Street. The lively square equipped with picnic tables, benches, lawn chairs, books and craft materials will house a total of 34 free activities between September and October, proving the fast-approaching fall is no excuse to lock yourself inside.
“For several years, we’ve been looking for a place to liven up Main Street. We wanted people to be able to come together and make the street their own, to live on it and also to support the businesses present by stimulating local purchasing,” said Daniel Baril, AGAP president.
Bringing this project to life was no easy feat, requiring countless consultations with residents, associations, nearby business owners and City officials in its early days. AGAP worked closely with the City of Gatineau who authorized the two-month-long road closure where the square is located and donated $43,500 and $20,000 as part of their Dynamization and Building Safer Communities Funds. Later, they were tasked with hiring instructors, artists, storytellers and game masters to animate the space weekly alongside artists and layout designers to bring the space to life. Despite the numerous public consultations over the last year, some residents still felt concerns about the possible disturbances that come with the space, notably noise past business hours, the inconvenience of the Main Street closure and the ethical use of the space after-hours. Baril is adamant about appeasing these concerns.
“We are aware that the temporary closure brings with it certain challenges for nearby businesses and residents, but speeding issues, the proximity of the school corridor and increasing acts of vandalism prompt us to take action to encourage preventive appropriation of the ambient street by the population, customers and businesspeople, with a view to allowing safe gathering.”
This is a pilot project, he said, adding that residents will be invited to complete a survey later in the season to assess where AGAP went wrong and what they got right.
From September to October, Placette Main will host activities for all ages weekly, except in the event of rain at which point all activities are subject to cancellation. Activities will vary from one day to another to reach the largest possible audience. The pilot project will culminate in two months at AGAP’s October 27 Halloween party, after which Placette Main will close for the season.
The full programming for all 34 activities can be found on AGAP’s Facebook page. A condensed list featuring recurring activities in September and October can be found below:
Wednesdays: “Casse la croûte avec…” Business owners, local workers and telecommuters have the chance to go out, buy a meal nearby or bring their own lunch and attend one of the eight speed-networking lunch events. Each week a new company will come and present their product or services, bringing a small gift or treat for attendees. These events will be held over the lunch hour between 11:30 am and 1 pm. A list of the organizations to present will be released on AGAP’s Facebook page.
Thursdays: Every other Thursday starting on September 12, families and friends are invited to join Les Dés Agréables for board games night from 6 to 8 pm.
Saturdays: On Saturday mornings, Carol-Ann Crépeau and Natacha Gargantiel will offer guided outdoor yoga sessions starting at 10 am. While yoga mats will not be provided, childcare will be during each hour-and-a-half session. Children will either be entertained by storyteller Marc Gauthier or by one of the four art workshops offered by Deux Regart. Dress according to the weather.
On four Saturday evenings, Placette Main will come alive with Claude Grenier dancing and singing to the rhythm of well-known songs from 6 to 8 pm.
The rest of the time, Placette Main will be an open space for leisure, work or socializing. If you wish to host an activity or event, AGAP is open to suggestions written in the special booklet in the square.
Photo caption
Photo #1: Collaborators and partners of the Placette Main project with the calendars of activities for the months of September and October. (CR) Photo: Christian Rochefort
Gatineau Police have arrested an 18-year-old man for sexual offences against a minor.
Officers arrived at an apartment building in the Lac-Beauchamp district shortly before 8 pm on August 22 for a possible child abduction. At the scene, police met with a young girl who explained she was confined and sexually assaulted by a stranger.
The suspect was identified and arrested later in the evening. The 18-year-old remained in custody until his appearance before the Court of Québec on August 23. Several charges including kidnapping, sexual interference, and sexual assault with a weapon were submitted against him to the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions.
Photo caption: A report of possible child abduction led to the arrest of an 18-year-old man for sexual assault against a minor, on August 22.
Photo credit: Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau Facebook Page
A temporary sanitary block for those experiencing homelessness has been up and running at the Guertin site since August 20.
“This is a request from citizens experiencing homelessness but also from local groups,” Hull- Wright district councillor and commissioner for the fight against homelessness Steve Moran told reporters during a press briefing the following day. “There’s a basic need that must be addressed.”
Back in July, the Comité exécutif decided a temporary sanitary block was quickly needed as the Robert-Guertin Centre was set to be demolished.
“I think there are certainly some adjustments to be made in the short term, but generally, it’s going well … Today is the first full day of operation. We’ll see a little bit more over the coming week,” said Moran.
Only equipped with showers and toilets, Moran said a “more robust” sanitary block was expected to replace the temporary facility by the end of the year. A permanent sanitary block was not the only project on the way to assist homeless individuals.
“A huge number of projects are coming up to better meet the needs of the population on site.”
Photo caption: Gatineau adds a temporary sanitary block to the Guertin site but plans to include a more permanent fixture at the end of the year.
Residents plagued by European fire ants can expect relief come summer 2025 as Gatineau works on a plan to eradicate the fiery red insects.
“If I were flooded, the City would come to my aid and understand. But now we’re infested; it’s one thing to understand it, to have compassion for it. It’s quite another to live through it,” d’Andromède Street resident Marie-Claude Giasson told the Commission de l’environnement et de la lutte aux changements climatiques on June 27.
Giasson first reported European fire ants on her property to the City in 2020 and her family has not been able to enjoy their backyard since.
“Our yards are invested because we are on the edge of city land and the city land behind our house is wooded which encouraged us to purchase the property. But we didn’t know that we would be invested with Myrmica rubra,” she said.
The European fire ant, also known as Myrmica rubra, is an exotic species of ant that appeared in North America in the 20th century and has been gaining ground in Quebec. A polygynous and polydomous species, the ant colonies can have several queens and occupy various nests, all interconnected by underground tunnels. Equipped with a stinger, the species is known for being aggressive and defending its territory.
“When you hear your child scream because he’s just been bitten, the skin reactions that come because that’s what it is, it’s reactions,” said Giasson. With the ability to sting multiple times, the sting of a European fire ant causes burning, itching, and in extremely rare cases, anaphylaxis.
Despite the possibility of a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction, the Direction de santé publique has no guidelines on the European fire ant. It also currently does not appear on an official list of invasive species at the provincial or federal level.
Giasson said she spent a lot of her own money on extermination in the first few years but has since ditched these efforts as swarms continue to infiltrate her property from the wooded area on the other side of her fence.
“I expect the City to help me and my neighbours get back to enjoying our backyards, especially with the summers we’re having now.”
The European fire ant was first spotted in Gatineau in 2010 at the Claude-Rioux Park in the Aylmer sector. The first scientific report was released five years later which confirmed their presence. Observations of the fiery red ants resurfaced in 2020 when residents of d’Andromède and du Prado streets reported sightings.
External expertise was recruited to create a detailed mapping of the issue and establish an intervention plan, but the plan was never deployed due to operational constraints and complexities. Wanting to continue the momentum, Gatineau awarded a mandate to an entomologist researcher at the Université de Montréal in 2023 to better understand the colonies plaguing Andromède Park and the surrounding grounds. The research report and its proposed recommendations were presented to the Commission de l’environnement et de la lutte aux changements climatiques at its late June meeting.
The research uncovered around 78 colonies in the area with an estimated population of between 90,000 and 300,000 individual insects. Thriving in shaded, humid environments, the entomologist discovered after several experiments that the ants were weakened at 40 degrees and perished at 45 degrees.
Along with introducing competing colonies and clearcutting greenery to make the environment less conductive, the entomologist recommended installing stripes of black plastic or tiles that would attract sunlight and ultimately put an end to the European fire ants.
With the report now in hand, the Service de la transition écologique will develop a work plan for the fight against Myrmica rubra which is expected to grace council in the fall for approval and to obtain the necessary funding. An awareness campaign targeting citizens would be rolled out in the winter and fall of 2025, with the work to begin that summer.
Photo caption: A report from an entomologist researcher at the Université de Montréal discovered around 78 colonies with an estimated population of between 90,000 and 300,000 individual European fire ants at Andromède Park and the surrounding grounds.
Residents of a three-storey condo building awoke to smoke and noise early on August 20 when a kitchen fire spread across the roof of the building.
Over 50 firefighters responded to a fire at 230 Chemin Freeman shortly after 3 am. Twelve of the building’s 21 units suffered damages from fire, smoke, and water, causing around 20 residents to be displaced and left in the hands of the Canadian Red Cross.
The fire was under control a little after 7 am. While no residents reported injuries, one firefighter obtained a minor injury. Losses were estimated at $639,360.
“It’s important to remember that oil is a fuel that ignites easily when it reaches a certain temperature,” read a release from the Service de sécurité incendie de Gatineau. “A deep fryer fitted with a temperature regulator is the best way to limit the risk of fire-related to frying.”
Photo caption: Firefighters tend to the scene of a kitchen fire that broke out early on August 20 at 230 Chemin Freeman.
Tired of staring at four walls or your phone screen over your lunch hour? There may be a solution to that.
AGAP will launch a series of lunchtime networking events for workers and entrepreneurs held from noon to 1:30 pm every Wednesday in September and October. The “Break Bread” initiative will be the first of a chain of activities held at Placette Main, a temporary outdoor public space between 348 and 368 Main Street. The new square’s inauguration will take place at 11:30 am on August 28, when AGAP will reveal the rest of the programming intended for the space.
Much like other speed-networking formats, the concept for the “Break Bread” lunch events is simple. Local professionals are invited to bring or buy a lunch and make their way to Placette Main, where they will be greeted by the entrepreneur of the week who will briefly present their services or products. These concise presentations will be accompanied by a little incentive such as a free tester of their products, promotional material or coupons to be used at their business. The lunch is designed as an opportunity to meet and connect with other professionals while supporting local businesses, so there will be plenty of room for light conversations following the presentations.
“It’s a great way to get the word out about your company and to network at the same time,” AGAP GM Pauline Bouchard said in a press release on Wednesday.
There are no costs involved for entrepreneurs or locals coming to have lunch. The only requirement is booking a time slot in order to present on a Wednesday in September or October. Additionally, businesses that wish to present must be AGAP members.
So far, September 4 and October 23 are the only reserved slots, leaving room for six more interested entrepreneurs. Those wanting to book a lunch hour can do so by emailing info@vieux-gatineau.com.
Parents, children and school staff across Quebec are preparing for what may be a stressful school year as Bernard Drainville, Minister of Education, announces that 5,704 teachers are still needed, a week before the start of classes. Friday morning’s assessment revealed that 1,406 full-time and 4,298 part-time teaching positions still needed to be filled for the 2024-25 school year. A worrisome figure that still marks a small victory for the education sector seeing as the ongoing shortage of teachers and personnel has dropped 33 per cent compared to this time last year.
The need for nearly 3,700 teachers across the Quebec public school network can be linked to the projected 20,000 new students starting classes this year. An 80 per cent increase in school enrollment related to immigration, according to the Ministry.
The government’s response to the penury manifested in reviewed collective agreements for teaching staff. The most important change requires all teaching positions, which could previously be assigned up to a few days before the start of classes, to be allocated by August 8. No assignment changes will be possible past this date. The 20-day window will allow students and parents to familiarize themselves with teachers who will now have ample time to prepare for their first day.
“The changes made for this new school year are part of the recovery operation that has been carried out since our arrival. It requires everyone to review their ways of doing things, and I am aware of it. That said, I am convinced that these changes will help improve the situation in the coming years,” says Drainville.
Additionally, major increases have been brought to teachers’ salaries, which will now start at $65,352 as an incentive to fill a maximum of positions. Class support resources and financial incentives for retired teachers are also part of the new collective agreements. In signing, educators agree to a handful of changes to ensure a “smooth and stable school year.”
“The objective is to have a more stable and above all more humane back to school for children, parents and all our staff. The portrait we have today shows that there are always challenges. However, there are still a few weeks left before the next school year and I am convinced that by working together, we will be able to find the necessary solutions. The priority that must guide us all is the success of our children. I would also like to thank all the people involved in this new process, including the school principals. Their contribution is essential.”
All demolition requests listed are recommended by the Service de l’Urbanisme et de Développement Durable (SUDD). After a demolition is approved by the Comité Demandes de Démolition (CDD), the construction project that follows must also be approved by the municipal council.
Aylmer 29 rue du Centre
The Old-Aylmer Home was built in 1885 and according to city documents is considered to have “low heritage value”. The home is valued at $158,300 while the land is $289,900. According to a 2022 inspection the building’s foundation is cracked and causing water damage. The cost to repair the home is estimated at $250,000. The proposed plan after demolition is a three-storey eight-unit residential building.
891 and 901 chemin Vanier
The adjacent properties on Vanier Road are also facing demolition in order to build five four-storey apartment buildings each containing 24 units for a total of 120 units. Neither building is listed on Gatineau’s built heritage lists. According to city documents both buildings have several sanitary and structural problems. The 891 chemin Vanier home was built in 1955, the building is valued at $283,300 and the land $189,800. The 901 chemin Vanier home was built in 1945 and is valued at $324,300 and the land $183,300.
Hull 104 rue Kent
The three-unit, two-storey home built in 1955 is not listed on Gatineau’s built heritage list. The building is in an advanced state of disrepair, the estimated cost of restoration is $870,00. The building is valued at $139,100 and the land is valued at $108,300. The building cannot be occupied due to structural issues. The plan after demolition is to build a three-storey three-unit multi-family home.
Gatineau 261 boulevard Maloney Est
Due to a fire, the 1964 commercial building would require $162,881 to completely restore. The current building is valued at $13,700 while the land is valued at $353,100. The owner is not planning to rebuild after demolition, the plan for the cleared site is to level it, then add turf. A fence or hedge will then be installed to limit access.
215 rue Bellehumeur
The commercial property is occupied by three commercial buildings 215, 195, and 205 rue Bellehumeur. Only 215 Bellehumeur is facing demolition. The 1991 building has no heritage value. The building is valued at $3,435,100 and the whole property is valued at $6,887,500. The building is not in disrepair but the owner states that it is no longer compatible with its use. After demolition, a new commercial building with an area of 1,625 m2 is planned for the site. The plans also include removing some parking spaces and a new access on boulevard de la Gappe. Gatineau’s mobility department is not in favor of the additional access point.
Photo 2: Construction plans for a commercial building at 215 rue Bellehumeur.
7 rue de Chapleau
The home built in 1985 is in disrepair due to a house fire last September. Due to the fire damage the home cannot be rebuilt. The owners plan to rebuild a one-storey, single-family residence replacing the old one.
Masson-Angers 895 chemin de Montréal Ouest
Photo 3: Construction plans for 895 chemin de Montréal Ouest after demolition, seven buildings with a total of 72 units.
The home was built in 1945 but is not listed on Gatineau’s heritage list. The building is in “good to fair” condition and does not require restoration. The reason for demolition is to free the land to build 72 housing units divided between seven buildings. Due to a stream of water on the property the project will need authorization from the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, la Faune et les Parcs.
The CDD meeting took place on August 20. Within 30 days of the Committee’s decision, any Gatineau resident may request a review of the decision, this will suspend the demolition until the council reviews the appeal. This process costs $122.50.
Photo 1: Construction plans for 104 rue Kent, if demolition gets approved.
