Local Journalism Initiative

Nelson Sergerie

GASPÉ – The Government of Quebec continues to search for the right solution to provide the regions with air transportation services and, in that regard, the Air Transport Committee held a meeting on February 20 in Quebec City.

The president of the committee on air transportation within the Union of Quebec Municipalities and the mayor of Gaspé, Daniel Côté, is starting to get the impression that the solutions are not forthcoming.
“It appears that we are always at the mercy of what carriers want and can offer us as a service. It appears that the clientele is not always there. In Gaspé, there has been a fairly pronounced drop in customers over the last few months because there is still uncertainty,” says Daniel Côté.

The $500 program or the 30% discount on tickets does not seem to reflect reality. “This program seems too complicated, so it ran out of $500 tickets. And few people apply for reimbursement because people don’t know about this program. In short, there are plenty of problems,” notes the mayor.

Yves Montigny, who chairs the Quebec government committee, and is the Member of the National Assembly for René-Lévesque, is aware of the problem.

Mr. Montigny mentions that, in January, ticket sales increased by 30% in several destinations in Quebec, but admits at the same time that Gaspé has not experienced this growth.

“The PAAR program (Regional Air Access Program) is having an effect, but it is not having an effect everywhere. We see it in Gaspé, Mont-Joli and Baie-Comeau where we must adapt it. We want to improve it to ensure better service and better frequency,” says Mr. Montigny, who believes that the program must be revised.

“We want to ensure that the changes we are going to make correspond to the real needs of Quebec citizens. We are in consultations,” he said.

According to Mr. Côté, the Quebec Government intends to adopt an air strategy. The mayor suggests using Premier François Legault’s idea, who mentioned a possible solution during his visit to Gaspé last November. At the time the premier had promised seven days a week service imposed on carriers by the government, in each region of Quebec with tickets at $500 round trip and that the province would subsidize the deficits.

“I say it clearly, even if it doesn’t make the carriers happy, I expect that Mr. Legault’s promise materializes,” states the mayor.

“What the Premier said in Gaspé makes a lot of sense. We are working on that. We are working to have regular service to major airports in Quebec,” says Mr. Montigny.

“We are working to put in place means to find a way with one or more carriers so that services can be improved in the coming weeks and months,” specifies Mr. Montigny.

However, it remains to be seen what the carriers will do as Mr. Côté notes that they do not want to have anything imposed on them.

“We have to be able to agree because the Quebec government has decided to take on this important issue. There is also an important issue. This must be done with companies because it is private companies that transport. You have to get along with them. It’s not always easy. We have the same objective of finding common ground with businesses to better serve important destinations which have experienced a drop in traffic,” indicates Mr. Montigny.

For its part, the Parti Québécois is once again calling for a real plan to ensure effective air services for the regions of Quebec.

The Parti Québécois transport spokesperson, Joël Arseneau, notes that the government still has no vision. “If we don’t know the objective to achieve, obviously the means will not follow and we have the results that we see today. It has never been so bad in air transportation,” notes the opposition representative.

According to Mr. Arseneau, the $500 ticket program is not working, as he’s noted a visible decrease in ridership, particularly in Gaspé. Out of a target of 166,000 tickets, only 73,000 tickets were sold in two years.

The elected official notes that the Air Transport Committee set up by the CAQ is not working. “At each meeting, we go around the table and it’s like going in circles because everyone’s interests don’t align perfectly. The government is not capable of getting the best from its participants,” adds the MNA for the Magdalen Islands.

Air transportation has been the subject of reflection since February 2018, when Philippe Couillard’s Liberal government held the first forum on the issue.

Nelson Sergerie

CHANDLER – The Quebec Municipal Commission has initiated legal action in the Superior Court, seeking a declaration of provisional incapacity against Chandler councillor, Bruno-Pierre Godbout, who is the Newport Ward councillor, and serving as the pro-mayor of Chandler as well.

Mr. Godbout voluntarily complied with the request and has since tendered his resignation.

The Commission points out that the administrative investigation against the elected official is complete, leading to the filing of the petition. The case is scheduled to be heard on April 4 at the Percé Courthouse.
On January 17, Mr. Godbout was charged with fraud, forgery and use, possession or trafficking of a document. The request for a declaration of provisional incapacity stemmed from these charges. The accused is set to appear at the Percé Courthouse to address these criminal charges on April 22.

The Permanent Anti-Corruption Unit (UPAC) emphasized that its investigation revealed that between February 1 and July 31, 2021, while acting as pro-mayor during the Quebec Municipal Commission’s suspension of former mayor, Louisette Langlois, Mr. Godbout produced and used false expense reimbursement requests.

UPAC estimated the fraudulent amount to be approximately $10,000.

In the court document, the municipal commission states that jurisprudence establishes the burden to be met for such a request to be filed, namely serious reproaches if prima facie evidence shows that these acts appear to have been committed, and if the public interest justifies temporarily relieving the elected official concerned by determining the link between the reproached acts and the performance of his duties and the extent to which these acts bring the administration of the municipality into disrepute.

The petition states that for the fraud charge, the maximum penalty is 14 years in prison, while the production of a false document carries a maximum penalty of 10 years and the same for the forgery of a document.

The Commission notes that the elected official faces charges punishable by two years of imprisonment or more, which gives the power to the Superior Court to provisionally declare Mr. Godbout incapable of exercising any function related to his office as a member of the municipal council, based on Section 305.1 of the Act respecting elections and referendums in municipalities.

Since Mr. Godbout filed an act of acquiescence to the request signed on February 19, the Municipal Commission requests that he be declared temporarily incapable of exercising the function of member of the council of any municipality in Quebec, i.e. until a stay of the proceedings, acquittal or the end of his term.
The mayor and councillors were informed of the discussions between the Quebec Municipal Commission and the councillor.

“Mr. Godbout was very transparent,” stated the mayor of Chandler, Gilles Daraîche. “The Municipal Commission presented him with three scenarios. He chose the scenario of resigning during the proceedings. He could have chosen scenario two or three and it would have cost the town much more, as in a trial that we know about, but he chose the scenario which will cost much less for the Town of Chandler,” adds the mayor.

Mr. Daraîche is indirectly referring to the legal saga involving the former mayor of Chandler, Louisette Langlois, whose legal expenses exceed $350,000.

Nelson Sergerie

GASPÉ – Fishermen and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) are reviewing the terms of repayment for loans granted during the crisis affecting the fishing sector.

“There are indeed files being analyzed at the regional management level of MAPAQ,” confirms the Member of the National Assembly for Gaspé and government assistant for fisheries, Stéphane Sainte-Croix.
Quebec’s Minister of Fisheries, André Lamontagne, had previously stated that the government would support fishermen during the crisis.

“We will do everything we can to make effective use of all the tools at our disposal and do everything possible to promote, in one way or another, measures which will put a balm – so to speak – on the current problems experienced by our communities,” adds Mr. Sainte-Croix.

On February 27, all stakeholders in the field unanimously requested federal aid to get through this crisis.
“It takes extra help. We cannot go through this crisis with companies worth several million dollars that are under loans, loan guarantees or things like that… that the banker calls… that the house is mortgaged. Some people are at risk of losing their homes. It’s going to take direct aid,” repeats the mayor of Gaspé, Daniel Côté.

Considering how climate change is impacting the Gulf and the marine ecosystem, Mr. Sainte-Croix believes that a thorough reflection is necessary.

“The fishing industry is at a crossroads. We are talking in the short term about what we are experiencing in terms of turbot or shrimp boats. We must look further and what we are currently experiencing risks becoming a more and more present phenomenon. I hope that as governments, both federal and provincial, we can reflect on the future of things to see the bad news coming and be equipped to support our communities in these challenges,” adds the MNA.

Marketing redfish remains a challenge, especially if minimum quotas are increased beyond the floor of 25,000 tonnes announced by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Diane Lebouthillier.
“We are waiting for final information and, for our part, we are working on how to put in place measures to ensure the most efficient marketing possible in the short, medium and long term for this resource,” indicates Mr. Sainte-Croix.

Nelson Sergerie

CARLETON-SUR-MER – The Town of Carleton-sur-Mer has set an ambitious objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2030, based on the emissions inventory conducted in 2019.
“We have a clear action plan with actions to follow to achieve this target. It’s realistic and we’re already working on it with the electrification of transportation. We will give mandates to remove fossil fuel energy from buildings. It’s an ambitious plan, but it’s realistic,” says the mayor of Carleton-sur-Mer, Mathieu Lapointe.

Residual materials account for 63% of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly through the municipal campsite.

“We are working very hard on it. We are involved in the creation of the Intermunicipal Residual Materials Management Board. We are hopeful that we will come up with solutions to improve our balance sheet by adding composting,” suggests the mayor.

However, implementing composting infrastructure may take some time. “2024 seems unrealistic, but we are making all the necessary efforts to achieve it,” says the mayor.

It is a three-year action plan and halfway through a review will be made to assess the progress made.
The town wants to set an example and hopes that citizens will also participate.

“We also want to have a plan on the general scale of the municipality for all greenhouse gas emissions by all residents. This is the second phase that we are thinking about,” says Mr. Lapointe.

“We are much more ambitious in our objectives if we compare ourselves to the governments of Quebec and Canada. Few municipalities have clear targets. We are certainly in the lead in Quebec,” believes the mayor.

The process was conducted in collaboration with the Gaspésie Regional Environmental Council.
Greenhouse gas emissions emitted by the town were estimated at 426.94 carbon dioxide equivalents.
Apart from residual materials, 20% of emissions come from buildings and 16% from transportation.

Propane (42%), diesel (26%) and gasoline (10%) constitute the main energy sources of greenhouse gas emissions from municipal activity.

Montreal public health director Dr. Mylène Drouin and her provincial equivalent Dr. Luc Boileau spoke to the media about measles on Monday, sharing information about recent sites of potential transmission in the city. While measles is a virtually eradicated virus that’s easily preventable via basic childhood vaccinations, Drouin noted that vaccination rates in local elementary schools can be as low as 30%.

The measles resurgence appears to be a global phenomenon, with outbreaks reported in Florida as well as in parts of Europe and beyond. Quebec has the most measles cases in Canada, 10 (7 of which are in Montreal), 3 linked to travel and the other 4 via community spread. There are also 5 cases in Ontario and 1 in B.C.

Standard childhood vaccinations have included the measles vaccine since the 1970s, but experts have noted that two doses are required, not one as previously believed. Public health is urging everyone to make sure that they and their kids are up to date with their immunizations.

Symptoms of measles include itchy red spots, a rash that appears 3 to 5 days after other symptoms, which are similar to cold and flu: high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes. Symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus, which is why public health included end-dates for monitoring your condition if you’ve been to any of the sites of potential transmission.

by Lorraine Carpenter, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

An anti-Airbnb protest will take place in Montreal this Wednesday, March 6 in front of a newly constructed building in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve that’s currently being used for temporary tourist rentals. Going against the borough’s bylaws (and contrary to what housing advocates and residents were told during construction), 3 of the building’s 29 units are currently listed on Airbnb. Advocates suspect that the rest of the units, which are furnished but with no tenants, are destined to serve the same purpose.

“We are calling on our neighbours to come together to proclaim loud and clear that this project will not be tolerated. Together, let’s put pressure on our local representatives to honour their commitments to our community. Let’s protect the integrity of our neighbourhood and work for dignified housing for all.”

The demonstration will take place at 3650 Ontario E. this Wednesday, March 6 at noon. Organizers (Entraide Logement Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and Anti-évictions Hochelaga-Maisonneuve) are also holding a sign-making workshop this afternoon.

For more on the anti-Airbnb protest in Montreal, please visit the event page.

Nelson Sergerie

PORT-DANIEL-GASCONS – On February 20, the Caisse populaire Desjardins du Centre-sud Gaspésien announced that the Gascons service centre will close its doors on March 28. 

This announcement follows an announcement by the Caisse Desjardins Baie-des-Chaleurs on February 19 that the Caplan and Nouvelle service points will be closing. 

Once again, the marked drop in attendance at counters and ATM services has led the credit union to make this decision. 

“We adjust to the transactional habits of our members. Indeed, the reduction in traffic leads us to make this decision,” says the Caisses Desjardins du Centre-sud Gaspésien director, Jovin Caron. 

Approximately fifty members will be affected by this closure. 

“We know these people. There will be a personalized approach by our staff to see their needs and give them support based on their challenges,” notes the director. 

The closest service points are in Chandler (27 kilometres) and Paspébiac (39 kilometres). 

“We will try to support them with digital transactions. We will also support those who are more vulnerable by offering them personalized transportation,” says Mr. Caron. 

It is difficult to know whether workers will lose their jobs. 

“We have two relocated positions and positions that will be abolished. We have other openings elsewhere. I cannot say at this time whether there will be job losses. Everything will depend on the choice of the employees,” specifies the director. 

As part of this restructuring of the service offering to members, the Gascons and Newport ATMs will be removed on May 24. 

The mayor of Port-Daniel-Gascons, Henri Grenier, was presented with a “fait accompli” when he was informed on February 19 by the leaders of the Caisse populaire Desjardins Centre-sud Gaspésien of the decision to close the Gascons service counter. 

“I am extremely disappointed with this decision to close the service point as well as the ATM of the municipality of Port-Daniel-Gascons,” says Mr. Grenier. 

The closest counter will be in Chandler, 27 kilometres from the municipality. “It’s far from home,” says the mayor. 

“They are not aware that the needs of small municipalities like Port-Daniel-Gascons are the same as those of larger municipalities,” notes the mayor. He adds that the town has a vested interest in the services available to the population. 

“And, overnight, Desjardins announced the closure of the Caisse, a service to our citizens. It’s hard to take,” adds Mr. Grenier. 

“I intend to discuss it with the Desjardins members, and we will surely set up a citizens’ committee to meet with the managers of the Caisse so that we can at least keep the ATM,” demands the mayor. 

by Lorraine Carpenter, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

The Quebec Court of Appeal has ruled that Quebec secularism law Bill 21 is constitutional. The law bars public sector employees in positions of authority (including teachers) from wearing religious symbols.

Though the law was upheld by the Quebec Superior Court following a challenge in April 2021, provisions relating to English school boards and a ban on face coverings for MNAs were struck down. The Quebec government appealed the ruling on English school boards, with Premier François Legault saying, “We fully respect the rights of the English-speaking minority, but secularism and Quebec’s common values have no language barrier.” English schools have had to abide by Bill 21 pending the conclusion of the government’s appeal, but their exemption from the law has been overturned by today’s ruling.

The earlier ruling also acknowledged that the law violates the rights of Muslim women and is “cruel” towards people who wear religious symbols and are forced to choose between their beliefs and their ability to work in the public sector.

In order to pass Bill 21 in 2019, the Quebec government invoked the notwithstanding clause, meaning the law couldn’t be challenged on the grounds that it violated basic rights according to certain sections of the charter. However, the law could still be subject to a Supreme Court challenge, and should this take place, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated in a press conference today that the federal government would intervene “to protect the rights and freedoms of Canadians.”