Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

Daniel Champagne bid farewell to his time as Gatineau’s interim mayor and returned to his district councillor seat on June 11.

“Beyond the small legacies that we have left together since February 22, the most important, in my opinion, will be to have demonstrated to the Gatineau population, to all of Quebec, and to all of Canada, the capacity of the current municipal council to work together despite our different objectives,” said Champagne.

The Versant district councillor moved up to the head of the City after the former mayor, France Bélisle, abruptly resigned in late February, citing Gatineau’s political climate.

In his few months at the helm, Champagne was able to move forward files like the financing of the centralized police headquarters, as well as continuing work to bring the tramway to fruition.

“I am hopeful that our efforts will have borne fruit with an imminent announcement to this effect regarding the production of studies necessary to carry out this project,” said Champagne.

When it came to homelessness, Champagne said the council should be proud of the work it’s been able to accomplish together. “We have increased our demands on the provincial government to obtain the support necessary to manage the crisis,” he said. “And we are currently finalizing the last details of the establishment of a group that will facilitate the management of the homelessness crisis by bringing the stakeholders together around the same table.”

The district councillor congratulated the incoming mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette and the other candidates who put their lives aside to run an electoral campaign. “Running a campaign is not something that is easy, so thank you for your involvement.”

Champagne said he has already begun handing work over to Marquis-Bissonnette and looked forward to collectively moving Gatineau’s issues forward.

Marquis-Bissonnette was expected to be sworn in on June 18 for her 17-month mandate. Champagne said he would continue to serve as an advisor until the end of the term.

Photo caption: Members of Gatineau’s municipal council thank Versant district councillor Daniel Champagne for taking on the role of interim mayor after the resignation of France Bélisle.

Photo credit: Taylor Clark