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.