Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

The Gatineau Chamber of Commerce (GCC) announced a major mobilization campaign to denounce the parking tax imposed by the city. To this end, the GCC invited merchants and the business community to gather at La Shop bike centre located at 139 Boulevard de l’Hôpital in Gatineau on Monday, April 14.

“As President of the GCC, I want to emphasize the crucial importance of this moment,” said Iseline Gandaho. “Today, we have a duty to defend our merchants, our local economy, and our citizens.”

According to Gandaho, the parking tax raises legitimate concerns. Its impact goes far beyond parking. “Our entire local economy is threatened,” she explained. “We fully understand the environmental intentions, but this measure was implemented too quickly at the expense of all our businesses and citizens. The city decided to adopt this tax for environmental reasons, but it was implemented without a rigorous analysis and without a gradual transition.”

“If we are here today, it’s because we are facing a situation that affects far more than local businesses,” emphasized Etienne Fredette, General Manager of the GCC. According to him, this tax will also affect citizens who will have to pay more for their products.

Neighbourhood services will also be reduced by the lower number of opening hours. Ultimately, it’s the businesses, jobs, and services that risk disappearing. Furthermore, student jobs will have to be reduced, particularly during the summer.

“What we’re presenting today is a complete moratorium on the parking tax,” he explained. “We invite you to visit the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce website where you can find a citizen petition to sign,” he added. Signs denouncing the tax have also been made available to businesspeople.

The situation is of great concern to businesses, as is the case with Louis Mounir, owner of the restaurant La Creppa in Gatineau. Since he can’t find other solutions, he will have to reduce his employees’ hours. “It pains me to see my employees, who have worked alongside me for a long time, having to leave […],” he commented.

Photo: Etienne Fredette, Executive Director of the GCC, at the press conference for the mobilization campaign against the parking tax (April 14, 2025) (MG) Photo: Gatineau Chamber of Commerce Facebook page