Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

The homeless situation is becoming increasingly prevalent in Gatineau, particularly in the Notre-Dame neighbourhood, where many businesses continue to feel unsafe.

In fact, more than 15 of them decided to unite by signing a letter sent in early September to the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce (CCG) and Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette to denounce the situation and express their concern about possibly having to close their businesses.

Lucie Nadon, owner of the Escale Détente beauty salon located at 282 Notre-Dame Street, believes that the issue of homelessness has greatly increased in the area in recent months. “I have to lock the door to my salon so that customers feel safe,” she said. “People come here to relax, not to be afraid.” She said that many homeless people enter her establishment without an appointment. “They come to see what’s going on.”

Despite the numerous investments on Notre-Dame Street, Nadon believes it is dangerous for residents to go there. “We can’t even walk along the waterfront anymore,” she commented. Furthermore, according to her, there are more and more parties where homeless people gather. “It’s becoming very problematic.”

According to Nadon, quick solutions are needed. “Businesses really need help,” she said. “Obtaining more police surveillance would be ideal.”

At the municipal council meeting on September 16, Denis Girouard, councillor for the Lac-Beauchamp district, expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of action taken in the neighbourhood. “The reality is that neither the mayor, nor the homelessness commissioner, nor municipal councillor Steve Moran is sufficiently concerned about the issues of homelessness in the Lac-Beauchamp sector,” he stated.

According to Girouard, there is no game plan to resolve the issue, despite the growing number of homeless people in Sanscartier Park, on the Lac-Beauchamp property, and on Notre-Dame Street. “From a municipal perspective, this is a complete neglect, and that is unacceptable,” he said. “We are finding used syringes left on the ground in our public parks that are accessible to children […].”

Girouard noted that the Homelessness Commissioner and the Chair of the Executive Committee decided to invest the most action and budgets in the downtown core. “The residents of Lac-Beauchamp have been more than tolerant,” he said. “Homelessness doesn’t only exist on the Guertin site!”

Photo: Denis Girouard, municipal councillor for the Lac-Beauchamp district, at the Gatineau City Council meeting (September 16, 2025) (MG) Photo: Screenshot