Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter
A municipal councillor for the Lac-Beauchamp district for three years, Denis Girouard serves as president of the Table de concertation sur les événements and as representative for the Agence Bassin Versant des 7. He is also a member of the Public Safety Commission and of the Recreation, Sports and Community Development Commission.
With the year 2025 fast approaching, Girouard answered the following series of questions to provide feedback on his accomplishments, challenges and thoughts for 2025.
What do you consider your biggest accomplishments on the council this year?
My greatest accomplishments have been the reduction of traffic speed, infrastructure, roads and Lac Beauchamp. For example, I had traffic lights installed on Maloney Boulevard, across from the entrance to Lac Beauchamp. This helped reduce speed by about 80%. At the corner of Notre-Dame and Maloney, there is a cenotaph where I had giant poppies installed. It’s a great achievement. I also managed to have Beaudoin Street paved, where there had been no work done for nearly 40 years.
As for Lac Beauchamp, I managed to obtain funding to oxygenate the lake, to keep it alive […] I also managed to obtain nearly a million dollars to invest in trail maintenance […]
What were the most significant challenges faced by your district in the past year, and how were they addressed?
In November 2023, I sent out a message about homeless people who had settled near Hurtubise Street. At that time, I tried to see if it was possible to move them to another location, but it was not possible. Today, it has become a problem in Old Gatineau. It is the result of an accumulation that we have had over all these years. I have not stopped increasing the number of requests, meetings and information. It was practically a full-time job!
What feedback from district residents shaped council decisions, and how did you incorporate their concerns?
There were many concerns about public works, such as streetlights, sidewalks, security, repairs and waste; more specifically, on Notre Dame Street, where we have invested millions of dollars. Merchants feel a little forgotten because we planned for a certain standard on the street, but the opposite is happening because of the heavy presence of homeless people in the area.
What improvements or changes have been made in your district’s infrastructure, such as roads, parks or public spaces?
At Sanscartier Park, I had a swing installed for residents. There have also been a lot of improvements in the parks with the installation of netting, fences, etc.
How have local businesses in the district been supported, especially during challenges like inflation or the post-pandemic recovery?
My approach is to refer them to specific organizations. In Old Gatineau, there is the Association des Gens d’Affaires (Association of Business People) that can address this issue. There is also the Comité de Vie de Quartier (Neighbourhood Life Committee) and the Food Bank, which have been very involved with merchants.
How has the district’s budget allocation been spent, and what were the key priorities for local spending?
I have invested a lot in my sector. I donated about $30,000 to the Trois-Saisons school to install playgrounds for the children […] Last year, I invested $12,000 in the Itinérance Zéro organization. I also support all the local organizations in my neighbourhood with donations and grants.
What policies or initiatives do you believe have made the most impact on residents’ quality of life this year?
This year, there was participation in organizations. I know that the reality of things at Lac Beauchamp doesn’t always work for residents. However, Lac Beauchamp Park is one of the most active parks in Gatineau each year.
What lessons did you learn this year that will shape future decisions?
What I learned is that one person can’t do it alone! I’m an independent candidate and Action Gatineau is in power. I must admit that communication is difficult. We’re often left to our own devices. What bothers me the most is that everything is centralized to the west: Hull, Aylmer, etc. And we have almost nothing on the east side of Gatineau. In my opinion, Maloney Boulevard is downtown Gatineau, but it’s neglected to the maximum. There’s a big lack of information and investment.
What are your top priorities for improving the quality of life in your district next year?
Next year, my main goal is to reassure the people of Lac Beauchamp. Secondly, to ensure that the issue of homelessness is addressed in the right way and that the safety of the neighbourhood is improved.
How do you see the district evolving over the next few years, and what long-term plans are in place to support this vision?
There are some great things coming up for Lac Beauchamp and I hope that these will happen in the short term. There is the Wabassee Creek project, which will be extraordinary for the people of Old Gatineau! There are also major projects for Lac Beauchamp […] In terms of infrastructure, there are places that will need to be beautified such as on Hurtubise Street, Maloney Boulevard […]
In your opinion, what is the most important concern facing the City of Gatineau right now?
In my opinion, the most important concern is the City of Gatineau’s expenses. We really need to study them. Residents need some relief from their taxes, because, right now, they have exceeded their ability to pay.
See all the interviews in upcoming editions and at GatineauBulletin.ca
Photo: Denis Girouard, municipal councilor for the Lac-Beauchamp district during the municipal council meeting (October 22, 2024) MG.
Photo: Courtesy of the City of Gatineau