Nelson Sergerie, LJI
GASPÉ – Telecommunications companies have known since May 28, 2024, that a connection for telephone, internet, and television services would be required for the Logements HAN buildings at the end of Forest Street in Gaspé.
“As part of this project, as early as May 28, 2024, municipal authorities notified telecommunications services and Hydro-Québec that this project was coming. Hydro-Québec acted to connect the housing units as soon as they were ready. However, as far as telecommunications services are concerned, that doesn’t seem to be the case,” says Mayor Daniel Côté.
Tenants with disabilities have been moving in since August 1 and are still without telecommunications service. Furthermore, cell phone service is very limited in the area.
“It’s a shame, especially since we’re talking about a vulnerable clientele who can’t afford to travel like everyone else. These are people who need these services at home, probably more than the average person. It’s a significant need for them. I can’t explain the delays. I’m starting to find it long,” added the mayor.
The Town of Gaspé was contacted during the week of September 1, and the mayor on September 6.
“We started working (on the issue) at the beginning of the week,” says the mayor, noting that no deadline was available prior to the tenants’ media appearance.
It was a group effort to get the file moving. On September 9, Telus employees were seen at the location carrying out work to connect the housing complexes to the network.
The Canadian communications giant responded by email late in the afternoon of September 9. “We understand the Han Logement Group’s concerns. Our team, which has been on site since September 8, 2025, is making every effort to proceed with the installation and activation of services, and this should be completed quickly in the coming days, as planned. The complexity of the work, particularly the limited space within the complex, has caused additional delays and a revision of the initial plans. We thank our customers for their patience,” wrote Communications Director Jacinthe Beaulieu.
According to information obtained by SPEC, the network engineering in the area had to be revised because the line between Montée de Sandy Beach and the complexes, which runs via Forest Street, was not designed to accommodate 32 additional apartments.
A new wire must be installed before connecting the complexes. Its design is intended to eventually accommodate a Phase 2 project currently being planned for HAN Logements in this area.