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Inauguration of Demeure-Toi in Gaspé

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The Demeure-Toi project, a 12-unit building designed to accommodate 11 adults living with autism spectrum disorder, was inaugurated on August 12 in Gaspé.

The Minister responsible for Social Services, Lionel Carmant, attended the inauguration and said he was proud to see this unique project in the East come to fruition.

“We have projects like Véro and Louis (show host Véronique Cloutier and actor Louis Morissette), but they are more institutional activities. Here, we really have adults who do activities every day independently. The support we offer them can propel them toward something else,” believes the minister.

The organization’s president, Claudine Dupuis, mother of an autistic child, described the project as a dream come true.

“To help them develop their skills and independence. We want to take them further and have them live independently in an apartment in the town centre with minimal supervision. It’s every parent’s dream,” she says.

The first residents are expected to move in this October.

The organization has received $9 million in funding from the federal and Quebec governments, with additional support from the town of Gaspé. An annual contribution of $275,000 from the Quebec government is also planned.

A defeat that gives pause for thought

Meanwhile the CAQ’s stinging defeat on August 11 in Arthabaska is a clear message to the government, according to Gaspé Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Stéphane Sainte-Croix.
He points out that his party has implemented significant changes and that the government must remain committed to its plan.

The elected official believes he is delivering the goods in Gaspé and is proud of it, but he remains aware that at the national level, there are issues that irritate citizens.

The elected official says he is delivering results in Gaspé and takes pride in that, while recognizing that some national-level issues have irritated citizens.

During his summer tour of the riding, Sainte-Croix listened to his constituents and emphasized that the party must return to the centre-right.

“Budgetary discipline is a recurring theme. We must accept the critical choices we have to make in Quebec. We have made progress in terms of identity. I don’t think we have anything to be ashamed of. Economically, some issues have progressed more favourably than others. We have moved far to the left lately. I think we need to return to who we are, to our roots, and embrace that,” says the MNA.
Stéphane Sainte-Croix will be a candidate in the October 2026 election.

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A new student residence in Carleton-sur-Mer

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

CARLETON-SUR-MER – A new $7.7 million student residence was inaugurated on August 11 in Carleton-sur-Mer.

Owned by Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles and built on land that belonged to the Centre de services scolaire René-Lévesque as part of a partnership, 24 apartments will be available to students.

Nineteen apartments are reserved for CEGEP students, while the remaining five are reserved for the Centre de formation professionnelle l’Envol du Centre de services scolaire René-Lévesque.
The new residence is located about half-a-kilometre from the Carleton-sur-Mer campus and just across the street from the ENVOL trade school.

“We are aware of the housing shortage in the Gaspé Peninsula, particularly in Carleton-sur-Mer. We are convinced that there were students who had to put their studies on hold because they couldn’t find housing. This is a breath of fresh air for the area,” says CEGEP director Yolaine Arseneau.

She adds that the residence supports recruitment efforts. “We recruit internationally, outside the Gaspé Peninsula, and have partnerships with urban CEGEPs for student mobility. Offering accommodation close to campus is a positive factor for the CEGEP’s development,” she says.

The apartments rent for $695 per month, including all services such as internet and air conditioning.
“Of course, the cost may come as a surprise. These are beautiful apartments with a closed bedroom, an open-plan kitchen and living room, and a bathroom. Since it is owned by the CEGEP and funded by the Ministry of Higher Education, there is an operating budget. Of course, this has an impact on the cost charged to students,” explains the executive director.

The project was completed in 10 months, with only exterior finishing work remaining. The $7.7-million budget was respected, with Quebec covering 75 per cent of the construction cost.

Initially, the CEGEP and the school service centre each had their own student residence projects. “For the moment, we think it will meet the need. We’ll see what happens next,” said Ms. Arseneau. Of the 24 units, 19 are earmarked for CEGEP students and five for ENVOL ones.

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Green light given to largest residential development in the history of Gaspé

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Jean-Philippe Thibault, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – An agreement was officially signed between the Town of Gaspé and Gestion Bourgade for the creation of the Faubourg du Ruisseau eco-district, described by mayor Daniel Côté as “the largest residential and commercial development in the history of the Town of Gaspé.”
The project was publicly unveiled on May 27. However, the agreement, which consists of some 700 pages of legal documents, had still not been initialed by both parties, a step that has now been completed.

With this, the Gaspé town council confirms an investment of $4.4 million through a loan by-law, for a total estimated value of $8.8 million. The Town and Gestion Bourgade are thus two 50% partners.
The municipal share will be used, in particular, for the construction of streets, water and sewer systems, as well as pedestrian and cycling lanes. It should be noted that the borrowing by-law will require a citizen approval process. Afterwards, it will require Quebec’s approval as well before it comes into effect.

“This is a historic moment and a crucial step for the future of Gaspé. The Faubourg du Ruisseau is not just a development project; it’s the cornerstone of our growth for years to come,” says Daniel Côté.

The municipalization of the streets could be completed by Christmas if all goes as planned. Work began this past spring. One entrance to the eco-neighbourhood will be located on road 198 near the RCMP building; another will connect to Frémont Street, near the Esso service station.

Potential for 320 housing units

In May, during the presentation of the agreement in principle, the developer explained that up to 22 lots could be sold. The goal is to build housing and local businesses. The total potential is 320 new housing units. The notary firm Simard Côté Monette has already indicated its intention to acquire the first lot.

Phase 1 of the project includes the development of three new streets totaling 900 metres in length. Gestion Bourgade will not build the new buildings itself, but will handle the resale of the lots.
The company has acquired a huge parcel of land measuring over 1 million square metres. Other phases could be planned to further expand the area. A re-evaluation will be conducted in 2027.
“Our goal is to create more than just a residential neighbourhood: we want to build a sustainable living environment, integrated into its surroundings and focused on the well-being of its residents. This project demonstrates our commitment to developing innovative and resilient communities for future generations,” explains Sophie Bourdages, vice-president of projects and administration at Gestion Bourgade.

The Town of Gaspé has already indicated that it intends to purchase a few lots that it can subsequently transfer or resell. It has calculated that, ultimately, property tax revenues could represent new revenues of $800,000 to $850,000 annually.

The apartment vacancy rate in Gaspé was 0.3% last year, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The break-even rate is between 1% and 3%. A 2022 study by La Côte-de-Gaspé indicated that the MRC would need to build 551 new housing units and provide 421 adapted housing units for seniors by 2026.

Assuming 320 housing units are built on the land, the first phase of the project could represent a value of $65 million in new construction value.

The chosen location is also one of the few that can accommodate new homes connected to the water and sewer systems without too many problems.

“It’s a strategic location,” Daniel Côté explained in May. “The only area where we had a possibility of expansion in terms of the water and sewer systems was here around the town hall. We have space for our pipes, our treatment plant, and our drinking water wells. We’re also close to services.”

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11 major infrastructure projects in Gaspésie

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Jounalist

GASPÉ – Eleven construction sites are currently active in the Gaspé region as part of the Quebec Infrastructure Strategy.

This information comes from a new interactive map put online by Quebec City on June 19. However, some of the map’s elements are questionable.

For example, the map shows that section 2 of the rail line between Caplan and Port-Daniel-Gascons is in service, even though over the third week of June, the Société du chemin de fer de la Gaspésie indicated that a bridge in Caplan had not yet been completed.

Rehabilitation of this section has now cost $299.7 million.

Section 3, on the other hand, is in the planning stage, with the budget to be announced once the project is formally approved.

Other transportation projects include the $27.3 million Petit Pabos river bridge in Chandler and theplanned refurbishment of the Matapédia bridge.

In terms of public buildings, the Maison des aînés in Chandler ($75.6 million), the Carrefour de l’innovation des pêches in Grande-Rivière ($31.2 million) and the English elementary-secondary school in New Carlisle ($30.3 million) are on the agenda.

Finally, there are two social and collective housing projects in the planning phase: the 84-apartment Havre district in Gaspé and the 36-apartment Villa Mgr Bourdages in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts.
Notably absent from the interactive map is the emergency and intensive care renovations project at the Maria hospital.

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Agreement reached for financing of Demeure Toi in Gaspé

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The president of the Demeure Toi organization in Gaspé is satisfied with the agreement reached with the CISSS de la Gaspésie.

On July 15, the organization announced that, following two weeks of discussions with the regional health authority, it had secured $275,000 per year in funding for the next three years.

“We discussed each other’s understanding and perception of the client profile. We realized that we had a common understanding of the needs of this clientele,” says president Claudine Dupuis.
The agreement will be re-evaluated in three years.

“We have no guarantees, but I remain very confident that with the collaboration we have with the CISSS, everything will go smoothly,” Ms Dupuis adds.

The $8.9 million building is scheduled to be delivered at the end of July, with interior work to follow in preparation for welcoming the first tenants, people living with autism, by mid-September. Of the 11 spots available, a few remain open.

Hiring of staff will begin shortly, although the organization has not yet finalized its operating budget. Calculations are still underway.

An open house is planned, possibly in August, to allow the public to visit the facility.

Earlier this year, a dispute over funding had led Demeure Toi to consider delaying the opening of the building. At the time, the organization cited a promised $318,000 in funding from the Quebec government, while the CISSS was offering only $50,000.

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