nelson sergerie

The Eastern Energy Alliance could benefit from U.S wind power policies

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / February 19, 2025 / energy, gaspe peninsula, nelson sergerie, wind farms

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

SAINT-CYPRIEN – The Eastern Energy Alliance believes it could benefit from the current situation in the United States, where U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an executive order ending federal funding for wind farms built in the United States.

That is the impression Michel Lagacé, the president of the Alliance had as the annual Quebec Association of Renewable Energy Producers (AQPER) Convention finished on February 12. “The American situation leads the industry to question how Mr. Trump’s multiple decrees will have an impact or not on the development of renewable sectors in Quebec and those that have ambitions on the American market,” summarizes Mr. Lagacé.

What could be positive – and this is my personal analysis – is that the federal government can have a significant impact on federal lands, but on state lands, the states are still able to make decisions. Will the turbine market become less interesting and have better prices in Quebec? That could be interesting,” says the president while the alliance must build several parks within four years.

President Joe Biden’s Buy American Act has had a significant impact on the American market. However, the shift towards American oil and gas drilling is also changing the situation in the energy market.

Despite the changes in the U.S. industry remains positive. “In Quebec, we have more oil exploration and exploitation and we have turned to renewable energy,” recalls the president, mentioning the Legault government’s shift to wind power.

“We’ve been talking about an additional 5,000 to 6,000 megawatts on the alliance’s territory for a while, particularly in the Gaspésie. 5,000 to 6,000 megawatts is the equivalent of an investment of $15 to $18 billion in today’s dollars,” recalls Mr. Lagacé.

The Alliance obtained 1,426 megawatts to develop following the latest calls for tenders. The Pohénégamook-Picard-Saint-Antonin-Wolastokuk 1 wind farm, located in the MRCs of Rivière-du-Loup and Témiscouata will generate 350 megawatts in partnership with Invenergy. Construction will begin soon after obtaining authorization from the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE).

Eastern Energy Alliance which brings together the regions of Montmagny-L’Islet, Lower Saint Lawrence, Gaspé Peninsula and the Magdalen Islands

“In the next few weeks, we will start clearing the forest. We’re waiting for the permits. We have received the certificate of acceptance for construction. After that, all the permits will have to be obtained before we can start production on December 1, 2026. That’s relatively quick, and to paraphrase a former prime minister, we’re ready,’ says the Chairman.

Indigenous businesses from the Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation will be able to collaborate on the construction of the park. The one in Madawaska, in Dégelis and Saint-Jean-de-la-Lande, in Témiscouata, in a tripartite partnership with EDF and Hydro-Québec for 270 megawatts will be before the BAPE on February 25.

“This is a necessary step. I listened to citizens’ concerns last November, and everything revolves around the maple syrup potential and people understood that EDF had no ambition to go there. There were also concerns about ecological corridors and the project only affects 1% of the territory,” adds the president. For the other parks, the Forêt Domaniale in the Montmagny region, in Chaudière-Appalaches, which will have a capacity of 180 megawatts in partnership with EDF, the process is moving forward, as is that of Pohénégamook-Picard-Saint-Antonin-Wolastokuk 2.

“All the projects led by the alliance, the 1,426 megawatts obtained in 2021 and 2023, are progressing rather quickly, and we are very happy about it,” notes Mr. Lagacé.

The parks must be delivered by December 2029 at the latest. Once operational, these parks will generate $1 billion in shared profits over the next 30 years for the Alliance’s member municipalities and the Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation. If 6,000 megawatts were developed, the royalties would be enormous.

“1,426 that produce $1 billion in profits. You make 5,000 more, you easily multiply by three. We are perhaps at $4 billion and perhaps more. It can be dizzying,” imagines the president.

The bottleneck that prevents the energy produced east of Rivière-du-Loup from being sent to major centres is becoming a thing of the past.

“The Alliance is making every effort to capture and produce these famous electrons and bring them to where they must be consumed,” says Mr. Lagacé.

As for the 375-kilowatt line that must be built towards Matapedia, the schedule is in the 2032-2035 horizon. “In the case of the Alliance, we will look at how we can exploit the deposits before the arrival of the cables,” he says.

The full potential of these projects could be reached around 2040.

The Eastern Energy Alliance could benefit from U.S wind power policies Read More »

American tariffs: Lebouthillier meets with prefects

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / February 19, 2025 / diane lebouthillier, gaspe peninsula, nelson sergerie, tariffs

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The region’s prefects met with the Member of Parliament for the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands, Diane Lebouthillier, to discuss their concerns about how the economic situation in the region will be affected by the United States President, Donald Trump’s fixation on tariffs.

During a meeting in Gaspé on February 6, the prefect of the Côte-de-Gaspé MRC, Daniel Côté, summarized the main request made to the federal government.

“That we have help with the liquidity of certain companies confined to the American market. Companies with deep pockets are fine. But companies that are a bit like start-ups, have more difficulty restructuring towards other markets. By the time they get through a potential crisis with the American government, they may need help. I am currently visiting our businesses and that is what is coming out a lot,” says Mr. Côté, who is also the mayor of Gaspé.

“I had requested this meeting to work and inform them about what is happening with Team Canada and tell them that they are an integral part of Team Canada. As Minister of Fisheries, I also wanted to tell them about the meetings I had in the community,” says Ms. Lebouthillier.

“We know that the municipal government is closest to the citizens. The next few years will be difficult. In the fisheries sector, the next season is coming up and it is important to work together and be on the lookout for impacts on the population. The information must circulate from top to bottom, but also from bottom to top. It is a collaborative effort,” she says.

The Côte-de-Gaspé prefect also mentions the fisheries sector, which was discussed during the meeting. He mentioned the issue of exploratory lobster fishing and its distribution. “We will wait for the results and I have concerns for the shrimp and turbot fishermen. I dare to hope that there will be special attention put on them. There are not enough permits for everyone, but if a few could have permits, we would like that,” says Mr. Côté.

“Receptivity is good in Ottawa and Quebec. I think everyone wants to start diversifying their markets,” added the prefect.

Opening up trade in the Canadian market must be democratized.

“I have been hearing about market diversification for about twenty years. It seems that every time things return to normal, we return to our old habits. We have international agreements and we must ensure that our products can be sold everywhere in Canada,” says Ms. Lebouthillier.

For many companies, it is easier to do business in the United States than in other Canadian provinces.

Ms. Lebouthillier is confident that “If the team remains strong, we can get through this.”

American tariffs: Lebouthillier meets with prefects Read More »

CPE workers strike again

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / February 12, 2025 / CPE, gaspesie, nelson sergerie, strike

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – Approximately 300 educators in Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands, affiliated with the CSN, striked again on February 6 to activate the renewal of the collective labour agreement that expired on March 31, 2023.

Parents whose children attend one of the 12 Early Childhood Centres (CPEs) once again needed to make alternative arrangements.

This marks the second day of strike action out of five adopted last fall. “Unfortunately, the discussions have not progressed enough for the strike movement across Quebec to be put on hold,” commented Serge Saint-Pierre, President of the CSN’s Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine Central Council.

“We’re a little fed up with the government’s refusal to respond to our demands,” continued Mr. Saint-Pierre.

The workers are pushing for a lighter workload, higher pay to improve attraction and retention, regional disparity bonuses for employees in certain remote regions, and measures to improve the quality of services for children, including clearly defined and respected ratios between the number of educators and children, as well as better support for children with special needs.

The other unions representing educators have settled with the Quebec government. “The demands between the other unions and the government and the CSN and the government are completely different. We’re asking for even more. I remind you that the ultimate goal of our demands is to retain and attract workers in the province’s early childhood centres. We consider our demands to be essential elements in attracting and retaining workers in CPEs,” explains Mr. Saint-Pierre.

The next step has not yet been determined. “It will always be about what happens at the negotiating table. If after Thursday’s strike, things get moving, we will see if it satisfies the negotiating committee. The committee has a mandate to demand certain things. If the committee judges that it is not enough to stop the mobilization or to delay it or put it on hold, the committee may decide whether or not to continue the strike,” specifies Mr. Saint-Pierre.

It is too early to discuss the possibility of an indefinite general strike.

In total 13,000 educators across Quebec, affiliated with the CSN will be participating in the strike.

CPE workers strike again Read More »

Abolition of Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia riding

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / February 12, 2025 / electoral map, matapedia, nelson sergerie

Droits collectifs Québec confident of reversing the decision

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – Droits collectifs Québec remains confident following the February 3 hearing before the Federal Court regarding the judicial review application challenging the abolition of the federal riding of Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia.

“We come out of this quite confident. We have presented the arguments of fact and law for maintaining the riding of Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia. The Attorney General of Canada and Elections Canada have done their job. There was a good exchange of arguments,” notes the attorney for Droits collectifs Québec, François Côté.

“Is Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia a riding that is characterized by distinctive elements? Is there really a prejudice suffered by voters in the electoral division? The opposing parties argued the opposite. It remains to be seen how the judge will weigh the arguments,” adds Mr. Côté, noting that the magistrate was very attentive and interested in the debate before him.

The judge is aware that time is of the essence, as elections could occur fairly quickly.

“He openly said that he was sensitive to time in the case and would try to render a decision as soon as possible. We sense a desire on the part of all parties to settle this matter before the elections,” maintains the attorney.

The big question raised by Droits collectifs Québec is: do the voters of the Gaspésie have the right, in the name of the principle of elective representation, to have their own constituency or not?

The application for judicial review is based on an opinion formulated by the Supreme Court of Canada in the context of the Reference re Provincial Electoral Boundaries in Saskatchewan and the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act.

Before the debate, Mr. Côté indicated that “We had to ask ourselves the question of whether democracy and life across a state is only a matter of absolute numbers, or is there such a thing as regional interests, that local particularities deserve to have a distinct voice even though numerically, they would not be on an equal footing. And the answer to this question for more than 300 years in our modern democracies is yes, they deserve it,” he said.

Regions, communities, geographic areas and regional histories also count in the debate. The Attorney General of Canada, in his brief, argued instead for numerical parity.

The adopted map, presented in the summer of 2022, provoked an outcry of protest from the entire political class in Gaspésie.

Avignon and Matanie are included in the new riding of Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine-Listuguj while Matapédia and Mitis are in Rimouski-La Matapédia.

The Federal Court had not granted a stay to maintain Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia pending a decision on the merits.

Abolition of Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia riding Read More »

Former director of urban planning for the Town of Percé faces charges

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / February 12, 2025 / municipal council, nelson sergerie, perce

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

PERCÉ – The former director of urban planning for the Town of Percé, Ghislain Pitre, is accused of fraud and breach of trust following an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commissioner.

The Permanent Anti-Corruption Unit (UPAC) investigation tends to show that, between 2009 and 2023, Mr. Pitre allegedly used the services provided by municipal employees under his direction for his own benefit.

In addition, between 2021 and 2023, the accused allegedly took advantage of subsidies awarded under the financial assistance program for heritage restoration of the Ministry of Culture and Communications, for which he was responsible, for personal purposes.

He would have benefited from more than $5,000 of public money for the renovation of his house, depriving other citizens of subsidies. The Municipal Commission’s report from last July mentioned some $80,000. He will appear on March 10 at the Percé Courthouse.

In December 2024, UPAC asked the Town to lift the professional privacy surrounding the administrative investigation that led to Mr. Pitre’s dismissal.

The organization requested access to the report following a request for disclosure from prosecutors from the Bureau of Serious Crime and Special Affairs of the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions.

UPAC had committed to using the report only for the specific purposes of the request and to keeping the document confidential until criminal charges were filed if the investigation were to come to that point.

On November 14, 2023, UPAC went to the Town Hall to meet with the then Director General, Jean-François Coderre, and various municipal employees in connection with the suspension of the former executive.

At the time, the executive was the subject of allegations of fraud, theft of large sums of money and falsification of documents.

An administrative investigation was launched to verify these allegations, with the Town indicating at the time that the suspension, with pay, followed a decision by the Supreme Court of Canada in order to respect the presumption of innocence.

On July 17, 2024, the town council dismissed the former executive following the filing of the 340-page administrative investigation report in labour law, by the law firm Therrien, Couture and Joli-Coeur. The council adopted a resolution a few minutes after learning of the document ordered during his suspension with pay on October 30.

Since the case was at risk of being brought to court, the municipal council had made no further comments on the resolution adopted that validated the dismissal.

The former executive is contesting his dismissal, and the hearing before the Administrative Labour Tribunal was postponed several times. The bill for the administrative investigation amounted to $131,250.

The mayor of Percé is reserving his comments following the announcement by the Anti-Corruption Commissioner. “This is a judicial matter. We will not comment. We will wait with you for the judgment,” Daniel Leboeuf said simply on the sidelines of the February 4 municipal council meeting.

Former director of urban planning for the Town of Percé faces charges Read More »

Fréchette steps down as director general of Percé

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / February 12, 2025 / municipal council, nelson sergerie, perce

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

PERCÉ – Michel Fréchette, who has been the director general of the Town of Percé since July 29 surprised the municipal council when he submitted his resignation a few minutes before the start of the February 4 public meeting.

Once the council was seated, Michel Fréchette handed the mayor and each of the councillors a four-page letter in an envelope, explaining the reasons for his resignation.

The decision of the town’s top civil servant is surprising, as he had signed a five-year contract, which included a one-year probation period and required two evaluations before he could become permanent in his position.

Moreover, the initial agenda of the council included the hiring of an external resource to conduct “a summary mid-term evaluation of the general management,” an item that was removed after Mr. Fréchette’s letter was submitted.

“I am as shocked as you are. We knew from the start in his letter of intent that he did not intend to make a career at the Town of Percé. He came to bring back a certain stability.

I have not read his letter of resignation, which is quite long. We will study it in council and we will take note of it,” comments the mayor, Daniel Leboeuf.

The announcement of this departure, which will be effective March 6, creates another gap in the organizational structure, considering that currently there is no clerk or director of public works and urban planning in the public administration.

“One complication does not wait for another,” the mayor commented.

The Town had ordered an organizational diagnosis in January. The work began the same day his resignation was announced.

“They’re coming to give us tips on how to get organized. We really need them. They’re going to help us with the process of hiring a director general. Maybe it’s coming at the right time to question everyone’s responsibilities,” says Mr. Leboeuf.

Mr. Fréchette’s hiring was not a unanimous decision within the council. He replaced Jean-François Coderre, who left the position by mutual agreement on June 21.

Mr. Fréchette declined to comment on February 4, giving the council time to review his resignation letter.

Fréchette steps down as director general of Percé Read More »

The federal government provides support for winter cruise ships

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / February 5, 2025 / development, gaspe, nelson sergerie, tourism

Nelson Sergerie, LJI

Cruise Association is receiving funding from the federal government to continue its activities for the next four years, including the development of winter cruises.

Canada Economic Development will provide $1,860,000 to the organization, awarded by the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, Jean-Yves Duclos, taking advantage of the visit of the first winter cruise aboard the Commandant Charcot to the Port of Quebec City. The vessel had stopped in Gaspé on January 21.

A first non-refundable installment of $960,000 is part of the renewal of the association’s support. This funding will cover a period of four years, and will allow the organization to support businesses in developing and structuring the tourism offering and marketing outside Quebec, in collaboration with the Quebec Ministry of Tourism, the Quebec Tourism Industry Alliance and ecosystem partners.

The second non-refundable portion, totalling $900,000, will help the association promote a new winter cruise offer and improve the cruise tourism offering in Quebec.

This funding will support a dozen tourism businesses in the regions, including five cruise stopovers, four of which are in the regions of the Magdalen Islands, Gaspé, Sept-Îles and Saguenay, in addition to the Quebec stopover, which serves as the port of embarkation and disembarkation for cruise passengers.

With this support, local businesses and tourism organizations throughout the province will benefit from financial assistance to enhance their tourism products and experiences, helping to attract more visitors to the regions.

“The support from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions has allowed us to support stopover organizations so that they can equip themselves with essential equipment and infrastructure to improve the offering and ensure the comfort and safety of reception staff operating in winter conditions. The renewal of our agreement will also allow us to continue to support companies in the sector for the development of cruises in Quebec,” commented René Trépanier, General Manager of Croisières du Saint-Laurent.

Gaspé is scheduled to receive four more stops by the Commandant Charcot this winter, bringing a total of approximately 500 passengers for this first experience. If successful, the ship may return to the St. Lawrence in 2027.

The federal government provides support for winter cruise ships Read More »

A beach replenishment will be necessary in Percé

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / February 5, 2025 / Environment, erosion, nelson sergerie, perce

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

PERCÉ – After noticing that the Anse du Sud beach will have to be replenished this year, Percé Mayor Daniel Leboeuf raised the issue with the Ministry of Public Security.

The mayor noted work done in the 2010s, including the rebuilt promenade, and the beach replenishment which protects the promenade but it remains vulnerable in certain areas.

“The emergency work carried out in the fall of 2023 made it possible to secure the promenade and other structures. Adjustment work was planned for 2024, but it happened at the beginning of the summer. There was a difference of opinion with what the Ministry of Public Safety was proposing and there were other incidents,” explains Mayor Leboeuf, referring to, without saying so, the resignation of former Mayor Cathy Poirier.

“From one point of view, it was a good thing because, before Christmas, we had a few high tides that encroached on the recharge and the promenade is close to being in danger. We will need it done in 2025 and discussions with the Ministry of Public Safety have begun,” he says.

In 2023, a massive recharge had been done, even going so far as to practically eliminate developments carried out in 2017.

“It’s a bit of trial and error. We identified a few places where we would need to add more,” explains the mayor.

The Ministry of Public Safety will assume the bulk of the costs, with a game plan expected by the end of January. Meanwhile, emergency repairs to the old promenade wall inside the fishing harbour, done last year, will need to be redone. The Ministry of Transport has been called in to address this portion.

“The end of this promenade has been affected. Even the emergency work is starting to fail. We are losing big chunks of it,” says the elected official. “We will have to see if we will have to find another solution,” he says.

Organizational diagnosis

The Town of Percé has commissioned an organizational diagnosis to assess its municipal administration, following a report published last year on its operations. A contract worth $63,256, with the possibility of reaching $70,000 with various amendments, was awarded to the firm GO RH.

At the January 14 municipal council meeting, some citizens questioned this expense, asking why the work was not done internally. “One of the problems we have to face is the shortage of municipal officers. The director of urban planning has left, the clerk has retired, and the municipal inspector is not in the office. It would be asking for extra work from the remaining employees for a human resources specialist approach,” explains the mayor.

Using specialists who have experience could be beneficial for the Town of Percé. “They have seen other things and can find ways for us to operate more efficiently and perhaps even with a more reasonable budget. We found that it was a good investment,” he states.

The town plans to meet with the firm in the coming days to define the schedule and the mayor hopes to submit the report by the end of the year.

Even though the Commission had not made it an obligation, this exercise was strongly suggested. “When the school principal recommends that we line up and enter the classroom, we obey,” says Mr. Leboeuf

Petition in support of Mr. Émile

A petition to support the relocation project of Fumoir M. Émile de Percé has collected 634 signatures and has been submitted to the municipal council.

The ten existing jobs, the strengthening of the agritourism economy, supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs, the international recognition of the product and its local pride are cited in support of the request. The petition, initiated by the employees, was submitted by co-owner Cathy Poirier to the elected officials.

The company had requested a zoning change to allow a larger building at Anse-à-Beaufils, which was refused in December.

“I would ask you, Mr. Mayor, if you could sit down with the council again to discuss the situation. The project will respect the district of the sector in its architecture, its attractiveness, etc.,” argued Ms. Poirier.

In the event of a positive response, Ms. Poirier added that a building permit would be required, which would allow for all the elements to be detailed in accordance with an amended by-law.

The council has accepted the petition.

In December, the request filed by Alain Méthot consisted of amending the zoning by-law in the Anse-à-Beaufils sector to increase the maximum occupied surface area from 250 square metres to 420 square metres to allow for the installation of a smoking room on the street in Bonfils.

The company’s objective was to bring together its facilities on Highway 132, rather than maintaining activities on Chemin d’Irlande.

The council’s rejection of the zoning change was perceived by Ms. Poirier as a form of revenge, as she had resigned from the municipal council in July following several months of tension with certain council members and ongoing issues at the town hall.

A beach replenishment will be necessary in Percé Read More »

Respiratory viruses spreading in the region

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / February 5, 2025 / health care, nelson sergerie, Public health, viruses

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – According to the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands Public Health Department there is currently a moderate number of respiratory virus cases in the Gaspé Peninsula, which is comparable to last year.

Following the holiday season, a time which is conducive to the spread of viruses, many people posted on social media about having contracted a virus.

“The data we have indicates that we are in it (flu season). It is a fairly normal season,” says the interim Public Health director, Dr. Christine Dufour Turbis.

It is difficult to have an accurate picture since people who have mild symptoms do not seek medical attention. However, “the number of calls for flu-like symptoms to the 811 service is not very high,” says the specialist.

COVID-19 in the region has stabilized after a surge in September. “There was more COVID in September. It is decreasing and has been stable for a few weeks in the region. There are a few outbreaks in some CISSS establishments, but it is quite stable,” comments Dr. Dufour Turbis.

The influenza virus arrived in mid-December. “Currently, it is increasing. We have a rate comparable to a regular season. The 2024-2025 season does not stand out compared to other seasons for the moment,” she says.

Dr. Dufour Turbis anticipates an upcoming wave, as the virus is present in other parts of Quebec. “We feel that it is coming,” she warns.

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) also made its appearance in early December, primarily affecting very young children.

Whooping cough, which is bacterial, is on the decline after a highly active 2024. “Since the start of the school year, it has been decreasing. I know there were a few cases during the holiday season, but the last news is that it was decreasing. But the disease is still present in the region,” states Dr. Dufour Turbis.

Meanwhile, although measles has made a comeback in Quebec it is currently not in the Gaspé Peninsula.

A provincial monitoring effort has been reintroduced.

“In the region, we have good vaccination coverage. It is a strength of the region. We have a vaccine that protects individuals well against measles. We are preparing regionally but for the moment, we are not affected at all, nor by the wave that hit elsewhere in 2024 in Quebec,” she emphasizes.

Vaccination campaigns against influenza and COVID-19 are ongoing. Even late, the vaccine remains effective. “The people we are targeting are those who have risk factors. Everyone can get vaccinated. These viruses mutate and we will not be able to eliminate them through vaccination. The goal of vaccination is to prevent complications of the disease and deaths in people at risk,” explains the doctor, who reminds us that if people have any symptoms of the flu, it is better to stay home or wear a mask in public places.

Respiratory viruses spreading in the region Read More »

FEDERAL RIDInG MODIFICATIONS: Application for judicial review heard by federal court

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / February 5, 2025 / electoral map, judicial review, nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPE – On February 3, the application for judicial review challenging the decision to abolish the federal riding of Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia was heard before the Federal Court.

On January 22, Droits collectifs Québec received the court summons to present legal arguments, which are expected to take the entire day, as both parties filed their briefs last fall.

“There will be exhibits, factual elements, but above all, it will be a major legal debate on whether the voters of Gaspésie have the right, in the name of the principle of elective representation, to have their own riding or not. This is the issue that will be debated before the courts and that will be decided later, quickly, we hope, by the Federal Court,” notes attorney François Côté for Droits collectifs Québec.

The application for judicial review is based on an opinion given by the Supreme Court of Canada in the Saskatchewan Provincial Electoral Districts and Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act Reference.

“We ask ourselves whether democracy and life across a state is only a matter of absolute numbers or is there such a thing as regional interests, that local particularities deserve to have a distinct voice even though numerically, they would not be on par. And the answer to this question for more than 300 years in our modern democracies is ‘yes, they do,’” argues Mr. Côté.

In the debate, regions, communities, geographic areas and regional histories also play a significant role.

However, the Attorney General of Canada, in his factum, argues for numerical parity. “The argument of the Attorney General of Canada and Elections Canada is numerical parity. In theory, the argument is not without validity in an absolute world. If you have 100 voters for one MP (Member of Parliament) while in another riding, you have 50 voters for one MP, the voters in the second riding have twice as much power. This is the calculation made by the Attorney General and Elections Canada: the population density of the Gaspésie does not justify having so many ridings,” says Mr. Côté.

The prosecutor notes that at the provincial level, Quebec backed down on its electoral map revision and maintained the riding of Gaspé for the moment with the same concept of elective representation.

The adopted map that was presented in the summer of 2022 provoked much protest from the entire political class in the Gaspé Peninsula.

Avignon and Matanie are sent to the new riding of Gaspésie-Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine-Listuguj while Matapédia and Mitis are in Rimouski-La Matapédia.

The Federal Court had not granted a stay to maintain Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia pending a decision on the merits. With elections likely in the spring, the matter remains urgent.

“Given the urgency of the situation, we made it clear to the Federal Court. We made representations. Everyone understands that there is an imperative to decide the matter quickly. We hope that the deliberations will not take too long. With a hearing on February 3, we can hope for a judgment before the election is called,” says the prosecutor.

The possibility of filing an urgent motion remains if circumstances require it.

“Initially, we filed a stay that was refused by the court because we did not meet the urgency criterion. However, as soon as an election is called, it would be possible to obtain a stay during the deliberations. The option is always there,” he believes.

FEDERAL RIDInG MODIFICATIONS: Application for judicial review heard by federal court Read More »

Bloc leader understands Kristina Michaud’s decision

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / February 5, 2025 / election, electoral map, matapedia, nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

OTTAWA – The leader of the Bloc Québécois understands Member of Parliament (MP) Kristina Michaud’s decision to devote herself to motherhood rather than the next electoral campaign. Yves-François Blanchet points out that the two have been discussing the situation for several weeks.

“The timing is simply bad. The election is coming at the end of her pregnancy, which is not ideal for Kristina. It’s a new riding which reaches the Magdalen Islands and then, with a baby, to travel regularly to Ottawa. It’s huge,” mentions the Bloc leader.

Usually, accommodations are possible to support young mothers. “Here, we are in an unreal situation. I understand the situation very well,” adds Mr. Blanchet. He notes that six or seven MPs have had children during the current legislature. “It works very well, but Kristina Michaud’s case is something else,” continues the Bloc leader.

“Kristina was very brilliant in the political world and she will come back, I am convinced of it,” praises Mr. Blanchette.

Without belittling the other members of his caucus, replacing Ms. Michaud at short notice will be a challenge. “We have an obligation to have a candidacy that will be brilliant. It’s a challenge that we will overcome in the coming days with enthusiasm,” he assures, adding that he does not want to drag things out, especially since an election could come quickly. “We have so much momentum that the choice of candidates is going very well,” says the leader.

Several names have been suggested

Asked whether Guy Bernatchez, who was a Bloc candidate in the last two elections, was approached, Mr. Blanchet remains reserved. “I am not mentioning any names because only one candidate will emerge at the end of the process and I do not want to overshadow those who will not be candidates,” explains the Bloc leader.

When contacted, Mr. Bernatchez, who was in the running in 2019 and 2021, finishing behind Liberal MP Diane Lebouthillier, did not want to give an interview. He simply mentioned that he would have to think about it.

The withdrawal of Ms. Michaud, who had indicated last April in Grande-Rivière that she was in the race in the new riding of Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine-Listuguj, has also sparked discussions within the Conservatives.

A Conservative candidate in 2015, 2019 and 2021 in Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Jean-Pierre Pigeon indicates that he is in discussions with the senior authorities of his party about a possible candidacy for the next election.

Having worked in the insurance industry for 50 years, Mr. Pigeon is focusing first on the end of his career as he has sold his firm. The transaction will be effective on March 1. If he decides to run, the man who has been campaigning for the party since the days of Joe Clark would be in his fourth fight against Liberal MP Diane Lebouthillier, first elected in 2015.

Asked to comment on Ms. Michaud’s departure, the Liberal MP sent a short reaction. “We hope she has a good end to her pregnancy and that she fully enjoys this precious moment as a mother,” said Ms. Lebouthillier from Newfoundland and Labrador, where she was on tour as the Minister of Fisheries.

Bloc leader understands Kristina Michaud’s decision Read More »

Obstetrics service disruptions

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / February 5, 2025 / cisss, gaspe peninsula, health care, nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

SAINTE-ANNE-DES-MONTS – The prefect of the MRC of Haute-Gaspésie is concerned about a recent break in obstetric services at the Sainte-Anne-des-Monts hospital.

After briefly resuming operations, the service was interrupted again from January 24 to February 13.

The department had reopened on January 16 after a series of disruptions since December 22.

“It’s a service that we managed to get back over the years that we can no longer do without. “Having an obstetrics department at the Hôpital des Monts is one of the factors that makes a region attractive,” says Guy Bernatchez, who regularly discusses the situation with the CISSS de la Gaspésie.

“We must not forget that the department returned after a long battle. The discussion revolves around the situation that has arisen in recent months. The CISSS de la Gaspésie assures us that we are working to resolve the situation once and for all,” adds the prefect.

The department was shut down from 2008 to 2012 due to a shortage of doctors.

A committee has been formed to explore solutions, an initiative announced last November for the local network of Haute-Gaspésie and the Gaspé Peninsula region.

“Solutions will be needed in terms of training the workforce specialized in obstetrics. If we have this problem, it is because the workforce is scarce and we need to find solutions to get to the source of the problem so that in the educational institutions we can make strides towards these areas,” says Mr. Bernatchez. “I dare to believe that we will find a solution with the committee set up,” he continues.

The lack of nurses to staff the services is the primary reason for the breakdown. The department is expected to partially reopen on February 13 and 14, with an obstetrics resource on site.

The Gaspé Peninsula Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSS) hopes that the department will be fully operational by February 15.

Eight pregnant women are affected by the latest disruption and have been informed of the situation.

The CISSS has implemented a service corridor with the Matane hospital centre, an hour’s drive from Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. “For women further west in the MRC, it may not be a problem to travel to Matane. But to the east of the MRC, the travel time can be up to two or two and a half hours to get to Matane. Touch wood. Two women have given birth outside the MRC since these service breaks and it went well. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for the future,” says Mr. Bernatchez.

Pregnant women who wish to do so can obtain accommodation in Matane, and the CISSS is offering additional solutions to those who need them.

The Sainte-Anne-des-Monts hospital must rely exclusively on independent workers to provide obstetrics services.

Obstetrics service disruptions Read More »

Not an easy working environmentwithin the Gaspé fire brigade

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / February 5, 2025 / fire service, gaspe, nelson sergerie, public safety

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – Tensions are rising between a group of firefighters and the Town of Gaspé over the direction of the fire department following the departure of former chief Carl Sinnett.

Two factions have formed within the brigade, which has 85 firefighters: those who were supporters of the former chief and those who wanted new blood and an improvement in the service. According to information obtained by people familiar with the matter, a dispute over the purchase of jaws of life led to friction between some members of the brigade, which explains the intervention of the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) last summer.

It was then that some firefighters formed a group against Carl Sinnett and attended the investigation that ultimately led to his departure.

In October, The SPEC revealed a toxic environment within the brigade, which contributed to Carl Sinnett’s one-week suspension in connection with a harassment case.

The Town of Gaspé declined to comment, citing employee confidentiality. The CNESST confirmed that “a prevention-inspection intervention file was opened for the fire station of the Town of Gaspé and an inspection was conducted on July 23, 2024, to verify the implementation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the regulations applicable to psychosocial risks.”

At the time the Town ordered a study on the work climate. The results have been received and are currently under review by authorities.

Our sources within the brigade say that the arrival of the interim director Éric Fugère, who is also director of the Percé fire department, has caused further friction.

They claim that Mr. Fugère has been using a Town service vehicle “for personal purposes,” particularly in the Percé territory.

A photo of unit 148, taken in Percé during the Polar Dip in December, was even circulated.

Furthermore, according to our sources, the interim chief informed firefighters that more specialized rescues, such as water rescue, high-altitude rescue, and hazardous materials response would be required since the training of Gaspé firefighters does not meet the necessary criteria and must be provided by the National Firefighters School.

Our sources express concerns that citizens are unaware of the situation. They also allege that Mr. Fugère is making questionable decisions regarding the risk coverage plan, our sources continue.

On several occasions, fire stations were put on standby, resulting in costs for taxpayers, and the interim director did not know the Gaspé area very well. Our sources wonder if these situations are normal.

Several firefighters have left the department in recent weeks, some of whom had several years of service.

At the Town Hall, the mayor of Gaspé, Daniel Côté, also a firefighter is not commenting on this matter. Communications Director Jérôme Tardif wrote: “The Town of Gaspé wants to reassure the population: the fire safety service remains fully functional, and firefighters continue to provide security coverage across the entire territory.”

Regarding the departure of firefighters, Mr. Tardif notes that “With the improvements in our processes and the implementation of the recommendations of the work climate report, several fire

fighters have decided to leave the fire safety service. Despite everything, our staff remains sufficient to ensure coverage of the territory.”

The Town has made “significant investments” in firefighter equipment as well as in recognized training, to optimize operations and the development of our staff.

Additional measures will be deployed in the coming months to further strengthen this essential service.

Regarding the company vehicle, the Town mentions that the contract with the interim fire director – for three months – provides access to the same company vehicle as the former director, under the same conditions.

The position of fire department director is currently open for applications.

Not an easy working environmentwithin the Gaspé fire brigade Read More »

$3 million from the Fisheries Fund, mainly for redfish

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / February 4, 2025 / dfo, fisheries, fisheries fund, gaspe peninsula, nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The Quebec Fisheries Fund (QFF) has approved nearly $3 million for three innovative projects.

A large portion of this amount will go to ACPG Innovation, a non-profit organization affiliated with the Association des Capitaines Propriétaires de la Gaspésie. The contribution will help fishing companies in Quebec’s marine sectors adapt to the redfish fishery in a sustainable manner.

ACPG Innovation will act as a third-party redistributor of QFF funds to companies that will benefit from this contribution for the acquisition of innovative equipment and boat adaptations.

The project will help fish harvesters access funds quickly through one of the following components: acquisition of fishing gear, increased fishing efficiency, vessel modification, and fish handling/preservation.

The contribution will enable fleets in Quebec’s maritime regions to acquire innovative equipment and adapt their boats for the redfish fishery.

A sum of $1.9 million comes from the federal government, and $825,000 from the Quebec government for a total project cost of $3 million, including the fishermen or plant owners’ share.

The ACPG Innovation project is the first major redfish project following DFO’s announcement in January 2024 of the resumption of the redfish fishery.

Funds will also be allocated to Atkins et Frères of Mont-Louis to help the company market a new product, fish sausages. The federal government is providing $70,000 and the Quebec government is providing $30,000 for the acquisition of manufacturing equipment. High-end sausages will be launched in Quebec, Ontario and the Maritimes. The sausages will be made from halibut, redfish and lobster from the Gaspé Peninsula, as well as salmon. The total investment is valued at $111,000.

Lelièvre, Lelièvre et Lemoignan Limitée of Sainte-Thérèse-de-Gaspé will receive $70,000 from the federal government and $30,000 from the Quebec government to improve its lobster tanks. The funds will be used for the acquisition of state-of-the-art water filtration and recirculation equipment for a breeding tank (water basin) to respond to the increase in lobster landings and the labour shortage. To ensure a more efficient overall system, the existing tanks will be modified to incorporate the same technologies. This project is valued at $160,000.

The Member of Parliament for the Gaspé Peninsula and the Magdalen Islands and Minister of Fisheries, Diane Lebouthillier, was scheduled to make the announcement on December 13 in Gaspé. However, the press conference was cancelled at the last minute “due to unforeseen circumstances related to the minister’s travel,” said the ministry, which made the announcement in a press release.

Launched in 2019, the Fisheries Fund is funded 70% by the federal government and 30% by the Quebec government. It supports projects focused on innovation in the areas of commercial fisheries, aquaculture, harvesting and processing of seafood, and scientific partnerships.

According to both levels of government, the funding will help create opportunities and improve the market value of sustainably harvested, high-quality fish and seafood in Quebec.

To date, the fund has supported 179 projects, allocating 29.5 million of its $40 million budget.

$3 million from the Fisheries Fund, mainly for redfish Read More »

Strike by CSN-affiliated daycare educators

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / January 29, 2025 / CPE, CSN, daycare, gaspe peninsula, nelson sergerie, recruitment, stike

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – On January 23, at least 150 of the 300 daycare educators in the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands, affiliated with the CSN union, demonstrated in the streets of Gaspé, to activate the renewal of the collective labour agreement, which expired on March 31, 2023.

As a result, parents who have children attending one of the 12 early childhood centres (CPE) in the region had to find alternative childcare for the day.

This is the first day of strike action out of five adopted last fall. “It’s satisfying to see so many educators mobilized. This proves to us that almost all early childhood educators need better working conditions, better support for children in difficulty, and better pedagogical support. They need better working conditions in general,” states the president of the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine Central Council of the CSN, Serge Saint-Pierre.

CPEs are struggling to recruit workers, as is the case for the new 71-place facility in Chandler, which is only operating at 25% of its capacity due to the inability to recruit enough staff.

“We see that in large centres, educators are leaving to go work at places like Walmart or Costco, where they are paid more and the workload is much less,” explains Mr. Saint-Pierre.

“If we want economic development, if we want regional development, one of the problems we see is the lack of places in early childhood. The government can resolve this issue and make it a priority. That’s what it said it would do a few years ago. We’re still waiting for the results,” says Mr. Saint-Pierre.

The educators also visited the office of Gaspé Member of the National Assembly Stéphane Sainte-Croix to present their demands.

“We need early childhood centres. The network isn’t sick, but we’re having trouble retaining workers and attracting them to fill vacant positions. It’s having an impact on the region’s economy to accommodate the children of parents looking for work. Workers aren’t returning to the workforce because there aren’t any daycare spaces,” explained Mr. Saint-Pierre.

At the negotiating table, some sector-specific issues have been resolved, but no salary offers have been made by the employer.

Meanwhile, other CPE workers’ unions have settled with the Quebec government. “It’s a matter for the negotiating committee. Why did Quebec settle with the small CPE unions and not make a final offer with the CSN? We have the impression that they want to drag out the negotiations,” believes Gaétan Leblanc, regional vice-president of the CSN’s Fédération de la santé et des services sociaux.

The union still has four more strike days that can be used as needed.

The workers are demanding a lighter workload, better pay to ensure attraction and retention, regional disparity bonuses for employees in certain remote regions and measures to improve the quality of services to children. These include clear and respected ratios between the number of educators and children, as well as better support for children with special needs.

In Quebec, 13,000 educators affiliated with the CSN were on strike on January 23.

Strike by CSN-affiliated daycare educators Read More »

New petition to dismiss the Gespeg council

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / January 29, 2025 / election, gespeg, nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The Gespeg Elders Circle is launching a new petition, this time demanding the dismissal of the council that was elected in September.

The elders claim to have received evidence showing that the decision not to mail out an election notice to all members was an administrative decision by its general manager, Connie Jacques, which deprived several members of the Nation of their right to vote.

“They didn’t follow the most important thing, which is to make sure that everyone in our community has the right to vote,” states spokesperson Linda Jean.

The council has told the elders that it is not their decision. The Election Review Committee has responded to a request from a candidate for the position of chief. “The Chair of the Election agreed with Gespeg management that the Nation of Gespeg would forward all the documents produced by the Chair of the Election because the Nation’s leaders had all the information on the members’ contact information and were already aware of the functional transmission methods for voters,” said Ms. Jean, reading from a response sent to Mark Sinnett.

Mr. Sinnett stated that the council must give the mandate to the Chair of the Elections, as governance cannot be involved in the process.

“The management made the decision not to do mailouts due to costs. That’s what we were told. They were very aware of our custom of sending mailouts to all members so that all members have the information,” said Mr. Sinnett.

Thus, the decision ultimately rested with the general manager, Connie Jacques. “The basic element that triggered our work is the fact that our members were not informed that there were elections,” added Mr. Sinnett.

The Department of Indigenous Services Canada was not been approached, as Gespeg is not governed by the Indian Act for elections but by its own membership code.

“Now, I believe that we can take steps after two public outings (during which their concerns were expressed). We have a lawyer who is guiding us and helping us steer the ship,” said Ms. Jean.

The petition also mentions the need for the Council to be placed under trusteeship by the Government of Canada because the reading of the financial statements does not demonstrate the reality and shows poor management of the Nation’s funds.

The group states that the Nation’s cash flow went from $6 million in 2022 to only $2 million in 2024, with a deficit of $917,000 in the last year.

For the petition to be admissible, 206 signatures are required, or 50% + 1 of the 411 voters who participated in the September election.

Last fall, the first petition that gathered more than 375 signatures from Gespeg members was rejected. The council responded that the document had to be filed with the President of Elections.

During discussions at the annual general meeting on November 24, the current council confirmed that it was remaining in office, despite the wishes of the members. According to the council, all the rules of the electoral code were respected and, consequently, their election is legitimate.

Ms. Jean is confident that this second petition will be successful. “The beauty of our committee is that we are here for our children and grandchildren. We are doing this because there are currently seven people who manage the building at the political level, without having had an adequate election, in our opinion,” says the spokesperson. Contrary to current custom, Gespeg elders are not entitled to the same respect as in other Aboriginal communities. “It’s crystal clear,” concludes Ms. Jean.

New petition to dismiss the Gespeg council Read More »

First winter cruise in Gaspé after a decade of efforts

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / January 29, 2025 / development, gaspe, national park, nelson sergerie, winter tourism

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The first winter cruise ship arrived in Gaspé on January 21 at noon. The Commandant Charcot of the Ponant cruise line anchored at the Sandy Beach wharf in a project that had been on the table since 2018.

The ship is carrying 153 passengers on this inaugural winter cruise, sailing through the St. Lawrence on its journey. This stopover is the first of five scheduled by the shipowner between now and March 9. “It’s happening. It’s taking shape. We can’t wait. We’re on the lookout.” We’re looking forward to it,” said Destination Gaspé’s Port of Call director, Igor Urban, a few hours before its arrival

The ship was docked at the wharf for 24 hours, a rare occurrence during summer cruises in Gaspé. The lack of snow forced the organization to adjust the activities offered to passengers.

The guests went snowshoeing in Forillon Park, met with the Micmac Nation of Gespeg, and took part in an interpretation activity on Gaspesian plants in Coin-du-Banc.

“Backcountry skiing was planned, but potentially with the February 4 and 5 stopover, this activity will be on the agenda once again,” said Mr. Urban. “We’re adapting,” he said.

The organization mobilized extra staff to ensure a proper welcome for the cruise ship passengers. “It requires a little more effort because it’s outside of what we usually do. But people responded. We had all our guides and our people at the reception. We are really happy. We also feel a mobilization at the team level,” mentions Mr. Urban.

A significant first also occurred during this inaugural winter stop. “For the first time, we had a resupply. The ship comes from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon. It had crossed the Atlantic before starting its stay in the St. Lawrence. They needed food and instead of resupplying in the big centres, they chose to do it in Gaspé,” explained Mr. Urban.

In total, 15 pallets of food had to be transported on the ship. “Usually, we can help out with eggs or things like that, but here, we are in a real ship’s grocery store. We had been warned two weeks ago. The Port of Gaspé was proactive,” he explains. The shipment included trout and Gaspé salmon.

In total, 503 people will visit Gaspé during the ship’s five scheduled stopovers, according to current reservations, marking a historic chapter for the region.

“This is a pilot year. The company will see how it goes and if everything works to their liking and the passengers are happy, it could come back in 2027. Other cruise companies that also offer winter activities are looking at what is happening right now. It’s a double benefit for us,” says Mr. Urban.

Other companies have already shown interest in the destination. “In April 2024, we were already being asked questions by other companies. It’s something that is being observed,” says Mr. Urban as shipowners inquired about the situation at a cruise convention in Miami.

Looking ahead, for the 2025 summer season, 19 ships have confirmed visits so far, with a total of 12,579 passengers expected. The season will run from May 11 to October 27

“We will receive slightly fewer ships in 2025. There may be changes. That is why the calendar is not official. We expected it. It is due to a transition in the organization of cruises. 2025 is the result of 2022. We are already seeing an increase in 2026 and we are talking about 26 cruises booked for the moment,” notes the port manager.

In 2024, Escale Gaspésie welcomed 7,405 cruise passengers during the summer season.

The season wrapped up on October 28 with 22 ships, but since the boats are smaller and more luxurious, the attendance statistics were affected.

First winter cruise in Gaspé after a decade of efforts Read More »

Langlois-Chandler saga exceeds $400,000

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / January 29, 2025 / chandler, municipal, nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

CHANDLER – The saga surrounding the Town of Chandler’s claim against former Mayor Louisette Langlois has cost the Town more than $400,000 in legal fees to date, while no date has yet been set for the case.

For the period from October to December 2024, the total legal costs amounted to $29,984.95. The firm GBC Avocats, to which Charles Caza, the attorney for the former mayor is part, billed $16,542.67. The Town’s representation, Morency Avocats, issued an invoice for $13,442.28.

The Percé courthouse clerk’s office issued the certificate of completeness on January 7.

The parties are now awaiting a hearing date for the application.

In January 2021, the council adopted a resolution leading to the filing of the claim by the Town, emphasizing in particular that the accusations against Louisette Langlois resulted from serious or intentional misconduct, by giving precedence to her personal interest, by having committed actions intentionally and premeditatedly, all to achieve her ends.

The argument was repeated in the motion for an originating application for reimbursement of defence costs filed in January 2022, which sought $230,411 in reimbursement.

Chandler’s attorneys mentioned in particular that “The decision rendered (…) on December 21, 2020, is damning concerning the defendant and establishes that the defendant’s acts or omissions are serious and/or intentional and/or separable from the exercise of her functions.”

They added that the former mayor “Has multiplied the procedures, some of which are unnecessary, unfounded and truncated in light of the evidence presented before the CMQ (Commission municipale du Québec).”

In December 2019, Louisette Langlois was cited for 21 breaches of the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct of Chandler Elected Officials. After hearings in July 2020, the Commission concluded that the former mayor was guilty of 20 breaches, including conflicts of interest, in December 2020. Before the sanction hearing, Ms. Langlois attempted to obtain a stay of proceedings, and contested the notice of sanction issued against her, going so far as to ask to reopen the investigation, requests that were rejected by administrative Judge Sandra Bilodeau.

The former mayor went to the Superior Court, where she was dismissed in July 2021, and suffered the same fate in October 2021 before the Court of Appeal.

In addition, the motion accused her of having multiplied the procedures thereafter.

The Town has adjusted its claim to more than $300,000 and is now including the costs incurred in the ongoing legal proceedings. The total bill for this saga has now reached $404,786.

Langlois-Chandler saga exceeds $400,000 Read More »

Train will not go to Gaspé before the end of 2027

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / January 29, 2025 / gaspe, MTQ, nelson sergerie, rail, Transportation

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ- The Quebec Department of Transport is once again postponing the deadline to rehabilitate the reopening of the railroad to Gaspé, now targeting the fall of 2027.

In 2017, the provincial government promised to reach Gaspé in 2022. Then it was 2026, 2025, then 2026 again and now, all the regional stakeholders in the file estimate that the terminus of the line will not see its first train until the fall of 2027.

“It is a disappointment,” says Gaspé Mayor Daniel Côté, who participated in a rail work monitoring committee with the authorities of the Quebec Ministry of Transport on January 22.

“We’re being told about 2027 in the broad sense, but I would venture to assume that it’s probably later than 2027,” Daniel Côté continued.

For several weeks now, two major calls for tenders remain suspended by Transports Québec. On January 22, the Ministry of Transport announced that it was cancelling these calls for tenders, citing significant differences with the estimated budget required.

The first call launched on March 21 faced nine postponements, and bids were only opened on September 18. Pomerleau submitted a bid for $258 million, while Partenariat Ferroviaire Gaspésie suggested $286 million to complete the work.

The work involves repairing two bridges in Gascons, another between Gascons and Newport, one in Newport, and one in Douglastown. In addition, a bridge in Grande-Rivière was to be replaced, and a retaining wall in Pabos Mills is also part of the bid.

The contract duration was estimated at 28 months, according to the call for tenders. Another revised contract, which had originally provided for the repair or construction of nine infrastructure projects, but for which the price request was ultimately only for bridges, has also been dropped.

The targeted sites were a small bridge in Pabos Mills, the Grand Pabos River bridge, the Pabos River bridge, the Barachois bridge and the road bridge on Highway 132 in Barachois.

The Ministry of Transport had removed the four retaining walls at Anse-à-Beaufils and Sandy Beach from the project. The ministry indicated that the revised contract was estimated at over $50 million. On August 28, Pomerleau submitted the lowest proposal of $79 million. Hamel Construction, the only other bidder, was asking for $83.8 million.

For the first contract, involving nine structures, only Pomerleau had submitted a bid of $104 million. “Consequently, the ministry will review its planning for awarding contracts with the aim of completing the entire project. As such, the design and the strategy for grouping the work will be reviewed with the aim of obtaining more competitive bids during the next calls for tenders,” the ministry said in a January 22 press release. At the end of this review, it will be possible to present a new completion schedule for the remaining work between Port-Daniel-Gascons and Gaspé.

“Everything is being done to complete all the work up to Gaspé as quickly as possible,” the ministry added.

“This is the process we got bogged down in. The time it takes to get out of the process is time we’re not spending doing work. That largely explains why the work is delayed and why we’re disappointed,” says Mayor Côté.

The total of the tenders could now surpass $517 million, the sum budgeted by Transports Québec for the Port Daniel-Gaspé stretch of railroad, Some contracts have already been awarded on that section.

Not a surprise

“It (another delay) is not really a surprise. We’ve seen it coming for a while, knowing that barely 50% of the contracts were awarded on the third section and that there were calls for tender rejected. It was inevitable,” comments the president of the Société du chemin de fer de la Gaspésie, Éric Dubé. “To meet the 2026 deadline, all the work would have had to be given in 2024,” adds Mr. Dubé.

“The calls for tenders compared to the estimates have exploded. When they are not able to explain the discrepancies and with the leeway they can afford, they have to find solutions to return to calls for tenders,” he continues.

“What will be important is for the ministry to come out with calls for tenders as soon as possible so as not to lose another year,” says Mr. Dubé.

The ministry mentioned this coming spring. “The definition of spring is not a specific date. Will it be April? May? We want it as soon as possible to have an answer as quickly as possible. We will just know when the calls for tenders open if there will be other delays. We have just lost 2024,” says President Dubé.

In an ideal world, bids should be called in February so as not to lose 2025. “They are working very hard to go to calls for tenders so as not to lose another year,” continued Mr. Dubé.

The Société du chemin de fer de la Gaspésie could be asked to do more work to give a boost to the rehabilitation.

“We think we can minimize costs. The ministry came to us with an additional bridge in Caplan since the section will not be open before June. It’s a big project and we will be able to deliver. That’s the role we can play to help,” says Mr. Dubé.

The superstructures will not be able to be built by the company, but the culverts and level crossings could be taken care of.

One billion dollars?

Will a budget of $1 billion be needed to complete the entire refurbishment?

“We asked ourselves whether additional funds will be needed. As long as that is not known, it will be difficult to ask for more until we have spent all the money we have. The ministry is working on the objective of carrying out the necessary work. Until all calls for tenders are open, it’s difficult to speculate. We’re not there yet,” Mr. Dubé analyzes.

The work will continue in 2025 on six sites between Port-Daniel-Gascons and Gaspé.

The interventions include the reconstruction of seven structures (five bridges and two walls), the rehabilitation of 18 structures, the relocation of track in three sectors, the replacement of more than 120 culverts, protection work against coastal erosion and submersion and interventions on the components of the railway for the entire section, with changes of ties as well as ballasting and levelling work.

Section two between Caplan and Port-Daniel-Gascons should be put into service this spring.

Can we believe in 2027 for Gaspé? “It will depend on how quickly the ministry awards contracts for the third section by summer. Otherwise, we will lose another year,” says Mr. Dubé. “We have political assurances that the file will be settled and that the last section to Gaspé will not be abandoned even if there were delays and additional costs,” says Daniel Côté.

Economic development

The postponement of another year to reach Gaspé will have impacts on the economic development of the Rocher-Percé and Côte-de-Gaspé MRCs.

The ministry asked the company to find out if this announcement will have financial impacts on it. “Everything east of the cement plant, we have not yet quantified the impacts since we are one year behind. We will have to do the exercise. We will have to talk with the companies and the economic departments of the MRCs concerned to see what they had in their book,” says Mr. Dubé.

It will have no impact on the Mines Gaspé revival project in Murdochville since exploitation is planned for around 2030.

The picture could be different for LM Wind Power in Gaspé, which now manufactures smaller blades, the size of the blades that were previously transported by truck to New Richmond to be placed on a train.

“This is an issue that we will have to quantify. Knowing that we would be in Port-Daniel in 2025, rather than bringing them to New Richmond, we have to see if we can transship them closer to the manufacturing point. It’s a bit like when we started transshipping them in New Richmond: we were supposed to do it for two years. We did it for six years,” says Mr. Dubé.

“It’s a thorn in the side,” says Daniel Côté when asked about the credibility of the rehabilitation schedule that has been postponed again.

“It always sounds a bit strange for companies for whom deadlines are important. We don’t necessarily have a million companies running after us. We can’t guarantee 2026-2027.” We have to postpone it to 2027. It has an impact on our credibility in our town and our region. There are elements over which we have no control other than to exert pressure. We continue to exert pressure, but there are things that are beyond our control, but it is certain that it has an impact on our credibility,” adds the mayor of Gaspé

Train will not go to Gaspé before the end of 2027 Read More »

Former DPJ director rejected by administrative labour tribunal

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / January 29, 2025 / cnesst, dpg, gaspe peninsula, health, nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – Diane Perron, the former director of Youth Protection for the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands, has failed in her bid to have an occupational injury claim from October 2017 recognized by the Administrative Labour Tribunal against the Gaspé Peninsula Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSS) and its former deputy president and Chief executive officer Connie Jacques.

A 15-page decision filed by Administrative Judge Sophie Moulin in December rejected Ms. Perron’s application, citing the employer’s right of management.

Initially, the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) had accepted the claim and declared that Ms. Perron had suffered a work-related accident. In administrative review, the Commission upheld its decision, which the CISSS challenged before the court.

The CISSS argued that the alleged circumstances could not be described as an unforeseen and sudden event within the meaning of Section 2 of the Act respecting industrial accidents and occupational diseases.

Diane Perron’s representative argued that her client had suffered a work accident under this section.

Diane Perron became director of youth protection when the CISSS was created in 2015. Following certain events, the former director of Youth Protection filed a complaint of psychological harassment in December 2017 as well as a complaint for prohibited practices since she considered herself the victim of reprisals due to illness and, on the other hand, she filed a claim for an occupational injury.

A court decision dismissed the complaint of psychological harassment, noted her withdrawal concerning the complaint for prohibited practices and declared that she had not suffered an occupational injury. However, Ms. Perron is requesting a review of the conclusion applicable to the claim for the employment injury.

In a subsequent review, the tribunal concluded that there was a lack of motivation regarding the employment injury, revoked the decision and returned the file to the Tribunal, hence the present dispute and the holding of a new hearing.

The tribunal therefore had to determine whether Ms. Perron suffered an employment injury from a work accident in October 2017.

The employer’s representative maintains that the Deputy President and CEO, Connie Jacques, is exercising her legitimate management rights and that the situations described are not unexpected and sudden events within the meaning of the Act.

Ms. Perron’s representative maintains that the accumulation of events and incidents that have occurred since the end of fall 2016 can be considered an unexpected and sudden event within the meaning of the Act and that the diagnosed injury, namely an adjustment disorder with mixed mood, is related to them.

The alleged events are mainly the receipt of emails from Connie Jacques, the exclusion of the worker from the clinical coordination committee meetings and the meeting of October 16, 2017.

In the fall of 2016, several emails were exchanged between Ms. Perron and Ms. Jacques. However, the tone, words and style of Ms. Jacques’ messages led Ms. Perron to file a complaint for psychological harassment according to the employer’s internal policy.

A mediation process was held in March 2017, during which Connie Jacques acknowledged the facts and apologized to the worker. Afterward, Ms. Perron confirmed that after the mediation the writings were clearer. “Things were going well,” she stated.

However, while the emails themselves were not deemed an unforeseen and sudden event by the court, they were considered potential triggers for interpersonal conflicts and the psychological stress that followed.

Moreover, in her complaint of psychological harassment on December 5, 2017, Ms. Perron states that her superior’s behaviour “Occurred subsequently, insidiously until the suspension last October.”

Although the former director of Youth Protection alleges several other events related to psychological harassment, the court notes that her representative describes three other situations that may be a combination of events and be considered an unforeseen and sudden event, namely the exclusion of the worker from a committee, the performance evaluation of August 2017 and the meeting with a view to an administrative suspension on October 16, 2017.

With regard to the right of management, the court must assess whether the employer exercises its powers in a rational and reasonable manner, in good faith and without abusing them.

In the decision, the judge writes that the employer’s right of management includes great discretion in the direction and control of activities. “He can exercise his right of management firmly and even make mistakes,” wrote the judge.

On all the events mentioned, the court considers that Connie Jacques may have been authoritarian and clumsy in certain interventions, but recalls that the right of management can be exercised firmly and that it includes the right to make mistakes as long as it is not abusive or unreasonable.

Thus, in the absence of an unforeseen and sudden event, the court concludes that Ms. Perron did not suffer an occupational injury in October 2017.

The Gaspé Peninsula CISSS declined a request for a response.

For her part, Diane Perron, now retired, considers that an employer’s right to management is unquestionably legitimate, but it is not without limits and must be carried out rigorously and in compliance with the policies and procedures in force.

She recalls that in 2018, following a CNESST investigation into psychological harassment, confirmed psychological harassment in the situation on the part of her superior, Connie Jacques.

“That at the end of the TAT (Tribunal administratif du travail, which deals with labour issues) process, whether it is judged otherwise, it is the prerogative of the TAT and we can only respect that,” mentions Ms. Perron, who notes in passing that the process lasted six years, from 2018 to 2024.

She considers that a lot of insights emerged from it that exposed rather inconsistent and dubious details on certain hierarchical management practices.

“We will recall the investigation report of the Auditor General of Quebec, in 2022, which lifted the veil on several major shortcomings in the management practices of the Gaspé Peninsula CISSS concerning managers as well as the deficient compliance with several of its regulations,” she notes. Ms. Perron says she has been approached a few times about other stories of workplace harassment similar to hers, even by people she did not know.

She claims to have seen people who were “Totally at the end of their rope,” physically and psychologically, in distress, openly threatened with reprisals or already experiencing them, who said they were forced to sign confidentiality agreements regarding various issues of management abuse to avoid reprisals.

The former Member of the National Assembly for Bonaventure, Sylvain Roy, has also received similar comments to those mentioned by Ms. Perron while he was a member of the National Assembly.

Former DPJ director rejected by administrative labour tribunal Read More »

Mayor of Gaspé alleges Pascan inflated its rates; the company denies claims

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / January 22, 2025 / gaspe, nelson sergerie, Transportation

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The mayor of Gaspé, Daniel Côté is accusing Pascan airline of inflating its rates following the announcement of the updated Regional Air Access Program (PAAR) 2.0 tabled by the Minister of Transport, Geneviève Guilbault in December at Michel-Pouliot airport in Gaspé.

Daniel Côté made this statement following a detailed analysis of the new PAAR program that will be in effect as of February 3. The PAAR program is not the problem.

“When we apply the government discount percentage to the PAL Airlines ticket, we arrive at around $500 for a round trip Gaspé-Quebec or Gaspé-Montreal. With Pascan, it doesn’t work. The prices were inflated shortly before the announcement. The prices are $600-700 for a round trip and not $500,” calculates Daniel Côté, who indicates that before the program was announced, the two carriers displayed an equivalent price grid.

The Québec government has been made aware of this issue. “We were told that they were going to check and discuss the issue with Pascan. They were a little surprised,” maintains the elected official on the sidelines of the January 13 council meeting.

In his opinion, the program remains good, whether it be the program that now applies to flights between Gaspé and the Magdalen Islands, the fact that non-profit organizations can benefit from the program or the end of the maximum usage limit for users.

Pascan retorts that fares were not inflated before the announcement, according to co-owner Yani Gagnon, who learned of these comments from The SPEC. Before reacting further, Mr. Gagnon wanted to speak with Mayor Côté.

A profitable airport

Unlike other regional airports that are recording deficits, the Gaspé airport is doing well.

The mayor mentions that the Michel-Pouliot Airport should end the 2024 fiscal year with a balanced budget, based on overall expenditures of $1.5 million.

Regular use by two carriers, Pascan and PAL, generates landing fees. In addition, the airport brings in more revenue with additional services. “All the aircraft electricity charging systems, we provide the fuel, the de-icing of the aircraft, all the services are now offered by the airport instead of dealing with a subcontractor. We are now making a profit from these operations, which makes the activities profitable,” illustrates the mayor. For example, Baie-Comeau recorded a deficit of $350,000 in 2024.

Bilingualism: No news from the Quebec Government

Gaspé has not heard back from the Quebec Government following a request to give a little more latitude to communicate in English with citizens of the English-speaking community.

Bill 96 requires communications in French, except in tourist communications or in emergency situations.

“There is no response. The law was adopted for all of Quebec. There is no exemption for Gaspé. I imagine we will have to respect it,” says Mr. Côté.

Vision Gaspe Perce Now will translate and transmit the communications. “They do it of their own free will. I applaud this initiative,” notes the mayor, who would like Quebec to take into account the historical particularity of Gaspé.

Canadian and international instability

The threats of 25% tariffs by American President-elect Donald Trump, the resignation of Liberal leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on January 6, and the uncertainty caused, not to mention world events, particularly those in South Korea or armed conflicts, are of concern to the mayor of Gaspé.

Daniel Côté mentions that several sectors of the local and regional economy are at risk. “Our fishing industry exports a lot to the United States. Our wind industry exports almost exclusively to the United States. If there are 25% tariffs on everything manufactured here, it will hurt our economy,” notes the elected official.

“We have to stick together, our business community or our council have to stick together to at least provide a minimum of stability to weather this storm. It’s part of my wishes for 2025,” the mayor mentions as a possible solution, admitting that in the end, it might not change much, but he adds that it’s worth a try.

Mayor of Gaspé alleges Pascan inflated its rates; the company denies claims Read More »

Gaspé Mines: A committee to maximize local and regional benefits

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / January 22, 2025 / economic development, Maïté Blanchette Vézina, mining, murdochville, natural resources, nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

MURDOCHVILLE – The Quebec government is taking the initiative to set up a pilot project for the creation of a committee to maximize local economic benefits from the Gaspé Mines project by the promoter Osisko Metals, in Murdochville.

“The goal is to have a leverage effect. With the eventual opening of the Murdoch mine, the goal is for the local and regional community to be able to take maximum advantage of this economic opportunity. The committee will bring together economic and community stakeholders, local and Indigenous elected officials so that everyone can pitch in and take advantage of the arrival of this significant economic development,” explains Maïté Blanchette Vézina, Minister of Natural Resources and Forests and Minister responsible for the Lower Saint Lawrence, the Gaspé Peninsula and the Magdalen Islands regions.

Ms. Blanchette Vézina travelled to Murdochville on January 13 to make the announcement.

The Minister wanted to find a project with good potential for opening up and target an area that had a desire to engage in economic development. “This is a project in a historically mining town. The community is keen to see this project. The winning conditions were there to create this pilot project,” adds the minister.

The committee, composed of her ministry and other ministries, economic stakeholders, MRCs, local elected officials, chambers of commerce and the Micmac Nation, will monitor calls for tenders and the needs of local investment projects to inform regional entrepreneurs of upcoming contracts and direct contracting authorities to local entrepreneurs able to meet their needs.

This pilot project is part of the actions of the 2024-2025 Roadmap for the Harmonious and Responsible Development of Mining Activity, which consists of “implementing strategies that enable host communities to benefit concretely and sustainably from the presence of mining activity.”

“It’s an asset and an asset that we will be able to use, exploit, and collaborate to ensure the success of the project,” points out Osisko Metals Chief Executive Officer Robert Wares.

Gaspé Mines: A committee to maximize local and regional benefits Read More »

$2 billion needed to eventually restart Gaspé Mines

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / January 22, 2025 / mining, murdochville, natural resources, nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

MURDOCHVILLE: – Osisko Metals might have to invest $2 billion to restart Gaspé Mines operations following announcements made before the holidays.

That’s according to the mining company’s chief executive officer, Robert Wares, on the sidelines of a January 13 press conference to launch a committee to maximize local economic benefits surrounding the potential resumption of operations in Murdochville.

In November, in an update, Osisko said the mine site would contain 824 million tonnes of mineralized rocks grading 0.34% in copper and 670 million tonnes grading 0.38%.

This estimate represented a 53% increase in copper equiv alent metal content over previously reported indicated reIt is estimated to contain 4.91 billion pounds of copper, making it the largest undeveloped deposit in eastern North America.

In December, Osisko acquired 199 mining claims adjacent to the Gaspé Mines site.

The company concluded an agreement with two private claim holders on October 8 for five million common shares and a 2% royalty on net smelter returns, half of which is redeemable for $2 million.

The claims cover lands around the Gaspé Mines project, including portions of the potential tailings facility and exploration targets located north and south of the Murdochville project.

“We are now at a potentially much larger project. We are very optimistic. We have tripled the resource, but half of this new resource is inferred, which involves a lot of drilling to convert this safer resource category. We want to convert all of these 1.5 billion tonnes to an indicated resource category.

We are looking at 100,000 metres of drilling this summer,” says Mr. Wares.

These latest announcements have allowed the company to raise $100 million to continue the research.

“The financial markets were very surprised. No one expected the resource to be this large. I am very confident that we will be able to define it in a pit model and lead to a huge operation over 30 years,” he says.

“We have a good chance of increasing the grade slightly. When you are talking about an open-pit operation of this magnitude, every decimal point of copper percentage counts. The price of copper is holding up very well. I am considering $4.50 per US pound in the long term, which would make such a project very profitable. Our project is economical at $4.25, but we are at the limit,” says the Osisko Metals manager and former Mines Gaspé geologist.

The preliminary economic study should be published in 2026 and the feasibility study at the end of 2027 and the decision for exploitation would be made at the end of 2029 with the permits obtained.

This year’s drilling campaign will look for new mineralized zones. “With the new claims, we have two targets to drill this summer: one north and one south of Murdochville, which could potentially be new discoveries,” says Mr. Wares.

Pumping tests will be done this summer to dewater the Mount Copper pit, which has so far been the main target of Osisko Metals’ exploration campaign. “To better quantify the impacts of dewatering and if all goes well, we hope to begin dewatering in late fall or in 2026,” says the CEO.

When the resource was at 500 million tonnes of copper, the company mentioned an investment of about $1.4 billion.

“We had continued our economic studies and we were at $1.4 billion. With what we are aiming for, which is much bigger, I am sure we will exceed $2 billion,” the manager calculates.

Osisko met with Ressources Pélican, which wants to renovate the Grande-Vallée wharf, which could change the copper shipping plans.

Rail was mentioned to send the copper to Rouyn-Noranda and vessels for shipments to Europe.

“For rail, we had a meeting with Ressources Pélican to ship to Abitibi. It could go through (the wharves of) Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, Grande-Vallée. It is the economic studies that will determine the best method: a combination of road and rail transport. We don’t know, but one thing is certain: for Europe, it will leave from Gaspé,” explains Mr. Wares.

$2 billion needed to eventually restart Gaspé Mines Read More »

$383 million invested over two years in the Gaspé riding, according to Stéphane Sainte-Croix

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / January 22, 2025 / gaspe peninsula, Healthcare, lm wind power, maria hospital, nelson sergerie, railway, shrimp fishery

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – In his mid-term report, Stéphane Sainte-Croix, the Member of the National Assembly (MNA) for Gaspé says that the Quebec government has invested more than $383 million in two years in the riding.

Taking stock of his first two years in the National Assembly on January 8 in Gaspé, Stéphane Sainte-Croix gave a long list of projects supported since the October 2022 election, saying he was proud of the results.

“To have succeeded in taking my place, bringing my complex issues. There are 125 MNAs. There are challenges everywhere in Quebec. When I look at my roadmap, I am very proud of what we do every day,” said Stéphane Sainte-Croix, mentioning his team’s contribution to achieving this.

The MNA mentioned $55 million invested in culture and heritage, $64 million in health, including the renovation of the emergency room at the Sainte-Anne-des-Monts hospital, the redevelopment and expansion of the hemodialysis unit and the short-term hospitalization centre at the Gaspé hospital.

Another $40 million was put forward for seniors, including the Maison des aînés in Rivière-au-Renard.

He also mentioned the fisheries sector with $58 million, particularly to support the industry affected by the shrimp crisis, assistance for the workforce, innovation and the continuation of the Fourchette bleue program to promote Quebec marine products.

Mr. Sainte-Croix also mentioned the $14 million invested in the protection of the coastline in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, $32 million for affordable housing in Gaspé and Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, but above all the element he says he is most proud of is the $514 million for the Port-Daniel-Gascons-Gaspé section of the vast rail refurbishment project.

“The railway. It’s a promise I made and to which I have a strong commitment. We’re going to keep it. I’ve been on the other side of the fence and I’ve fought for this infrastructure that I consider strategic in the same way as ports and airports,” said the elected official, who added that it’s difficult to target a specific point in his record. The electoral map and the law that protects the constituencies of Gaspé and Bonaventure for the next election, the Villa Frederick-James whose activities remain to be specified and the visit of 17 ministers including Premier François Legault twice is also mentioned by Mr. Sainte-Croix in his report.

He also indicates his support via his discretionary budget of some $150,000 per year to 150 community organizations.

In addition, 1,000 citizen files were opened during the first two years of the mandate. Stéphane Sainte-Croix indicates that much remains to be accomplished between now and the October 2026 election.

Health, especially the situation of an aging population is of particular interest to him. “There are several (priorities), but the aging of the population and the impacts on the health care offer, workforce issues at this level, specialized services in the region, this is an important issue for a region like the Gaspésie, considering that we have unique characteristics specific to our region and we will have to come up with solutions that will provide answers,” says the MNA.

In the context of tightening finances, the MNA indicates that he has received no signals of budget cuts for programs, citing in particular the Financial Assistance Program for Recreational, Sports and Outdoor Infrastructure (PAFIRSPA).

Gaspé had submitted its project for a new arena and Sainte-Anne-des-Monts the upgrade of its municipal swimming pool.

Matane managed to obtain funding for its aquatic centre and the elected official is aware of the population’s expectations.

“We also hear this fact. We are not disconnected from the feelings of the citizens. We have two arenas in Gaspé, one of which is at the end of its life. We are in favour of the project. The idea is to support the municipality. We are confident,” he said, considering $1.5 billion is on the table over 10 years.

A first call for $300 million was made in 2023 with requirements of $2.7 billion. “This is a project that has significant value. We are talking about an ice rink and a project that could be reviewed and corrected. We will let the town do its thinking. We have a serious and well-conceived project. It remains to be seen how we will approach the rest of things. I am not here to judge the value of the project. We have budgetary and time considerations. We have an arena in Gaspé. There are elements to reconsider. The mayor is aware of the reality and we will see how the town will align its project. But we are faced with an interesting and necessary project,” continued the MNA. For the future of Villa James, the transfer of ownership to SÉPAQ is not yet complete and should be announced in the next budget.

The programming for the Villa has not yet been defined. “We would like there to be a project for the next summer season, but we will take the time it takes. We are confident for the future. It remains to be defined who will be the day-to-day operator. That is up to them and these discussions are ongoing. I do not see any problem in the development,” says the MNA for Gaspé.

On wind power, Mr. Sainte-Croix is aware of the difficulties encountered in particular by the blade manufacturer LM Wind Power of Gaspé.

“It is a major concern. We have unique know-how and we hope that this episode will be behind us. It is an important issue. We will hope that the sun will shine in the future,” mentions the MNA while the manufacturer has been in the hot seat in the United States for major manufacturing defects on the 107-metre blades.

Mr. Sainte-Croix points out that Quebec cannot impose strict standards in calls for tenders in order to avoid defaulting on international trade agreements.

However, Quebec could somehow circumvent the rules to give Quebec companies a chance. “We won’t be able to do things differently. We have to respect the rules of the game. There has always been a certain form of added value in the scoring of calls for tenders on regional or Quebec content. From a Quebec perspective, we will stay attuned regarding Quebec content. In terms of obligation ‘no’, in terms of promoting, ‘yes’,” says the elected official.

On cellular coverage, $10 million is planned to add coverage in the Mont Albert sector in Parc de la gaspésie and on the section of Route 198 between Murdochville and Gaspé. With the Mines Gaspé revival project in Murdochville, the planning for upgrading the various infrastructures to support the restart of the copper mine around 2030 has begun.

“We will have an important announcement in Murdochville. When we talk about pooling expertise, issues, and how we will address them, in terms of roads, ports, railways, workforce, and municipal infrastructures to support the development of the future mining deposit, these are issues to be addressed in the coming months and years. I dare to believe that we will soon have a list of issues and ways to address them,” notes Mr. Sainte-Croix.

The protection of the caribou is also an important element for the coming months. Work meetings have been held in recent weeks with elected officials from Haute-Gaspésie and the authorities of the various ministries involved.

“This is a sensitive, complex and important issue. This is a major concern as our community faces economic challenges. Yes to protecting the animal, but there is also the economic protection of the Haute-Gaspésie. We are being very sensitive,” the MNA mentions.

“The idea is to succeed in promoting the drafting of a regulation that satisfies the stakeholders in terms of the economy, access to the territory and obviously protection of the caribou,” he concluded.

$383 million invested over two years in the Gaspé riding, according to Stéphane Sainte-Croix Read More »

Ottawa to provide $10M for 11 projects in the Gaspé Peninsula

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / January 22, 2025 / diane lebouthillier, economic development, Federal government, gaspe peninsula, nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

Bonaventure: – The federal government is granting $10.1 million to 11 businesses and organizations in the Gaspé Peninsula to support their development, resulting in total investments of $86.5 million.

“When we look at the Gaspésie promoters, people who work very hard for economic development and producing wealth in the Gaspésie, we see how dynamic, job-creating and diversified our businesses are in the territory. This is positive for a region like ours,” said Diane Lebouthillier, Member of Parliament for the Gaspé Peninsula and the Magdalen Islands, and Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, who made the announcement during a press briefing on January 10 in Bonaventure.

The Bioparc de la Gaspésie in Bonaventure receives the largest share, with $2.7 million non-refundable out of a total investment of $7.8 million. The project aims to improve and enhance the tourism offering by implementing the first phase of its 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. This includes the overhaul of four ecosystems, the creation of new animal habitats, the expansion and renovation of the animal care building, the construction of an exhibition pavilion, the redevelopment of public spaces, the expansion of sanitary spaces, the development of digital and scientific content, as well as a marketing strategy.

Merinov receives $2 million to strengthen its innovation and technology transfer capacities by establishing the Merinov Innovation Hub in Grande-Rivière to better support the Quebec fisheries, aquaculture and bioresources industry. The spaces will offer five technological platforms related in particular to sustainable fishing gear, microalgae, the valorization of algae and co-products, a fish breeding room with modern effluent treatment technologies and ecophysiology and biology laboratories. The project is worth $31.2 million.

Groupe AEM Canada of Cap-Chat is also receiving $2 million to increase the production capacity of the start-up company that specializes in the manufacture of high-purity alumina. This $27.7 million project will allow it to acquire and install specialized equipment, expand a building to add clean calcination rooms and increase its working capital.

Cuisimer of Saint-Maxime-du-Mont-Louis receives $1.9 million to increase production capacity and improve the productivity of the seafood processing company. Cusimer will expand its plant, add lobster tanks, a lobster sorter, a conveyor and cooling and air conditioning systems. The project requires $7.5 million in investments.

Several smaller projects are also being supported through Canada Economic Development for Quebec.

Les Bateliers de Percé will receive $333,750 of $445,000 to modernize and expand its boat to increase capacity.

The Accès Micro crédit Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine project is being granted $252,000 non-repayable on a $965,000 project to promote the economic development of official language minority communities in the Gaspé Peninsula and the Magdalen Islands, by offering support, coaching and training activities to English-speaking entrepreneurs.

The Parc régional Petite-Cascapédia receives $250,000 non-repayable funding to create a zone for beginner downhill skiers and snowboarders, part of a total investment of $780,000.

The Regroupement des pêcheurs professionnels du Sud de la Gaspésie will be able to complete the technological development of the JOBEL national software package (electronic logbook allowing fishermen to transmit their commercial fishing data) and its marketing in the Atlantic provinces with a contribution of $201,000 from the federal government.

The Village en chanson de Petite-Vallée received $180,000 for marketing the 2024, 2025 and 2026 editions of the Festival en chanson de Petite-Vallée.

A sum of $144,500 is reserved to enhance the tourism offer of the Corporation de développement de La Martre by setting up historical interpretation trails of the La Martre lighthouse by creating and implementing an escape game in the lighthouse keeper’s house, including rental improvements, as well as by developing an artifact exhibition room, a $205,000 project.

Finally, Concept K will be able to improve its productivity and increase its production capacity with $125,000 out of $610,000 to acquire and install new production equipment and relocate the activities of the Sainte-Anne-des-Monts service point to a new location.

“The Gaspé Peninsula is going to be a part of Canada’s economic recovery and we see that with our promoters, we have to hold our own. We are a tourist region, a resource region. We are a region that innovates in fisheries. Investing in the region is profitable for the region, for Quebec and for Canada,” says Ms. Lebouthillier.

This announcement comes despite parliament being prorogued until the end of March. “That doesn’t stop departments from operating, working on projects and making announcements,” says Ms. Lebouthillier.

Ottawa to provide $10M for 11 projects in the Gaspé Peninsula Read More »

Percé budgets for its Tourist Information Office for 2025

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / January 15, 2025 / buget, municipal, nelson sergerie, perce, tourism

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

PERCÉ – The Town of Percé is putting funding for the Tourist Information Office back into its budget in 2025. Funding for the Tourist Information Office was removed when the 2024 budget was tabled, a position that council had revised to keep it open thereafter.

“Last year, funds were taken from the unallocated surplus to maintain the service. Council learned its lesson and put the budget back into a new operating mode with an additional person and a little less promotional budget. We are continuing discussions with merchants to transfer part of the management of tourist information to them. It targets their customers, but it’s not over yet,” explains Mayor Daniel Leboeuf, who emphasizes that this is a transition year.

The town adopted a budget that increased by 6%, bringing the total to $8 million.

Percé is seeing its equalization and QST transfers increase by 166%, reaching $519,000. This helps save taxpayers despite the filing of a new assessment roll that increases the municipality’s real estate wealth by 52% for residential properties.

For example, the average home has had an increase in value from $117,000 to $178,000, but the overall increase in the tax bill is only 2%, since the tax rate was lowered from $1.34 to $0.90 per $100 of assessment.

“It’s good for someone who wants to sell their home, but not for paying taxes. That’s why we adjusted the rate,” explains the elected official.

Only the rates for wastewater treatment are increasing from $295 to $350, while the citizens of Cap-d’Espoir see the bill increase from $350 to $400.

A reserve of $300,000 has been created for personnel management. “Also for recruitment. There is a shortage of managers in key positions. Our clerk is going to retire. We need to recruit a new one. There are resources that will come to help us with recruitment. It is better to plan for more than less,” notes the mayor.

The town must also renew the collective agreement of its unionized employees and conduct an organizational diagnosis as requested by the Quebec Municipal Commission in its devastating report on municipal management.

The unallocated surplus is $750,000, but the town would like to see that surplus increased. “Ideally, it should be increased by about $300,000 or $400,000. Last year, we used it several times for some $360,000. It made us fall below the waterline. We have to go back above the waterline,” says Mr. Leboeuf.

The three-year capital plan includes expenses totalling $8.4 million, including $4.2 million allocated for road network maintenance and $1.5 million for the renewal of the pipes on Biard and Mont-Joli streets, starting in 2025.

“The council presented its resolutions last year, and some projects were abandoned. We are focusing on preserving our infrastructure while improving others,” justifies the mayor.

Percé budgets for its Tourist Information Office for 2025 Read More »

Water and sewer project finally settled in Gascons

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / January 15, 2025 / gascons, muncipal, nelson sergerie, sewage, water

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

PORT-DANIEL-GASCONS: – After being on the table for two decades, the water and sewer project in the Gascons district of Port-Daniel-Gascons has finally received authorization from Quebec to begin the tendering process for the work.

“This is my fourth term as mayor of the municipality. In other words, I have been working on the water and sewer files in the Gascons sector for 16 years. As soon as the holidays are over, we will launch the tendering process,” says Mayor Henri Grenier.

In the long term, 100% of the population will be served by the water system and 75% will be served by the sewer network.

It was an obstacle course since finding the water to supply the water system was complicated. “Every time we did tests, it was never conclusive enough,” says the elected official.

In 2009, a water source was found, but further studies in 2014 revealed that it could not provide sufficient water.

The municipality has invested several million dollars into water research.

The mayor would have liked to extend the Port-Daniel water system, but the government of Quebec preferred Chandler, namely the Newport district, due to lower costs.

A first memorandum of understanding was concluded in 2018 for the work to be carried out, but costs have since skyrocketed.

“The pandemic hit and the cost of living increased. The price of materials doubled. We had to make new government representations to get the project accepted. We were listened to and our provincial MNA (Member of the National Assembly) worked hard on the file,” emphasizes Mr. Grenier.

In total, the Quebec government will subsidize 95% of the water supply, regardless of the bill, and a fixed portion of the sewers network costs, which could represent 85% of a $40 million project.

The call for tenders will be launched in January. The opening of proposals will take place in late February or early March. The mayor hopes construction will begin next summer, with the work expected to last two years.

Of the 170 easements required, 60 have been completed. “Things are going very well. People are cooperating. 80% of people consume non-potable water. It was a public health issue and it was a big point in the file,” notes the mayor.

Once the work is done, the sector could experience potential for residential development.

“In Port-Daniel, there is a water supply and sewer network, but construction is limited. In Gascons, with the water and sewer service, it’s a good service to have when in the summer, there was a water shortage,” says the mayor.

Mr. Grenier does not want to make it a political legacy. “I will remain humble, but I can tell you one thing: I worked hard. I believed in it. Perseverance pays off. I am very happy to have concluded this file for the people of Gascons,” says the mayor.

He plans to seek a fifth term to oversee construction. “I want to see it through to the end,” concludes the mayor.

Water and sewer project finally settled in Gascons Read More »

Gaspé Peninsula CISSS needs to reduce 160,000 working hours

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / January 15, 2025 / cisss, gaspe peninsula, Health cuts, nelson sergerie, sante quebec

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The Gaspé Peninsula Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSS) is considering how to respond to the request to reduce hours worked by 3% in order to make up for part of Santé Québec’s shortfall.

The organization calculates that this request represents 160,000 working hours, equivalent to 100 full-time positions.

However, for the current year, the use of independent labour to maintain services alone represents 400,000 working hours and costs between $25 million and $30 million.

In an email, the CISSS indicated that it is continuing its review of how to reorganize services to reduce hours worked, with the intention to prioritize a reduction in independent labour.

This could ultimately result in a reduction in hours worked, without reducing the number of positions as is happening in other regions of Quebec.

The review also involves maintaining a sufficient number of employees to provide services.

Among other measures, a moratorium is underway on the posting of administrative positions which will lead to a reduction in hours worked.

In addition, discussions are held every week with Santé Québec on the evolution of the financial situation and on the directions to take.

The Gaspé Peninsula CISSS must recover $40 million by March 31 to meet the budgetary restraints requested by Quebec, which is the equivalent of a month and a half of activities.

The President and CEO of the Gaspé Peninsula CISSS, Martin Pelletier, has already indicated that it was impossible to achieve this objective in the short time frame set out by the Quebec government.

“I’ll tell you right away. It won’t be $40 million. It will be what we are able to do. Forty million dollars in five months would take drastic measures. We will not do that,” the leader said at the organization’s last board meeting at the end of November.

Gaspé Peninsula CISSS needs to reduce 160,000 working hours Read More »

Obstetrics in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts: A situation that could happen elsewhere in the Gaspé

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / January 15, 2025 / cisss, labour shortage, nelson sergerie, nurses, saint anne des monts

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

SAINTE-ANNE-DES-MONTS – A disagreement between the Gaspé Peninsula Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSS) and two independent labour nurses has led to service disruptions and shortages in the obstetrics department of the Sainte-Anne-des-Monts hospital since December 22.

Two experienced nurses, who requested anonymity for fear of backlash, had been working at the Sainte-Anne-des-Monts hospital for two years through their respective agencies.

The CISSS provided $120 per night to cover the costs of their accommodation. The presence of the two nurses kept the obstetrics service running. However, one nurse renting an AirBnB-type home revealed that her accommodation fees had not been paid since September 5, without having been notified of the situation.

The nurses had been staying at the same residence since December 2022. Their accommodations were cancelled and the CISSS wanted to relocate them to an apartment, one where they wouldn’t be permitted pets or their spouses to stay with them, and they’d be sharing an apartment, similar to mining sector workers.

One nurse expressed dissatisfaction with the arrangement, stating that she did not want to live in a community “…like when I was in CEGEP.”

Moreover, the CISSS adopted such a policy last fall in order to reduce costs, which reach nearly half a million dollars per month to house independent workers.

“There is something other than the situation mentioned,” says Yannick Sauvé, the director of procurement and logistics for the Gaspé Peninsula CISSS, who remains cautious given the confidentiality of workers’ files.

“We do not take any decisions lightly. In this case, following an administrative investigation, we decided not to go ahead with what they were asking. We will take legal action to recover the overpaid amounts,” says Mr. Sauvé.

The internal investigation had shown irregularities, without revealing specific details since the dispute could ultimately end up in court.

“Yes, accommodation is changing. These are specific cases. To act as we are, we had judged that there was a major problem. It is not related to the accommodation policy. It is really a specific case related to these people,” he says, adding that exceptional measures could have been applied given the situation in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. Mr. Sauvé points out that full-time positions are open to join the team.

“They chose to remain independent workers where the advantage is that we pay the entire rent. We have people who come to work here to cover all the costs. It’s a question of fairness,” says the manager.

The Quebec government has granted a deadline until October 2026 to free the Gaspé network from independent workers.

In addition to this particular situation in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, the Gaspé Peninsula CISSS indicated that it was using 400,000 hours of work by independent workers to ensure continuity of care.

A situation similar to that experienced in Haute-Gaspésie could arise in other establishments in the Gaspé Peninsula.

“We are not here to put spokes in the wheels, but we have to think that it is $500,000 per month that we will save if we have our people full-time. $500,000 per month is care for the population. We do not do this lightly. We do it on a case-by-case basis because we do not want to cut off access to care,” says Mr. Sauvé.

When questioned, Gaspé Member of the National Assembly Stéphane Sainte-Croix preferred not to comment on this specific case.

However, he remains concerned about the eight service disruptions or interruptions in 2024. “I am very concerned. We are never reassured in front of our citizens during a service disruption. There is a particular situation for the repetition of service disruptions. We must question ourselves. We will try to understand the situation and address it to find a way out,” says Mr. Sainte-Croix. The obstetrics department in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts relies entirely on independent labour to remain operational, requiring six nurses to ensure optimal service.

Obstetrics in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts: A situation that could happen elsewhere in the Gaspé Read More »

CAQ MNAs defend Quebec’s budget cuts

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / January 15, 2025 / budget cuts, cisss, gaspe peninsula, nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The Gaspé Peninsula’s Coalition Avenir Québec Members of the National Assembly are defending the budget cuts requested by the Quebec government in a mission to reduce the province’s deficit of $11 billion.

The topic was debated in their report on the fall parliamentary session in Quebec City.

The Gaspé Peninsula Integrated Health and Social Services Centre was asked to reduce its budget by $40 million, while the School Service Centres received a request for an overall reduction of $200 million, in addition to the one concerning capital expenditures earlier this year.

The Member of the National Assembly (MNA) for Bonaventure, Catherine Blouin, notes that the budgetary situation dictates the decision. “We have a difficult budgetary situation. At some point, we have no choice but to do a rigorous exercise and say, no more cost overruns. We ask you to respect your budget,” she mentions in a review interview.

Her colleague from Gaspé echoes the same sentiment. “There is no cut necessarily, but a request for respect and rigour. We hope that we will get there and good collaboration between stakeholders is necessary to get there,” adds Stéphane Sainte-Croix.

The Bonaventure MNA mentions that the project to rebuild the emergency room and intensive care department at Maria Hospital is a path full of obstacles, but the file remains her priority for next year.

She notes, in the last session, the $50 million invested on Highway 132, the $25 million on the Petit Pabos River bridge in Chandler, the $30 million on the English school in New Carlisle, and investments at the Bioparc. The MNA wanted to highlight the four medals awarded to four students from the Antoine-Bernard school in Carleton-sur-Mer after winning a culinary competition in Paris in July.

“Young people in our riding are even more interested in cooking and food autonomy, in developing skills. I wanted to recognize that,” says Ms. Blouin.

The Gaspé MNA wanted to highlight the work done by Jean Lapointe, who has been fighting for a decade for the establishment of hemodialysis services in the Gaspé Peninsula, who gave him a petition with 10,000 names this fall to demand a nephrologist in the Gaspé Peninsula.

“The Commission (of Health and Social Services) will take up this at the beginning of the winter 2025 session. We will pay particular attention to the rest of the work. I am very happy to have carried out this project,” says Mr. Sainte-Croix.

Among other issues, the tightening of admissions of foreign students should not have an impact on the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles. According to Mr. Saint-Croix, the measure mainly targets urban institutions.

In fisheries, the sector is not in its first crisis, but the recent aid to equip fishermen for the redfish fishery is a positive step forward.

In wind power, with the recent challenges at LM Wind Power in Gaspé, the MNA is aware of the situation.

Compliance with international trade agreements will dictate the path forward, but he remains convinced that the industry can benefit from it.

CAQ MNAs defend Quebec’s budget cuts Read More »

Protestors push for EI reform

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / January 8, 2025 / chandler, EI, employment insurance, nelson sergerie, reform, seasonal workers

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

CHANDLER – In a symbolic gesture, approximately 25 protesters braved the freezing rain and dropped off a Christmas tree decorated with black holes at the Service Canada office in Chandler on December 17 to denounce the persistent problems with the Employment Insurance program.

This was another gesture by the Mouvement action chômage Pabok as part of an awareness week by the Interprovincial Alliance that was being held throughout Eastern Quebec and Atlantic Canada.

“Nothing has been resolved. We’re doing this because we hope it can be resolved. We’re hoping for measures that will extend the Employment Insurance pilot project from five to 15 weeks,” explains the Movement’s coordinator, Nadia Mongeon.

The arrival of Ginette Petitpas-Taylor as minister responsible for the plan and Member of Parliament for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe (New Brunswick), who is familiar with the issue of seasonal work, raised hope for the unemployed.

However, with the possibility of a federal election as early as this spring, this hope could be short-lived. “We must not give up. We must force the parties to commit to Employment Insurance,” says Ms. Mongeon, who fears the election of a Conservative government. “I think it will be quite difficult to move a reform or measures to ease Employment Insurance. There is no gain in fact,” she says.

The relatively low unemployment rate in the Gaspé Peninsula will result in a long black hole this winter. “We are going to have a lot of people who will find themselves in the black hole. It is not only in the fishing sector. It is also in tourism. There are many who tell us that they will finish their benefits in February. It is a long time from February to June. It’s a black hole that’s getting bigger every year,” says Ms. Mongeon.

The Liberals have repeatedly promised reform since 2015, holding various consultations that have amounted to nothing. “The Liberals have taken certain measures but mostly lightened some of Stephen Harper’s Conservative government’s measures. Apart from the five-week pilot project, the Liberals haven’t done anything very interesting. Apart from increasing health insurance to 26 weeks, but that hasn’t solved the black hole and the number of hours for accessibility,” she says.

The fight will continue in the coming months. “We’re going to keep protesting. If we give up, it’s like telling the Conservatives – if they’re the ones who come in – that they can do whatever they want… We have no choice,” explains the coordinator.

For the Pabok Unemployment Action Movement and the Interprovincial Alliance, the calculation that establishes the amount of benefits according to the unemployment rate in effect by region must be eliminated.

The calculation must be replaced by the adoption of a universal standard of 420 hours of work or 12 weeks of 15 hours. In addition, the rate should be 70% on the 12 best weeks, for a duration of 35 weeks.

They are also asking for an additional 15 weeks of protection for workers in the seasonal industry, as long as the minimum floor of 35 weeks is not established.

Protestors push for EI reform Read More »

CLSC EMERGEnCY DEPARTMENTS: A reassuring meeting for elected officials

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / January 8, 2025 / cisss, cuts, Emergency Room, Grande-Vallée, murdochville, nelson sergerie, paspebiac

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GRANDE-VALLÉE – The mayor of Grande-Vallée came away from a meeting with the president and CEO of the Gaspé Peninsula Integrated Health and Social Services Centre is somewhat relieved regarding the fate of the CLSC emergency department in his town.

Noël Richard had the opportunity to discuss the situation of the CLSC in his town with Martin Pelletier on December 11. “We met with Mr. Pelletier and asked him directly what this restructuring meant for us, in the Estran sector. We were very reassured. There is no question of a service disruption at our emergency department 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” says Mayor Richard.

Even though measures were taken, the mayor was assured that the service would remain. “Our population will continue to have the services. This is very good news,” continued Mr. Richard.

A communication channel was established after the mayor learned of ongoing discussions about how services might be delivered. The emergency room in Grande-Vallée serves the population between Sainte-Anne-des-Monts and Gaspé. From Grande-Vallée, the closest hospitals are 100 kilometres away.

“At the CISSS level, they are aware of this. If different options were available, we asked to work in collaboration with them,” says the mayor.

This clarification made to elected officials follows a hypothesis launched by Mr. Pelletier following the Integrated Health and Social Services (CISSS) board of directors meeting of November 28 in the wake of the requested budgetary adjustments of $40 million to fit into the budget allocated by the Quebec government.

The CEO had clearly stated that he was not considering reviewing the 24/7 emergency services in Grande-Vallée, Paspébiac and Murdochville.

Instead, he had mentioned as a possible solution the use of nursing assistants attached to teleconsultation nurses to provide care. The mayor of Grande-Vallée had stated that if a nurse had to leave by ambulance for Gaspé, this would be equivalent to a breakdown in service.

The prefect of the MRC de la Côte-de-Gaspé also attended the meeting. “It’s good news that there are no cuts in small emergencies and services to the population,” says Daniel Côté, who is also mayor of Gaspé.

However, the Mr. Côté expressed disappointment over delayed infrastructure projects, such as the birthing room at the Maison de la famille Parenfant in Gaspé.

“If the CISSS’s share is not there, the project must be postponed. It’s really a shame to see these projects from the community being postponed. There are other infrastructure projects directly in the hospital environment that must be postponed. This is a big downside.

CLSC EMERGEnCY DEPARTMENTS: A reassuring meeting for elected officials Read More »

Gaspé budget increases 5.5% to $38.2M

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / January 8, 2025 / gaspe, municipal, nelson sergerie, Taxes

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – During a special meeting on December 16, the Town of Gaspé tabled a budget of $38.2 million for the 2025 fiscal year, reflecting a 5.5% increase over 2024. However, taxpayers will face an additional average burden of 2.39%.

For an average property valued at $240,100, the increase will be 2.39%, which is below the annualized inflation rate of 2.7%.

“Municipal expenses often increase faster than inflation. For example, the Sûreté du Québec bill is increasing by 3.6%, and Hydro-Québec’s by 6.1%. Bills are increasing, which explains the increase in the budget. On the other hand, the increase in the average tax bill is 2.3%, below inflation. This is a political commitment that I made 12 years ago. We are meeting the objective,” says Mr. Daniel Côté.

The total surplus is $10 million and the Town of Gaspé is drawing $1.2 million from its accumulated surplus to balance the budget.

The surplus is down by $3M. Other amounts taken from the surplus consist of $867,000 used for unexpected expenses, $1M to balance the 2024 budget, and $160,000 to replenish certain reserve funds.

“It’s still a good cushion, but a good cushion where we can’t go crazy. We have to be reasonable in our approach. Having such a cushion gives us free rein to deal with several unforeseen events,” says the mayor. The town’s overall debt is $48 million, representing a little over $2 per $100 of assessment. “Our finances are very healthy,” says the mayor.

Among the new revenues, the growth in the QST generates an additional $546,000, and compensation in lieu of Quebec taxes increased by $301,000, notably with the addition of the Maison des aînés de Rivière-au-Renard last year.

The residual materials rate will be frozen at $260.

The rate for the water supply and sewer will increase from $595 to $615 and the rate for emptying and treating septic tank sludge will increase from $175 to $200.

Housing construction continues with nearly 300 rental units since 2020, including 176 private units, 66 social or affordable units and 56 units built by the CISSS via the Maison des aînés and modular homes near the CHSLD Mgr Ross.

At the same time, 238 single-family homes or cottages have been built. The vacancy rate has increased from 0% to 1%, but there is still a long way to go to achieve a balanced market, which is considered a rate of 3% according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Several other projects are underway, including the Habitations de la Montagne, where 84 affordable units are under construction in Sandy Beach, as well as the second phase of Han-Logements for a possibility of 16 to 32 additional units in Sandy Beach as well. Other discussions are ongoing with developers, including Gestion Bourgade near Ruisseau Dean Street, near downtown, which represents the creation of an entirely new neighbourhood.

The three-year capital expenditure program includes $152 million in projects, with the largest being the Rivière-au-Renard aqueduct and sewers, estimated at $58.9 million, which has been a recurring item over several years.

“It is moving through phases. It is a fairly complicated file with the various ministries. In wastewater, several resolutions have been adopted for future aerated ponds. All that is missing are a few final studies. We have a good idea of the site. The file continues. As for drinking water, the search for groundwater is proving inconclusive. We are heading towards a water filtration plant, probably near Lac d’Amour where the current water intake is located. It takes the financial aid that comes with it to absorb that,” notes the mayor.

The other main issue is the sports complex near the C.-E. Pouliot High School, estimated at $34 million. This project initially suffered a refusal of funding from the Quebec government.

Gaspé budget increases 5.5% to $38.2M Read More »

An industrial shipbuilding cluster in the Gaspé Peninsula

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / December 18, 2024 / coast guard, economy, gaspe peninsula, nelson sergerie, shipbuilding

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The Côte-de-Gaspé MRC dreams of establishing a regional industrial cluster dedicated to shipbuilding within the next five years. This initiative aims to capitalize on federal investments that have supported the renewal of Canada’s military and civilian vessel fleets for several years.

The MRC hopes that the region will capture a significant share of the economic benefits of the $2.5 billion that the Naval Strategy provides for the small vessel niche over the next 25 years.

“We want to position ourselves in this sector. We have a lot of companies that work directly or indirectly in the naval sector. We have four shipyards in Gaspé. We want to show that we exist and we want to create synergy,” explains the mayor of Gaspé and prefect of the MRC de la Côte-de-Gaspé, Daniel Côté.

According to him, there is much more than construction that is found in Gaspé and elsewhere in Gaspésie, mentioning as examples welding or companies that manufacture specific parts for a specific use.

The prefect mentions the cities of Sorel-Tracy or Lévis which are already very active in the naval sector and have a rich history in this sense or Saguenay has shown a keen interest in the naval sector even if there is no construction per se.

“We also want to position ourselves alongside these cities. Not in competition, in partnership. There is not one that is in the same niche. Gaspé will not compete with Davie (Shipbuilding, located in Lévis). Our infrastructures are too small. On the other hand, can we hold our own in boats under 1,000 tons? Are we able to do it with our local companies? The answer is yes, but if we don’t raise our hand, we’ll fall through the cracks in the floor,” says Mr. Côté.

With the Forillon Shipyard, Gaspé and the region are already well positioned at the federal level.

Since 2015, the Gaspé company has obtained two contracts to build ten search and rescue boats for the Coast Guard, for a total of $75 million.

A year ago, the shipyard obtained another contract from Ottawa for $55.5 million to build the first hybrid diesel-electric mid-shore fisheries research vessel for the Coast Guard.

Bringing together companies will allow the region to go further and act in a complementary manner.

“We want this positioning to be strong and a flagship that will shed light on our industry to show that we exist and that we want to be part of this great naval adventure,” he says.

While the exact share of federal opportunities for the Gaspé region is uncertain, Mr. Côte remains optimistic. “I have a lot of confidence. We are not new players. Gaspé has always been a shipbuilding platform. We built wooden ships in the 1800s. Now, we have been building metal, fibreglass and aluminum ships for years. We know that we are good. Now we need to make it known on a national scale,” says Mr. Côté.

The federal and provincial governments already funded this type of industrial cluster project in the 1990s.

Mr. Côté says that the levels of government will contribute.

“We expect to have some (government support). First, we position ourselves. We will hire a resource specific to this strategy and we will seek the funding required to keep this industrial cluster alive,” says the elected official.

The Forillon Shipyard is very open to the political project.

“It’s really about having all the trades that can grow, develop industries around Gaspé that will serve us and help shipbuilding throughout Canada. It’s good for the region and the country,” says the shipyard’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jean-David Samuel.

According to him, there is so much work to be done in the coming years.

“No one is really ready to do everything that is coming. With this cluster, these companies will help us. Right now, we do a lot internally. We are somewhat independent. What we want is to have companies that will come and help us and work with us,” says the President and CEO.

“Canada is currently having difficulty having small boats. It is a sector that is not sufficiently represented,” he says.

The Forillon shipyard is limited to 800-tonne vessels but is prepared to expand

“We want to reach 1,000 tonnes but especially to make several boats at the same time. There is new construction. We are limited to 1,000 tonnes with the federal government. We are not limited to the private sector or provincial governments. For repairs, there is enormous potential,” says Mr. Samuel.

An industrial shipbuilding cluster in the Gaspé Peninsula Read More »

Gaétan Lelièvre not impressed by PAAR 2.0

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / December 18, 2024 / gaspe peninsula, nelson sergerie, Transportation

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

observer for 40 years and someone who has been in charge of the Rocher-Percé and Town of Gaspé airports, Gaétan Lelièvre believes that the adjustments coming in February to the Regional Air Access Program will provide little to no benefits to passengers.

Since the first summit on air transport in February 2018, held in Lévis under the Liberal government of Philippe Couillard, the former Minister Delegate for Regions under the Marois government and Member of the National Assembly for Gaspé believes that little progress has been made.

“Absolutely not, or minimally. Ways to see progress would be to have an accessible and affordable service, which is not the case. From the moment you don’t have a service that is accessible seven days a week, reliable, at an affordable price, I don’t think there is any significant progress for the citizens of the regions,” analyzes Mr. Lelièvre.

However, he acknowledges one positive aspect, travellers no longer need to pass through Quebec City and Montreal to be eligible for the discount.

“But, in practice, there is no carrier that provides a connection between Gaspé and the Côte-Nord, Gaspé and Abitibi or Gaspé and Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. Yes, we are giving access to a discount for an interregional trip without going through the metropolis or the capital, but will there be carriers that will develop these markets? That remains to be seen. That is the only element that could be positive about the announcement,” mentions Mr. Lelièvre.

“With the current carriers, it is very unlikely that we will develop these lines. We will have to consider cooperative-style formulas where the regions will be involved, where the government will support these initiatives with a view to regional development and land use and not just to make profits,” adds the regional development consultant.

He does not sense any government will to support initiatives like TREQ or the idea of a cooperative mentioned by the managers of the Mont-Joli Airport.

“There isn’t any concrete action by the government to support this type of initiative. On the contrary, when we look at the announcements, it is a step backwards in terms of service. The $500 tickets are disappearing. We are told that we will have, for example, in Gaspé a 50% discount. I looked on Pascan’s website and, at a regular price, we have a Gaspé-Montreal at $1,500 and with the 50% discount, that comes to $750 that users will have to pay, unlike the old program that offered tickets when there were availabilities at $500,” calculates the former elected official.

“What is absurd is that the minister hopes that, with these changes, ridership will increase. I cannot understand this logic, which only applies to the government. We increase prices, we do not improve the service and we think we will increase the clientele? I have rarely heard that. It is a unicorn world,” he says.

Mr. Lelièvre also mentions a study conducted by the Institute for Research in Contemporary Economics (IREC). In that study, Quebec ranked tenth (last place) for air transportation in Canada.

“New Brunswick, with its 800,000 inhabitants, is managing to hold its own. Do we like to compare ourselves with Ontario? We are not just behind Ontario, we are behind the nine Canadian provinces. This demonstrates the need to prioritize this issue. Unfortunately, this does not seem to have been the case for several years and it is not just the fault of the current government. The problem has been in place for years,” concludes Mr. Lelièvre.

Gaétan Lelièvre not impressed by PAAR 2.0 Read More »

Quebec presents Version 2.0 of the PAAR for regional air transportation

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / December 18, 2024 / gaspe peninsula, nelson sergerie, Transportation

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – After months of waiting, the Quebec government is finally launching its expanded, simplified version 2.0 of the Regional Air Access Program (PAAR), hoping that it will stimulate air traffic in Quebec’s regions. “We are setting the table to improve the situation for all carriers who would like to improve their offer,” says the head of air transportation for the CAQ (Coalition Avenir Québec) government and Member of the National Assembly for René-Lévesque, Yves Montigny, who travelled to Gaspé on December 10 to announce the new version with the Minister of Transport, Geneviève Guilbault.

“We want to put the best model in place to allow markets to develop and operate on their own in the long term,” adds Mr. Montigny. Among the new features, the “$500” tickets are being eliminated to make way for a discount modulated according to distance, between 50% and 85%. According to the Québec government, from Gaspé, the discount percentage will be increased from 30% to 50%.

A Gaspé-Montreal flight that cost around $915, came to $640. As of February 3, the date of implementation of the adjusted version of the PAAR, the flight will only cost $500.

Another change is that the two current programs are merged into one, and instead of having to fill out documents to recover the credits, they will be directly reflected in the cost of the ticket with the carrier. There is also no longer a limit to the number of trips for one person. Tickets will no longer be offered only to go to Quebec City or Montreal. Discounts can apply to flights between regions or intraperitoneally.

“We are creating better conditions to have more flights for all Quebec citizens, both to go from the regions to the major centres, from the major centres to the regions, but also from one region to another,” says Mr. Montigny.

Non-profit organizations and also student trips will now be eligible for version 2.0, However, business clientele will not be entitled to it, even though the Fédération des Chambres de Commerce du Québec demanded it.

“For people who travel for work, there is the whole issue of fly-in, fly-out. I don’t think it’s the government’s role to fund workers to get to work. We can’t pay for all of Quebec’s tickets. We have to draw a line somewhere,” explains the Minister of Transport.

The first version of the PAAR, which began in June 2022, was budgeted at $50 million per year. For 2024-2025, until March 31, 2027, the program is increasing to $59 million per year.

“We were given an additional $9 million each year,” comments the minister.

In addition, the program will allow people to book their tickets more than six months in advance, which is not currently possible.

According to the Quebec government, the changes made take into account not only the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Regional Air Transport, in place since winter 2023, but also the concerns of the various regional stakeholders. The president of the UMQ Air Transport Committee and mayor of Gaspé, Daniel Côté, welcomes the progress made by Quebec, criticizing Ottawa for its inaction.

“In the current state of affairs, we welcome what the Quebec government is doing, unlike the federal government, which is adding new standards and new constraints that cost carriers and airport managers money, but does nothing concrete,” says Mr. Côté

Regulating regional air transport is once again mentioned, but Daniel Côté is giving the runner a chance with version 2.0 of the program.

“If demand really increases with this incentive, we will bet that supply will follow. We are stimulating demand to create additional supply. We would be on a good trend but I continue to believe that the convincing solution in the medium and long term would be to regulate the markets, but carriers are cautious, but we need them to offer the service,” continues the mayor.

In the current context, the mayor believes that if carriers generate more profits, services will improve. “What we would like is for services to be adapted to the needs of the population. Currently, when we leave Gaspé in the late afternoon and return in the morning, it does not meet our needs. We need to leave in the morning to return in the evening. If we have to sleep outside before returning, it is not profitable for the region,” believes the mayor of Gaspé.

“The federal government would be able to put a few million to do similar work to improve what Quebec is doing, but it is radio silence,” repeats the mayor.

In October, Federal Member of Parliament Diane Lebouthillier indicated that the federal government considers the organization of flights a provincial responsibility, with the federal government acting mainly in terms of security.

Quebec presents Version 2.0 of the PAAR for regional air transportation Read More »

Stéphane Sainte-Croix attentive to the $40 million in cuts requested by the CISSS

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / December 18, 2024 / cisss, clsc, gaspe peninsula, Health cuts, nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The Gaspé Member of the National Assembly (MNA) will work to ensure that Santé Québec and the Quebec government take into account the specificities of the Gaspé in the context of the $40 million budget cuts requested from the Gaspé Peninsula Integrated Health and Social Services Centre.

Stéphane Sainte-Croix reacts this way to the reflection launched by the CISSS on ways to maintain the emergency services at Grande-Vallée, Murdochville and Paspébiac CLSCs 24/7.

The CISSS is analyzing the idea of replacing nurses with auxiliary nurses who would be linked to remote nurses to maintain the care offered at these establishments. Grande-Vallée Mayor Noël Richard indicated that when a nurse is mobilized in a facility transfer, this would be equivalent to a service interruption in his facility, which he describes as unthinkable in his community.

He points out that the closest hospitals are more than 100 kilometres from Grande-Vallée.

The Québec government has assured the public that the financial cuts would not result in a reduction in patient services. “The minister was clear on this. We are sensitive to the issue. Once the recommendations are known, we will take note of them and do our work to ensure that the service offer is maintained,” says Mr. Sainte-Croix.

The MNA indicated that he wanted to give the CISSS time to carry out its exercise to recover the requested amounts.

“We will work to maintain the service offer. If it requires us to review the effort in terms of rigour, we will be happy to support our CISSS, but let’s give management time to do its exercise and, from there, we can establish our scenario and the work that will come to maintain our service offering,” he says.

Mr. Sainte-Croix understands the particularities of the region, especially the distance to travel to have access to care and the fact that there is no major service hub.

“There is a question of cost behind the territory and the service offering. We dare to hope that the particularities will be recognized for the future,” mentions the MNA.

As for the specific CLSC file, Mr. Sainte-Croix is concerned. “We will remember that this is not the first time that we have had a reflection at this level. We will let the CISSS do its exercise. For the moment, we are listening. We are aware of the issues and we are very sensitive to the issue.”

Stéphane Sainte-Croix attentive to the $40 million in cuts requested by the CISSS Read More »

The Act suspending the revision of the electoral map remains valid… for now

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / December 18, 2024 / electoral map, gaspe peninsula, nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The Superior Court is not suspending the Act adopted by Quebec that put the revision of the Quebec electoral map on hold.

However, Judge Annie Breault of the Superior Court of the District of Terrebonne partially grants the interlocutory injunction requested by elected officials from the Laurentians, and Central Quebec, ordering the Commission de la représentation sur la carte électorale to continue its work.

“When you look at the first reading, you would have the impression of having lost. But, honestly, the Act that stopped the revision of the electoral map remains in force. The only thing the judgment says is that the Commission de la représentation électorale can finish its report. Period. And it (the Commission) must keep its report secret and not submit it to the National Assembly,” comments the mayor of Gaspé and spokesperson for the file for the Gaspé Peninsula Table of Prefects, Daniel Côté.

He is listed as a respondent in the request filed for the table to be an intervening party in the debate.

The elected officials of the Laurentides and Centre-du-Québec regions have filed a legal action against the Director General of Elections of Quebec and the Attorney General of Quebec to have this law revoked and for the process of revising the electoral map to resume.

On May 2, the National Assembly of Quebec, in a unanimous vote, adopted the Act to interrupt the process of delimiting electoral districts.

The group of MRCs pointed out that the electoral map on the table was then highly detrimental to the principle of effective representation, directly affecting the representation of Gaspésie in the democratic institutions of Quebec.

The group made representations before the court on November 28 to become a stakeholder in the case.

“I assume that the decision that was rendered does not add much more. We could ultimately qualify it as a kind of first victory for our region, even if upon reading the judgment, one might think otherwise. The only victory for our counterparts in the Laurentians and Central Quebec is that the Chief Electoral Officer has the right to finish his report, but must keep it to himself,” analyzes Mr. Côté, who is also a lawyer.

The court, therefore, allows the Chief Electoral Officer to complete his work and eventually file his second report as provided for in the electoral law if the court were to rule that the Act adopted in May to suspend the electoral law was invalid.

“This is how we are preserving the two Gaspésie ridings, at least for now. There will be a trial on the merits of the matter and a decision will be made in the coming weeks or months. At the same time, in the National Assembly, we continue to believe that the government is doing the work promised, that is to say, to thoroughly review the electoral law. If a new version arrives somewhere in the spring, the appeal will become unfounded,” mentions the elected official from Gaspé.

He hopes that the law will include the concept of elective representation with criteria such as geographic extent or belonging to a territory.

“If the law provides for these elements, we could achieve our ends and end the debate,” he believes.

The pressure is now on the Parliamentarians to resolve the matter quickly. Mr. Côté also adds that the elected officials unanimously resolved to review the electoral law. “If they agreed that the current electoral law should be reviewed, I dare to hope that they will agree on a new law quickly rather than letting the judiciary do the work of the legislator,” he says.

“For a region like ours that already suffers from democratic underweight, it becomes one of our priorities to have a law that will respect the Gaspé reality and that will ensure us two votes in the National Assembly rather than one,” analyzes Mr. Côté.

Could the Gaspé Peninsula or the other two regions appeal?

“The court came to split the difference. It did not say a categorical ‘yes’ to one party and a categorical ‘no’ to another party. Our colleagues wanted the process to resume. A small part can resume. For our part, we wanted the law that suspends the overhaul of the map to remain in force. For us, it is also a bit of a victory,” says the mayor.

Prosecutors and elected officials from the prefects’ table will be consulted to see if an appeal could be possible, but Mr. Côté doubts that the Gaspésie will go in this direction.

Recall that the commission suggested merging the counties of Gaspé and Bonaventure, grouping the MRCs of Côte-de-Gaspé, Rocher-Percé, Bonaventure and Avignon, to create Gaspé-Bonaventure, while Haute-Gaspésie would be transferred to the riding of Matane-Matapédia, a Lower St. Lawrence riding.

As of April 30, 2023, Bonaventure had 35,898 voters and Gaspé had 30,131, far from the minimum threshold planned. The gap was -29.2% and -40.6% respectively. Gaspé was ranked third among the least populous ridings, behind the Magdalen Islands, which has an exceptional status, and Ungava.

According to projections of the number of voters based on data from the Institut de la statistique du Québec, the gap with respect to the average for Gaspé should soon surpass that of Ungava.

In 2017, the commission maintained the negative exceptional status for Gaspé and granted the same status to Bonaventure. However, since the inequalities in representation of these ridings are increasing, the Commission did not wish to renew this status.

In addition to removing a riding in the Gaspésie, the Commission suggested doing the same thing in Montreal, while creating a riding in the Laurentians and another in Central Quebec.

The Act suspending the revision of the electoral map remains valid… for now Read More »

UPAC requests report on administrative investigation into Ghislain Pitre

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / December 11, 2024 / municipal, nelson sergerie, perce, upac

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

Anti-Corruption Unit (UPAC) is asking the Town of Percé to lift professional secrecy surrounding the administrative investigation that led to the dismissal of former urban planning director Ghislain Pitre.

The request, sent by UPAC on December 2 to the Town of Percé, asks for access to the report following a request for disclosure from prosecutors from the Bureau of Serious Crimes and Special Affairs of the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP).

In the resolution’s recitals, UPAC committed to using the report only for the specific purposes of the request and will keep the document confidential until criminal charges are filed, should the investigation lead to that outcome.

While the report remains protected by professional secrecy, the request aims to facilitate UPAC’s work.

On December 3, the municipal council unanimously adopted the resolution lifting professional secrecy for the investigation after consulting with Therrien, Couture, Jolicoeur, the firm mandated by the Town to investigate the allegations.

In July, the council dismissed Mr. Pitre in a special meeting by a vote of five to one following the filing of the law firm’s 340-page administrative investigation report on labour law.

The council adopted a resolution a few minutes after learning of the document ordered during his suspension with pay on October 30, 2023.

Since the case could go to court, the municipal council did not make any further comments regarding the resolution adopted to validate the dismissal.

Mr. Pitre filed a complaint with the Administrative Labour Tribunal on August 13. In response, the council adopted a resolution in September to mandate a law firm to defend the Town following the complaint.

Serious allegations against the former Director of Urban Planning led to his suspension which, in turn, prompted the administrative investigation. The cost of the investigation amounted to $131,250.

Furthermore, following a question asked by a citizen, the public learned that the council hasn’t taken any steps to recoup the compensation paid between the time of the suspension and the dismissal of the former employee.

The Director General, Michel Fréchette, mentioned at the public meeting that a reflection was underway, but since there was no trial, no decision has been made. A claim could be possible, depending on the outcome of any criminal proceedings against Mr. Pitre.

On another note, the letter asking the Minister of Municipal Affairs to intervene with the Municipal Commission in order to force a meeting between the commission, elected officials, the Town and citizens was sent to the Minister.

The mayor applied his veto at the November council meeting, which was subsequently overturned in a special session.

The Town received an acknowledgement of receipt from the Minister’s office. Citizens would like to know the content of the letter sent to the Minister. However, before doing so, the Town is checking with the Access to Information Commission to see if such a request can be accepted.

The Town has also requested a legal opinion on this issue. On October 8, Quebec Municipal Commission (CMQ) President Jean-Philippe Marois sent a letter rejecting the Town’s request to clarify certain elements to discuss the never-declared accountability.

Director Michel Fréchette stated that the report mentioned the effects of the issue, without mentioning the cause, which is what the Town was seeking to know in a request sent on October 1.

In a report released in July, the Direction des enquêtes et des poursuites en intégrité municipale (DEPIM) concluded, based on paragraph 4 of section 4 of the Act to facilitate the disclosure of wrongdoings against public bodies, that there was a serious case of mismanagement in the Town of Percé.

UPAC requests report on administrative investigation into Ghislain Pitre Read More »

Gaspé succeeds in reducing residual materials bill in non-residential areas

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / December 11, 2024 / Bill 96, gaspe, nelson sergerie, waste

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – A major turnaround, the Town of Gaspé has reached an agreement with Matrec to reduce the costs of residual material collection for the commercial, institutional and industrial sectors.

Twelve years ago, the Town had transferred this collection to the private sector and the contractor reached an agreement with the customers for the billing but, in September, the town council announced its intention to take it all under its wing after complaints were received at Town Hall when it was suggested that the bill was doubling, tripling or more.

A 90-day notice had been adopted by the town council for a change effective in January 2025.

A clause in the contract allowed the Town to do so. “When Matrec saw that, they were open to negotiating. As part of this negotiation, they agreed to lower the rates for merchants by 34% in addition to bringing the contractual clauses back to September 2026. They committed to freezing the rates for 2025 and increasing them to the cost of inflation in 2026,” explains the Mayor of Gaspé, Daniel Côté.

“It will also give us time if we repatriate everything into a single contract,” says the mayor.

Following this negotiation, the gap between what the Town would have billed starting in January via the tax account versus the agreement reached with Matrec no longer justified Gaspé taking over the service.

“It’s difficult to calculate for each specific case, but overall, it probably would have been the same. But by going back to the same, it would have been a real headache for the Town to repatriate all that and redo the contracts. It would have been much more complicated. The result makes sense. I hope our merchants and industrialists will be happy,” says the mayor.

Bill 96

Gaspé’s municipal council has adopted a resolution requesting flexibility in Bill 96, which mandates that all municipal communications be in French.

“We don’t have the same history as Montreal and its suburbs. Here, we have always lived very harmoniously between francophones, anglophones and the Mi’gmaq community,” explains the mayor.

According to census data, the proportion of English speakers in Gaspé declined from 13% in 2016 to 11% in 2021.

“It is not in Gaspé that French is in decline. Why apply the same rule to Gaspé where English is in decline in favour of French? Why penalize our anglophone community when the problem is not here?” asks Mr. Côté.

“I hope that our reality is recognized and that we can have some form of modulation, but honestly, I have little hope for a result,” says the elected official.

If the law is not changed, Vision Gaspe Perce now has offered its services to translate communications into English. Gaspé does not have bilingual town status. In the 1940s and 1950s, half of Gaspé’s citizens were English-speaking. There are exceptions in the law for emergency measures, tourism and financial information.

Changes mentioned in minor emergencies

The mayor of Gaspé is concerned by the Gaspé Peninsula Integrated Health and Social Services Centre’s reflection on the modification of the composition of the teams in the emergency departments at the Murdochville and Grande-Vallée CLSCs. On the sidelines of the organization’s board of directors meeting on November 28, President and CEO Martin Pelletier indicated that services are not being reduced, but he mentioned changes in the way care is provided, such as replacing a nurse with a nursing assistant.

“We are somewhat afraid of a service cut. These are hubs that are far from the Gaspé and Sainte-Anne-des-Monts hospitals. We are talking about an hour’s drive. A nursing assistant can do some of the work, but cannot do everything that a full-time nurse can do in terms of care,” explained Mr. Côté, who has heard concerns from specialists in the health network.

This is the third time in a decade that the fate of the 24/7 emergency services at the CLSCs in Murdochville, Grande-Vallée and Paspébiac has been in the news.

“I hope the inevitable does not happen. With all the projects on the drawing board, there should normally be an economic resurgence in Murdochville and Grande-Vallée, therefore, an increase in the population. An increase in risks related to industrial activities that will require 24/7 services in emergencies. I hope that we will think about the future and that we will not only take into account current demographic data,” notes the mayor who is also prefect of the MRC of Côte-de-Gaspé.

Work at the Town Hall

The Town of Gapé is asking the Quebec government to reduce its subsidy to its initial promise due to the additional costs incurred by the work.

Initially, the project was $4.3 million, but following the calls for tenders, the cost of the work was just over $3 million. The government assistance of 65% had been reduced accordingly.

In the meantime, an unforeseen amount of $700,000 has arisen. “This unforeseen event that no one saw coming is likely due to a design error. We are asking the ministry to assume part of this additional cost. Initially, it had budgeted $4 million for the project. We assume that it had budgeted that way,” hopes the mayor.

In the meantime, the claims process against the architectural firm to which the fault is attributed continues. “We hope to reach an agreement with the firm. Except that in any good agreement, will we get 100% of our gain? If not, we turn to the ministry so that it does its part,” notes the mayor.

Gaspé succeeds in reducing residual materials bill in non-residential areas Read More »

The Gaspé Peninsula will be heard in the legal debate on the provincial electoral map

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / December 11, 2024 / electoral map, gaspe peninsula, legal debate, nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The Gaspé Peninsula will finally be heard in the challenge of elected officials from the Laurentians and Centre-du-Québec who are seeking to cancel the law that suspends the process of reforming the electoral map.

The court accepted the request of the elected officials of the region during a hearing in Saint-Jérôme, in the Laurentians, on November 27.

“The court accepted that the Gaspésie be an integral part of the upcoming judicial start. It was the first fight that we had to give. We received 100% of what we asked for: we wanted a so-called conservative intervention. That is to say, to be able to produce evidence and hear witnesses when we get to the debate on the merits,” explains Daniel Côté, spokesperson for the electoral map file for the Table des préfets de la Gaspésie.

Mr. Côte who is also the mayor of Gaspé points out that the proposal for the new electoral map would result in the Gaspésie losing a riding.

“I have nothing against Drummondville, but the new map would give the city of Drummondville and the surrounding villages three members of the National Assembly while Gaspésie would only have one member. That’s what doesn’t make sense in the current debate,” says the mayor, who once again refers to effective representation, a principle that is not defined in the electoral law.

“That’s what the Carter decision of the Supreme Court said in 1991: it’s about something other than one voter, one vote. It is also the geographical area, the administrative boundaries, belonging to the territory, and access to the members of the National Assembly. This is the kind of thing that must be taken into account and the electoral law should be written down in black and white. I think that is what the National Assembly wanted to do by suspending the process,” Mr. Côté adds.

According to him, the judge who heard the case was a great listener and understood the issue. “In her opinion, not hearing from Gaspésie didn’t make sense. Just being heard by the court, being able to support an argument that will probably support that of the Attorney General of Quebec by providing regional insight, will give a boost to the debate,” he believes.

The hearing on the merits will likely be held next May. “This is the kind of constitutional case that could end up before the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court. It could happen that we have years of legal debate,” says the mayor.

The elected officials of the Laurentides and Centre-du-Québec were requesting, while waiting for the substantive debate, an interlocutory injunction to suspend the Act that suspended the revision of the map.

A decision could be rendered soon on the injunction or the judge will give the time when she plans to do so.

“If the judge does not grant the interlocutory injunction, we will wait a few more months before having a legal debate. This is time gained for the National Assembly to consider the revision of the Election Act,” continued the mayor.

On May 2, 2024, the National Assembly of Quebec, in a unanimous vote, adopted the Act to interrupt the process of delimitation of electoral districts.

The commission suggested merging the ridings of Gaspé and Bonaventure, bringing together the MRCs of Côte-de-Gaspé, Rocher-Percé, Bonaventure and Avignon to create Gaspé-Bonaventure, while Haute-Gaspésie would be transferred to the riding of Matane-Matapédia in the Lower St. Lawrence region.

The Gaspé Peninsula will be heard in the legal debate on the provincial electoral map Read More »

The 25% tariffs mentioned by Trump scare Gaspesian exporters

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / December 11, 2024 / export, gaspe peninsula, nelson sergerie, tariffs

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

States President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to impose customs tariffs on Canadian products in January raises concerns for GÎMXPORT.

Trump announced his intention to sign an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on all imports from Canada immediately after taking office.

“When we initially talked about the 10% that was imposed, we are trying to be more competitive, to innovate, to increase our production capacity to reduce costs and we can also rely on the exchange rate that can compensate but going from 10% to 25% can really have an impact, considering that 80% of seafood products are sent to the United States,” explains the director, Gino Cyr, who believes that it is now important to look at market diversification.

GÎMXPORT participates in various trade fairs to try to create contacts.

For example, during the pandemic, crab processing companies reoriented their exports. “Our companies had set aside certain niche markets like Japan to sell the crab caught as quickly as possible because we were afraid with the (right) whales and the health measures of not transforming the supply. Today, knowing that with the 25% tariffs, consumers will decide to shift their purchases to other products; If we ensure that we are not able to get the products to the United States, we will have to make diversification efforts,” mentions Mr. Cyr. Markets were developed during crises, but once they were over, it was a sort of “return to normal”.

“What is important is to maintain our international relations and the markets in place so that our eggs are not all in one basket,” he recalls.

The 2008 crisis led the organization to look for new markets for lobster in Europe and Asia.

“The goal was to take the supply and distribute it to other markets. This helped increase the price by focusing on the characterization of the product. The process lasted three years. Following that, there was no renewal. In 2016, the government chose to no longer support this type of initiative, unlike the Maritime provinces, which are continuing their efforts,” illustrates Mr. Cyr.

“What I find deplorable today: if we want to develop new markets, we’ll start practically from scratch,” he laments.

The manager had the opportunity to speak with economic experts in recent days to try to understand the potential impacts of these customs duties.

“What is suggested is to diversify markets and invest in modernizing equipment to increase the level of production,” summarizes Mr. Cyr.

“25% overnight. It’s the (American) consumer who will end up paying,” says the director.

The 25% tariffs mentioned by Trump scare Gaspesian exporters Read More »

Percé zoning: Former mayor says she is the victim of revenge

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / December 11, 2024 / municipal, nelson sergerie, perce, zoning

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

PERCÉ – A request for a zoning change made by Fumoir M. Émile in Percé was denied by the municipal council on December 3, leading former Mayor Cathy Poirier, co-owner of the business, to say that elected officials acted out of revenge against her.

The request filed by Alain Méthot, consisted of amending the zoning by-law in effect in the Anse-à-Beaufils sector to increase the maximum occupied surface area from 250 square metres to 420 square metres. This amendment would have allowed the installation of a smokehouse on Bonfils Street. The company’s goal was to move the facilities closer to Highway 132 rather than maintain operations on Chemin d’Irlande.

“We are extremely disappointed with the municipal council’s decision, considering that Fumoir M. Émile is a company that has been based in Percé for 19 years, that hires 10 employees and that we operate year-round. We want to have a slightly more efficient plant, but especially in a much busier location,” said Cathy Poirier.

According to the entrepreneur, the zoning allowed for the operation of a smokehouse. However, the mayor questioned the sector councillor, Yannick Cloutier, who justified the council’s decision.

“We are talking about a request to increase the area from 250 metres to 420 square metres. The Apur firm recommended having 1.8-metre fences on each side. Mr. Méthot’s request concerns a bylaw amendment. We consulted and came to the conclusion that with Apur’s recommendation, we were asking you to go back to the drawing board and see if there was a way to make it smaller,” said Mr. Cloutier.

Mr. Cloutier provided Fumoir le paternel as an example. That smokehouse has a surface area of 250 square metres and is located not far from the coveted site. Mr. Cloutier, the shareholder and president of the historic Anse-à-Beaufils store noted that its surface area is 469 square metres.

Ms. Poirier also provided examples that are nearby including the hardware store and the Pit Caribou microbrewery, which have larger surface areas.

“What could the smokehouse change? There is no smoke. We are talking about an architecture that will be compliant. You, yourself (councillor Cloutier), are the neighbouring owner of something that is even bigger than what we’re asking for. Visually, I don’t think the ‘too big’ argument holds water,” says Ms. Poirier, who points out that the land belongs to her daughter’s grandfather. The young woman has just invested in the company.

“I invite you to go back to your drawing boards and make us an offer of 250 square metres or 300 square metres,” suggests Councillor Cloutier.

“The firm didn’t say no. It just suggested putting up screens,” replies Ms. Poirier.

“If we have to rebuild a shop, we’re not going to do it to the size of what we have. We’re going to do it according to our needs,” says Ms. Poirier, who suggests that at worst, she will build her new smokehouse in another municipality.

Turning to councillor Doris Rehel, Ms. Poirier asked for an explanation. “Ms. Rehel was called last week by my colleague Mr. Alain Méthot to get an update because our request is dated April 2. Ms. Rehel responded to Mr. Méthot, surprisingly, that the Town needed to know if he still owns Fumoir M. Émile because it would go down better at the town council,” said Ms. Poirier.

“I won’t answer,” said Ms. Rehel. “It would go down better if Cathy Poirier didn’t own Fumoir M. Émile,” the businesswoman reiterated. “I never said that,” replied the elected official.

Faced with this response, Cathy Poirier turned to the mayor, Daniel Leboeuf. “Please know that I am extremely disappointed and I would like to ask you a question: do you think that, perhaps, there would be a form of relentlessness or a certain vengeance from the town council?” asked Ms. Poirier.

The mayor echoed Councillor Cloutier’s response, so to speak.

“We wanted to do something good in a convenient environment,” she said. Mr. Leboeuf indicated that the areas had to be taken into account.

On December 4, Ms. Poirier mentioned to SPEC that the towns of Grande-Rivière and Gaspé would be ready to welcome her business with open arms.

The mayor of Grande-Rivière, Gino Cyr, confirmed that he contacted the businesswoman on the morning of December 4 to offer her land in the industrial park and near the airport, which would allow her to export her products more quickly.

The mayor of Gaspé, Daniel Côté, also confirmed that he spoke with Ms. Poirier suggesting a potential site in Rivière-au-Renard, the fishing capital, in the rue du Banc sector.

Percé zoning: Former mayor says she is the victim of revenge Read More »

CISSS Cutbacks: CLSC emergency rooms in the territory will remain open

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / December 11, 2024 / cisss, Health cuts, nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The Gaspé Peninsula Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSS) assures that it will not close the 24/7 emergency rooms at the Grande-Vallée, Murdochville and Paspebiac CLSCs, despite their low attendance at night.

Martin Pelletier, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Gaspé Peninsula CISSS, emphasized that no such closures are being considered as the network scrambles to find $40.7 million in savings to meet a $535 million budget. “We are not there. We are really not there,” says Mr. Pelletier.

This CLSC emergency room question regularly comes up in the news. In 2013, before the creation of the Gaspé Peninsula CISSS, the former regional health and social services agency of the Gaspésie conducted a review that included the issue. It was mentioned in 2017 following the Barrette reform, which had once again caused discontent among the population.

“Can we review the use of resources from these less busy emergency rooms to help other busier emergency rooms at the same time?” wonders Mr. Pelletier, considering that a doctor and a nurse are on site while the volume of activity is lower.

“Another thing we can look at is: do we always need a nurse or could we use a nursing assistant in a network where there is not a lot of night volume? But (the nursing assistant) would be affiliated with a nurse who is already working (at another location) and able to be in contact if a case requires the judgment of a nurse. This is another example of transformation work,” he says. The union will have to be involved.

The overall labour shortage situation is forcing the region’s health network to explore this avenue. “We’re going to have to look. It’s not just a question of budget, it’s a question of survival and maintaining services and the ability to find resources to offer these services. Even if I had the budget, the problem is finding the resources. Changing our ways of doing things is essential to the survival and sustainability of services,” says Mr. Pelletier.

This hypothesis, raised following the Gaspé Peninsula CISSS board of directors meeting on November 28, is not being well-received by the Eastern Quebec Nurses, Auxiliary Nurses and Respiratory Therapists Union.

“It’s a complete rejection,” says union president Pier-Luc Bujold. “The population has the right to quality service, professional service and we cannot, to a certain extent, replace a nurse with a nursing assistant,” he adds.

He provides examples of administering medication in an emergency or managing triage, which could not be done by a nursing assistant.

“In terms of collective agreements, it doesn’t hold water and, logically, it doesn’t hold water to send a nurse from Grande-Vallée to work in Gaspé,” says the president.

According to him, these measures would not be attractive and could harm staff retention. “We have already expressed our concerns about this and the CEO tells us that nothing will be done in this regard without having discussions with us and that it holds water. For us, it doesn’t hold water,” says the union representative.

Former Gaspé Member of the National Assembly, Gaétan Lelièvre, who fought for the survival of the services in 2017 believes that the CISSS is not on the right track with the idea of changing the teams to offer these services.

Mr. Lelièvre notes that this is a security issue. “This is a decrease in the level of security of the population. Political and economic stakeholders must send a very clear message to Quebec: we do not accept these service cuts,” says the former minister responsible for the regions in the Marois government between 2012 and 2014.

He points out that health is a basic condition for regional development. “We know that the government has an $11 billion deficit to wipe out, but we cannot accept that this is in services as essential as a CLSC that serves communities 100 kilometres from a hospital. This is unacceptable,” continues the man who is now a regional development advisor.

For his part, Noël Richard, the mayor of Grande-Vallée, fears service disruptions in the emergency room if the CISSS was to go ahead with this idea. He notes that if a nurse has to go with a patient to the Gaspé hospital, the service would be in danger.

“Because we have a shortage of manpower, we would be in temporary service disruption. This is unacceptable,” thunders Mr. Richard. In his eyes, such a cut is non-negotiable, especially since several concessions have been made in recent years on health issues.

“The conversion of ambulance drivers from shift schedules to hourly schedules was not included in this program. We also made concessions on community dentistry, but I will not make any concessions on such an essential service,” added the municipal elected official.

CISSS Cutbacks: CLSC emergency rooms in the territory will remain open Read More »

Quickly cutting $40M from the Gaspé Peninsula CISSS will be difficult

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / December 11, 2024 / cisss, Health cuts, nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The Gaspé Peninsula Integrated Health and Social Services Centre is still facing a $50 million deficit for the fiscal year ending March 31. The organization, however, is focusing on recovering the $40.7 million demanded by the Ministry of Health, mentioned the President and CEO Martin Pelletier following the board of directors meeting on November 28.

For the moment, there are no plans to cut jobs. “We are not there, and we are not at a hiring freeze for nurses. We are Some services under development will be reviewed to assess whether they should be maintained.

Several measures are being analyzed to meet the requirements by March. “I will tell you right away. It will not be $40 million. It will be what we can do. Forty million dollars in five months would take drastic measures. We will not do that,” says the manager. The independent workforce alone represents about $25 million of the projected deficit.

One example of a measure is to review the housing supply for the independent workforce. Currently, the ratio is one worker per housing unit. “We will implement a measure that will put two or three independent workers in a dwelling, for apartments with several bedrooms, which would eliminate dwellings,” says the president and chief executive officer (CEO).

This measure could generate savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Mr. Pelletier is not concerned that some workers may refuse to come to the region. “Maybe. On the other hand, we are aligning ourselves with other regions. They (health workers from outside) do not come for vacations. Winter is less attractive than summer in the Gaspésie. We have a choice to make and this is an example of a hypothesis that does not affect care,” he says.

The preliminary studies to launch the engineering work for the emergency and intensive care units at the Maria hospital cannot begin before April 1 due to a lack of funds.

“We have no guarantee that the project will be included in the PQI (Quebec’s Infrastructure Program) in the next year. The guarantee we have is that we will do the studies next year and if the emergency project is only in a year, it will not prevent us from moving forward. It was an idea to get ahead of things by thinking that the project would be announced next April. We will start in April using independent nursing workers. The idea is to hire nurses to replace them. What we are going to do is not develop new services so we won’t have to create new positions for which we will not be able to respond,” says Martin Pelletier.

and we will have the year to do the analysis if the emergency project arrives in 2026,” analyzes the President and CEO.

The MRCs of Bonaventure and Avignon maintain that the project is essential for the Bay of Chaleur area.

“There were promises made. We have been waiting for more than 15 years. We reiterate that the emergency is in the PQI,” says Bonaventure Prefect Éric Dubé.

“It is a $100 million project. We estimate that for $250,000, we must find solutions to not delay this project. It’s a relatively small amount on the CISSS and health system budget. We have to find solutions,” mentions his colleague from Avignon, Mathieu Lapointe.

The elected officials will meet Martin Pelletier on December 11. However, one must not have any illusions.

“I’m going to tell them the same thing that I just explained. The relevance of the project is recognized. The problem is Quebec’s financial capacity to put this project in the PQI. It’s not at our level. It’s going to happen. When? That’s the question,” says Mr. Pelletier.

Quickly cutting $40M from the Gaspé Peninsula CISSS will be difficult Read More »

10,000 signatures to demand a nephrologist in the Gaspé Peninsula

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / December 4, 2024 / Healthcare, nelson sergerie, nephrology, petition

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

than 10,000 signatures is calling on the Quebec government to establish a nephrologist position at the Gaspé Peninsula Integrated Health and Social Services Centre.

The Gaspé Peninsula is one of the only regions in Quebec, alongside Northern Quebec, without a dedicated specialist.

Jean Lapointe, the driving force behind the petition, has been fighting for a decade for the development of such a service in the Gaspé Peninsula.

On November 15, he submitted the petition to Gaspé riding Member of the National Assembly (MNA), Stéphane Sainte-Croix.

After successfully forcing the Quebec government to set up hemodialysis rooms in all hospitals in the region, Mr. Lapointe is putting pressure on the government again to have kidney disease specialists located in the Gaspé Peninsula. It would be better than having to travel to Rimouski to meet them.

Currently, Gaspesians must go to the Centre Hospitalier in Rimouski to be seen by a nephrologist.

“I have to go to Rimouski twice a year. It takes me 9 hours to get there for 30 minutes in the office,” says Jean Lapointe, who lives in Gaspé, to justify his request.

“I might have had more signatures, but the CISSS removed them from the institutions,” he says.

“I will never be happy. I could have had 500,000. I would have been happy. But I have more than 10% of the region’s citizens,” he says.

“I will fight until I die. I think of the people that need it. I have had kidney disease for 27 years. I am at stage 4. I do not stop there,” he mentions.

Although Mr. Lapointe does not yet need the hemodialysis service, he points out that there are about fifty patients receiving treatment in the Gaspé Peninsula.

“I think there is something strong as a message. We are starting with the petition. We will submit it in due form to the National Assembly. It will make its way to the Ministry of Health and its parliamentary committee,” indicates the MNA.

The 15-day process will still be launched to see if the parliamentary work will move forward on the subject.

“I think that 10,000 citizens taking the time to sign a petition at the health service level is a strong message. With the status of an aging population, the oldest in Quebec, two orphan regions, I think we have interesting arguments and especially very real needs to move forward with the project,” says Mr. Sainte-Croix.

Quebec currently has 211 nephrologist positions in Quebec, with about 15 vacant positions.

“What I learned is that there is a need within the aging population and for patient mobility,” concludes the elected official.

The wording of the bilingual document states that “whereas the region covered by the CISSS de la Gaspésie is the only one in Quebec not to have a nephrologist assigned to its territory by the Medical Staffing Plan (PEM); whereas patients requiring follow-up by a nephrologist must travel to Rimouski to obtain an in-person meeting, forcing them to travel long hours; we, the signatories, ask the Quebec government to add at least one nephrologist position for the Gaspésie territory in the PEM.”

Mr. Lapointe has been gathering signatures since June, travelling all over the region to collect these signatures.

In April, the CISSS of Gaspé Peninsula indicated that it was considering the possibility of serving the four centres located in Maria, Chandler, Gaspé and Sainte-Anne-des-Monts.

The President and CEO, Martin Pelletier, indicated at the time that the volume of activity did not justify the presence of such a full-time specialist, adding that telemedicine was well-developed.

However, the number of people who have needs is increasing and there may come a time when demand will justify it.

There are currently around 40 hemodialysis treatment seats available throughout the Gaspé Peninsula.

10,000 signatures to demand a nephrologist in the Gaspé Peninsula Read More »

La Gaspésienne No. 20 has been repaired

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / December 4, 2024 / cultural, gaspe, museum, nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – One year after suffering significant damage, the restoration work on Gaspésienne No. 20 was completed on November 15.

“It looks like nothing happened! We really got our Gaspésienne back to the way it was before the fire, and maybe even better than before the fire,” says Martin Roussy, director general of the Musée de la Gaspésie.

The restoration was carried out according to the rules of the craft thanks to two rare craftsmen who specialize in this type of restoration.

“It’s a job that takes time and, by doing the operation, we gave it a little youthfulness, made it stronger and more able to last over time,” mentions the director. Finding these kinds of people was a blessing.

‘It’s a dying profession. We had a hard time finding them because you only find them through networks. We eventually found some, and the ones we did find were young people who had taken over an existing business. It’s doubly interesting because they’ve been given a great contract and they’re a team that now knows La Gaspésienne,’ explains Mr. Roussy.

The museum also took advantage of their visit and their expertise to create a sort of health record to plan repairs over the next few years.

“This will allow us to plan what we’ll do next year, in two years or in five years to continue to preserve it until we manage to protect it permanently, that is, find shelter to prevent it from being exposed to bad weather,” says the director.

A $10,000 fundraising campaign was launched in the spring to raise funds to begin the process of developing the protection project.

“We will keep these amounts in the bank and when we start the process that will allow us to analyze what we should do and then the funding application process. start this project with the initial knowledge of what needs to be done to protect it,” explains Mr. Roussy.

So far, more than $11,000 has been raised.

Since winter is just around the corner and workers to rebuild the footbridge that also suffered significant damage were not available, this work will be done in the spring.

“All this work will be done and we are very, very eager for next summer to restore access to the Gaspésienne, to visit this beautiful artifact that seems to have come straight from its construction site in the 1950s,” says the director.

A major game plan will be launched in 2026 to prepare for the overall protection of the legendary ship. “It’s a long-term project,” says Mr. Roussy.

The Gaspésienne should be accessible next summer, once the footbridge has been rebuilt. “However, we may have to avoid certain sections of the bridge that are part of the small adjustments to be made to complete the craftsmen’s work,” Mr. Roussy is careful to point out.

Additional measures have been taken to prevent such a situation from happening again. “On the ground where the fire broke out, there were accelerants contained in all the products used: the plants, the flower boxes. We got rid of all that. There are more surveillance cameras and the lighting has been adjusted. We have done everything that can be done to prevent an accident because it was an accidental fire. We have put additional measures in place to avoid such an event happening again,” Mr. Roussy explains. The fire, of electrical origin, started around 8 p.m. on November 24, 2023, and broke out slowly at the beginning of the gangway leading to the boat. The boat didn’t catch fire right away. At approximately 1:30 a.m., the Sûreté du Québec and the firefighters were alerted.

The 45-foot vessel had been the subject of a vast mobilization for its restoration in 2016 when about thirty volunteers stripped and repainted it.

It was the only one of the 50 produced in the second half of the 1950s that could be refurbished. The boat had originally belonged to Thomas Boucher, a fisherman from Newport.

Once restored, the Gaspésienne No. 20 became an integral part of the museum starting in 2017. At the time, a virtual experience allowed visitors to see life on board the boat in 1963. The museum also won an award for this documentation that contributed to the advancement of Quebec museology.

La Gaspésienne No. 20 has been repaired Read More »

SIA calls for a regular trail maintenance program

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / December 4, 2024 / gaspe, nelson sergerie, sia, tourism

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

International Appalachian Trail (SIA) on the Côte-de-Gaspé would like to obtain a recurring program for its maintenance after spending $30,000 over the last two years to clear the trail following severe wind events.

Jean-Marc Hardy, a member of the SIA board of directors, would like the Quebec government to create a program like the one set up to maintain the Route verte for cyclists.

The December 2023 storm cost the local committee $10,000, thanks in part to volunteer contributions. Without this support, expenses might have reached nearly $20,000. This figure excludes other Gaspé sectors of the trail.

Fortunately, the MRC de la Côte-de-Gaspé, the Town of Gaspé and Desjardins assisted due to the storm’s exceptional impact.

“Usually, for regular trail maintenance, there is never anyone who wants to help us,” notes Mr. Hardy.

A similar storm in December 2022 cost $20,000. “The fact that it happens two years in a row when the recurrence is perhaps two to three times in 100 years, that it happens two years in a row, we can be tempted to link it with climate change and the future does not look any rosier,” says Mr. Hardy.

After two large storms in two years, the trail managers hope that the forest around the trail has been adequately cleared. “With climate change and the spruce budworm, and what doesn’t help us, logging changes the dynamics of the winds around the trail. All that put together, we’re not sure we’ll get a break, but we still hope so,” he says.

To address these challenges, trail managers have requested recurring funding from the Ministry of Transportation.

“Based on the principle of the Route verte, long hikes are one of the sustainable means of transportation that should be encouraged but, to encourage them, we still have to support the organizations that manage the trails. We are asking to try to have a budget that could work like the Route verte. We would be sure to get a helping hand every year,” says Mr. Hardy.

Such recurring funding would allow for preventive measures along the trails.

Following last December’s windstorms, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests reported that 5,408 hectares of forest were devastated in Haute-Gaspésie, the only place where windthrow was observed.

This summer the ministry recalculated these figures using satellite images.

Of the total, 3,186 hectares of forest on public lands and 582 hectares on private lands were devastated by more than 75%.

Additionally, 1,329 hectares of public lands and 311 hectares of private land experienced partial windthrow, where 25 to 75% of trees were affected. Areas with less than 25% tree loss were not counted.

SIA calls for a regular trail maintenance program Read More »

No election, says Gespeg council

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / December 4, 2024 / election, gespeg, nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The petition asking the Micmac Nation of Gespeg band council to call a new election has close to 400 signatures. However, the band council refuses to resign, according to one of the petition’s initiators.

The petition was presented on November 24 at the Gespeg’s annual general assembly.

“The current council could not accept the petition. They indicated that it should be filed with the president. There was an hour and a half of discussion and now we have to go to the election of the president,” says one of the community elders, Mark Sinnett.

“The council is taking it personally and our petition does not target any specific individual. We are asking the council to be a little serious and understand that we have 379 members of the community who are asking for a new election,” says Mr. Sinnett, who repeats that the electoral process was not done well.

“Out of 2,200 members, 1,300 do not have an email address. This proves once again that the community was not informed of the election,” maintains Mr. Sinnett.

“We will continue. We will not give up. This is a community that speaks,” he added.

“Unfortunately, there are many flaws in the Electoral Code and it has become a code where the president will have to make decisions that are outside the framework because there is nothing written in the code to follow up. It will be his interpretation that will tell us where we are going with the petition and what happens next,” Mr. Sinnett analyzes.

If an election were to be called, it would be done under the current code.

“The real problem is that people were not respectfully informed that there was an election in Gespeg. What is urgent is that we go back to the election and we will see to correcting the Electoral Code,” concludes Mr. Sinnett.

The petition calls for the electoral process to be restarted due to problems that arose during the election of September 8.

Given the potential conflict of interest, the council has opted not to make a public statement.

No election, says Gespeg council Read More »

A petition for new elections was presented in Gespeg

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / December 4, 2024 / elections, gespeg, nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – A petition with 314 signatures, collected by Gespeg elders, was presented at a press conference on November 21, calling on the Gespeg band council to resume the electoral process due to problems that occurred during the election on September 8.

The petition notes that communications, including the notice of nomination and polling relating to the September 2024 election, were transmitted only by email, and that by not mailing the communications by the post deprived several voters of their right to vote. According to the petition, this inadequate communication resulted in a lack of candidates for the positions to be filled.

“This irregularity in the way electoral information is communicated renders the electoral process invalid and its result revocable,” the document states.

In a press briefing, Gespeg elders, including two former chiefs and Mark Sinnett, a candidate in the last election, called for the September 2024 election to be invalidated and to mandate an electoral officer to hold a new election as soon as possible.

“We have nothing against anyone or the council in place. What we are saying is that our elections have not been going well since the beginning and this has caused all the problems we see today and especially community members who did not have their right to vote,” notes Mr. Sinnett. According to organizers, some employees thought about signing the petition but feared reprisals if they did.

“I have great confidence that most employees would have pointed it out. All we want is a fair election,” insists Mr. Sinnett.

“A lot of former members who don’t have internet didn’t hear that there was an election. They found out how to vote, receive a ballot by mail and return it. There were some who received their ballot after the election. They weren’t able to vote. That caused a major problem. Normally, in all municipal elections in Quebec or Canada, all voters receive a notice before the election. Here, that didn’t happen,” adds Francis Mainville, especially for members who live outside Gaspé.

Of the 1,800 eligible voters, only 420 participated in the September election, compared to approximately 600 votes in the previous election, where mail-in ballots were also counted.

However, everything would have been done according to the Electoral Code. “It depends on the interpretation. Our code is not 100% clear. There has been a lot of interpretation. Our code does not contain all the possibilities. There is a shortcoming: you can contest, but we do not know what to do after the contestation. That is what has led to where we are today,” explains Mr. Sinnett.

“According to our customs and traditions, everyone was notified by mail,” adds Mr. Mainville.

“In the Electoral Code, we must find all possible means to reach all members. That is the mandate of the president,” emphasizes Linda Jean, another of the initiators of the petition.

The petition was filed during Gespeg’s annual general meeting on November 24 (see other text).

For the time being, recourse to the courts is excluded. “Anything is possible, but we are not there yet. We want the council to understand that their community is speaking out and that we want new elections. That’s all there is to it for now. If there is anything else, we will see in the future. We are asking the council to take this very seriously,” says Mr. Sinnett.

“We don’t want to make threats. We don’t want to go there. We want to protect our community. We have suffered enough recently. We want to do good for our community. We will follow our customs and traditions and that is the right we want to exercise at Sunday’s meeting,” continues Mr. Sinnett.

“We have never seen Gespeg so united both internally and externally on one point,” he says.

The Electoral Code allows a petition to be submitted to the council if it garners signatures from at least 10% of voting members.

“We are within our rights,” calculates Ms. Jean.

Having been a candidate for the position of chief, Mr. Sinnett denies having any apparent conflict of interest.

“Absolutely not. If you remember, my point of view was to say that the election was not done well. I said it from the beginning. I continued until I withdrew for personal reasons. The election was not done well. We did not join our members. This is not revenge. It did not work. We have to do it again so that it works like a world,” Mr. Sinnett responds.

The elders believe they have the support of the majority of Gespeg members.

A petition for new elections was presented in Gespeg Read More »