Sophie Demers

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

During the second day of the city’s budget discussions last week, Gatineau presented the action plan for homelessness and social development for 2025-2029. The proposed plan details a $24,028,235 investment over the next five years. For 2025, the city plans to invest $4,997,394.

According to city documents, Gatineau aims to demonstrate strong leadership in fighting homelessness and social development where all residents have a good quality of life and are put at the centre of all actions.

The plan details six categories for achieving their goals:

• Governance: This includes the creation of a municipal team dedicated to the issue of homelessness and social development, an action plan with community organizations, allocating resources and establishment of an interdepartmental committee. In 2025, $3,050,000 of the budget will be allocated to this.

• Targeted communication: Next year, $286,500 of the budget will be allocated to raising awareness with residents, stimulating the interest of organizations and project promoters in developing related initiatives, and improving communication.

• Research, consultation, and partnerships: This category represents a $415,000 investment to strengthen partnerships with community organization and municipal services and optimize support for organizations through the Community Development Support Framework.

• A roof for everyone: Of the total budget for homelessness, $1,325,000 will go toward increasing the construction of housing such as affordable, transitional, and emergency housing, and contributing to access to housing.

• Interventions: Largely, this entails supporting various programs, managing encampments, implementing frameworks for managing encampment operations and makeshift camps.

• Neighbourhood life and community development: This involves encouraging the development of links between community centres, local associations, and social development committees, and supporting citizen access to infrastructure, and encouraging civic participation. This category also involves supporting healthy-living environment initiatives, supporting community partners’ initiatives in public and active transportation, and integrating community development approaches to public spaces and city infrastructure.


The homelessness crisis has been an ongoing issue with the city for many years. At almost every council meeting, there is a resident addressing the council on the topic. There was always a lot of discussion on the fact that homelessness is a provincial issue being pushed on municipalities. Some councillors feel that investing this amount excuses Quebec from its responsibility. Despite most councillors agreeing that Quebec should be supporting cities in fighting homelessness, the proposals to reduce the amount budgeted were rejected.

While the initial plan was kept after going to a vote, a few expressed their disagreement with the approach. Jocelyn Blondin stated that he doesn’t believe that the way the city is going about it will help get people experiencing homelessness out of their situation. “I don’t think that what we are doing now is really a solution to help them in the long term. I have learned over the years that if you want to help someone get by, it’s not by giving them fish; it’s by giving them a fishing rod and showing them how to fish. So, I’m looking for other things in the movement we are doing to really help them get by,” said Blondin.

Mike Duggan, Pointe-Gatineau councillor, stated that the five-year commitment relieves the province from their responsibilities for too long, suggesting that the plan outline be for one or two years instead.

“If we don’t take responsibility, if we don’t fill the void left by our provincial government, who’s going to do it?” said Daniel Champagne, Versant councillor and president of the housing committee. “We’re probably going to find ourselves in much worse situations over the next few years. So, I recognize that it’s elsewhere that we should invest those sums. I totally agree with that. But our reality is very different.”

Steve Moran, President of the executive committee, echoed this, stating, “The sums we allocated, will not be able to meet the needs on the ground. The needs are beyond this defined by the community and by the City of Gatineau. We are doing this to meet our budgetary capacity.” He highlights that if the city doesn’t budget these sums, it will be spent anyway due to community needs and management of encampments.

Photo: The municipal council gathered on the final budget discussion day, where a discussion took place about the amount the city is budgeting for fighting homelessness.

Photo: Sophie Demers

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

The $887 million budget, approved on December 10, represents a 10% increase in spending compared to the 2024 budget. It includes a 3.18% tax increase for the residential sector and 4.18% for the non-residential sector.

The budget details an investment of $5 million to fight homelessness, investments in Gatineau’s climate needs and the revival of the city centre. Specifically, the largest budget allocations are $145 million for police and fire services, $140 million for public works, as well as $80 million for the Climate Plan.

“Accelerate urgent investments and reduce pressure on taxpayers. What we offer you is not a sum of numbers. It is an electroshock, a structuring response to our great collective challenges,” said Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette in her opening statement. Later in the speech, Marquis-Bissonnette stated, “I am extremely proud of the budget proposal before us tonight and the path we have taken to achieve it. City finances are well managed with tools that allow us to project ourselves in time. The level of debt is low, and we are in a good position to face the challenges.”

Fifteen of the twenty council members voted in favor of the budget while five independent councillors voted against, namely Gilles Chagnon (Lucerne), Mike Duggan (Pointe-Gatineau), Denis Girouard (Lac-Beauchamp), Jean Lessard (Rivière-Blanche) and Mario Aubé (Masson-Angers).

“The budget before us offers out-of-control spending, historical tax increases, increases in all rates, budgetary choices far from the priorities of the Gatineau residents, and spending in the place of the Quebec government. The 2025 budget of the City of Gatineau is a budget of ease because it is much easier to spend and tax than to manage and prioritize. It is visionless and too expensive for the people of Lac-Beauchamp,” said Girouard during the council meeting.

“We will reduce our spending on infrastructure. For example, our investments in paving will be maintained at $55 million in 2025, which was part of our five-year plan that will end in 2025. So, in 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029, we will fall back by nearly $33 million per year,” echoed Chagnon in his statement. “Meanwhile, the people I meet in my door-to-door cut everywhere in their personal expenses to make ends meet, for example, fewer restaurants. We should take an example of those who tighten their belts a little.”

Photo: Gatineau Mayor, Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, during her opening statement before the budget approval.
Photo: Courtesy

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

With poppies on their jackets, hundreds gathered at the Aylmer Cenotaph to remember those who lost their lives fighting for Canada. Opening with a land acknowledgement, speeches were given, poems were read, and wreaths were laid at the foot of the monument.

Veterans and active members of all branches of the Canadian Armed Forces were present, as well as representatives from the RCMP. Local politicians in attendance were Greg Fergus, Liberal MP for Hull-Aylmer and Speaker of the House of Commons, representing the federal government, André Fortin, Deputy for Pontiac, representing the provincial government, and Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, representing the municipal government. Councillors Steven Boivin (Aylmer), Gilles Chagnon (Lucerne) and Caroline Murray (Deschênes) also participated in the ceremony.

Photo: Sophie Demers

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

Gatineau’s budget week brought about many new initiatives by the city, one of which is the plan to implement parking lot taxes, starting in 2025. The city administration studied 32 different taxation scenarios before choosing the one best suited for the city.

In 2024, a parking lot tax was applied to parking lot operators and office buildings in Gatineau. In 2025, this will extend to all non-residential buildings in the city. This new tax is projected to generate an estimated $27 million for the city.

The objectives for the parking lot tax include diversifying city revenue to meet the city’s growing responsibilities, addressing environmental issues such as encouraging public transit, and reducing greenhouse gases. Other objectives include reducing asphalt and concrete surfaces that create heat islands, increasing urban densification, development of green spaces, and land optimization.

Gatineau had a third-party organization, AppEco, do an economic study of their revenue diversification measures. AppEco provided three conclusions: the tax must be high enough to change user behaviour; it must provide an incentive to transform the parking lot into more productive spaces; and that even doubling the current rates would have little to no impact on business competitiveness.

The executive committee recommended a progressive rate with a 650 m2 credit. This is equivalent to 22 parking spaces. This 650 m2 credit safeguards most small businesses from the tax. However, this credit would not apply to parking lot operators.

“I want to note the importance of the fact that 60% of the cases are without financial impact,” said Steve Moran, president of the executive committee, and Hull-Wright councillor. “Eighty per cent of the impacted businesses will see less than 10% increase on their tax bill. And I also insist on the strata, the progress of the measure; that is to say, that small businesses are eliminated. The more we grow, the more we have a parking lot area, the more we will be taxed. This is a very important element in encouraging developers to incorporate less parking spaces and encouraging public and active transit.

Four areas will be excluded from the tax, a section of Old Aylmer, the Buckingham urban core, two sections of Gatineau, specifically Notre-Dame and the Masson-Angers revitalization area. The parking lot tax will be 25% higher for buildings in city centres, as detailed in city documents. The city states that these areas are aimed at making the city more compact, user-friendly, allowing for quality living environments with an efficient public transit system. For example, the downtown core.

“We have to find a way to at least benefit the services to the affected businesses after imposing this tax. That’s why I proposed, during an executive committee meeting, to offer things to these commercial zones,” said Point-Gatineau councillor Mike Duggan. “For example, to help with zoning plans for their redevelopment, revitalization, densification. And it was added to the recommendations, so I’m happy to see it.”

Buckingham councillor and executive committee member, Edmond Leclerc also weighed in, stating, “I think we have a regulation that allows us to target our objectives, and I think we included the concerns and demands of our business owners, and I thank them for participating.

Photo: Steve Moran, president of the executive committee and Hull-Wright Councillor, speaking in support of the parking lot tax on November 5 during the Gatineau 2025 budget discussions (SD) Photo: Sophie Demers

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

Developers, Luc Quenneville of Dév Méta and Pierre Ali Nordev, co-founder, held a public information session about their 15-storey, 251-unit apartment complex project slated for the south-east corner of the Vanier and Boulevard Allumettières intersection at 435 Vanier Road.

The information session was requested by Caroline Murray, Deschênes councillor, and Anik des Marais, Mitigomijokan councillor. Aylmer has been experiencing a development boom over the last decade and citizens have raised concerns about the increased traffic on Vanier Road many times before. There are plans to expand Vanier; studies are being done in preparation for this work. However, the development project proposals have not ceased.

“An important point for Luc and me, as co-developers and partners of the project, is that we have been here for a very long time,” said Ali. “We have properties in different sectors of Gatineau. We have at least 15 years to develop.”

Residents voiced their support for many aspects of the project, such as the inclusion of 27 affordable housing units, a variety of units ranging from 1- to 3-bedroom, efficient energy standards, thoughtful architecture, and a shuttle bus that residents could use to lessen traffic. However, their main concerns were pedestrians, road safety, and increased traffic in the area.

Traffic and road safety concerns

After a traffic expert presented their findings from their traffic studies, one resident spoke up to say that this did not represent the lived reality of pedestrians and drivers in the area. Highlighting that some of the traffic data used in the study was from 2022, during the pandemic when a large portion of the population was working from home, while other data dated back to 2011.

“Sometimes I do my groceries in Ottawa instead of here because of the disaster that trying to get to Maxi is between 4 pm and 7:30 pm. It’s impossible,” said one resident at the information session. “It’s too complicated. I’ve been living in Champlain Park for 18 years. I think you’re doing a great project. It’s beautiful. But the infrastructure in the area is not there to support it. You don’t consider the development that is currently underway. This will add to the already significant traffic problems.”

Others stated that the area was poorly serviced by public transit and expressed frustration that development was going forward based on the future expansion of Vanier and the tramway which will take years to be fully completed.

The project details an exit onto rue des Attikameks which then leads to an intersection with Vanier between Tim Hortons and a Daycare Centre. This intersection has no lights, and many residents have raised their concerns over the safety of the intersection and how long it takes to turn onto Vanier when there is traffic.

Halfway through the information session, it became evident that the residents’ concerns could not be solved by the developers but were directed at the City of Gatineau.

“We want to hear from our mayor,” said Nina Dani, a resident of the area who mobilized residents through social media to attend the meeting. “Many of the projects are causing tension in Aylmer that is now amalgamated with Gatineau and it’s changing its character.”

Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, who was present for the meeting, took the floor saying “There is a part of this the developer does not control. The Vanier area is not in the promoter’s court. A year from now, there will be a development fund that we will have to pay to help us expand Vanier. This is part of the process. Tonight, I am here because I wanted to hear from you. I know that this is a controversial project for which there are important priorities. It is very enlightening to hear from you tonight. We will have discussions with the promoter. I will have discussions with the city council.”

She reiterated that a decision had not yet been made about the project. The official decision by the municipal council will take place during the December 10 council meeting in Salle Jean-Despréz at Maison du Citoyen, 25 rue Laurier.

“I’m really worried about mobility in the sector. Aylmer residents are reluctant to have projects on Vanier and it is not the first time that citizens have opposed one in the area,” said Councillor Murray. “The artery is always congested. And then, particularly with this project, the fact that the entrance is through Rue des Attikameks, where there is not even a traffic light, creates a lot of insecurity. “There are a lot of people in this neighbourhood who walk, for example, to D’Arcy McGee High School. I am hoping for changes to the project to make it safer, so that citizens find it more acceptable.”

Photo: Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, Gatineau Mayor, addressing frustrated residents during the November 12 information session held with developers of the 435 Vanier Road project.

Photo: Sophie Demers

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

The Centre Intégré de Santé et des Services sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO) is taking steps to help English speakers navigate the healthcare system. “ALLO, do you speak English?” is an initiative that started in Côte-Nord and is slowly spreading to different regions of Quebec. The project allows healthcare workers to identify themselves with yellow ID cards, indicating they can communicate in English.

This is available to all healthcare staff and volunteers, including nurses, doctors, and pharmacists in all departments.

“When we say that we speak English, it is a point of reference for our English-speaking community, whether in Pontiac or Maniwaki,” said Joanne Dubois, assistant to the director of the local network of Pontiac health services, and coordinator for English services and the ethno-cultural community with CISSSO. “Patients who come to any of our hospitals can look for the yellow identifying badges and feel reassured that they can ask for help, and they will be understood. So, it is a point of reference for someone who is English-speaking to navigate the health system.”

According to Dubois the initiative has been very well received by staff with over 1,000 employees within the organization wearing the yellow card after an internal campaign. “We get calls every week asking for more yellow ID badges,” she said.

To get the word out to the English-speaking communities, the department put signs up in all CISSSO buildings, as well as online. They also partnered with Connexions and the Western Quebec School Board to get the information out.

This initiative is separate from the translation and interpretation available with CISSSO. The healthcare facilities that are designated bilingual by the Quebec Health Ministry are required to have employees are required to serve patients in English.

Dubois noted that the project demonstrates acts of kindness in the healthcare system, highlighting proudly that one of the first individuals to wear the yellow ID badge was CISSSO’s president, Marc Bilodeau.

Photo: Example of the yellow badges worn by health care professionals and staff to indicate that they can speak English.

Photo: Courtesy

Sophie Demers

Local Journalism Initiative

OUTAOUAIS – Kitigan Zibi Anishinàbeg (KZA) has launched a major regional initiative through their Natural Resource and Wildlife Office (NRWO) to enhance biodiversity protection across their traditional territory. The project will use a unique governance model balancing Indigenous leadership and collaboration with non-Indigenous local governments and institutions.

The initiative has three main objectives: community engagement – gather the community for consultations and discussions to share knowledge and possible solutions; assess regional biodiversity to identify priority areas for protection and restoration; and create a strategic plan outlining how to protect habitats, restore degraded ecosystems, and preserve endangered species.

The KZA Stewardship Plan for Anishinàbeg Aki Conservation and Biodiversity is a two-year project with two phases. Phase 1 involves creating a collaborative regional working group led by KZA to develop a regional action plan to protect key areas. Phase 2 will consist of enforcing protections to conserve 30% of land and freshwater ecosystems and restore 20% of degraded areas.

This initiative follows the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15), where the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted by over 190 nations, including Canada. The framework aims to conserve 30% of land and freshwater ecosystems and restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030.

“Collaboration and information sharing is key. We want to create a collaborative atmosphere so we can share all the data and information gathered. A lot of the time, governments, organizations, and NGOs work towards similar goals, but don’t work together or know what the other is doing,” explains Jonathan Côté, spokesperson for KZA and Guardian Nagadjitodjig Aki. “If we’re going to try and reach this 30 by 30 goal, we need to start working together for the greater good.”

Collaboration with municipal representatives from Gatineau and Outaouais MRCs, along with academic and scientific experts, community members, elders, and youth will provide a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity across the Outaouais.

KZA is calling on community members with expertise in traditional knowledge, local history, and biodiversity to join the advisory committee to help shape the project.

“We want to ensure everybody’s voices are heard and considered when planning and determining this roadmap,” said Côté, while highlighting the importance of Indigenous knowledge, which thinks about seven generations ahead. “I’m very passionate about this project. I have a young granddaughter, so it’s about thinking about their future as well.”

Photo – The official launch of the project took place on October 21 at the KZA Cultural Centre near Maniwaki. Côté said there was a great turn out, with over 70 people attending from all walks of life; regional, provincial, and federal government representatives, community members and project leaders from the KZA NRWO. (Alice Beaudoin)

Sophie Demers
Local Journalism Initiative

MRC PONTIAC – A call for projects was announced in early June by the Environment Ministry (MELCCFP) for conservation projects for public forests and waterways.

The initiative was in line with Quebec’s commitments made at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) to protect 30% of land and waterways by 2030. As of March this year, almost 17% of Quebec’s territory was
protected. The government will need to double the size of the current protected areas to meet its target.

The Outaouais chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wildness Society (CPAWS) coordinated the submission of seven projects for the Pontiac, proposing a total of 2,111 square kilometers of protected area.

1. Noire and Coulonge Rivers corridor
This 403 km2 area is home to a wealth of significant landscapes and ecosystems including various bodies of water and a mature forest. Bryson Lake Lodge and the Forant Lake Outfitter are located within the targeted area and Lodge owners Laurel and Denis LeBrun said they support the proposition. A May 2024 inventory identified more than 40 species in the area, including six with provincial and federal conservation status. The proposed 403 km2 will expand on the 852 km2 already designated as a conservation area last year.

2. Lac-Brûlé
This area covers 837 km2, the majority of which is in the MRC Pontiac. A small portion, 48 km2, is located in MRC Vallée-de-l’Or and 205 km2 are in MRC Vallée-de-la-Gatineau.

The project was proposed following a meeting with the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg community who highlighted that mining exploration in the area has environmental repercussions on the Coulonge River. If the conservation proposal is accepted by the Ministry, the mining exploration will be stopped, according to Yanny Ritchot, CPAWS biologist and conservation project manager for Western Quebec.

Additionally, a 2020 field study by biologists identified 55 area species that are considered at risk.

3. Lac-Dumont-Ellen-Murray
CPAWS found several landscapes of interest when they visited this 172 km2 area in July. A 2012 plant inventory indicated the presence of old-growth forest in the area. The forest is 80 years old, populated by sugar maples and red oak. Another section showed signs of being 100 years old.

4. Lac-Saint-Patrice and Poussière River
This 490 km2 area contains parts of two controlled harvesting zones: ZEC Saint-Patrice and ZEC Rapides-des-Joachims. CPAWS proposed this conservation area because of the interesting landscapes, important aquatic ecosystems, and its use by the community for outdoor activities.

5. Coulonge-River-East
CPAWS proposed this 510 km2 area for conservation due to the presence of animal and plant species of interest, important ecosystems, and aquatic environments. The area is home to rare and endangered species including the wood turtle and Canada warbler. A 2020 study found the presence of 55 at-risk species in the Noire and Coulonge watersheds.
CPAWS also highlights that the Coulonge watershed is a popular destination for outdoor recreation, which can contribute to the local economy by supporting tourism-related businesses. The proposal suggests promoting “trackless ecotourism” to preserve the area’s natural flora and fauna.

6. Presqu’île du Lac à l’Indienne
This 823 km2 area was proposed due to the presence of important ecosystems, environments of interest and its significance for outdoor activities. The proposal covers part of the Nilgaut Lake area and part of the Municipality of Otter Lake. Eagles’ nests have been observed as well as the presence of 100-year-old trees, indicating an old-growth forest.

7. Alvars and riverbanks of Bristol and Clarendon
CPAWS proposed this 16 km2 area because of the presence of important ecosystems, environments of interest, and its popularity for outdoor activities. The majority of the area is located in MRC Pontiac, however 3 km2 are in the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais.

The area has a range of wetlands, forests, and riverbanks, as well as a variety of species, including some at-risk. Studies have found a total of 110 bird species, and 57 species whose status is being evaluated.

According to Ritchot, the proposals will be analyzed by MELCCFP. In the next year, a list of retained areas will be announced. The change to conservation status should be finalized for the selected areas in two years.

SOPHIE DEMERS

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

MRC PONTIAC – In the spring, MRC Pontiac put out a call for interest for solar energy projects. According to Rachel Floar-Sandé, economic development officer at the MRC, they’ve been talking to various companies interested in developing a solar project in the Pontiac.

The MRC decided to connect with energy companies because the region has the best photovoltaic potential in Quebec, according to Solar Quebec. Simply put, the higher the potential, the greater the amount of energy that can be produced by a solar panel. Additionally, Hydro-Quebec will be announcing a call for tenders for solar projects in December 2024.

“We wanted to be prepared for that call,” Floar-Sandé said. “We received submissions to our call for interest and we’ve been in discussions with one solar energy company, Innergex.”

Innergex is an international, 100% renewable energy developer based in Longueuil that is active across Canada, the United States, France, and Chile. They’ve been operating solar energy facilities for over 10 years, specifically in Hawkesbury and Sault Ste. Marie.

“Our main concern is social acceptability, which is why we’re collaborating with these energy developers to create the best project possible for Pontiac,” said Floar-Sandé.

On August 21, the MRC Pontiac resolved to sign a confidentiality agreement with Innergex. Floar-Sandé explained this is the first step in collaborating with the developer.

Earlier this month, Pontiac took another step by signing a collaboration agreement with Innergex to work with them on social acceptability, including information sessions with residents, and to assist Innergex in finding land. Floar-Sandé clarified there are no financial obligations related to the agreement. Innegex plans to respond to Hydro-Quebec’s upcoming call for tenders.

“We strive to be a transparent and community-focused developer, and we will keep community members posted as soon as we have updates,” said Guillaume Perron- Piché, senior communication advisor for Innergex.

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

Plans for the construction of a three-storey eight-unit multifamily building at 13 rue Symmes have been submitted to the City of Gatineau. The site located in Old Aylmer is currently cleared after a house fire destroyed the previous two-unit home in January 2023.

The developers have asked for an exemption from the city’s requirement to have a structural or underground parking lot. Both the project and the exemption are recommended by the Service de l’Urbanisme et de Développement Durable (SUDD).

The architecture and heritage value of the Old Aylmer neighbourhood require new constructions to blend into the surrounding area. According to city documents, the proposed building is inspired by similar architecture. The four trees on the property will be preserved and seven more trees will be planted.

The owner presented the project to the Aylmer Heritage Association (APA), and the association responded with several recommendations. The owner followed some of the recommendations. Those not followed were to reduce the height to 2.5 storeys, the number of units to six, and to reduce the number of balconies.

The applicants note that they would not be reducing the number of units, as their goal is to densify the neighbourhood.

Photo 1: The previous building located at 13 rue Symmes that burned down in January 2023

Photo 2: The proposed construction on the now cleared site. A three-storey, eight-unit multifamily building.

Photo credit: Courtesy of the city of Gatineau

One old Aylmer house and two Vanier buildings facing demolition to build multi-unit structures

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

Three demolition requests have been submitted to Gatineau’s demolition request committee (CDD) for Aylmer. The first is located at 29 rue du Centre in Old Aylmer; the other two are on adjacent properties at 891 and 901 chemin Vanier. All demolition requests are recommended by the Service de l’Urbanisme et de Développement Durable (SUDD).

29 rue du Centre

The Old-Aylmer house was built in 1885 and, according to city documents, is considered to have “low heritage value”. The home is valued at $158,300 and the land at $289,900. According to a 2022 inspection, the building’s foundation is cracked and causing water damage. The structure is wet and rotten in some places. The cost to repair the home is estimated at $250,000.

The proposed plan after demolition is a three-storey eight-unit residential building. The project will be evaluated by the municipality if the demolition request is approved.

891 and 901 chemin Vanier

The adjacent houses on chemin Vanier are also facing demolition to build five four-storey apartment buildings, each containing 24 units, for a total of 120 units. However, if the demolition is approved, the construction plans must also be approved by the municipal council. Neither building is on Gatineau’s built heritage lists. According to city documents, both buildings have several sanitary and structural problems.

The 891 chemin Vanier house was built in 1955. It is valued at $283,300 and the land at $189,800. The 901 chemin Vanier house was built in 1945 and is valued at $324,300 and the land at $183,300.

The CDD meeting will take place on August 20 at 4:30 pm in the Mont-Bleu Room on the 1st floor of the Maison du Citoyen located at 25 rue Laurier. Any Gatineau resident wishing to address the committee must be present at the meeting. Others interested in watching the meeting can do so online.

Within 30 days of the Committee’s decision, any Gatineau resident may request a review of the decision. This will suspend the demolition until the council reviews the appeal. This process costs $122.50.

Photos: (Left) The house currently located at 29 rue du Centre and (right) the developer’s plan for the cleared land, should the demolition request and the project be approved.

Photos Credit: Ville de Gatineau

Sophie Demers

Local Journalism Initiative 

SHAWVILLE – The local healthcare users committee held their first annual general meeting September 23 at the CLSC in Shawville. Formed earlier this year, the Pontiac user committee advocates for the rights of healthcare system users and addresses their concerns.

According to committee president Jennifer Larose, the meeting was well attended with over 25 present. The agenda included review of administrative work for the committee and addressing recent concerns about food quality for patients within the medical system.

After receiving complaints about food quality, the user committee launched an investigation, and work is being done to improve the situation. “This is just one example of what we do and how we advocate for the healthcare system’s users. We have more work planned,” said Larose.

Representatives from the Centre intégré de santé et des services sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO) were also present, however CISSSO was unable to respond to an interview request by press time.

Jean Pigeon, the director of the Gatineau Health Foundation and representative for the activist organization SOS Outaouais, was invited to discuss the challenges facing the healthcare system in the region.

SOS Outaouais is a newly formed coalition that seeks to unite the voices of citizens to address the current state of the healthcare system, including the disparity in access and quality of healthcare in the Outaouais compared to other regions in Quebec.

According to the Outaouais Development Observatory, an organization linked to the University of Quebec in Outaouais, in terms of funding, there is $450 missing per resident in the Outaouais. In other words, there is a $180 million per year deficit in healthcare funding for the region.

Pigeon also highlighted salary issues for healthcare workers, which must be raised to compete with Ontario positions. The activist stated that SOS Outaouais was well received by participants.

SOPHIE DEMERS

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

SHAWVILLE – Residents may have noticed a recent increase in housing in the Shawville area with many new apartments.

Developer Les Maisons PAJ is responsible for creating this housing. Current projects include: four 2- bedroom units at 518 King Street, a multi-unit building at 360 King Street, and a triplex on Main Street across from the United Church. There are also plans to build 18 more units on King Street and 12 additional units in the area in 2025.

Two-bedroom units are currently listed for rent at $1,300 a month. Despite multiple attempts, Les Maisons PAJ didn’t respond to the Journal’s requests for information by press time.

“We’re finding there’s more interest in the Pontiac, especially from private builders and people looking to renovate,” said Rachel Soar-Flandé, economic development officer for housing with the MRC Pontiac.

When asked about affordable housing in the region, Soar-Flandé highlighted there are nine buildings totalling 121 units of social housing for seniors in the region. There’s currently no affordable housing projects for families or other low-income individuals.

“It’s quite a complicated process. But we’ve been discussing with certain municipalities the possibility of finding available land for an affordable housing project. There are other challenges as private buildings often don’t want to build these projects because of the high costs,” said Soar-Flandé explaining some municipalities are limited for projects like these because they don’t have adequate water or sewage infrastructure.

Shawville Mayor Bill McCleary echoed Soar- Flandé’s comments about the new construction. “It’s great because we need the housing and it’s good for the town. Most of the comments I get are good. I have an occasional person who doesn’t like the look of them, but we can’t keep everybody happy.”

When asked if the new apartments are affordable for Shawville residents, McCleary stated, “What are the options? If the rent is too low, it attracts the wrong sort of people.”

McCleary said it’s difficult to determine what affordable is as it depends on each individual’s income. However, he says the units will increase the population in Shawville, which he considers a net positive for the town.

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

The Apollo Community Centre has officially reopened after modernization work began in Spring 2023 to update the building. The goal of this work was to create a vibrant hub for community life in Gatineau, enabling residents to gather, learn, and create.

“The reopening of the Apollo Community Center marks an important milestone for our community. With the inauguration of this Art Hive in Gatineau, we offer our citizens an inclusive and creative space where everyone, whatever their age or experience, can explore and express their artistic potential,” said Gatineau Mayor, Maude Marquis-Bissonnette. “This renovated center will become a true home for sharing, learning and cultural innovation for all.”

The work included replacing the shingle roof and gutters, replacing windows and doors, renovating basement bathrooms, improving foundation, and installing air ventilation in the kitchen. Other improvement projects include replacing the flooring in the basement and stairwells and painting the walls. The $527,620.28 contract was given to AppellFred inc, who completed the work.

Internal team with the City of Gatineau completed the renovation and modernization of the kitchen, installed a music room, organized the creation of a mural by artist Samuelle Desjardins, and redeveloped the art room. The city also installed internet and Wi-Fi in the building. New furniture was acquired to make the space functional for residents.

Located at 520 rue Carle in Gatineau. The community center hosted an event last Saturday, August 24, welcoming families to participate in various activities. Participants were able to explore the centre’s new facilities, discover the Art Hive and take part in activities such as musical and artistic workshops.

Along with the reopening, the community center launched the La Ruche d’Art Apollo, a project created as part of the city’s new cultural policy. The “Art Hive” is a welcoming space where individuals can explore their creativity. Art and craft material is provided for free and allows participants to explore their artistic side. La Ruche d’Art Apollo, is part of an international network of Art Hives, an initiative that offers citizens of all ages free access to a variety of cultural activities, that explores creativity and fosters artistic expression.

Located at 520 rue Carle in Gatineau. The community center hosted an event on August 24, welcoming families to participate in various activities. Participants were able to explore the centre’s new facilities, discover the Art Hive and take part in activities such as musical and artistic workshops. A team for local libraries was also on site to issue temporary Accès Gatineau cards so participants can register for cultural activities happening in the upcoming months.

Photo: Courtesy of the City of Gatineau

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

Nadine Peterson, General Director of the Centre de services scolaire des Portages-de-l’Outaouais (CSSPO), announces her departure after 27 years with the organization. As of September 9, she will be starting her new position as the Senior Executive Director of Pedagogy and Teaching Services with the Ministry of Education’s Educational Success and Workforce team.

“I’ve had the great privilege of guiding an extraordinary team. Together, we have been able to stay focused on the success of our students, while respecting the values dear to our organization,” said Peterson in a statement announcing her departure. “I would like to thank the CSSPO staff, the members of the Board of Directors and the partners who make such a difference to the educational community. I leave with a heavy heart, but with great confidence in the future of the CSSPO. I rejoice in the knowledge that we will all be pursuing the same educational mission.”

Peterson started her position as General Director with CSSPO in October 2019. The school service center states that she played an important role in creating a culture of collaboration allowing CSSPO to stand out as an organization. She led the organization through many challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, where she kept her team motivated and guided staff to ensure students’ success.

She is known for her commitment to education. She began her career as a daycare educator, then became a teacher, an elementary school principal, and then a high school principal. Afterwards, Peterson became Director of Educational Resources followed by Assistant General Director, before becoming Director General of CSSPO.

Kim Jessome, Chair of the CSSPO Board of Directors, echoes this sentiment in her statement: “Peterson’s many years of service to the CSSPO and as Executive Director will leave an indelible mark on the history of the organization, as well as in the hearts of those who came into contact with her. Her commitment and involvement in numerous bodies contributed to the reputation of the CSSPO. She led the organization through a period of significant change, while remaining focused on students’ success. This is all to her credit.”

The process to appoint a replacement is underway. The Board of Directors will make the announcement in the coming days.
Photo: Courtesy

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

Sonia Blouin, who has worked for the City of Gatineau since 2004, has been appointed as director of the Arts, Culture, and Literature Department. She has held this position on an interim basis since February.

“Blouin has an excellent understanding of the issues and opportunities in the field of arts and culture in Gatineau. I am convinced that her sense of initiative and leadership will enable her to successfully carry out the Department’s various mandates. I am therefore very proud to be able to count on her expertise within the organization. Congratulations, and excellent continuity to Ms Blouin,” said Gatineau’s Director General, Simon Rousseau.

Blouin holds a Master of Arts in History as well as a Bachelor of Arts in History. She has worked in the cultural field for over 25 years, 20 of them with the City of Gatineau’s Arts, Culture and Literature Department. In 2023, she became Assistant Director within the department.

Photo: Sonia Blouin, the newly appointed Director of the Arts, Culture and Literature Department of the City of Gatineau.

Photo credit: Courtesy

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

Meet Marcel Beaudry, Geoffrey Pross, Nicole Germain and Sachin Zalera, four athletes from Aylmer are currently at the Dragon Boat Club Crew World Championships. They are all members of the Ottawa Dragon Masters team.  

The Championships gather over 7,000 athletes from 50 different countries and this year, are taking place in Ravenna, Italy. The event started on September 3 and will end on September 8. Each team is composed of 20 paddlers, one steer, and one drummer.  

There are many recreational dragon boaters in the region. These four athletes represent the group of competitive boaters that compete at the national and international level. To qualify for the World Championships, the team had to be in the top five teams in their category at the national competition that took place in Welland, Ontario, in July 2023.  

“To prepare for the championship, one must train every day. Sometimes it’s twice a day because you should be training from 7 to 9 times a week,” said Nicole Germain. “We train all year in the on-water season, and in the winter months in the off-water season. There is also group training with the team.”  

Three teams with the Ottawa Dragon Masters will attend the World Championship, namely Senior B Women, Mixed, and Open teams.  

“Everybody’s very excited. We have all worked so hard. Every time we get tired, we always remind ourselves that we’re almost there and now it’s happening,” said Germain about how the team is feeling going into the championships. “It takes real dedication, but the rewards are great. It is like your family.”  

The origins of the sport can be traced back over 2,000 years ago to ancient China. Over the centuries it has evolved to what it is today. The sport involves a long boat with a carved dragon head and tail. Paddlers work in synchronization with a drumbeat to complete races at high speeds.  

To find out more about the Ottawa Dragon Masters team, follow their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/odm_senior_open. 

Photo caption: (Left to Right) Marcel Beaudry, Geoffrey Pross, Nicole Germain and Sachin Zalera, four local dragon boat athletes currently in Italy competing in the  Dragon Boat Club Crew World Championships. 

Photo: Courtesy

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

Gatineau police arrested a 13-year-old boy who allegedly opened fire with a pellet gun, hitting two bystanders in the head with lead projectiles. Victims did not suffer serious injuries. The incident occurred on August 22, shortly before noon, on Crescent Drive in the Aylmer sector. The teen was allegedly firing at vehicles and people walking.

The suspect is said to have quickly fled on foot. When police arrived at the scene, they met with several witnesses who were able to provide a detailed description of the suspect, allowing police to arrest him not far away. Police seized the pellet gun. After the arrest, the 13-year-old was released to his parents on a promise to appear with conditions.

Charges of assault with a weapon, carrying a weapon for dangerous purpose, disguise with dangerous intent, and obstruction were submitted to the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP), in the Youth Division.

Police warn residents that these weapons are not just harmless toys. There is a real risk of seriously injuring someone when handling an air gun or pellet gun.

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

All demolition requests listed are recommended by the Service de l’Urbanisme et de Développement Durable (SUDD). After a demolition is approved by the Comité Demandes de Démolition (CDD), the construction project that follows must also be approved by the municipal council.

Aylmer
29 rue du Centre

The Old-Aylmer Home was built in 1885 and according to city documents is considered to have “low heritage value”. The home is valued at $158,300 while the land is $289,900. According to a 2022 inspection the building’s foundation is cracked and causing water damage. The cost to repair the home is estimated at $250,000. The proposed plan after demolition is a three-storey eight-unit residential building.

891 and 901 chemin Vanier

The adjacent properties on Vanier Road are also facing demolition in order to build five four-storey apartment buildings each containing 24 units for a total of 120 units. Neither building is listed on Gatineau’s built heritage lists. According to city documents both buildings have several sanitary and structural problems. The 891 chemin Vanier home was built in 1955, the building is valued at $283,300 and the land $189,800. The 901 chemin Vanier home was built in 1945 and is valued at $324,300 and the land $183,300.

Hull
104 rue Kent

The three-unit, two-storey home built in 1955 is not listed on Gatineau’s built heritage list. The building is in an advanced state of disrepair, the estimated cost of restoration is $870,00. The building is valued at $139,100 and the land is valued at $108,300. The building cannot be occupied due to structural issues. The plan after demolition is to build a three-storey three-unit multi-family home.

Gatineau
261 boulevard Maloney Est

Due to a fire, the 1964 commercial building would require $162,881 to completely restore. The current building is valued at $13,700 while the land is valued at $353,100. The owner is not planning to rebuild after demolition, the plan for the cleared site is to level it, then add turf. A fence or hedge will then be installed to limit access.

215 rue Bellehumeur

The commercial property is occupied by three commercial buildings 215, 195, and 205 rue Bellehumeur. Only 215 Bellehumeur is facing demolition. The 1991 building has no heritage value. The building is valued at $3,435,100 and the whole property is valued at $6,887,500. The building is not in disrepair but the owner states that it is no longer compatible with its use. After demolition, a new commercial building with an area of 1,625 m2 is planned for the site. The plans also include removing some parking spaces and a new access on boulevard de la Gappe. Gatineau’s mobility department is not in favor of the additional access point.

Photo 2: Construction plans for a commercial building at 215 rue Bellehumeur.

7 rue de Chapleau

The home built in 1985 is in disrepair due to a house fire last September. Due to the fire damage the home cannot be rebuilt. The owners plan to rebuild a one-storey, single-family residence replacing the old one.

Masson-Angers
895 chemin de Montréal Ouest

Photo 3: Construction plans for 895 chemin de Montréal Ouest after demolition, seven buildings with a total of 72 units.

The home was built in 1945 but is not listed on Gatineau’s heritage list. The building is in “good to fair” condition and does not require restoration. The reason for demolition is to free the land to build 72 housing units divided between seven buildings. Due to a stream of water on the property the project will need authorization from the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, la Faune et les Parcs.

The CDD meeting took place on August 20. Within 30 days of the Committee’s decision, any Gatineau resident may request a review of the decision, this will suspend the demolition until the council reviews the appeal. This process costs $122.50.

Photo 1: Construction plans for 104 rue Kent, if demolition gets approved.

Photo credit: Courtesy of the City of Gatineau.

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

Marie-Soleil Labelle, a local young race car driver, competed in the 2024 Trois-Rivière Grand-Prix that took place August 9 to 12. This event is one of the biggest in the sport in Quebec.

Competing in two races took a lot of preparation. “I train a lot on the cardio-muscular side. We prepare the cars, set them up for the weekend,” said Labelle. “I also hydrate myself, eat well and of course, I analyze the track and other racers’ driving.”

The young driver raced in two series. The first was the Nissan Sentra Cup which consists of 30 Nissan Sentras. During the second race, Labelle drove a modified Sportsman in the Chevrolet Urban Challenge. According to the young driver, the weekend brought about unexpected weather and flooding which affected the races. The testing that occurs before the races was disrupted for both series.

During the Saturday races, Labelle’s cars had some mechanical issues. “Saturday was a disappointing day, after running more than half the race in eleventh position, the right suspension of my Nissan Sentra broke, and I unfortunately had to stop. As for the Chevrolet Urban Challenge, the transmission lever on the Sportsman no. 27 broke during the warm-up lap. After three attempts to repair the transmission lever, my chief mechanic decided to stay in the pit because the car no longer had a second gear.”

Thankfully for the driver and her team, Sunday was a better day. With the cars fixed, Labelle started fifteenth and finished eleventh.

On top of her racing career, Labelle is a philanthropist and activist. Diagnosed with a developmental language disorder and dyslexia as a teenager, she has overcome many obstacles and now advocates for others. She is a spokesperson for the Quebec TDL Group, which gathers nine regional associations across Quebec working to raise awareness for developmental language disorders.

“I’d always told myself that “you can’t understand,” “you’re not going to succeed in life.” said Labelle “So, my message to people who have a disability, always stay resilient. It’s not because you have a disability that you can’t have dreams. Just persevere.”

In terms of philanthropy, Labelle is an ambassador for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She is currently raising money for the organization. She has previously raised $10,000 and accompanied a family to the Canadian F1 Grand Prix weekend. She is once again raising money with the goal of $20,000. Donations can be made on her website.

Labelle started racing in 2018. She is the Co-Founder and racing team leader of the Gilles-Villeneuve Racing Team. She is also a second-year student pursuing a bachelor’s degree at the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Ottawa. To find out more about Marie-Soleil Labelle, visit her website: https://mariesoleillabelle.com/.

Photo caption: Jason A. Simmons (left), International Director, NASCAR Competition & Operations on Sunday August 11 with Marie-Soleil Labelle (right) before her race at the Grand Prix Trois-Rivières where she finished in 11th position.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Marie-Soleil Labelle

Sophie Demers 

Local Journalism Initiative

MRC PONTIAC – Campbell’s Bay, Bryson, and L’Isle-aux-Allumettes will be upgrading their baseball fields with funding from Quebec’s Programme d’aide financière aux infrastructures récréatives, sportives et de plein air (PAFIRSPA). The program funds sports and leisure infrastructure, covering 66% of the costs; municipalities cover the balance.

The Bryson Recreation Association received $47,634 to add netting around the baseball field in Bryson Lions Park. The baseball field is adjacent to a soccer field, and without netting, it was unsafe to hold baseball and soccer games at the same time.

“A netted field will save some balls because it’s expensive when we keep losing them and allow us to have a multi-functional, multi-sports space,” said Meghan Griffin, Bryson RA vice-president. “It will not only be better for sports, but for all activities and festivals we have at the park. It’s better for the whole space and safer for everyone,” she added, estimating the project will be completed within the next year.

Campbell’s Bay received $72,378 to replace the protective barriers around the baseball field. “Our baseball fencing is original from 1970, when it was built. So there are broken pieces and it needs to be replaced. It’s a safety issue,” said Sarah Bertrand, Campbell’s Bay director general.

Bertrand said this will benefit youth and adult softball and baseball teams as well as soccer teams that use the outfield. The field is also often used for festivals, tournaments, and other community activities. Work will begin in September and is scheduled to be completed next spring.

L’Isle-aux-Allumettes received $56,681 to redevelop the Saint-Joseph baseball field. According to Chantal Lair, municipal community development officer, the field hasn’t been used for many years.

“On the island, we have one other baseball field that’s used every night of the week, but there’s large demand for another field in the area because we have adult and youth baseball leagues,” said Lair. “Another field will allow more games and larger baseball tournaments, could bring in more players from other towns, and attract visitors,” she concluded. The project should be completed by summer 2025.

Sophie Demers

Local Journalism Initiative

MRC PONTIAC – Fibre Pontiac (FP) has a long history in the region. Established in 2008 by the MRC Pontiac after the Smurfit-Stone pulp mill closed, its mission is to revive the Pontiac’s forestry industry.

Years later, the non-profit organization still pursues this goal. Current projects aim to market or promote unused wood fiber, namely, biomass left over after creating plywood and lumber.

“We’ve worked on several projects, including a big one with Renmatix to produce cellulose, crystalline and lignin. But with the pandemic, it was put aside. It’s still a $100 million project. After that, things calmed down a bit, but we’re getting back on track,” said Pierre Vézina, FP president. “We’re working on various projects with different companies, trying to secure mini contracts to revive the most advanced or optimal use of the Pontiac’s resource,” he added.

Farid Bensebaa, FP director general, elaborated on the company’s current focus; “The biggest project we’re trying to put in place right now is a program with several projects within it. We want to attract young entrepreneurs from all over Quebec, Canada, [and beyond] to settle in Pontiac and transform wood fiber into bioproducts.”  FP also has a program to train young entrepreneurs to be project leaders and become invested in Pontiac’s forestry industry. To attract these entrepreneurs, FP is working to create a mobile wood transformation plant in the forest to produce “wood flour”.

“We also want to set up an online digital platform to film and preserve the knowledge of older generations,” said Bensebaa. “So, these are the three angles; attract and train young entrepreneurs, set up a mobile wood transformation unit to reduce carbon footprints and create a digital platform to preserve and share existing knowledge,” he explained.

In order to achieve these goals, a funding request has been submitted to the Canada Economic Development Agency (CED) for $981,000 over 4 years. During the July 19 Council of Mayors meeting, a resolution was passed supporting FP’s request for funding.

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

Gaston Bédard, was celebrated as a successful marathon runner while being completely blind

and deaf. However, the runner was found guilty of sexual assault by the Quebec court.

The 17-year-old victim was aiding Bédard by accompanying him on his run as a running guide,

which he needed to run outdoors. The victim met the runner at his home, where he commented

that her cotton shirt was not suitable for the runner, offering her a running jersey. The incident

occurred when the victim changed her shirt, and he touched her breasts without her consent

while stating that he had not seen a woman’s body in over 10 years.

The behavior continued during their run when Bébard made sexual comments, asked questions

about her private life, and touched the victim’s breast and buttocks.

Bébard denied the accusations stating that the conversation did not occur, and any touching

was accidental. However, the judge determined that there was insufficient evidence supporting

Bédard’s denial. After a review of the evidence, the judge found that the charge was proven

beyond reasonable doubt.

On October 7, 2021, Bédard was found guilty of sexual assault.

Bédard and his lawyers proceeded to appeal the court’s decision. Stating that the judge wrongly

found discrepancies in Bédard’s testimony which affected his credibility. Although mistakes were

made by the judge regarding two minor details, the court of appeal found that these errors did

not affect the judge’s reasoning process.

Another appeal was made to the court claiming the judge relied on stereotypes about disabled

people.

All appeals were dismissed by the court of appeal in January of this year.

Photo: Gaston Bédard, blind-deaf marathon runner found guilty of sexual assault.

Photo credit: Aylmer Bulletin Archives

Sophie Demers

LJI reporter

Local police were called to the intersection of rue de l’Alliance and boulevard de la Gappe after a hit-and-run incident that took place on July 29, shortly before 11 am. The incident involved a black car and a 94-year-old female pedestrian.

The driver of the car fled from the scene without helping the woman who was injured in the collision. Other nearby citizens helped the woman whose injuries were not life-threatening.

Investigators have met with several witnesses to establish the circumstances of the incident. To help find the suspect, police are now asking for the public’s help identifying the car involved, a recent model of the Kia Sorento.

Police encourage anyone with information about this event or the vehicle to contact Detective Sergeant Renée-Anne St-Amant at 819-243-2345, ext. 1668 or by email st-amant.renee-anne@gatineau.ca
Photo: Black Kia Sorento involved in a hit-and-run leaving a 94-year-old woman injured.
Photo credit: Gatineau Police

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

The current Outaouais health-care system is in critical condition. SOS Outaouais, created by the Gatineau Health Foundation, is a coalition of local organizations and citizens advocating for better health care in the Outaouais by calling on the provincial government to improve health services and raising awareness of the situation.

“The goal is to meet the needs of the Gatineau people and the Outaouais region and to work with the Quebec government to ensure a real investment in our health-care services. It is to do our part to ensure that the people of Gatineau are treated as they are in Montreal, as they are in Sherbrooke, in Quebec City, and everywhere else,” said Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, after Gatineau’s municipal council unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the coalition’s cause on July 9.

SOS Outaouais is making two demands to the Quebec National Assembly. First, the coalition asks the Quebec Government “to correct the historic disparities in health and social services for the Outaouais”. The second demand urges Quebec to take immediate action to improve health care and social services in the region.

“It’s very important for SOS Outaouais because, through this gesture, the city of Gatineau and the City Council officially recognize that our health and social services system in Outaouais needs help. It should be a source of pride for the region, which it is not, with the current state of services,” said Luc Cadieux, President of the Gatineau Health Foundation. “Elected officials have realized that this health crisis has consequences for the municipality. We hear a lot that there are people who think of leaving the region because they cannot get access to health services.”

SOS Outaouais highlights that currently the Outaouais is $181 million dollars short, compared to the average annual provincial spending on health and social services programs. This equates to $448.54 per person. Wait times are the longest in the province, Gatineau hospital operates with less than 30% staff while the Hull hospital operates with less than 50%. The Outaouais is short 1,138 direct-care nurses and 264 physicians.

Cadieux encourages residents to lend their voice to the coalition by going to the website and signing up to get updated on the situation. Residents are also able to share their personal experience with the health-care system in the Outaouais through a form on the website. https://fondationsantegatineau.ca/sos-outaouais/

“We are starting a large distribution of free lawn posters. So, if people want to support us, it will accentuate the weight of the movement and it will show the extent and the impact of your commitment as a citizen. We encourage participation by lending your voice to the coalition,” said Cadieux.

Photo: Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette reiterating the council’s support for the SOS Outaouais Coalition at a July 9 press conference.

Photo Credit: Screenshot by Sophie Demers

Sophie Demers

Local Journalism Initiative

LITCHFIELD – A salmon farm is slated for the Pontiac Industrial Park in Litchfield. Samonix will be a large facility with three main buildings to be constructed on an existing industrial site along the Ottawa River. The company hopes to become the largest producer of Atlantic salmon in land-based aquaculture facilities in Eastern Canada, providing high quality products to local and international markets.

“This is an Outaouais company, 51% will always be owned by someone in Quebec or the Outaouais. However, we are bringing in partners to help with the expertise,” said Rémi Bertrand, Senior Director of Development at Samonix. The company has partnered with Smart Salmon, a Norwegian company, for their expertise in raising salmon as well as Smögenlax, a Swedish company, who specialize in the planned water treatment system. Samonix has also partnered with Aquamaof, an Israeli company specializing in the technology needed for the operation.

Samonix aims to use innovative technology to facilitate farming salmon in large pools inside the facility as opposed to in natural bodies of water. A Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) will recirculate the water using advanced filtration and water treatment systems. The process allows for complete control of the elements, ensuring water quality is free of contaminants or bacteria. The RAS system will allow 99% of the water to be reused and recirculated.

“Our mission is to provide salmon in an eco-responsible and sustainable way,” said Bertrand, noting that the salmon will be raised without antibiotics, pesticides, hormones or microplastics. “We hope to support the local economy and employment – we are talking about 100 new jobs for the area.”

In terms of sustainability, Samonix plans to use biomethanation for their rejected organic matter, which is a process that turns the organic matter into biogas or manure. Bertrand highlights that they have been transparent with regional stakeholders, namely Ottawa Riverkeeper.

“We had a chance to have a discussion with Samonix [about the project] and we’re hopeful that discussions will continue.” said Larissa Holman, Director of Science and Policy with Ottawa Riverkeeper, adding that their biggest concern is chloride levels in the water discharge going into the river. “We would really like to see the chloride concentration come in at a lower threshold so that it doesn’t have an impact on aquatic organisms.” The recommendation is based on the Canadian Water Quality Guidelines.

Currently, Samonix is in the process of obtaining permits from the Ministry of Environment. “We are not asking for any special consideration. We will operate within the parameters that are given to us,” said Bertrand. Their energy requests have been submitted to Hydro-Quebec. If everything goes according to plan, construction willstart in the spring of 2026 and will take approximately a year to complete. Theconstruction will include a water treatment facility and a 13-acre main building enabling Samonix to farm approximately 12,000 metric tons of salmon annually. To accommodate all buildings, the construction necessitates between 80 to 100 acres of land.

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

Many may not know of the vibrant fiber community in the Outaouais. In fact, the largest fiber festival in the country, Festival TWIST, takes place in Saint-André-Avellin every year. This year, the 12th edition of the festival will be held at Complexe Whissel August 9 to 11.

The festival was founded in 2012 by former TV producer turned goat farmer, fiber enthusiast, yarn shop owner, and now TWIST festival director Amélie Blanchard. “There was no wool event in Quebec, so I decided to create my dream festival. I wanted it to be modern, I wanted it to have a lot of talent, all the textiles represented, and workshops,” said Blanchard.

The event gathers thousands of textiles enthusiasts, passionate about a range of fiber arts such as wool producing, weaving, knitting, crochet, macrame, embroidery, sewing, felting and much more. This year, there will be over 120 artisans and shops spread across several exhibition rooms, offering a variety of products, such as yarn, supplies, equipment, one-of-a-kind works, handmade objects, and advice on fiber art.

Blanchard, along with festival art director Eveline Cantin-Bergeron, started planning the event in the fall. The TWIST team and over 50 volunteers allow for the unique festival to take place each year.

There is something for everyone in this year’s programming, with talks, activities, the textile market, and workshops. There will be a round table about transparency and traceability in the fiber world and a talk from Centre de conservation du Québec about Quebec’s textile history. Participants can sign up for a variety of workshops and there are also many activities for kids.

“This year, we wanted to highlight the work of the transformers, breeders, producers of animal-based products. These people have incredible knowledge, who produce wool, who raise animals, who transform it into usable fiber,” said Cantin-Bergeron. We have speakers who will talk about what it means to be a breeder, and how it supports Quebec’s textile world.”

For more information about the complete programming or to purchase tickets, readers can visit the website: www.festivaltwist.org

TWIST is still accepting applications for volunteers and encouraging anyone interested to sign up through the website.

Photo: TWIST festival, Canada’s largest fiber festival.

Photo Credit: courtesy

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, the newly elected Mayor of Gatineau, has announced the new members of the executive committee. Steve Moran, Hull-Wright District councillor with Action Gatineau will be the president of the committee, while Marquis-Bissonnette, also with Action Gatineau, will be the vice-president.

The other members include Daniel Champagne (Independent), Versant councillor, Edmond Leclerc (Independent), Buckingham councillor, and Tiffany-Lee Norris Parent (Action Gatineau) Touraine councillor. The executive committee has three Action Gatineau members, and two independent members. Before this new committee was formed it was made up of four independent councillors and one Action Gatineau councillor.
“Each member of this committee brings a unique perspective and valuable expertise,” said Marquis-Bissonnette. “I am convinced that our collaboration will be fruitful. I am also delighted to present an executive committee which joins the parity zone, and which is representative of the average age of the population.”
The committee serves as a decision-making body responsible for the city’s strategic direction, policies, and operations. Their first meeting was June 19, the day after the official swearing-in of Marquis- Bissonnette as Gatineau’s mayor.

Photo: Members of the new Executive Committee. From left to right: Steve Moran (President), Maude Marquis-Bissonnette (Vice-president), Daniel Champagne, Edmond Leclerc, Tiffany-Lee Norris Parent.

Photo Credit: Ville de Gatineau and Action Gatineau

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

Gatineau police made two arrests on July 9, related to the investigation of a home invasion in early June in Hull.

Thanks to investigators, the Gatineau Police Intervention group were able to arrest 36-year-old Steven Robert Scrivener as well as a 35-year-old woman who was believed to be involved in the crime. The arrests took place in the parking lot of a shop on Georges Street in Buckingham.

Both individuals were taken to the police station to meet with investigators. The woman was released with a promise to appear while the man remained in police custody until July 10, when he appeared before the Court of Quebec. He is facing charges of breaking and entering, armed assault, making threats, as well as failure to comply.

The crime took place on June 3 in the early hours of the morning. Police were called to a residence on Rue des Fées in Hull due to reports of a break-in as a threat to the occupants of the home. The man and the woman, armed with handguns, fled before police arrived on the scene. A dog was injured during the incident. Shortly after, police met with witnesses to gather their version of the event.

Gatineau police reassure residents that they will continue to fight against armed violence in the region. Their statement indicated that armed violence in Gatineau is rare and that they take each case seriously. More arrests are expected.

Gatineau police encourage residents who know of anyone with a firearm to call the hotline 1-800-731-4000 option 1 and 2. Each report is confidential.

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

Gatineau’s new mayor’s first official municipal council meeting took place on July 9, where she announced changes to the committees and commissions.

“The objective was not to change everything; it was to continue with files that were worked on by members of the Council,” said Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette. “But there are still some changes to make room for the newly elected councillor Catherine Craig-St-Louis. One thing to note is that there is less disparity among the elected representatives. When you look at the roles and responsibilities, there is greater equity in the way they are distributed.”

The most notable changes are to the Comité Consultatif de l’Urbanisme (CCU) and consequently the Conseil Local du Patrimoine, and Comité sur les Demandes de Démolition. Independent councillor Mario Aubé was replaced as CCU president by Action Gatineau Candidate Caroline Murray. Mike Duggan is vice-president and newly elected Carrefour-de- l’Hôpital councillor with Action Gatineau, Catherine Craig-St-Louis, was added as a member. Aubé stated that he did express interest in continuing in these positions, but he understood it was a political decision. When asked about the situation during a press conference, Aubé stated, “What I would say is that the mayor kept her word, because she said she would not put anyone on the penalty bench. I do not think I was put on the penalty bench; I was taken out of the game.” Aubé also stated that he had a different vision for urban development in Gatineau than the party or the mayor.

When asked about her new position as president of the CCU during a press conference, Murray responded, “I have been at the CCU for two years. My approach is to prioritize communication between residents and developers. I want residents to be involved in the process.” Aubé was added as a member of the Commission de Développement Économique as well as the Corporation de l’Aéroport Exécutif de Gatineau-Ottawa and made president of the Commission de la Sécurité Publique. Bettyna Bélizaire (Action Gatineau) was also added as a representative for the Airport. Catherine Craig-St-Louis was added as a member to the Conseil d’administration de la Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) and the Comité de Vérification. She was also made president of the Commission sur les Transports, les Déplacements Durables et la Sécurité.

The new mayor proposed the fusion of the Comité de Finance and the Comité d’Investissement et de Gestion des Actifs. The changes detail Anik Des Marais as president, Edmond Leclerc as Vice-President, and Mike Duggan as a member. Alicia Lacasse-Brunet (Action Gatineau) will replace Jean Lessard (Independent) as president of the Comité Consultatif Agricole. Lessard will be a member of the committee with Anik Des Marais (Action Gatineau) as Vice-President.

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Daniel Champagne (Independent) was replaced by Louis Sabourin (Action Gatineau) as president of Commission du Développement du Territoire et de l’Habitation. Champagne will take the place of Vice-President and Des Marais was made a member. The mayor, Maude Marquis-Bissonnette (Action Gatineau), will be the president of the Table de concertation du Centre-ville along with Steve Moran (Action Gatineau) as Vice-President.

Photo: Mario Aubé, Masson-Angers councillor, addressing his removal from the Comité Consultatif de l’Urbanisme (CCU) at the July 9 press conference.

Photo Credit: Screenshot by Sophie Demers

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

Gatineau’s executive committee positioned itself in favour of the expansion of Vanier Road between Pink and Aylmer Road. Over the last few years, there has been significant development along the major artery, as well as significant population growth in Aylmer, making it difficult for residents to navigate Vanier with the increased traffic.

Many welcome this news as residents and local councillors have been advocating for the expansion for many years.

Caroline Murray, Deschênes councillor, announced that Gatineau has already taken a first step by awarding contracts for an environmental impact study as well as an opportunity study. Despite the enthusiastic announcement, there is still a long road ahead as the studies will take three years to complete.

Despite the timeline, the expansion is expected to include two lanes in each direction, as well as bike paths and sidewalks, which have been in high demand.

The environmental impact study is required by Bureau d’Audiences Publiques sur l’Environnement (BAPE). During a July 3 press conference, Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette stated that the opportunity study will provide a better overview of what is needed for the expansion.

“The study will allow us to see the impact and opportunities on des Allumettières, on Alexandre Taché, Aylmer Road and on Pink Road,” said Marquis-Bissonnette, highlighting that they will take into consideration the future Tramway which will intersect Vanier Road. The opportunity study will also evaluate traffic flow along the major artery.

WSP, an environmental consulting company, was awarded a $2.85 million contract.

The municipal council will officially approve these first steps during the July 9 council meeting.

Photo: The intersection of Vanier Road and Boulevard des Allumettières, the largest and most congested intersection along Vanier Road.

Photo Credit: Sophie Demers

Sophie Demers

The long-awaited sports complex in the west and the expansion of the Guy-Sanche library are finally moving forward. Gatineau council positioned itself in favour of these two major infrastructure projects during a June 25 plenary committee meeting. These two projects will total $276.9 million from the residual envelope of Block D project 2024-2032. Gatineau plans for the projects to be completed in 2028-2029.

“These projects respond to the needs of residents in certain parts of the city that have not gotten these types of projects in the past. Especially the Sports Complex in the west, people have been waiting for many years,” said Steve Moran, President of the Executive Committee.

The sports complex is planned for a site between Boulevard des Allumettières and Boulevard du Plateau in Aylmer. The city hopes to meet the growing population’s needs and fill the sports infrastructure gap in the west of the city. Aylmer residents have been feeling the effects of the lack of sporting infrastructure for many years, especially with hockey rinks and spaces that can host multiple sports like badminton and pickleball.

The complex will include four National Hockey League (NHL)-sized ice rinks, including one for sledge hockey and other parasports. There will also be six locker rooms, one referee’s room per rink, and 300-seat stands for each rink. There will be two double gymnasiums, a multipurpose room, a classroom, a multifunctional room with a kitchen, multi-sports hall, and changing rooms.

There will also be communal areas, a canteen, reception and administrative offices, storage rooms, and a tiered parking structure that will incorporate sports and recreational spaces.

The plans for the building foresee a construction cost of $227.8 million for the sports complex.

Gatineau envisions the Guy-Sanche library being a state-of-the-art modern facility set to become a central gathering place for residents. The expansion will allow the library to diversify the service offered. The Guy-Sanche library is the most used of the nine libraries in Gatineau.

The expanded library will double the current library’s surface area, allowing for new services such as individual and collective workspaces, new book collections, and musical instruments. The plans include a technological update to improve the documentation services.

The project costs will total $46.8 million with a loan of $45.6 million for the temporary relocation of the library near the current site. The city also submitted a grant application for $11.5 million from the Capital Assistance program by the Ministry of Culture and Communications.
“I am delighted with the adoption of these two major infrastructure projects that will meet the growing needs of our city. These projects represent investments of more than $276 million to provide a better service offering to the population. By making this decision today, the municipal council is ensuring sound management and giving a clear signal for their completion as soon as possible,” said Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette.

The plans for both projects include a LEED gold certification, meaning the building will have “excellent” sustainability incorporated in its design and operation. The official approval for both infrastructure projects will be discussed during the July 9 council meeting.

Photo: Digital rendering of the future sports complex slated for the Plateau in Aylmer.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the City of Gatineau

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

On Saturday, June 1, Gatineau police arrested a 16-year-old boy for possession of a loaded handgun. Authorities were called regarding an intoxicated individual who was disturbing the peace on Saint-Rédempteur Street in Hull.

Officers located the individual near the intersection of Allard Street, with two other men who seemed to be trying to manage the interaction. When approaching the three individuals, officers noticed that the individual had his hand in a shoulder bag. According to the press release from Gatineau police, officers made contact with the teen in order to ensure their safety. They subdued the suspect and found a loaded handgun in the bag which they then seized.

After investigation, police concluded that the teen attempted to steal the vehicle of the men who were with him. The young man allegedly pointed the gun at the victims. The teen was taken to the police station where he was questioned by investigators. He now faces charges of failure to comply, theft, as well as several other firearm charges in Youth court.

Police highlight the importance of calling 911 when there is an imminent danger. In this situation, no one was injured but authorities warned that it could have ended badly.

Gatineau police urge residents with any information related to possession, trafficking, or use of firearms to use their confidential CENTAURE phone line at 1-833-888-2763. CENTAURE is a strategy that brings together Sûreté du Québec and partner police forces to maximize their efforts in fighting against firearms in the province.

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

During the June 11 municipal council meeting, phase 1 of the redevelopment of the Galeries de Hull site was approved. The plans include construction and redevelopment of lots 320 to 360 boulevard Saint-Joseph.

“Tonight, I am in favour of the redevelopment of the Galeries de Hull, which will be the biggest commercial redevelopment in Gatineau in 25 years,” said Marc Bureau, Parc-de-la-Montagne- Saint-Raymond councillor, at the site. “Once complete, the project will have 2,500 residential units, and an urban space with approximately 100,000m2 of commercial space to meet the new needs of consumers. It will resemble the Lansdowne project in Ottawa.”

Phase 1 of the work includes building a 10-storey, 345-unit mixed-use building that will include residential units and commercial spaces. The shopping centre was built in the 1960s and currently has 25,455m2 of retail space surrounded by surface parking.

This phase of the project foresees 551 parking spaces, 345 for residential uses and 206 for commercial use. Of the parking spaces, 454 will be underground and 97 will be surface level parking.

The redevelopment of the major road aligns with the three urban development orientations, specifically, sustainable and active transportation, parks and green spaces, and urban densification to re-populate the downtown area.

“We are redeveloping Saint-Joseph boulevard, an interesting and important project. It is a busy area that is not currently user friendly, and this redevelopment will give way to better access to active transportation, in terms of sidewalks and bike paths,” said Steve Moran, Hull-Wright councillor.

Despite the support for the project overall, Moran stated, “We are about to approve minor variances that would allow parking spots along the road. I don’t think this is necessary for the realization of the project and I believe it would detract from the interesting urban atmosphere.”

Moran, Anik des Marais, Mitigomijokan councillor, and Caroline Murray, Deschênes councillor objected to the minor variance; however, the project still passed.

Photo: Digital photo of the plans for phase 1 of the redevelopment of Saint-Joseph Boulevard and the Galeries de Hull. The plan consists of a 10-storey, 345-unit mixed-use building and 551 parking spaces.

Photo: City of Gatineau

New research finds 71% of Quebec anglophones speak French, that folks get along

On June 18, Aylmer welcomed Canadian Commissioner of the Official Languages, Raymond Théberge, and his team, who presented their research “Building Bridges” about anglophone and francophone life in Quebec. The results dispel myths about anglophones and francophones and their interactions. The research aims to build bridges between the communities.

“Building Bridges speaks to the importance of building understanding among and between our pan-Canadian official language communities. Whether English or French speaking, Quebecers help build bridges with other anglophones and francophones across Canada,” said Théberge. “English communities have a long history of explaining the Quebec context to other Canadians and promoting Federal and individual bilingualism to other English speakers and of defending Francophone minority rights outside Quebec.”

Dozens gathered at the Robert-Middlemiss pavilion (Marina building in Aylmer) to learn and discuss the research that was published following the update to the Official Languages Act of Canada. After an opening statement by David Gillespie, Regional Association of West Quebecers (RAWQ) president and a land acknowledgement by Krystin Dumont, Dr. Robert Talbot, Manager of Research with the Commissioner of Official Languages, presented the research, which indicated that, overwhelmingly, English-speaking Quebecers and Francophones get along well.

Among the many statistics presented, the research showed that 77% of anglophones and 71% of francophones agree that English-speaking Quebec residents play an important role in connecting French speaking Quebecers to Canadians outside Quebec. In fact, despite myths about conflicts between those speaking different languages, 89% of Francophones and 81% of Anglophones report having positive personal interactions with the other.

During the question period, many voiced their support for the research and their concerns about living as a language minority in Quebec. Judith O’Rourke stated “There is a large percentage of anglophones that speak French and are enthusiastic about doing so. However, we must keep in mind there is a small percentage that may not be able to learn the language, for a variety of reasons such as disability. We must be aware of this.”

Another participant highlighted the importance of the research and positive statistics that reflect the realities of living in Quebec, while also asking about next steps. The individual asked about how the research would be promoted and distributed, to which it was evident that there was no advertising budget.

The event closed with Gillespie calling anglophones to action to get involved in their community and local government.

The event was organized by RAWQ and catered by Marché Laflamme. Read about the research online https://www.clo-ocol.gc.ca

Photo: (From left) Judith O’Rourke addresses the commissioner during the public question period (O’Rourke is a RAWQ board member); RAWQ president David Gillespie; Charles Taker, Commissioner’s representative for Quebec and Nunavut; Commissioner of Official Languages for Canada, Raymond Théberge. (LR) Lily Ryan

SOPHIE DEMERS

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

OTTAWA RIVER – Ottawa Riverkeeper released their Watershed Report Card revealing various threats to the health of the 1,271 km Ottawa River, giving it a final grade of C in relation to its health. The report looks at changes in the river over the past 30 years.

“If issues aren’t addressed, the health of the river will change in the long term,” said Larissa Holman, Director of Science and Policy with Ottawa Riverkeeper. “The issues highlighted in the report have an impact on the ecosystems, biodiversity and health of species living in the watershed. We want to ensure people take action now so we’re not dealing with the consequences later.”

According to the report, climate change is greatly affecting the river, specifi­cally the flow pattern, which is changing due to the freshet and thaw happening earlier in the year, disrupting ecological cycles and causing flooding. The report also listed human development adding contaminants to the watershed as an urgent issue: Microplastics, PFAS chemicals, road salt, and nuclear waste. Ottawa Riverkeeper asks for these contaminants to be monitored.

The report also high­lights concerns regarding the level of mercury in the river, which was higher than expected and needs to be monitored closely.

Changes in physical characteristics of the water­shed impact fish. However, current monitoring pro­grams for fish species have gaps, making it difficult to track changes over time.

Lastly, the report high­lights that land developed for urban or agricultural use is impacting the quality of the water by overloading nutrients, which leads to problems for the river’s ecosystem.

The report lists actions the public can take to help: advocating for sustainable land use practices, reducing the use of harmful chemi­cals, and volunteering or joining a local community monitoring program or watershed protection organization.

“Even though some people may feel their contribution is small, each of these actions have an impact,” said Holman.

Ottawa Riverkeeper encourages decision-mak­ers to help by supporting and respecting Indigenous water rights; harmonizing legislation and policies across all levels of government; investing in nature-based climate solu­tions; and funding commu­nity-based monitoring.

“We can’t afford to ignore the concerning trends highlighted in this report card,” said Laura Reinsborough, Riverkeeper and CEO. “The leading causes that are degrading the river are all human- driven. This means we, as humans, can turn those trends around. Though the current grade is a C, the report card provides insight on how we can preserve this invaluable resource for all species and generations. I’m confident we can put ourselves back on a pathway to A+.”

Photo credit: Ottawa Riverkeeper

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

At the June 11 Gatineau municipal council meeting, the expansion of 771 Boulevard Alexandre-Taché was approved. The 1937 heritage building, the John Hamilton House, has been abandoned for some time. The land also includes a large courtyard that is currently overgrown. The northern border of the property is along boulevard Alexandre-Taché and southern border along boulevard Lucerne.

The developers committed to protecting and preserving five existing trees on the property during construction and planting 100 new trees to get the site back to the original number of trees.

The plan for the new building includes conserving and restoring the heritage home while adding a modern expansion comprising eight storeys and 169 units. There will also be three levels of underground parking. The project is recommended by the city’s Service de l’Urbanisme et de Développement Durable (SUDD).

The project took some time to get social acceptability from the neighbourhood. Residents of the Place Champlain neighbourhood first mobilized in June 2023 after hearing about the project. There were some difficulties getting their voices heard and getting the proper information. Residents said this spoke to the need for developers to have public consultations when they plan a project.

“Despite some obstacles and lack of information in the beginning, with the help of Deschênes councillor Caroline Murray, citizens were able to work with the developer, who saw the value in their suggestions,” said one resident.

Another resident thanked the developers and architects for revising their plans to better integrate the building in the neighbourhood and their commitment to restoring and conserving the heritage home.

“I am happy that tonight we are approving this project,” said Murray in a statement during the council meeting. “It is an excellent example showing that if the developer had consulted residents, we would have wasted less time. In the end it was done, the developer, residents, elected officials and city administration were able to talk and improve the project. The goal is never to block projects, simply to improve them to ensure they respond to the needs of the community.”

Photo: Digital plans for the expansion of the John Hamilton House located at 771 Boulevard Alexandre-Taché

Photo Credit: Campanella et associés, architecture et design

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

A total of 67,118 residents out of 203,032 registered voters took to the polls Sunday, June 9 in Gatineau’s byelection. This 33.06% voter turnout is close to the previous 2022 municipal election turnout which totaled at 35.11%. There were a total of 379 rejected ballots.

Mayoral election vote breakdown:
• Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, Action Gatineau: 27,833 votes (41.70 %) ELECTED
• Yves Ducharme, Independent: 20,600 votes (30.87%)
• Olive Kamanyana, Independent: 7,253 votes (10.87%)
• Daniel Feeny, Independent: 6,539 votes (9.80%)
• Stéphane Bisson, Independent: 3,580 votes (5.36%)
• Rémi Bergeron, Independent: 499 votes (0.75%)
• Mathieu Saint-Jean, Independent: 485 (0.65%)

Voters also voted in a new municipal councillor for the Carrefour-de-l’Hôpital district after Olive Kamanyana stepped down to run in the Mayoral race. Of the 9,305 registered voters in the district, 3,774 citizens voted. This equates to a 40.56% voter turnout. There were 144 rejected ballots.
• Catherine Craig-St-Louis, Action Gatineau: 1,516 votes (41.76%) ELECTED
• Marie-Pier Lacroix, Independent: 1,168 votes (32.18%)
• Kethlande Pierre, Independent: 946 votes (26.06%)

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

During the June 4 plenary meeting, assistant director of Gatineau’s Service des arts, de la culture et des lettres Sonia Blouin presented the proposed new budget that would allow for the proper maintenance of the new Constance-Provost building as well as cover operations and administrative costs.

The Constance-Provost is replacing the previous Place des Pionniers building in Old Aylmer, and it will be the home of the Lucy-Faris Library and the Centre de Service Aylmer when its construction is complete.

The maintenance budget needs an additional $806,000. This was calculated based on maintenance needs and industry standards which include 2% of building costs, plus 1% for a building that is LEED certified. The maintenance costs will be increased linearly to reach an extra $806,000 in 2031.

In terms of programs and services, the current staff is insufficient to meet the library’s needs, which will triple in size in the new building and increase their programs and services. To hire the additional seven librarians and technicians needed for the library, an additional $792,232 is required. This need is supported by the BiblioQUALITÉ report which stated that Gatineau needs more librarians and technicians to provide quality library services to its citizens.

Lastly, $141,350 is needed for a variety of expenses including equipment, stationery, training, collection, and digital resources, among others.

The library is set to open either in Fall of 2025 or Winter 2026. The planned budget for a 2025 opening is estimated at $568,367. The planned budget for 2026 is $1,121,582. Gatineau’s Service des arts, de la culture, et des lettres highlights that this budget would allow them to improve service for citizens, add more services such as multifunctional rooms, work rooms, etc. They also believe that this will allow them to reach out to individuals who do not use the library and develop services for teenagers and seniors.

Although the budget must still be approved by the city, many councillors, including Gatineau mayor Daniel Champagne, voiced their support.

“Libraries are much more than just books; they are a social hub for the sector. Especially for Aylmer that is developing quickly,” said Steven Boivin, Aylmer Councillor. “It can be a social place for elderly people, breaking the isolation. It’s a place to meet people, and it fosters community.”

Photo: Digital image of the future Constance-Provost building that is currently being built.

Photo Credit: DMA Architecture

Sophie Demers

Local Journalism Initiative

OTTAWA RIVER – The MRC’s Flood Prevention Task Force has created a list of demands they believe necessary for the effective management of the Ottawa River. Established in 2019 and composed of citizens and various representatives from local organizations, the task force is mandated to make recommendations to prevent future flooding.

MRC Warden, creator and member of the task force, Jane Toller, states: “We found out that the river was not managed like other rivers; dam operators along the river are not coordinating their efforts.”

The Pontiac has been affected by flooding many times over the years, most recently in 2017, 2019, and 2023. To fulfill their mandate, the taskforce requested management plans from various dam operators along the river and from the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board (ORRPB). However, neither the ORRPB nor dam operators were willing to share their management plan.

The task force has stated they believe many aspects of the river’s management are problematic. They have made a list of six demands to improve oversight.

First, the task force is demanding that dam operators share their management plans as well as relevant documents. They ask that Hydro-Quebec and Ontario power producers share their hydroelectric usage to evaluate the demand, as well as prioritizing the protection of persons and property over hydroelectric production. The fourth demand states that all relevant gauge and sensor infrastructure be revised where there are reporting gaps. The demand also asks for sensor reporting information to be made public and the infrastructure to be serviced annually before the snowmelt.

The next demand states that water level limits in the management plans should not exceed 112.5 m in Pembroke, 107 m in Lac Colonge, and 75 m in Chats Lake. The last demand asks that all reservoirs impacting the river be emptied by March every year, specifically Dozois, Rapid  7,  Quinze,  Lady  Evelyn, Timiskaming, Kipawa, and Des Joachims.

“We are now working with Ontario as well, which is important because if you have flooding on one side you will have some on the other,” said Toller highlighting that they are connecting with municipalities along the river. “For example, the mayor of Rockland, Ontario is doing some great things. He has asked for a federal study to be done.”

The list of demands has been sent to all major parties involved including Benoit Charette, Minister of Environment; Francois Bonnardel, Minister of Public Security; André Forin, Pontiac MNA; John Yakabuski, MPP for Renfrew Nipissing – Pembroke; Sophie Chatel, Pontiac MP; Hydro Quebec and Ontario Power Generation (OPG), among others.

“People have invested and purchased property; they have a right to live there and enjoy good quality of life. They should not have to worry every spring that their property will flood,” said Toller. “I want to assure residents that we are doing everything possible to prevent further flooding.”

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

On May 30 at approximately 2:30 in the morning, Gatineau police officers intercepted a vehicle on Boulevard Maloney East. The vehicle was occupied by three individuals who were in possession of a variety of items associated with vehicle theft. The vehicle was traveling at low speed and appeared to be scouting the surrounding area.

There were three male individuals in the car, aged 16, 20 and 21. Upon searching the car, police discovered programmable keys, tablets to program keys, cables to access the on-board computer, and several burglary tools. The individuals had records for similar offenses.

All three individuals were transported to the police station for questioning. The two adult men will remain detained while the teenager was released with the promise to appear.

The suspects face charges of breach of order, conspiracy, and possession of burglary tools. The charges have been submitted to the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP). The investigation is ongoing.

Vehicle theft has significantly increased in Gatineau over the past few years. In 2020, there were 179 reported cases and, in 2021, there were 142 cases. Numbers jumped up to 339 cases in 2022 and 396 cases were reported last year. So far this year, there have been 152 reported vehicle theft cases from January to May 31. Spokesperson for the Gatineau Police Andrée East said that, compared to the same period last year, there have been 7% fewer reports this year.

Gatineau police encourage residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity in their neighbourhood. Car thieves usually scour the area before stealing the vehicle. Authorities advise residents to park vehicles in a well-lit area with video surveillance to deter thieves or at least help investigators in the event of theft.

Police encourage citizens to consider anti-theft technology such as a steering wheel anti-theft device, an on-board diagnostic protector, or a tracking or anti-theft system independent of the vehicle.

Sophie Demers

LJI reporter

If elected, Bisson promised an $860 million dollar budget for 2025, an increase of $56.5 million from this year’s $803.5 million dollar budget. To increase the budget, Bisson plans to implement a user-pays concept for those using city infrastructure while living outside of Gatineau.

He promises to limit property tax increases to 2.9% for 2025. Among his many promises, he reiterated his commitment to build 300 social housing units per year for five years. He plans to spend $18 million to convert existing buildings into housing. He also proposes a tax credit for those building new housing developments.

The former real estate agent proposed a reduction in electrification of Société de Transport (STO) buses to generate a short-term surplus. Bisson also announced that, if elected, he intends to reinvest the money saved for the tramway to expand the Rapibus to the west of the city.

Tourism

In Gatineau tourism, Bisson foresees a pedestrian and bicycle path along Ruisseau de la Brasserie that links downtown to Lac Leamy Casino.

“I also intend to make Gatineau a more attractive city for tourism, and I’m going to push hard for the new convention center to be located in the area near Lac Leamy. My dream is for Gatineau to be able to attract major conventions to create and generate even more value and wealth for the people of Gatineau,” said Bisson

Photo: Stéphane Bisson, independent mayoral candidate, reveals his budget plans for 2025, his ideas for promoting tourism in Gatineau, and highlights that he has no conflicts of interest according to an independent legal assessment.

Photo Credit: Sophie Demers

Sophie Demers – LJI Reporter

During the May 28 Demolition Request Committee Meeting (CDD), two demolitions in the Gatineau sector were approved, and one was rejected. The plans for construction of the cleared land must still be approved by the Municipal Council. Members also approved the demolition of eight buildings in the Aylmer sector for five construction projects. All eight demolitions are recommended by Gatineau’s Urbanism and Sustainable Development Services. Note that the construction projects that will replace the demolished buildings must still be approved by the municipal council. Demolition starts before new construction is approved by the city.


125 chemin de la Savane, Pointe-Gatineau (Approved)

The Commercial building, constructed in 1973, was used as a bowling alley. The lot is valued at $1,397,400 while the building is worth $463,400. It is not listed on the built heritage inventory. The Service de l’Urbanisme et du Développement durable (SUDD) recommended the demolition. According to Gatineau’s project analysis documents, the existing building is in good condition.

The plan for the cleared lot details a five-storey building containing 105 units with a commercial space in the basement.

124 rue Church, Buckingham (Approved)

The single-family home was built in 1860 and is listed as having potential heritage interest on the city’s Built Heritage. However, a study was conducted by a third-party firm that concluded that the building was “of low heritage value.” The lot is valued at $138,900 while the building is worth $199,100. The building needs restoration work estimated at $302,175. The SUDD recommends the demolition.

The plan for the lot details a three-storey residential building with 12 units.

9 rue Omer-Lahaie, Masson-Angers (Rejected)

The home, built in 1940, was not listed on the Gatineau Built Heritage Inventory; however, the SUDD found the building to have strong heritage value. The building is well maintained and in good condition.

The plan was to build three two-storey residential buildings for a total of 15 units. The applicant originally asked for 18 units, but it was reduced to 15.

1175 Chemin Aylmer (Approved)

The single-family home across from the Chateau Cartier and beside the Champlain Golf Club, at the intersection of rue Chaudière and Chemin Aylmer is facing demolition. The building is in good condition and currently occupied by the owner, who has signed a conditional purchase agreement. If the building gets approved, they will vacate before the demolition.

The preliminary land reuse plan details a 10-storey, 172-unit apartment building. This plan still needs to be approved by city council, as it is over the zone’s height and unit number limits and is located in the rural integration area of Chemin d’Aylmer.

388 Chemin Klock (Approved)

A single-family house located on a large plot of land is facing demolition. The house, built in 1961, needs repair and shows signs of abandonment, according to Gatineau’s project analysis documents. The building is worth $95,800, while the property is worth $1,737,200. The building has no heritage value.
The plan is to combine the property with two adjacent lots and start a residential project. This would include 76 dwellings, including 16 multifamily, two-storey, three-unit buildings and 14 buildings with two units, all two-storey.

145 rue Bordeaux (Approved)

The commercial building at 145 rue Bordeaux faces demolition to build a 5-storey, 48-unit apartment building. The building does not require restoration work and the reason for demolition is that the existing building is not compatible with the applicant’s planned building project.

25, 29 and 37 Allée Riley, and 184 Chemin Eardley (Approved)

All four properties, located at the western gate to the city coming from the Pontiac, will be demolished to start phase one of DevMeta’s large-scale development project. The project will be completed in four phases and these demolitions, along with four others approved on May 13, will allow them to start working on phase one.

The project’s result will be commercial spaces and 700 units.



215 chemin Aylmer (Approved)

The building that was Gabriel’s Pizza until January of this year is facing demolition. According to the Project Analysis, the building is in good to moderate condition. The demolition request was submitted to make way for a new commercial building with a drive-thru.

Once built, the Tim Horton’s that is currently at the corner of Wilfrid-Lavigne et chemin d’Aylmer will be moving to this location.


Any person or corporation in Gatineau may choose to request a review of the CDD’s decision within 30 days of the official decision. A fee of $122.50 must be paid by the appellant. By appealing the decision, the demolition will be suspended until the council reviews it.

Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

Mick Gzowski, local writer and director, has been nominated in the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards for his work on Ice-Breaker: The ‘72 Summit Series. For this project, Gzowski served as a researcher in the team of people who worked on the documentary.

The documentary is about the 1972 Summit Series, a series of eight hockey games between Canada and Russia. Despite a rocky start, the Canadians ended up winning the series and Canada’s win during the final game in Russia remains one of the greatest moments in Canadian sports history.

The film was nominated for the Barbara Sears Award for Best Visual Research. The film team nominated includes Robbie Hart, Ania Smolenskaia, Sean Stoyles, Anastasia Trofimova, Connie Littlefield and, of course, Mick Gzowski. The documentary was produced by White Pine Pictures, a Toronto production company.

As well as being a fan of the sport, Gzowski has a unique professional history working in professional hockey. “I got in touch with the team when they were looking for someone to help them with hockey knowledge. In the early 90s, I produced five years’ worth of sports shows for CBC television in Vancouver and a few years ago I made two seasons of a web documentary series for the Ottawa Senators called All Roads Lead Home. They were little 5- to 7-minute documentaries with about six episodes per season,” said Gzowski.

Much of his role in the film’s creation revolved around working with Director Robbie Hart, who would give him a list of things he needed for the film, such as information or contacts. The local writer worked to connect various people involved in hockey at the time of the summit series to participate in the documentary.

One of these contacts, who ended up being an important part of the film, was Brian Conacher, a former Canadian professional hockey player, coach, executive, and later a broadcaster during the 1972 Summit Series.

“One major goal was to showcase diversity, which is difficult when the subject is the ‘72 summit series. There were not many women or people of colour involved in the organization at that time,” said Gzowski. “I suggested we get people who remember the series as fans who were also involved in hockey. Connecting with these people was one of the highlights of this project.”

He was able to connect with Hayley Wickenheiser, a former ice hockey player, resident physician and assistant general manager for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Gzowski was also able to connect with Gino Odjick, a beloved hockey player from Maniwaki. Unfortunately, Odjick passed away shortly after and Wickenheiser was unable to participate due to scheduling issues.
“This is the first time being nominated for a Canadian Screen Award, and it’s a huge honour, ” said Gzowski. “I was able to attend an event in Montreal for the Quebec nominees and pick up my nomination. It was great to be surrounded by the top Quebec filmmaking talent.”

Gzowski lives in Aylmer with his family and continues to work on various documentary projects.

Photo Caption: Mick Gzowski and his wife, Mary Houle posing with the Canadian Screen Award nomination at a Montreal event for Quebec nominees.

Photo Credit: Mick Gzowski