Taylor Clark

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

Owning a car in Gatineau could cost motorists another $90 if a recommendation from the Sociétéde transport de l’Outaouais (STO) is approved by the municipal council.

The STO has suggested the City take advantage of Bill 39, which gives municipalities authority to impose a tax on vehicle registration and hike the current $30 annual contribution up by $90 come January. The increased registration rate would allow $15 million in revenue to be collected and re-injected directly into improving services.

“What we are proposing, obviously, is ambitious, and it will guarantee results,” Buckingham district councillor and vice-president of STO’s board of directors Edmond Leclerc told journalists on March 38. “Everyone is aware of this right now in Gatineau. Public transportation is not at a level that allows 100 per cent compliance.”

The anticipated revenue from registrations was expected to improve public transportation service which has been plagued by financing and human resource challenges by 6.1 per cent. The significant jump in taxation would be reflected in a clear improvement in frequency and quality of service, stressed Leclerc.

“This concrete gesture would demonstrate the seriousness that we give to the climate change crisis in Gatineau, the importance of sustainable mobility and the legacy that we wish to leave to our future generations.”

Drivers in the Montreal region experienced a similar contribution last year with its tax raising from $45 to $59. When asked why Gatineau would see a much higher rate, Leclerc explained the recommended $90 would fill the structural deficit left by no new income from Quebec.

But the exodus of Ontario license plates in Gatineau presents a problem that is difficult to fix, said Leclerc.

“Everyone is passing the buck a bit on this but if we want this measure to work, we will obviously have to find a solution to resolve this problem … The exodus of license plates harms our community, it harms our public transportation.”

Gatineau’s municipal council will have the final call to either accept or reject the STO’s recommendation.

Photo caption: The Société de transport de l’Outaouais seeks a $90 increase in vehicle

registration fees, which are an annual public transportation contribution to improve the frequency

and quality of services.

Photo credit: Société de transport de l’Outaouais Facebook

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

Unofficial mayoral candidate Jacques Bélanger gathered journalists at the Robert-Guertin Centre on April 2 to unveil plans for rejuvenating the centre-ville by addressing homelessness and implementing a low-cost housing program.

“I am convinced that with Itinérance Zéro and a budget, we will change everything you see around here,” said Bélanger, concerning the encampment known as Tent City, which he dubbed a disaster.

The businessman said the situation that had been ravaging the province’s fourth-largest city could be resolved “quite easily” by forgoing his mayoral salary and dedicating what he estimated was $250,000 per year to combatting homelessness alongside Itinérance Zéro.

“With an amount of $250,000, I believe that we are capable of quite easily, not completely resolving, but improving the current situation by at least 50 per cent,” said Bélanger. With the use of four-season trailers, he planned to restore “dignity to the homeless.”

While Bélanger said encampment would remain at the Robert-Guertin site, he planned to have a fair centre take the place of the former arena to host year-round attractions.

Bélanger also shared his plans for a low-cost housing program that would establish a tax credit for each housing unit rented out at a low price.

“To achieve low-cost housing, there is no other alternative. We need to find something to build at a better price.”

With tourism at the forefront of his campaign, the candidate has already committed to bringing the Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport to the next level and 10 tourism projects which he estimated would generate $100 million in revenue for Gatineau.

Bélanger was expected to host another press conference on May 10 to discuss the centre-ville, the environment, and “a very bold program on Gatineau’s infrastructure.” His financial plan for all his commitments was anticipated to follow and be released to the public on May 28.

Photo caption: Gatineau mayoral candidate and business owner Jacques Bélanger expects to

improve the city’s homelessness situation by 50 per cent if elected on June 9.

Photo credit: Taylor Clark

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

A project seven years in the making is months away from realization. The Maison des Apprentis, a supervised housing project for people living with intellectual disabilities, will welcome its 24 tenants by the end of the summer.

“For many, it is a lifelong project to have, like everyone else, an apartment of their own. For parents, it is reassuring to know that their children will be safe and that they will be able to flourish in a living environment designed for them,” wrote Auréle Desjardins, general director of Les Apprentis, in a press release.

The community organization kicked off Quebec Intellectual Disability Week by bringing together the tenants and families for the first time on March 17.

“It was beautiful to see in the sense that there were lots of emotions in the air,” said Desjardins.

Steven MacKinnon, Member of Parliament for Gatineau, Mathieu Lévesque, Member of the National Assembly of Quebec for Chapleau, and Daniel Champagne, Gatineau’s acting mayor also joined in celebrating the progress of the unique project.

Before settling into their one-bedroom apartments, the tenants will undergo weeks of preparatory workshops to provide them with the tools to organize their daily lives and increase their independence.

Desjardins stressed the importance of all the players involved in bringing the project to reality. “All the partners collaborated and contributed to this, at all levels. Even the community because we did a fundraising campaign last year. … It really showed the mobilization of people, both businesspeople and residents in the community.”

Photo caption: Member of Parliament for Gatineau, Steven MacKinnon, greets the 24 tenants who will call the Maison des Apprentis home by the end of summer 2024.

Photo credit: Les Apprentis Website

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

The Outaouais region continued to trail behind the average investments into health and education, according to an annual study from the Observatoire du développement de l’Outaouais.

Entitled “Outaouais in catch-up mode: Monitoring the region’s progress in health, education, and culture,” the study investigated the region’s shortfalls in funding health, education, and culture but its analysis on culture had yet to be released.

In terms of health and social services, the region was short approximately $181 million to close the gap with the province’s average. For available short-term and long-term beds in 2022-2023, Outaouais ranked last compared to the Estrie, Mauricie et du Centre-du-Québec regions and Quebec as a whole, with 170 more short-term beds and 462 more long-term beds needed to reach Quebec’s average. The region also lacked 1,138 direct care nurses and 264 doctors to meet the province’s average in 2022-2023.

Up from the previous year, Outaouais saw a shortfall of 53 college programs in 2023 to catch up to the average number of programs in comparable regions. The shortage amounted to 24 pre-university programs and 29 training programs. Compared to similar regions, the fall of 2022 saw 63 fewer university programs available, most notably in the fields of pure sciences, health sciences, engineering, and humanities.

The data from the Observatoire du développement de l’Outaouais came as no surprise as the region has been playing a game of catch-up for years. The Société d’aménagement de l’Outaouais highlighted the lack of government intervention in a report from 1977. In 2019, the National Assembly of Quebec adopted an official recognition of Outaouais’ “special situation,” acknowledging how far the region has fallen behind in public funding for health, education, and culture.

With the release of its annual studies, the aim is to give local decision-makers the facts to adjust measures and actions.

Photo caption: Situated on the Université du Québec en Outaouais campus, the Observatoire du

développement de l’Outaouais annually monitors the region’s progress in catching up to

historical delays.

Photo credit: Observatoire du développement de l’Outaouais Facebook

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

The temporary closure of the Bernard-Lonergan Library has been extended until July 1 to wrap up the renovation and modernization.

Back in January, the Ville de Gatineau announced improvement projects to the Bernard-Lonergan, Docteur-Jean-Lorrain, and Riviera libraries to facilitate more welcoming and modern spaces.

The Bernard-Lonergan Library was expected to be closed from January 15 to March 31 to upgrade equipment, transforming spaces for young users and families as well as enhanced spaces for reading and studying.

In the meantime, the cultural programming that is usually found in the library will be moved to Manise-Morin Library, which has extended its opening hours to accommodate users.

A temporary service centre will be included in the Buckingham Community Centre and will offer a range of services like the return of documents, picking up reservations, and subscription to the Accès Gatineau card.

Photo caption: Work to revamp the Bernard-Lonergan Library is expected to extend its initial date of completion to July 1.

Photo credit: Ville de Gatineau

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

A 31-year-old man from Gatineau could face charges of hit and run on top of driving while impaired after his vehicle veered off the roadway at the intersection of Front Street and Eardley Road on March 26. The traffic lights went out as a result of the accident, causing a lengthy disruption at the intersection.

Shortly before 12:30 am, officers with the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau were sent to the scene after an automated message from a cell phone was received by emergency services regarding an accident. The police had also received several other calls related to the incident and had been informed that an individual had left the scene of the accident.

Upon arrival, the police noticed the vehicle had struck a pole at the intersection and flipped onto its roof. With the driver absent, police immediately worked to locate the individual. A man was found a few minutes later in a taxi not far from the collision.

According to a Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau press release, the driver exhibited signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication during their interactions. The man was arrested and transported to the hospital as a preventive measure.

The man was later released and, once the investigation wraps up, he could face charges for driving while impaired by alcohol as well as for the hit and run.

The Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau invited the public to report worrying situations on the road or erratic driving to the police by calling 911.

Photo caption: The Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau tended to the scene of a hit and run

in the Aylmer sector following a single car collision at an intersection on March 26.

Photo credit: Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau Facebook

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

Along with the rest of Quebec, the Outaouais and Laurentides regions saw a drop in fatal collisions in 2023, according to the Sûreté du Québec’s annual report on road safety.

“Although each death is one too many, the Sûreté du Québec is pleased to see an improvement in the road toll compared to last year,” read the report.

The Sûreté du Québec recorded 240 fatal accidents, resulting in 269 deaths across the province in 2023. For the Outaouais-Laurentides regions, 25 fatal collisions were documented, marking a 34 per cent decrease.

Reckless driving and speeding were cited as the top main causes of fatal collisions at 31 per cent, followed by impaired driving at 16 per cent and inattention or distraction at 9 per cent.

“These main causes remind us that human behaviour is at the origin of a majority of fatal and serious injury collisions. The continuation of the work of police officers in the field and the adoption of safe behaviours by motorists are therefore essential to reduce the number of road collisions.”

Among those who died in road collisions, 20 per cent were not wearing a seatbelt.

Photo caption: According to the annual road safety report by the Sûreté du Québec, human

behaviour is at the heart of fatal and serious injury collisions.

Photo credit: Sûreté du Québec Facebook

Taylor Clark – Local Journalism Initiative

MRC PONTIAC – Whether you’re looking to be more energy efficient, shrink your energy bill, improve your home comfort level, or set your sights on a new home build, various loans and grants can help offset the costs.

While the MRC Pontiac itself doesn’t offer grants or loans, a memorandum of understanding with the Société d’Habitation du Québec allows them to offer the RénoRégion and the Residential Adaption Assistance programs.

RénoRégion offers financial assistance to low-income homeowners or occupiers in rural areas to fix major home defects such as structural, plumbing, or heating issues. Those interested in applying have to wait until early 2025 as the budget allocated for 2023 to 2025 has been maxed due to the high number of eligible pending files.

The Residential Adaption Assistance Program ensures people with permanent disabilities can continue daily routines and reside in their own homes.

For more details on either program, visit: https://mrcpontiac.qc.ca/en/residents/renovation-programs/.

The Government of Quebec also provides financial assistance for eligible projects. In Quebec, the only way to access the Canada Greener Homes Grant is through the Rénoclimat program, which offers grants to improve home energy performance. After May 1, the grant amounts are expected to increase.

If you’re planning on replacing your heating system or water heater, you may qualify for financial assistance under Chauffez vert. A single-family home could see $1,275 in assistance to convert an oil heating system and $850 for propane. For water heaters, a single-family home could receive $250 for swapping out an oil heater and $200 for propane.

Whether you’re an owner or tenant, the Éconologis program offers free individualized advice and minor work to improve the comfort level and energy use of your home. To qualify, the total income of all occupants must be below the eligible income threshold laid out by the program.

If you’re starting from scratch, insist your home be built to Novoclimat standards for $2,000 in financial assistance or $4,000 for first-time home buyers. Along with providing healthier indoor air and efficient heating, it’s estimated a Novoclimat home saves 20% on energy costs compared to others.

Quebec residents can also claim partial tax refunds of the provincial and federal sales tax paid on construction materials, services, and other costs for substantial renovations; 90% or more of the building is removed or replaced. The rebate can reach up to $6,300 for GST and up to $9,975 for QST.

The Canada Greener Homes Loan program offers 10 years of interest-free financing to assist Canadians in making their home more energy-efficient and comfortable. Loans range from $5,000 to $40,000 and are calculated based on the selected retrofits as well as quotes for the work.

Certain private energy companies provide customers with incentives for home improvement projects like replacing heating systems, water heaters, or air exchangers. Reach out to your provider to learn more about which incentives you may qualify for.  

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

Interim Gatineau mayor Daniel Champagne hopes to set the future headquarters for the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau on a clear path by the end of his mandate.

“The headquarters subject has been around for quite a while,” Champagne told reporters during a press scrum following a Comité exécutif meeting on February 28. “We’ve been talking about it for over 10 years. We have taken this issue head-on in recent months. I think we need to deliver this once and for all.”

Champagne ascended to the position after former mayor France Bélisle abruptly resigned from her role on February 22. With over 100 days to his mandate, Champagne set the headquarters among his list of priorities, along with the tramway and housing and homelessness.

“I have heard several colleagues over the last few months and weeks being concerned about the issue of centralization. Naturally, centralization is closely linked with the next steps on the location,” said Champagne.

While the property at 975 Saint-Joseph Boulevard remained on the table, Champagne said he currently had no new details about the matter.

Photo caption: After years of discussions, acting Gatineau mayor Daniel Champagne aims to bring some decisions on the plans for a future police headquarters by the end of his mandate.

Photo credit: Google Maps Screenshot

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

A citizens’ petition is attempting to overthrow the federal government’s decision to replace the iconic Alexandra Bridge that has connected Ottawa and Gatineau for over 120 years.

“The structure of this bridge is the last beacon for the people of Hull to locate and remember,” said André Cadieux, author of the petition.

From 1898 to 1900, the Alexandra Bridge was constructed to accommodate the rail system and became the first interprovincial bridge in the National Capital Region, linking Ottawa and Gatineau. The bridge now annually serves thousands of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

A national staple, the bridge has been recognized for its iconic beauty and world-class workmanship, but decades of natural elements, salt, and usage have taken their toll. In 2018, a life cycle cost analysis found that replacing the bridge would be more cost-effective and less disruptive to the public than keeping up the maintenance of the existing bridge. The following year, the Government of Canada ordered the replacement of the bridge within a 10-year timeframe.

Despite its inclusion in the National Trust for Canada’s Endangered Places List in 2021, the replacement project currently sits in the planning and design phase, where it will remain until 2025. Repairs will remain ongoing until the start of deconstruction in 2028 and the bridge will be expected to be operational in 2032.

The new bridge was expected to be wider than its current counterpart with two lanes for vehicle traffic in each direction that could later be modified for a tramway or light rail system. Plans also included a two-way lane with clear separation for pedestrians and cyclists on the west side of the bridge. Seating will also be incorporated to provide safe and unstructured rest points or viewing locations.

According to the Government of Canada’s summary of the project, the bridge’s new design will address the history and unique setting of the existing structure.

“We’re collaborating with heritage specialists and other stakeholders to preserve and commemorate the legacy of the bridge,” reads the webpage. But this nod to the Alexandra Bridge’s iconic past meant little to the citizens who do not wish to see the structure disappear from the Ottawa-Gatineau skyline.

Hoping to sway the federal government’s decision, André Cadieux started a petition to preserve the 124-year-old bridge and cease the “further (disfiguration of) the centre-ville of Hull.”

“Almost all the heritage of old Hull has disappeared,” said Cadieux. “There remains one that is already condemned, the Alexandra Bridge. And it is on this bridge that several citizens decided to raise their heads and demand to be heard.” As of March 22, the petition has collected 1,846 signatures and over 850 comments citing the structure’s significance.

“These people who signed the petition want to preserve this link with the past, restore its luster, its place in the region’s heritage, and make it an attraction by using it as the largest promenade between two banks,” said Cadieux.

Helping to circulate the petition was the Alexandra Bridge Coalition that was formed in 2021 by advocates from the heritage, transportation, and environmental sectors to protect the future of the historic bridge. Among the members of the coalition was the Association des Résidants de l’Île de Hull. Vice president of the association and spokesperson for the coalition Claude Royer said that, rather than ridding the region of this heritage and leaving another carbon footprint, the bridge should be used for sustainable transport. “It’s cheaper in carbon costs to maintain infrastructure like the Alexandra Bridge than trying to replace it with a new one,” said Royer.

The National Capital Commission must conduct a minimum of five rounds of public consultation throughout the three phases of the project. The first round of consultation occurred in the fall of 2020 and the next round was anticipated to launch this year in late spring or early summer.

Photo caption: Repairs to the historic Alexandra Bridge will be ongoing until deconstruction begins in 2028.

Photo credit: Taylor Clark

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

The Comité d’identité régionale de l’Outaouais officially unveiled a regional identity to unite the Outaouais and promote the region as a hotspot for prospective families, businesses, and tourists. The Outaouais’ new slogan “The natural choice” highlighted the region’s perfect balance of nature and city.

“It’s true, your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card. What people represent after an experience with you becomes your brand. Let’s be a natural choice. Let’s be Outaouais,” said Benoit Lauzon, president of the Comité d’identité régionale de l’Outaouais, during a press conference on March 2.

The regional promotional campaign was supported by the Conférence des préfets de l’Outaouais and received nearly $100,000 in financial support from the Quebec Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, covering 80 per cent of the project costs.

Fueled by the results of a consultation in 2022, the advertising agency Orkestra was tasked to curate a brand that would unify the region’s rural and urban identity.

Although he was not able to attend the press conference, the Minister responsible for the Outaouais region Mathieu Lacombe shared a few words in a video. “We know very well that our beautiful Outaouais region offers an extraordinary environment for families living here and great opportunities for businesses established here,” he said.

Not only was the campaign aimed to instill a sense of regional pride but also to strengthen Outaouais’ appeal, visibility, and competitiveness.

“I think that over the years, we will be proud of it,” said Lauzon. “I say to businesses, to the education sector, to all territories, to elected officials, take this image, and bring it to life.”

Photo caption: Artist Julien Morissette is joined by Benoit Lauzon, president of the Comité d’identité régionale de l’Outaouais, and Julie Kinnear, president and chief executive officer of Tourisme Outaouais, in revealing Outaouais first brand identity on March 21.

Photo credit: Taylor Clark

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

Gatineau is officially the first city to acquire a Scientific Council after the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Université du Québec en Outaouais on March 20.

“This is an important milestone, placing science and evidence at the foundation and heart of our decision-making processes,” wrote Murielle Laberge, rector of the Université du Québec en Outaouais, in a press release. “This scientific council represents a new bridge between the City and our educational establishment. Today, we are taking a further step in our partnership with this new common commitment to making decisions informed by science.”

The collaboration will allow the City to make informed and transparent decisions by supporting the Service de la performance organisationnelle et de l’intelligence d’affaires et scientifique. The Scientific Council will work in an advisory role to municipal services in project planning.

“I am delighted and proud that this partnership has been formalized today. Having the support of several independent experts is great news for our City,” wrote Gatineau’s interim mayor Daniel Champagne.

The council will be comprised of Gatineau’s executive director Andrée Loyer, incoming dean of research and creation Simon Beaudry, scientific director of Institut des Sciences de la Forêt Tempérée and professor of ecohydrology Audrey Maheu, professor in the social work department and member of the InterSectoral Flood Network of Quebec Nathalie St-Amour, professor of political science and regional development Guy Chiasson, professor at Institut des Sciences de la Forêt Tempérée in the natural sciences department Sylvain Delagrange, and full professor in the social sciences department and member of the scientific committee for the Observatoire du développement de l’Outaouais Mario Gauthier.

Gatineau and the Universitè du Québec en Outaouais are also working to develop a partnership with Mitacs, a non-profit national research organization, to improve the project. Mitacs’ contribution would allow the financing of student internships as part of its municipal support program.

Photo caption: Gatineau’s interim mayor Daniel Champagne finalizes the collaboration with the Université du Québec en Outaouais for the creation of a Scientific Council.

Photo credit: Ville de Gatineau

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

The Aylmer community got a taste of Peruvian culture with the Amazonas Peruvian Restaurant’s first-ever Easter Artisans Market on March 16.

“The enthusiastic participation of the Aylmer community, even in the face of inclement weather, truly highlighted the strength and resilience of our community,” said restaurant owner Mark Vargas.

While the restaurant has been involved in various Latin events across the bridge, Vargas said it was important to give its home community a dose of Peru’s rich culture.

“We were missing the touch of Aylmer,” he said.

The event highlighted the talent and creative work of 12 local artisans, such as Heart in a Jar, My Grandma’s Chocolates, Camila’s Cake, CanadaVistas Photos, and Vargas’ own woodworking business MK Designs.

Attendees were able to peruse a wide range of handmade products, sweet treats, and the restaurant’s famous Peruvian cuisine, all while enjoying workshops and family activities like an Easter egg hunt.

“We definitely plan to repeat the experience next year, and we hope to organize an even bigger and more inclusive event,” said Vargas. With the restaurant’s proximity to the Parc Commémoratif, Vargas said the possibilities are endless. “The positive response we received encouraged us to organize the Mother’s Day Artisans Market on May 4 and 5. We’re counting on the presence of a DJ to bring a festive atmosphere, reinforcing the community feeling that is dear to us.”

Photo caption: Artisans flock to the Amazonas Peruvian Restaurant on March 16 for its first Easter Artisans Market, which the restaurant hopes to host annually.

Photo credit: Taylor Clark

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

An investigation is underway by the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau after a trailer caught fire in the early hours of March 18 at the encampment known as Tent City near Le Gîte Ami.

Police officers were called to the area to tend to a disturbance call shortly after 5:30 am. While on the scene, officers noticed smoke escaping from a nearby trailer and immediately called for the Service de sécurité incendie de Gatineau.

According to a media release from the Service de sécurité incendie de Gatineau, the firefighters’ rapid intervention limited the damage to the trailer involved and suppressed the fire from spreading to other trailers or tents. The damages were estimated at $7,500.

Firefighters faced the risk of an explosion due to several propane bottles located in the trailer and nearby.

Public relations agent for Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau Patrick Kenney said the perimeter around the scene was lifted the following day. No arrests were made; however, Kenney said an investigation was ongoing to identify whether the incident was intentional or accidental.

While this was the first time a fire broke out in the encampment in 2024, the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau has tended to the scene in June, October, and November of last year for fire-related incidents.

Kenney said anyone with information about the incident can contact the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau’s information line at 819-243-4636, extension 5.

Photo caption: The Service de sécurité incendie de Gatineau was called to Tent City on March 18 to tend to a fire that broke out in a trailer early in the morning.

Photo credit: Mario Aubé Facebook

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

With 12 years of experience under their belt, Groupe Boisvert Construction cannot only tackle

your contracting and construction requests from A to Z but also service all your electrical needs.

From residential to industrial, Groupe Boisvert Construction can bring your project dreams to

reality with specialized services in smart home and home automation, industrial automation and

instrumentation, commissioning and troubleshooting, along with automation system calibrations

and adjustments.

Want to see Groupe Boisvert Construction’s work in action? Check out the municipalities of

Fort-Coulonge, Mansfield-et-Pontefract, and Île-du-Grand-Calumet.

“Any electrical calls for any of their water services or waste management services, streetlights,

all of those pass through us,” said owner Joel Boisvert.

Groupe Boisvert Construction has also had a stake in adding or renovating apartment buildings

within the MRC of Pontiac.

“That’s nice to be able to bring more housing into the area,” said Boisvert.

As an authorized dealer of Generac products, the company is also frequently called out to install

generators.

“I probably do at least one or two systems per week.”

The next time you are looking to do some construction or seeking a contractor, reach out to

Groupe Boisvert Construction at 819-744-8658 or by email at

joel@boisvertconstruction.ca.

Photo caption: While it may not be their specialty, as an authorized dealer of Generac products,

Groupe Boisvert Construction is frequently called upon to install generators in the Pontiac

region.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Groupe Boisvert Construction

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

Stéphane Bisson has resigned from his role as president of the Chambre de Commerce de Gatineau, as he runs for mayor in the by-election set for June 9.

In a press release on March 18, the Chambre de Commerce de Gatineau indicated Bisson decided to leave the position to avoid any possible conflict of interest. The board of directors acknowledged Bisson’s immense work for the business community during his mandate and thanked him for his commitment.

The resignation was taken in effect immediately and the first vice-president of the Chambre de Commerce de Gatineau Michelle Robitaille will act as interim president until the election of a new president at the annual general assembly in June.

“Transparency is an important value at the Chambre de Commerce de Gatineau,” wrote Robitaille. “It is essential for us to emphasize to the business community that our organization remains neutral and objective in the race for mayor. We wish good luck to all the candidates.”

The Chambre de Commerce de Gatineau highlighted to candidates that housing, business tourism, economic development, structuring transport, and the environment were priorities for action.

Those looking to join Bisson in the run for mayor can submit their application from April 26 to May 10. The electoral list will be revised from May 21 to 22, followed by the final decision on May 24.

Photo caption: The Chambre de Commerce de Gatineau thanks Stéphane Bisson for his time as president as he enters his bid for Gatineau mayor.

Photo credit: Stéphane Bisson Facebook

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

A beloved Aylmer community destination officially closed its doors on February 25 after sharing countless people’s routines for five years.

“We were more than a coffee shop. We were a place where people could catch up, play cards, read a book, and have a great meal,” said La Femme à Marier & Cie owner Alexandra Ponton-Fraser.

From its humble beginning in her parent’s kitchen to its own location on Rue Principale, the family business was born out of a communal need but quickly grew far beyond Ponton-Fraser’s dreams. What began as weekly pre-order meals transformed into a full café with prepared meals plus a catering service.

“It was a lot of factors, and it wasn’t a simple decision (to close). It kind of felt like it was out of the blue, but I was looking for solutions or ways to improve for a long time,” said Ponton-Fraser. “Behind the scenes, there’s a lot more that happens than what we can see.”

Since her sister departed from the business in 2022, Ponton-Fraser said it has been a lot for one person to handle. Within the past year, she has juggled what felt like the jobs of three people all while having her first child and never stepping away for maternity leave.

Ponton-Fraser announced the closure to Facebook on February 14 with a mixture of sadness and relief. With her daughter on the verge of turning one, Ponton-Fraser said it was time to commence another chapter in her life.

The comments flooded in with warm farewells, fond memories, and plans to make a last stop before the doors closed.

When asked what her favourite part has been, Ponton-Fraser quickly replied that it was the customers.

“Once someone walked in the door, they would come back, if not every day, every week.”

La Femme à Marier & Cie remained busy until its final day with customers stocking up and sharing a last goodbye.

“It went as far as it did because of them. If it wasn’t for them, it wouldn’t have become all this. Not to mention my family, my partner, and especially my mom who was always there to help.”

Along with a much-needed maternity leave, Ponton-Fraser said she plans to fall back in love with cooking.

“You get a little bit tired of cooking when you’re always cooking or thinking about cooking. I don’t even cook for myself at home.”

Ponton-Fraser thanked the Aylmer community for their years of support and encouraged patrons to continue to support local small businesses.

Photo caption: Alexandra Ponton-Fraser thanks the patrons of La Femme à Marier & Cie as she officially closes the doors on February 25.

Photo credit: Courtesy of La Femme à Marier & Cie

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

The Ville de Gatineau is encouraging professional artists in the visual arts or métiers d’art to submit their exhibition projects by May 31 to possibly be showcased in the City’s two municipal art galleries.

“The artistic vitality of our city is a reflection of our commitment to culture and creativity,” l’Orée-du-Parc district councillor and president of the Commission des arts, de la culture, des lettres et du patrimoine Isabelle Miron wrote in a press release. “We firmly believe that art has the power to bring together, inspire, and stimulate dialogue, and we are proud to play an active role in promoting this dynamic artistic exchange.”

The Galerie Montcalm, located in the Maison du citoyen, and the Espace Pierre-Debain, found in the Centre culturel du Vieux-Aylmer, are two free municipal art galleries open all year round to the public. Both annually host five temporary exhibitions, and the Ville de Gatineau is aiming to load the 2025 to 2026 programming with local professional artists.

“By participating in our exhibitions, they have the opportunity to exhibit their works in prestigious spaces and contribute to the cultural enrichment of our community,” wrote Miron.

Those who wish to apply must be professional artists in visual arts or métiers d’art and must not have had a solo or duo exhibition since 2021 in the gallery where they wish to be featured. Foreign artists must have support from their embassy on Canadian soil.

An external jury will assess the submissions based on research and originality, consistency of style and approach, pictorial qualities and suitability of style to the gallery’s mandate, technical qualities as well as the expressive qualities of the work.

For more information on the application process and all the required documents, artists can visit gatineau.ca/arts.

Photo caption: Local professional artists could be showcased in Gatineau’s municipal art galleries like the Galerie Montcalm with the City’s call to fill the upcoming programming.

Photo credit: Ville de Gatineau

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

The Robert Guertin Centre has joined Gatineau’s list of demolitions, leaving the fate of the encampment that has found refuge next to the arena up in the air.

The Comité sur les demandes de démolition approved the request on February 27, but a demolition date has yet to be declared for the 67-year-old building on Rue de Carillon.

Once everything was in place, president of Comité consultatif d’urbanisme and Comité exécutif Mario Aubé told reporters during a press scrum the following day that the project could take eight to 12 months with an estimated $3 million cost.

Former home to the Gatineau Olympiques, the centre has been closed to the public since March 2020 due to its declining state and has reached “a significant level of deterioration,” according to the demolition report.

The next steps in tearing down the building will be for Gatineau to place a call for tenders in the coming months, said Aubé.

“We will mainly talk about deconstruction so that it is done in the best environmental way possible, in the sense that there is a lot of lead in the building and asbestos as well. Anything salvageable will be salvaged and reused in another way,” he said.

While deconstruction was the plan, Aubé said it would ultimately depend on “the calls for tenders and everything that comes afterward.”

When asked how Gatineau would work with the residents who make up the encampment known as “Tent City,” Aubé said it would be done in parallel with the call for tenders. “A plan that has not yet been shared with me … But, indeed, there is work to be done … Everything will be collaborative, definitely, before we move forward.”

Aubé noted the Camp Guertin initiative that saw 48 heated tents added to the arena’s parking area would come to an end in mid-May.

“Until then, there will definitely be discussions. But we won’t come barging in tomorrow morning. And packing these people in, that’s not how it’s going to work.”

Gatineau’s communication department assured the City would collaborate with stakeholders and local organizations to find structuring solutions to assist those suffering from homelessness.

“The City recognizes people experiencing homelessness as full citizens,” wrote the communications department in an email.

Measures are expected to be put in place to protect the health and safety of the people affected by the demolition.

“What was explained to me is that there is a fence that will be installed to demarcate the official construction zone,” said Aubé.

Some new locations for the encampment were in the pre-feasibility analysis stages, but the communications department said it was too early to pinpoint the optimal location.

“For the moment, the City has identified land in the city centre that could potentially accommodate a camp. The land in question provides access to drinking water and electricity and is set back from homes. Once the feasibility analysis is completed, the population can be informed of the conclusions and available site options,” wrote the department.

Photo caption: While a date has yet to be set, the Robert-Guertin Centre is expected to be demolished at the cost of an estimated $3 million.

Photo credit: Taylor Clark

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

The projected $11 million deficit budget tabled by Minister of Finance Eric Girard on March 12 has left the Ville de Gatineau and the Outaouais region feeling neglected.

“I think it was recognized that the Outaouais had some catching up to do since 2019. But we are at dinner time and honestly, we were left hungry,” said the president of the Comité exécutif Mario Aubé in a press briefing shortly after the release of the provincial budget.

Girard described the 2024-2025 Quebec budget as a demanding balancing act between the province’s major socioeconomic objectives and maintaining a responsible financial framework while set against a backdrop of a tight economic climate.

“This deficit stems from a difficult economic and climate context but it is also necessary to improve right away services to the population. It is necessary and it is manageable,” Girard said in his budget speech.

At the forefront of the budget was health and education with nearly $5 billion in investments over six years which did not align with the demands set out by former Gatineau mayor France Bélisle.

At the top of the demands were housing and homelessness, followed by public transportation, land use planning, economic development, and cultural infrastructure. While housing measures remained modest as described by the City’s interim mayor Daniel Champagne, Gatineau’s other priorities were overlooked.

“I mean, there are a lot of needs. I think that one of the great needs that you saw in homelessness, in particular, is that we are stuck with this situation as a municipality. Which is often said to be the responsibility of Quebec but at the same time, we cannot let things go,” said Aubé.

The Comité exécutif president said the burden to grapple with homelessness fell to the City which was left to “roll up our sleeves as a municipality before the arrival of winter” and authorize the inclusion of 48 heated tents in the parking lot of Robert-Guertin Centre until mid-May.

“We do more with the means we have. What I would say is that it’s a pretty beige budget.”

Not only was the City let down by the budget but organizations, which Aubé said experienced cuts, were also left displeased.

In a press release, the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec and the Chambre de Commerce de Gatineau described the budget as “a disappointment for the economic community,” citing the lack of structuring measures to concretely assist the economy, and even setbacks in certain cases.

“With low growth forecasts of 0.6% for the next year and 1.6% the following year, the government would have benefitted from providing more help to Quebec businesses to stimulate economic growth,” wrote Charles Milliard, president and chief executive officer of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec.

General director of the Chambre de Commerce de Gatineau Etienne Fredette said this was especially true for small and medium-sized enterprises that have struggled with economic uncertainty and inflation.

“After all, Quebec businesses play a major role in generating sustainable growth and developing public and private projects, which will allow us to finance our social progress. Unfortunately, today is a missed opportunity,” added Fredette.

The culture sector has also experienced major disruptions and needed significant investments to “consolidate a still fragile sector.” But the Réseau des conseils régionaux de la culture du Québec noted the budget fell short on maintaining the investments laid out in the previous budget.

Appropriation transfers from the Ministry of Culture and Communications saw a $22.7 million decrease and the budget of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec shrank by $21.7 million despite the $4.8 million announced to support cultural organizations in the new budget.

“As a city, we want to develop. We want to create wealth. We want things to move forward,” said Aubé. “But I think I looked at the budget carefully in the last hour and I didn’t find anything in this area that is very concrete for our city.”

Photo caption: Minister of Finance Eric Girard proudly presents Quebec’s 2024-2025 budget, which left Gatineau and Outaouais unsatisfied.

Photo credit: Eric Girard X

Taylor Clark – Local Journalism Initiative

Quebec has joined Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Ontario, British Columbia, and Northwest Territories in formally recognizing perinatal bereavement annually on October 15. Close to 23,000 families in Quebec experience the loss of a child during pregnancy, childbirth, and the early postnatal period every year but society has remained largely unaware of perinatal bereavement.

Bill 595 was introduced by Liberal MP for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce Désirée McGraw, who has experienced this type of loss on more than one occasion, to bring light to this reality among Quebecers. “With Bill 595, we have launched a national discussion on perinatal bereavement. In the last 24 hours I’ve been overwhelmed by the personal stories of loss from colleagues, constituents, and people across Quebec,” McGraw wrote on Facebook following the unanimous passing of the bill on February 1.

Along with being a proud mother of three boys, McGraw is the mother of a daughter named Catherine, who would have been eight this year. To McGraw and her family, the bill was Catherine’s law.  “This is a key first step, and I feel hopeful that this new law will allow us to implement concrete measures to support families who have lost a baby,” wrote McGraw.

While the bill aimed to bring awareness to perinatal bereavement, it was not accompanied by any specific legislative provision to support the thousands of bereaved families in Quebec. According to a brief by the Centre for Studies and Research on Family Intervention and the Canada Research Chair, Quebec has lagged on the issue. Quebec’s 2008-2018 perinatal policy made several recommendations to improve perinatal bereavement awareness and support families, but medium and long-term support has remained poor.  

“A next step is to grant bereavement leave to both parents. Generally speaking, fathers experience the same psychological and physical effects of bereavement as mothers… It is therefore important to look at the needs of fathers who are often more reluctant to seek help,” said Centre for Studies and Research on Family Intervention Director Francine de Montigny in a press release.

For over 20 years, studies have shown perinatal death has real consequences for both parents, resulting in experiences of heavy loss and intense grief. The loss can have significant deleterious effects on both men’s and women’s mental health up to five years later.

“Losing a child is not something from which one recovers, ever, but there are things we can do to cope better,” McGraw told her National Assembly of Quebec colleagues on January 31. “This bill is a call to action for our government to provide parents and families in Quebec with crucial support, both psychosocial and financial.”

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

Gazifère plans to construct and operate the first entirely hydrogen pipeline in Outaouais come

2025.

“The introduction of green hydrogen into Gatineau’s gas network represents a significant step forward for the City’s environmental policy and our Climate Plan to reduce our carbon footprint,” said former Gatineau mayor France Bélisle in a press release on February 1.

She was joined by Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson and the Member of Parliament for Gatineau Steve MacKinnon in announcing the investment of more than $3.3 million to Gazifère for an over $7.3 million clean fuels project in Gatineau.

“This investment is crucial, offering a promising opportunity to diversify the local economy. It is attracting the interest of new industrial and heavy transport players keen to decarbonize their operations by taking advantage of a reliable, local supply of green hydrogen,” said Bélisle.

The federal funding was provided through Natural Resources Canada’s Clean Fuels Fund which supports the building of new and expanding existing clean fuel production facilities.

Spanning a maximum of 22 kilometres, the hydrogen pipeline will make it possible to supply gaseous hydrogen from its producer to two receiving sites located in the Airport and Masson-Angers sectors.

Gazifère held a period of public participation to determine the exact route the pipeline would travel between its production in Buckingham and the points of use. Different variants were presented to generate discussion. Comments were collected to aid in determining the most suitable solution.

While the public participation period took place in person on February 26 and 27, online comments or questions will continue to be collected until March 27 via email at h2@gazifere.com. Residents can keep updated on the project by visiting https://gazifere.com/transition-energetique/projet-hydrogene/.

Photo caption: Former Gatineau mayor France Bélisle says the development of hydrogen into Gatineau’s gas network marks a significant step forward environmentally for the City.

Photo credit: Gazifère Facebook

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

With the impending expansion of the Cégep de l’Outaouais’ Gabrielle-Roy campus, the Société

de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) has launched a public consultation to review and improve the

service offered in the Aylmer and Plateau sectors.

Last October, the Government of Quebec announced major investments to expand the Gabrielle-

Roy campus that would allow the Cégep to welcome an additional 1,500 students and offer new

programs in the coming years.

“Inevitably, this will increase all the demands for transport,” said STO’s public affairs manager

José Lafleur. “That’s why we’re reconsidering what type of service we’re offering toward the

Cégep.”

With travel time running long to the Cégep, Lafleur said STO planned to optimize service by

including new circuits and schedules for routes 49, 50, 52, and 56, as well as discontinuing route

54. The proposed changes were the reflection of comments received by students, riders, and

drivers, along with ridership data.

To facilitate the changes, a complete overhaul of the Gabrielle-Roy terminal was expected to take

place during the summer. Lafleur said the infrastructure, which is over 20 years old, no longer

meets today’s standards or operational needs like hosting regular or articulated buses.

The redevelopment will incorporate 12 platforms suitable for articulated buses, accessible

facilities, five double bus shelters, two semi-enclosed heated waiting areas, new urban furniture,

and message boards for travellers. The STO assured that the construction work would have

minor impacts on its transportation service. The new terminus is anticipated to be up and

operational once the school year kicks off and fall service starts at the end of August.

The online questionnaire regarding the service changes can be completed up until March 17 at

www.sto.ca/consultation. The feedback will be used to refine the initial service proposal.

Photo caption: The Société de transport de l’Outaouais offers a rendering of the new look for the

Gabrielle-Roy terminal to facilitate new service changes.

Photo credit: Société de transport de l’Outaouais Website

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

The Ville de Gatineau has launched an online consultation to gauge the public’s use of Lac-

Beauchamp Park to preserve it.

“Host of several activities each year, Lac-Beauchamp Park is a place particularly appreciated and

coveted by the Gatineau population,” wrote Gatineau’s interim mayor Daniel Champagne in a

press release. “Thanks to this consultation, the City can consider and integrate the voice of its

citizens in its decision. Everyone’s contribution is essential to shaping the various plans that aim

to promote environmentally friendly activities.”

Spanning 213 hectares, Lac-Beauchamp Park is a popular venue for a multitude of activities

every year. But with human activity comes several signs of aging.

“As the only point of access to a natural body of water in the east of the City, Lac-Beauchamp

Park is of particular importance to the community,” wrote Marc Bureau, Parc-de-la-Montagne-

Saint-Raymond district councillor and president of the Commission de l’environnement et de la

lutte aux changements climatiques. “It is very important to continue to preserve this ecosystem

while meeting our recreational needs.”

While Gatineau has committed to preserving the park’s ecosystem and protecting its fauna and

flora, residents will have until March 25 to assist in shaping the future of the natural jewel.

Whether you and other citizens frequent the park occasionally or frequently, the City is interested

in the population’s use of the park and their desire to protect the territory. Feedback from the

consultation will guide the creation of a biodiversity plan for Lac-Beauchamp Park, the

development of a master plan for Lac-Beauchamp Park, and an update to the action plan of the

Lac-Beauchamp Environmental Management Plan.

The online questionnaire can be completed at gatineau.ca/consultations.

Photo caption: As a popular destination in the east of Gatineau, Lac-Beauchamp Park faces

several signs of aging but the City hopes to preserve the natural jewel.

Photo credit: Ville de Gatineau

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

An Aylmer family is seeking the community’s support after a 25-foot fall left a father of three

with various injuries, including a traumatic brain injury.

On August 27, 2023, Melissa Wallbott’s life changed upon learning her husband Brad Strang was

rushed to the hospital. While painting the exterior of a house, Strang fell 25 feet directly on his

head.

When emergency response arrived on the scene, Wallbott said Strang did not have a pulse and

was resuscitated before being transported to the hospital.

On her arrival, Wallbott discovered her husband suffered eight broken ribs, a fractured sternum, a

punctured kidney, a deflated lung, unstable fractured vertebrae that required major back surgery,

two skull fractures along with a traumatic brain injury, and bleeding around the brain.

“He had to relearn how to walk, get himself dressed, and do all the basic things for himself,” said

Wallbott.

Once Strang regained his strength, he was able to return to his family, but Wallbott said the road

didn’t end there. Strang has since embarked on a journey of intense brain rehabilitation.

“His short-term memory is getting better but it is very slow and that goes for his long-term

memory too,” said Wallbott. “He may never be the person he once was, but they are trying to get

him as close as possible.”

The accident has left Wallbott maxing out savings and paying for treatment out of pocket.

“Since he is unable to work and he wasn’t allowed to be home alone, he needed a full-time

caregiver which I of course took on.”

Wallbott has been by her husband’s side 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all while raising their

three children.

“The cost of living these days (is) outrageous and it’s just making it that much harder.”

She said it has been hard enough coming to terms with what had happened and accepting it. Then

to be bombarded by bills has been overwhelming.

“He worked so hard for so long. He didn’t deserve any of this.”

A GoFundMe was started by a family friend, Boddy MacDonald, to help alleviate the burden on

the mother of three. The fundraiser got its start early February and as of March 11 has raised

$1,870 of its $3,000 goal. To donate, visit gofundme.com and search “Aylmer family in need.”

As owners of Full of Beans Party Rental, MacDonald and his wife Jen Putnam also plan to

sponsor a pancake breakfast fundraiser at the Galeries Aylmer on April 7 from 9 am to 1 pm

outside of Fun Factor.

Photo caption: A GoFundMe fundraiser is ongoing to support an Aylmer family after a father of

three experienced a 25-foot fall.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Melissa Wallbott

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

A 74-year-old man died March 7 following an apartment fire on Fontaine Street in the Hull sector.

Emergency services arrived at the Coopérative d’habitation du Lac shortly after 9:30 pm. Residents were evacuated from the building while firefighters tended to the scene. Once the fire was extinguished, residents were returned to their homes. The Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau indicated, however, that one resident was transported to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

An investigation will be held into the cause of the fire. The scene will remain under police surveillance until it can be fully analyzed by investigators and fire scene technicians.

The Fédération intercoopérative en habitation de l’Outaouais shared its solidarity with members of the cooperative via social media on March 8.

Photo caption: Gatineau firefighters tend to a fire in an apartment building in the Hull sector on March 7.

Photo credit: Camera de nuit Facebook

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

Table de concertation des aînés et retraités de l’Outaouais will move into the second phase of immortalizing older adults’ achievements after receiving a grant over two years as part of the Québec ami des aînés project.

Suzanne Tremblay, the Member of Parliament for Hull, awarded the $147,954 grant on March 1 to continue the Aînés d’exception project which aimed to promote older adults in their community.

“With Aînés d’exception, I saw the smile on peoples’ faces when we recognized them,” said Patricia Gougeon, deputy general director of Table de concertation des aînés et retraités de l’Outaouais.

The first phase of the project consisted of interviewing 120 older adults about their volunteer journeys across the regional county municipalities and the Ville de Gatineau. Their stories were brought together in a collection to celebrate their contributions to the communities.

The collection was later launched with ceremonies in each of the regional county municipalities and the Ville de Gatineau.

The new initiative, “Intergenerational Sparks,” is intended to continue the work with the 120 participants and facilitate relationships between generations through intergenerational activities.

“Basically, we want to create opportunities for exchange between young people and (older adults) … The goal is really to create links, to break down certain prejudices that young people may have in relation to elders,” said Gougeon.

The older adults will have the opportunity to share their journey and life experiences with young people in communities.

“It’s important that we can share this, and we can immortalize these moments.”

Photo caption: Table de concertation des aînés et retraités de l’Outaouais president Robert Leduc joins Member of Parliament for Hull Suzanne Tremblay for a grant announcement as part of the

Québec ami des aînés program.

Photo credit: Table de concertation des aînés et retraités de l’Outaouais Facebook

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

The saga of the century-old house facing demolition at 674 Aylmer Road continues to the

Supreme Court of Quebec after the Gatineau municipal council was met with an unprecedented

10 to 10 tie on February 20.

“We didn’t see many (ties). This is really a question where we are at another level. We are no

longer at the political level,” Mario Aubé, president of Comité consultative d’urbanisme and

Comité exécutif, told reporters on February 21 during a press scrum.

Despite the pleas to preserve the 104-year-old home, the Comité sur les demandes de démolition

came to the decision in October 2023 to demolish the single-family home to construct 32

housing units in the Mitigomijokan district.

Four months later, the municipal council was faced with an appeal to overturn the demolition

request which was ultimately rejected as it did not receive majority support.

In theory, the rejection would mean the demolition of the historic home, but the tie muddies the

waters on whether the demolition would move forward.

“For the future, I think there is a little legal work to be done,” former Gatineau mayor France

Bélisle said on February 21.

A declaratory legal judgement would be necessary, said Bélisle, as there was currently no case

law for this specific case.

According to Gatineau’s communication services, the City mandated a lawyer from an external

firm to start the necessary procedures. Based on a preliminary assessment, it appeared that it may

take up to a year before a decision is reached by the Superior Court of Quebec. In the meantime,

the City will refrain from making any decision on the matter.

“I want to protect the heritage, historical, and landscape character of Aylmer Road and this

century-old house is part of that …” Mitigomijokan district councillor Anik Des Marais said in

favour of persevering the house located in her district. “This house constitutes a tangible witness

to the rural past of the area.”

A professional analysis by the Service de l’Urbanisme et du Développement Durable deemed the

home had a strong heritage value and proposed to protect 674 Aylmer Road. It also

recommended building the housing units, but behind the century-old house.

“An architect engineer specializing in heritage said it was possible to renovate this house,’ said

Des Marais.

While the issue could be considered a question of density versus heritage, Hull-Wright district

councillor Steve Moran said it was truly a matter of heritage versus no heritage.

“Density is possible because we can build the same number of units on the same site. So,

heritage is threatened by our inability to protect it, not by identification in this case,” said Moran.

Although the building dates back to 1920, the house was not listed on the City’s 2008 inventory

and classification of built heritage

“Of course, it was built on land which retains its characteristics of a rural area but today it

remains alone in its environment, surrounded by buildings of three, four floors in contemporary

style,” argued Aubé. Though the building may possess some character from its era, the Masson-

Angers district councillor said it has faded over the years.

Manoir-des-Trembles-Val-Tétreau district councillor Jocelyn Blondin said he tended to side with

the recovery of buildings, Blondin felt home had passed the point of no return.

“There’s no longer any heritage character … I mean, are we going to build heritage or are we

going to preserve it? For me, we preserve heritage, we don’t build heritage,” said Blondin.

The fate of 674 Aylmer Road will now lie in the hands of the Supreme Court of Quebec.

Photo caption: The decision to demolish a 104-year-old on Aylmer Road will be up to the

Supreme Court of Quebec after a tie at Gatineau municipal council.

Photo credit: Ville de Gatineau

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

Historian and Carleton University professor Anne Trépanier stopped by the Chartwell Monastère

d’Aylmer on February 21 to give a sneak peek of her new book De l’hydre au castor.

“How can all discordant interests be reconciled around a common project? This is the question of

Canada,” said Trépanier.

Organized by the Partenaires du secteur Aylmer, attendees dived into Trépanier’s research on

how the Canadian Confederation was understood through representations of unborn Canada in

satirical newspapers.

“Were there common representations of what Canada was going to be like in 1867? The answer

is yes. There are several common representations, but they are all negative,” said Trépanier. “We

see that Canada is a source of combined fear and hope, and then Confederation is the result of

the tension between the peril of assimilation and that of belonging to a great fear.”

Among the most common representations found by Trépanier were forced marriage and

monsters, but while their form was consistent, their meaning would shift. She explained,

“That is to say that there are characters, fables, allegories which repeat themselves, but do not necessarily

express the same thing, depending on the place where the newspaper is produced.”

Interests of the region, sentiments toward the union, as well as the intellectual, physical,

economic, and cultural environment would shift interpretation.

Trépanier explained that forced marriage represented political alliance, “the overhaul of heritage

and the domination of one group over the other.” The theme developed from 1843 and

throughout the pre-Confederation due to the union of Lower Canada and Upper Canada.

She said it was no coincidence the image of monsters also reared its ugly head with the first

occurrence as a seven-headed hydra.

“This monster precisely expresses divergent interest. How can this big body move if there are

several heads? That’s the idea.”

In both cases, Trépanier explained the deeper meaning lies with submission or belonging.

“The territories which would enter the Confederation in 1867 did not yet communicate in this

imagined community that the Canadian nation would become through numerous nation-building

efforts. But the pictorial story of what it could become nevertheless helped to constitute it.”

The metaphor of forced marriage, the image of the monster and other representations during the

Canadian Confederation are examined further in De l’hydre au castor: Imaginaire et représentations de la Confédération dans la presse de l’Amérique du Nord britannique.

Photo caption: Historian and professor at Carleton University Anne Trépanier signs a bookmark

at her presentation of Canadian Pre-Confederation history through caricature on February 21.

Photo credit: Taylor Clark

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

Close to 300 participants spread across the frozen Ottawa River for the annual Ice Fishing Derby

at the Aylmer Marina on March 2.

“It was sold out for the first time,” said Aydelu Centre president Guy Rochon.

The event has been hosted by the Knights of Columbus for the past 12 years, but the Aydelu

Centre took over the organization of the event in 2023.

The mild conditions brought in 260 registered fishers, along with their families, friends, and

furry companions for a fun-filled day out on the river.

By the end of the derby, a total of 76 fish were caught and registered. Brian Marion reeled in the

catch of the day with a 7.1-pound pike.

The day wrapped up at the Aydelu Centre for a warm dinner. An assortment of gifts and prizes,

from bicycles to kayaks, were awarded to lucky participants.

The $13,000 raised was divided among Aylmer Meals on Wheels and L’Autre Chez-Soi, the

area’s women’s shelter, for a hefty donation of $6,500 each.

Along with the committee that brought the event to fruition, Rochon thanked the 73 sponsors

who contributed to the event.

“Without their generosity, the event wouldn’t have been such a success.”

Although an official date had yet to be selected for next year’s derby, Rochon said Aydelu hoped

to organize it earlier in the year around February to get a head start on the warming temperatures.

Photo caption: Aydelu Centre’s Ice Fishing Derby on March 2 raised $13,000 for Aylmer Meals

on Wheels and L’Autre Chez-Soi.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Aydelu Centre

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

The Ville de Gatineau has appointed Alain Renaud as the new director of the asset and

investment planning department.

“With an excellent sense of the environment and a strategic vision, Renaud is the caring leader

the City needs to shape this new service,” the Ville de Gatineau wrote in a press release.

Renaud obtained a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from l’Université d’Ottawa as well as a

certificate in administration from l’Université du Québec. He has spent more than 34 years in

municipal engineering and is a member in good standing with l’Ordre des ingénieurs de Québec.

“Renaud has in-depth knowledge of the municipal sector and the infrastructure sector. His

understanding of the issues and opportunities will undoubtedly allow him to define the strategic

orientations to favour and the plans to implement with his teams,” said general director Simon

Rousseau. “It is therefore a great pride to be able to count on his experience and know-how

within the organization.”

For the last 21 years, Renaud has grown his career in the infrastructure and projects department

of the Ville de Gatineau. He joined the City in 2003, holding various coordinator positions in the

infrastructure and projects department for 11 years.

In 2014, Renaud moved into management functions with the department as division head of

planning and technical services and later obtained the position of deputy director of the

infrastructure and projects department in 2018.

Renaud has been acting in the director role on an interim basis for a year; therefore, he will be

filling the position immediately.

Photo caption: Alain Renaud will immediately fill the position of director of the asset and

investment planning department, a role he has filled on an acting basis for the past year.

Photo credit: Ville de Gatineau

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

With tax season around the corner, Gatineau residents will notice a new way of calculating their

municipal taxes come the end of February.

An amendment was adopted by the City on January 30 to cushion the impact of never-before-

seen increases in the assessment roll by reducing the gap between the larger tax increases and

decreases.

“We did everything in the Ville de Gatineau with several cities in Quebec to ask the government

for the power to help our citizens…. Today, what they are offering us is a measure in the

provision of customer service … to help thousands of citizens who received a slap in the face

with the assessment roll,” Mayor France Bélisle told district councillors at the Comité plénier

meeting on January 23.

Under the 2024 to 2026 assessment roll, the residential average adjustment was 71.9 per cent,

which left several Gatineau properties well beyond this average.

Director of the finance department and treasurer Mario St-Pierre explained to the Comité plénier

that if the value of a property surpasses the average for its category, the property will experience

a tax increase greater than that declared by the municipal council.

In December 2023, the Government of Quebec approved an amendment to the Act respecting

municipal taxation with the passage of Bill 39, which offered new provisions regarding taxation.

Of the possible options, taxing by neighbourhood unit was selected as the most advantageous for

residents. Neighbourhood units refer to a set of neighbouring properties in a similar environment

with uniform characteristics, of which there are 1,069 in Gatineau.

This taxation strategy will generally help reduce the impact on properties that have seen the

largest increase in their value while alleviating the tax burden on most Gatineau residents.

Based on neighbourhood units, a property whose value on the 2021 to 2023 roll was $206,300

and is now valued at $421,300 would have a tax variation of 8 per cent, representing an increase

of $203 rather than $321 compared to the 2023 tax bill.

The modification was not met with open arms by all district councillors. Parc-de-la-Montagne-

Saint-Raymond district councillor Marc Bureau shared his discontent on Facebook on February

1.

“In our neighbourhood that was already one of the hardest hit by the new land assessment roll,

it’s going to be even worse for 3,445 properties compared to the 321 that this measure will help,”

wrote Bureau.

While the rest of the territory may see a lessened impact, Bureau said his district and centre-ville

​will be hit the hardest.

Tax bills will be sent out at the end of February with further explanation of the changes. The

deadline for the first of four payments will be March 27. Residents can receive their bill online

by registering via the citizen portal.

The Government of Québec offers a grant to seniors to partly compensate for the increase in

municipal taxes following a significant increase in the value of their homes. If the value of a

senior’s property increases by more than 80.83 per cent, the City will calculate the potential grant

and the information will appear on his or her 2024 tax account as an important message.

Photo caption: Ville de Gatineau Mayor France Bélisle highlights potential of the new municipal

tax calculating measure for residents as they face increased property value from the new

assessment roll.

Photo credit: Screenshot from a Comité plénier meeting on January 23

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

The governments of Canada and Quebec announced the construction of close to 300 units in

Gatineau as the Outaouais region grapples with a severe housing crisis.

“These 300 new affordable housing units will have a significant impact on the lives of many

families and individuals in Gatineau. Of course, much work remains to be done. The challenges

are numerous,” said Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of

Parliament for Gatineau Steven MacKinnon, on behalf of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure

and Communities, Sean Fraser.

The news came as part of a national announcement on February 16 for 2,574 accelerated housing

units to be built across Quebec as part of 47 projects selected during the Société d’habitation du

Québec’s second call for projects under the Programme d’habitation abordable Québec.

Of the 47 projects, three will grace the Outaouais region. The Université du Québec en Outaouais

will see the addition of 79 student housing accommodations, Habitations de l’Outaouais

métropolitain will build 198 housing units for families, Accueil-Parrainage Outaouais intends to

create a 19-unit building for newcomers.

“The Ville de Gatineau is the second largest immigration centre in Quebec. We need to properly

welcome and support people who choose to come here to settle, and offer them a living

environment,” said Gatineau Mayor France Bélisle.

The projects will be financed through the Société d’habitation du Québec’s Programme

d’habitation abordable Québec, the federal fund to accelerate the construction of housing and at

least 40 per cent of the Société d’habitation du Québec’s base grant in municipal backing, of

which Gatineau has contributed approximately $15 million.

Through the Programme d’habitation abordable Québec, France-Élaine Duranceau, Quebec’s

Minister of Housing, said the projects will be subject to significant time constraints to get people

into homes faster.

“And, moreover, our government will contribute not only in terms of construction but will also

ensure affordability, and there will be personal assistance for tenants who are eligible,” said

Duranceau.

The rent supplement program through the Société d’habitation du Québec will allow tenants to

pay no more than 25 per cent of their income for housing.

“And this is just the first phase, because after that, there are going to be more than 8,000 housing

units,” said the national Minister of Transport and Lieutenant for Quebec Pablo Rodriquez. “This

does not include the tens of thousands of housing units that will be built, among other things,

under the various measures that have been put forward between our two levels of government.”

Bélisle said Gatineau was in the process of transforming and constantly improving. “We will do

better, I assure you. We still need a little more time, but we will certainly get there because we all

share the same goal, to provide a roof over the heads of people who need it.”

Photo caption: Gatineau Mayor France Bélisle said the city has contributed almost $15 million to

three projects under the Programme d’habitation abordable Québec.

Photo Credit: Tashi Farmilo

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

Following an investigation executed in recent months, the Service de police de la Ville de

Gatineau arrested and seized a long list of items related to illicit cannabis trafficking after several

searches in the Buckingham sector on February 15.

With assistance from the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau Intervention Group,

investigators executed various search warrants shortly before 9:00 am. The warrants targeted 124

Impasse des Pruches as well as a business and warehouse garage at 400 Avenue de Buckingham.

An additional two warrants targeted a Ford F150, where more than $900 in cash, a cell phone,

and a THC vape were seized, along with a Honda Civic with more than $100 in cash and an air

gun.

Among the long list of items seized were $3,100 in Canadian currency, more than 6,700 grams of

dried illicit cannabis, over 470 grams of hashish, 28 THC vapes, 1,500 milligrams of THC

gummies, around 120 grams of cocaine, an excess of 15 grams of crack, more than 200 grams of

methamphetamine, more than 20 grams of ecstasy and 106 prescription drug capsules.

Two men from Gatineau were arrested and will face charges under the Cannabis Act as well as

the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

The investigation was carried out as part of the ACCES Cannabis program, which was

implemented in 2018 by the Government of Quebec to intensify the fight against the supply of

illicit cannabis throughout Quebec. Since 2019, the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau has

had a team of three investigators working to detect and dismantle illegal networks in Gatineau.

The Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau called upon anyone with information regarding the

illegal possession of firearms, the possession or sale of cannabis or narcotics in the area to

contact its information line at (819) 243-4636, extension five. The information would be treated

as confidential.

Photo caption: The Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau has arrested two Gatineau men in

connection to an investigation of illicit cannabis trafficking on February 15 in the Buckingham

sector.

Photo credit: Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau Facebook

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

A 26-year-old woman was arrested for driving while impaired on February 19 after a collision

with an unoccupied parked vehicle in the driveway of a private residence in the Aylmer sector.

Shortly after 9:00 pm, officers with the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau arrived at the

intersection of Barsac and Élizabeth streets following a report of a collision. After speaking with

various witnesses, the police determined that the driver had failed to stop and, after the collision,

had entered the residence.

Upon interviewing the driver, officers observed signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication. The

driver was then arrested and brought to the police station for a breathalyzer test. The results

indicated the driver was over two times the permitted limit.

The woman was released with a promise to appear in court and will face charges of driving while

impaired by alcohol. In addition to the charges, her driving privileges will be suspended for 90

days, and her vehicle seized for 30 days.

The Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau invited anyone who has observed a worrying

situation on the road or erratic driving to contact them by calling 911.

Photo caption: Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau arrest a woman for impaired driving

following a collision with an unoccupied parked vehicle on February 19.

Photo credit: Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau Facebook

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

Quebec has joined Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Ontario, British Columbia, and Northwest Territories

in formally recognizing perinatal bereavement annually on October 15.

Each year, close to 23,000 families in Quebec experience the loss of a child during pregnancy,

childhood, or the early postnatal period, but society has remained largely unaware of perinatal

bereavement.

Bill 595 was introduced by Liberal MP for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce Désirée McGraw, who has

experienced this type of mourning on more than one occasion, to bring light to this reality among

Quebecers.

“With Bill 595, we have launched a national discussion on perinatal bereavement. In the last 24

hours I’ve been overwhelmed by the personal stories of loss from colleagues, constituents, and

people across Quebec,” McGraw wrote on Facebook following the unanimous passing of the bill

on February 1.

Along with being the proud mother of three boys, McGraw had a daughter named Catherine,

who would have been eight this year. To McGraw and her family, the bill was Catherine’s law.

“This is a key first step, and I feel hopeful that this new law will allow us to implement concrete

measures to support families who have lost a baby,” wrote McGraw.

While the bill aimed to bring awareness to perinatal bereavement, it was not accompanied by any

specific legislative provision to support the thousands of bereaved families in Quebec.

According to a brief by the Centre for Studies and Research on Family Intervention and the

Canada Research Chair, Quebec has lagged on the issue. Quebec’s 2008-2018 perinatal policy

made several recommendations to improve perinatal bereavement awareness and support

families, but medium and long-term support has remained poor.

“A next step is to grant bereavement leave to both parents” said Centre for Studies and Research

on Family Intervention director Francine de Montigny in a press release. “Generally speaking,

fathers experience the same psychological and physical effects of bereavement as mothers … It

is therefore important to look at the needs of fathers who are often more reluctant to seek help.”

For over 20 years, studies have shown perinatal death has real consequences for both parents,

resulting in experiences of heavy loss and intense grief. The loss can have significant deleterious

effects on both men’s and women’s mental health for up to five years later.

“Losing a child is not something from which one recovers, ever, but there are things we can do to

cope better,” McGraw told her National Assembly of Quebec colleagues on January 31. “This

bill is a call to action for our government to provide parents and families in Quebec with crucial

support, both psychosocial and financial.”

Photo caption: Lieutenant Governor for Quebec Manon Jeannotte join Liberal MP for Notre-

Dame-de-Grâce Désirée McGraw and psychotherapist Rosa Caporicci in celebrating the passing

of Bill 595 to recognize October 15 as Quebec Perinatal Bereavement Awareness Day.

Photo credit: Désirée McGraw, Facebook

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

Gatineau will be the first city to acquire a Scientific Council following its approval at the

February 20 municipal council meeting.

“We are presenting an innovative formula, undoubtedly representing a significant step forward in

Gatineau’s decision-making process,” former mayor France Bélisle said in a press release. “This

initiative demonstrates the City’s commitment to organizational performance and the sharing of

scientific knowledge for a better understanding of the solutions available to us.”

In collaboration with l’Université du Québec en Outaouais, the council will provide the City with

support to unlock a “360-degree vision” of important projects. The council will function in an

advisory role with municipal services in the planning of projects to optimize all municipal

practices and decisions.

“I am delighted that the Ville de Gatineau is equipped with this innovative and essential means

for informed and transparent decision-making,” said Carrefour-de-l’Hôpital district councillor

Olive Kamanyana, who had proposed the concept. “This initiative is significant added value for

Gatineau’s vision of a results-oriented partnership.”

Made up of three to five principal researchers appointed by the university along with a city

representative and university representative, the council will support the Service de la

performance organisationnelle et de l’intelligence d’affaires et scientifique.

Those whose expertise is deemed necessary may serve as guest members of the council.

Photo caption: L’Université du Québec en Outaouais and the Ville de Gatineau have joined

forces to establish a Scientific Council, the first of its kind.

Photo credit: Université du Québec en Outaouais Facebook

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

Various district councillors’ duties have shifted with new appointments following the Ville de

Gatineau’s municipal council meeting on February 20.

Versant district councillor Daniel Champagne was named deputy mayor and will take the

position of acting mayor until a by-election is held.

Isabelle N. Morin, who represents the l’Orée-du-Park district, joined the Comité de toponymie as

vice president and will also sit on the board of directors for the Corporation de la Maison de la

culture.

Denis Girouard of the Lac-Beauchamp district and Marc Bureau of the Parc-de-la-Montagne-

Saint-Raymond district were appointed to the Table de concertation des événements with

Girouard taking the role of president.

The City also planned to include Indigenous representation to its Table de concertation du centre-

ville.

“We have corrected a situation since the Indigenous community of Kitigan Zibi was not present,

but it is very important that it is, so we are going to invite a member to join the table,” said

former Mayor France Bélisle.

The meeting also included the creation and appointment of members to the new Comité

d’investissement et de gestion des actifs. Pointe-Gatineau district councillor Mike Duggan will

sit as president and be joined by Miron as vice president and Lucerne district councillor Gilles

Chagnon as a member.

Photo caption: Former Gatineau Mayor France Bélisle congratulates district councillor Daniel

Champagne on his appointment to deputy mayor.

Photo credit: Screenshot of Séance du conseil municipal du 20 février 2024

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

Drivers in the Gatineau area could be paying more next year to register a vehicle as the City

looks to implement a vehicle registration tax to fuel public transportation improvements.

At its February 20 meeting, the municipal council agreed to have staff submit a letter of intent to

the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, which is responsible for collecting the tax on

behalf of municipalities.

“We have until the end of March to notify the Government of Quebec of our intention, so we did

not want to miss this opportunity,” former mayor France Bélisle told journalists during a briefing

on February 21 before stepping down from her position the following day.

Since 1992, passenger vehicle owners who reside in certain municipalities have been required to

pay an annual public transit contribution. In the Gatineau area, the annual contribution has been

$30 per year.

With the passing of Bill 39 in 2023, municipalities and regional county municipalities were given

the authority to impose a tax on vehicle registration based on fuel consumption, under certain

circumstances.

“If we didn’t go ahead and signify that, we would spend a year … So, that’s why it was

important to do it following Bill 39,” said Bélisle.

The former mayor said the Comité des finances would be looking into making recommendations

to the Comité exécutif on how much the tax should be and how to re-inject it into public

transportation. Council will later have the final say, but has until March 15 to notify the Société

de l’assurance automobile du Québec of their intention.

To go into effect for next January, a municipal regulation must be adopted no later than May 31,

followed by an agreement between the municipality and the Société de l’assurance automobile

du Québec signed prior to June 15.

Photo caption: Former Ville de Gatineau mayor France Bélisle tells journalists during a press

briefing on February 21 that she’s in favour of a vehicle registration tax to support improving

public transit.

Photo credit: Screenshot from Mêlée de presse du 21 février 2024 for the Comité exécutif

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

The Ville de Gatineau has laid out a list of 10 demands in its request to the province amid the

2024 to 2025 pre-budget consultations.

“Although many of the challenges facing our city and our population are shared by all of

Quebec, we also have needs that are specific to our region,” former Gatineau mayor France

Bélisle wrote to Finance Minister Eric Girard in a letter dated February 12. “We hope that the

measures contained in the 2024-2025 budget will contribute to strengthening the socio-economic

positioning of our city and give it the means to meet the needs of its citizens.”

The demands were grouped under five major themes with housing and homelessness at the

forefront, followed by public transportation, land use planning, economic development, and

cultural infrastructure.

At the top of the list was ensuring an improvement and increase in programs and measures to

facilitate the construction of new housing with social and affordable housing as a priority.

“Despite the historically high number of new housing units built in recent years, the Gatineau

vacancy rate remains below 1%. The need for access to social and affordable housing is

particularly high,” she wrote.

The former mayor also drew attention to the “emergency situation” regarding Gatineau’s

homelessness crisis, noting numbers in 2022 were five times higher than four years ago. With

high inflation, lack of affordable housing, and other socio-economic factors at play, Bélisle also

pointed the blame on the underfunding of social services in Outaouais.

“We are convinced that comprehensive and sustainable solutions must be put in place. This is to

offer homeless people a viable alternative and decent living conditions.” She recommended the

establishment of a sustainable financing structure to help and support structuring actions to

benefit people experiencing homelessness.

Despite merging over 20 years ago, several areas of the city have been left poorly served by

public transportation. To address the matter, Bélisle called for support on public transportation

projects aimed at improving mobility within the region like the tramway project.

When it came to land use planning, Bélisle argued the amounts granted by Quebec for

decontamination projects were largely insufficient compared to the City’s current needs.

“We believe that a substantial investment in the decontamination of these lands is necessary and

would, in Gatineau as elsewhere, make them available to meet urgent housing needs, particularly

for affordable housing and social housing.”

Along with the enhancement of the aid program for soil decontamination, Bélisle requested the

​establishment of the new hospital to be done at zero cost for the city.

The city’s centre-ville was also a matter of concern for the former mayor. “The impact of the

pandemic and the significant changes in the organization of work that resulted from it, had

devastating consequences for downtown Gatineau.”

To act quickly, the city requested substantial funding to support the revitalization and economic

and commercial diversification efforts as well as support for the development of strategic

economic sectors.

The city would also like to see provincial funding to support the new Convention Centre. “The

completion of this project is of crucial importance, given that the current infrastructure no longer

meets the requirements of business tourism.”

The last two demands aimed to build up the city’s cultural infrastructure, which Bélisle noted

was underserved.

“An important catch-up must be done to offer our population and our aspiring artists, accessible

and dynamic places, meeting the needs of sustained cultural growth for the region,” she noted.

This would mean support to complete projects already on the table like the Ateliers du Ruisseau,

the Centre des arts de la scène and the Musée régional de l’Outaouais.

The city also reiterated its request to sign a transitional cultural agreement for 2024 and a

specific cultural development for 2025 to 2027.

Minister Girard informed the National Assembly of Quebec on February 22 that the provincial

budget would be tabled on March 12.

Premier François Legault told reporters during a press scrum that the upcoming budget was one

he was proud of. When asked if Quebecers should expect unpleasant surprises, Legault said

massive investments were made in the working conditions of teachers and nurses.

“I think this is the choice that had to be made … The deficit will be much greater, but there will

be no cuts in service and there will be no tax increases.”

Photo caption: Premier François Legault takes reporters’ questions during a press scrum on

February 22 at the National Assembly.

Photo credit: François Legault Facebook

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

Gatineau residents will head back to the polls on June 9 to elect the next mayor of Gatineau

following France Bélisle’s abrupt resignation on February 22.

Although Gatineau’s next municipal general election is scheduled for November 2, 2025, by-

elections are required when a councillor or mayor position becomes vacant more than 12 months

before the scheduled date.

Residents can expect the same steps in a by-election as in a general election. The application

submission period will run from April 26 to May 10. Votes will be able to be made in advance on

June 2.

Gatineau will be recruiting close to 500 people to work in the elections process, either at the

advance polling station or on election day. More information on the positions will be made

available on the City’s website in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, Versant district councillor Daniel Champagne will be acting as Gatineau’s

interim mayor.

“I will be impartial … I will not support any candidate, whether independent or with a political

party. I want to do my job as transition mayor for the next four months, and that is my objective,”

Champagne told reporters during a press briefing on February 27.

Photo caption: Interim Gatineau Mayor Daniel Champagne takes questions on the details of the

recently announced by-election set for June 9.

Photo credit: Screenshot from Mêlée de presse on February 27 for the Comité plénier

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

L’Orée-du-Parc district councillor Isabelle N. Miron will return to her role as deputy mayor after

her appointment was unanimously accepted during a session on February 27.

“By suggesting that Miron resume her duties as deputy mayor, I want to send a clear message

that our council will be an inclusive place and a respectful place, that women around the table are

welcome, and that politics is for everyone,” said interim mayor Daniel Champagne.

In the time he will occupy the position, Champagne assured he would do everything in his power

to ensure that all discussions take place with respect and that everyone feels welcome.

“In Gatineau, we have adopted (a gender equality policy) precisely to ensure that our political

bodies, but also our administrative bodies, are representative of the Gatineau community.” A

policy both Champagne and Miron contributed to before its adoption by the municipal council in

2021.

Miron returns to the position after being stripped of the duty in early February by former mayor

France Bélisle.

“When I was acting mayor before, I really did it with complete objectivity,” said Miron. “I do not

play partisan politics when I represent the City, and that is very important to me. As Mr.

Champagne has committed to doing, I too will be as neutral as possible in my functions as

deputy mayor.”

While Miron said she had no intention of throwing her hat in the ring for mayor, she hoped

women would step forward for the position.

But like Bélisle, countless municipal officials are faced with harassment and intimidation.

According to the Union of Municipalities of Quebec, around 10 per cent of officials have left

their position since the last municipal election in 2021, an unprecedented situation for the

province.

To combat the alarming findings, the Union of Municipalities of Quebec organized a committee

on municipal democracy at the beginning of this year.

“We are working on concrete and ambitious proposals to promote the importance of local

democracy and healthy and respectful debates,” wrote Julie Bourdon, president of the committee

on municipal democracy and mayor of Granby. “We are in action and mobilized, to promote

commitment, to promote the essential involvement of municipal elected officials throughout

Quebec.”

The Council of Elected Women of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador is also

striving for change in Quebec’s political realm. Comprised of all female Chiefs and councillors

among the First Nations communities in Quebec and Labrador, the Council has developed and is

​implementing the principle and applications of Lateral Kindness at all levels of First Nations

governance and, in the aftermath of Bélisle’s resignation wish, to promote the concept to all

elected officials in Quebec.

“Everywhere in our societies, the intimidation of elected officials is compromising sound

governance … We must put a stop to this. Politics are often very harsh but should never be

brutal. Above all, politics must never, ever be used as a pretext for contempt towards women or

any other targeted group,” councillor Nadia Robertson wrote in a press release.

The Council aims to have a discussion on Lateral Kindness included on the agenda for the next

meeting of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador with the mayors of Quebec.

“I am very attentive to what happens next, and I invite my colleagues throughout Quebec to do

the same,” said Champagne. “It is our collective responsibility to ensure that all elected officials

can carry out their duties with peace of mind.”

Photo caption: Isabelle N. Miron says she will remain objective as she returns to her role as

deputy mayor of Gatineau.

Photo credit: Screenshot from Séance spéciale on February 27

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

Several vaping products were seized from a convenience store on rue Georges-Bilodeau on

February 28 as part of an investigation regarding the sale of tobacco products.

Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau investigators were joined by Ministry of Health and

Social Services inspectors to carry out a search warrant in the Mont-Bleu sector.

The operation saw the seizure of 208 flavoured vapes, 44 disposable flavoured vapes, 642

flavoured liquid refills, 245 packs of flavoured rolling papers, and 75 packs of nicotine wraps.

The owner received tickets from the Ministry of Health and Social Services under the Anti-

Smoking Act. Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau indicated the investigation was ongoing

and additional charges were expected to be laid.

Quebec banned the sale of vaping products with a flavour or aroma other than tobacco back in

October 2023 in an attempt to make vaping less appealing to minors.

Photo caption: Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau expects charges to be laid against a

convenience store owner after vaping products were seized from the store on February 28.

Photo credit: Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau Facebook

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

The Musée Régional en Outaouais takes an important step forward thanks to $1.2 million in

financial assistance from the Government of Quebec.

“Museums are major anchors in the quality of life of citizens. This financial assistance will make

it possible to structure this identity project and thus improve the museum offering in the

Outaouais region,” wrote Mathieu Lacombe, Minister of Culture and Communications, Minister

responsible for youth and Minister responsible for the Outaouais region, in a press release.

Lacombe was accompanied for the announcement on February 29 at the Université du Québec en

Outaouais by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister responsible for the Saguenay-Lac-

Saint-Jean, Andrée Laforest, the Member of Parliament for Hull, Suzanne Trembly, and the

president of the board of directors for the Musée Régional en Outaouais, Jean-Marc Blais.

“This museum will be a common home for all citizens of Outaouais and an essential place for the

many visitors who wish to discover our region and the countless treasures it conceals,” wrote

Blais.

The Musée Régional en Outaouais, which temporarily calls the Maison Scott-Fairview home,

intends to provide the region with state-of-the-art museum equipment to support existing and

future museum institutions in the region.

The $1.2 million will allow for a feasibility study for the development of the museum, identify

the financial and human resources required, determine its final location, and assess the costs of

restoration and renovation come spring 2025.

With the funding also came news of a partnership between the Musée Régional en Outaouais and

Université du Québec en Outaouais.

“I am particularly enthusiastic about the continuation of this collaboration which is intensified by

the reception of the Musée Régional en Outaouais project office on campus,” wrote Murielle

Laberge, rector of Université du Québec en Outaouais, in a press release. “It must be said that

this close link between the Musée Régional en Outaouais and (the Université du Québec en

Outaouais) is completely natural, and I would say without any exaggeration, essential.”

The collaboration with the museum project represented an unprecedented opportunity for

students and teaching staff to contribute to the design, creation, and implementation of a brand-

new museum, said Laberge.

“By welcoming the project office to our university, we look forward to strengthening our ties

with the leaders of this structuring project for the region and exploring potential synergies with

our members.”

Photo caption: Minister of Culture and Communications, Minister responsible for youth and

​Minister responsible for the Outaouais region, Mathieu Lacombe, announces $1.2 million in

funding for the Musée Régional en Outaouais project on February 29.

Photo credit: Université du Québec en Outaouais X

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

The National Capital Commission is working alongside the Ville de Gatineau and the Société de

transport de l’Outaouais to give the area around Brewery Creek a facelift.

“For the region as a whole, it is truly a gem that has been neglected for too long,” Hull-Wright

district councillor Steve Moran told his colleagues during a plenary committee meeting on

February 27.

The National Capital Commission has launched a land use plan to revitalize 1.45 hectares of land

in the heart of downtown Gatineau to not only increase visitors, improve accessibility, and

preserve heritage, but also to create mixed-use residential and commercial spaces.

The land left highly contaminated by Hull’s industrial decline will require more than $20 million

for ground remediation, as well as the development of green and public spaces.

Plans included four buildings with the potential of 364 units, pedestrian laneways, large green

spaces, a multi-use pathway, and a walkway. Buildings were expected to make up 35 per cent of

the total area while the remaining 65 per cent would be available for green and public spaces.

The Ville de Gatineau also has plans for Brewery Creek, notably the redevelopment along the

west bank and converting Taylor Street into a shared roadway. The project would see the

enhancement of the Brewery Creek stream through landscaping but also access with four-season

use of the stream. The sector’s known views like the Montcalm Street bridge and water tower

will also be enhanced along with the cycling lanes.

“It’s a scaled-down version of what people have wanted for a very long time. I want us to take at

least this first step, but there will be others in the future,” said Moran. The Hull-Wright district

councillor said the vision was there, but other phases were needed for the plans to be a success.

The project was expected to cost $6.8 million but rise to $10.9 million to include subsequent

phases for complementary public places.

Both the National Capital Commission’s plans and those of the Ville de Gatineau are available on

their respective websites.

The public can share feedback on the Commission’s concept through an online survey until

March 14. The comments received will be taken into consideration for its request to update the

Ville de Gatineau’s urban plan and the request to update the Commission’s Ottawa River North

Shore Parklands Plan.

Photo caption: A rendering offers an idea of what the National Capital Commission has in store

for Brewery Creek.

Photo credit: National Capital Commission Website

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

The Aydelu Centre hosted another seniors’ Valentine’s Day supper for the books on February 17.

Situated in Old Aylmer, the centre has become a staple to the community and home to various

events. For more than 20 years, the dinner has been a way to thank the seniors who have been

frequent faces at Aydelu’s events like Bingo Night, said Aydelu president Guy Rochon.

Greg Fergus, MP for Hull-Aylmer, André Fortin, Liberal MNA for Pontiac, and Gatineau district

councillors Steven Boivin, Gilles Chagnon, and Caroline Murray all lent a hand to serve close to

165 attendees. “This is one of my favourite events to come to year after year. It gives politicians

a real chance to actually serve people for once and actually do something for you guys,” said

Fortin.

Although the former mayor France Bélisle was not able to attend, Chagnon shared her message

of Happy Valentine’s Day with the happy couples.

Attendees enjoyed a night of good food and community cheer accompanied by live music and

over 100 gifts provided by councillors.

Missed out on this year’s Valentine’s Day supper? No need to worry. Rochon said Aydelu has

already set aside February 15, 2025, for the next evening of love.

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

Work on phase two in the widening of Pink Road from two to four lanes should commence in

three years, “if all goes well.”

“We heard today that there are things we cannot control, but we are optimistic,” Mitigomijokan

district councillor Anik Des Marais told attendees at a consultation session on February 19.

The information session was organized by the Ville de Gatineau as a continuation of the previous

sessions with the public to discuss the Pink Road project, which aims to resolve traffic and safety

issues by improving the road conditions and flow of traffic.

“We are located in a strategic territory that has, on the one hand, experienced strong urban

growth continuously for around 30 years,” said Alexandra Cordisco-Moreau, senior specialist of

consultation, dialogue, and relationship with the human environment with consulting firm WSP.

“Then, on the other hand, it is a territory which requires significant needs for vehicular and

active travel in an east-west orientation.”

From 2019 to 2020, phase one was carried out between Rue de la Gravité and Boulevard des

Grives. The City later launched a modification request procedure in 2020 to kick phase two into

high gear. WSP was enlisted in 2021 to update certain studies and the detailed preliminary

project plans as well as to carry out the information session.

Phase two will see the continuation of widening to four lanes of approximately 2.7 kilometers

from Boulevard des Grives to Chemin Vanier. Planned improvements included bus shelters, a

one-way cycle lane on the roadway, a multifunctional off-road path on the south side, a concrete

sidewalk on the north side, the installation of traffic lights at various intersections as well as

similar landscaping and street features as phase one.

Many of the comments heard by the City and WSP dealt with concerns about speed, the safety of

pedestrians, and the environment.

“Rest assured that you have been listened to,” said Des Marais.

All the feedback received will be compiled into a report by WSP and will join the three other

studies requested by the ministry to allow the analysis of the project and the issuance of the

modified decree to fulfill phase two.

“We will put in place means to ensure that you are informed as the work progresses.”

A recording of the information session can be viewed through the City’s website or the Ville de

Gatineau YouTube channel.

Photo caption: Mitigomijokan district councillor Anik Des Marais thanks the attendees of the

phase two information session for sharing their concerns and feedback on February 19.

Photo credit: Screenshot from information session on phase two of the Pink Road work

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

The new general director of L’Imagier aspires to make the centre d’exposition d’art a second

home to not only artists, but also its attendees.

“It’s difficult to enter a place when you don’t feel invited. The idea that I would like to establish

is that people feel that they can come back here as if they were going home,” said Karina

Pawlikowski. “Then they will have access to art in a way that is much more natural than in

something that is much more constructed.”

Being a professional visual artist from Outaouais herself, Pawlikowski brings an unmatched

connection to artists, as well as various artistic organizations in the region like Axenéo7,

Daïmôn, and Transistor Média.

“It feels like I know every part of the job,” said Pawlikowski.

She holds a master’s degree in museology and arts practices from the École des arts et cultures

de l’Université du Québec en Outaouais where she has taught observational drawing since 2018.

Her work has gone on to be supported and exhibited in Quebec, in Canada, and internationally.

But L’Imagier holds a special place in her heart as her first solo exhibition was at the old

building in 2015.

“I always had an interest in what the vibe was like inside the centre. How did people

communicate with each other? Do you feel well received as an artist, but also as a spectator?

When you come to openings, it’s important that people feel that they have the right to come.”

While exhibition centres can be observed as formal and intimidating, Pawlikowski plans to

facilitate a welcoming, accessible space where people can feel comfortable and get involved.

“We are really looking for people who will come and get involved at L’Imagier, both as

employees and volunteers, as members, and as members of the board of directors as well.”

Photo caption: L’Imagier’s new general director Karina Pawlikowski welcomes visitors to the

opening of the Tropical Bliss exhibition by artist David Gumbs on February 16.

Photo credit: Taylor Clark

Photo caption: Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau make two arrests in connection to break-ins along rue de l’Oasis from February 10 to 11.

Photo credit: Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau Facebook​

The watchful eye of a citizen led the Gatineau police to arrest two male suspects for allegedly breaking into sheds on February 11. The investigation was later linked to a series of similar crimes that occurred the day before in the same area.

The suspects targeted sheds located in the backyards of condo buildings on rue de l’Oasis in the Gatineau sector on the evenings of February 10 and 11.

“They also allegedly took advantage of their presence on the premises to steal various objects and accessories from the vehicles of residents of these same buildings,” read the press release from the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau.

When the individuals returned to the same area the following night, a citizen noticed an unknown vehicle that they recalled having seen at the time of the thefts the day before and contacted the emergency centre to report its presence.

Once the police were on the scene, two males who were in the suspect vehicle were arrested. The investigation led the police to discover the two were able to commit three break-ins to sheds before their arrival.

While the case was still under investigation, public relations agent Patrick Kenney said there were a total of five break-ins committed by the individuals.

The two suspects were transported to the police station where they met with investigators. A search warrant was later authorized, and a residence located around the boulevards of Maloney Est and Lorrain was raided. Investigators recovered several items that had been stolen the previous day.

One of the suspects, a 49-year-old man from Gatineau, was released on promise to appear. Charges relating to break-ins and possession of property obtained by crime will be submitted against him to the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions.

The other suspect, a 31-year-old man also from Gatineau, appeared before the Court of Quebec on February 12 and continued to be detained for his release investigation scheduled for February 13 at the Gatineau courthouse. The individual is facing charges of breaking and entering, failing to comply with a probation order, and possession of drugs.

The Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau’s portail sur la criminalité showed that the scene of the crime had seen four break-and-enter incidents within the same area since 2022.

Victims of a break-in or those who witness one are invited to contact the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau by phone at (819) 246-0222 or 911 for an emergency. ​

For those wanting to take precautions, the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau offered break-and-enter safety tips like having a well-lit exterior and not leaving tools or objects around that could be used for an easier break-in.

“Even though these systems can be very expensive and cannot guarantee total immunity against this type of crime, equipping your home or business with an alarm system and surveillance cameras can be very deterrent for thieves, in addition to being able to provide good evidence in the event of a theft,” read the release.