Municipal Council Meeting Summary
Gatineau City Council meets in Aylmer to discuss tramway, pool, and city bylaws
Sophie Demers
Gatineau city council gathered in Aylmer at the Aydelu Centre for their February 17 council meeting. As usual, Aylmer residents filled the room, eager to voice their concerns and address their elected officials.
Tramway project
The first group of residents took the mic and spoke of the tramway. It had been announced on the day of the meeting that Quebec shifted the responsibility for the project to Mobilité Infra Québec (MIQ), that oversees transportation infrastructure projects. The decision by the provincial government puts the project at stake, as well as the funds totalling $162 million that were promised to the region.
Five residents spoke to the council about this announcement. The first was Mike Duggan, former councillor for Pointe-Gatineau and Deschênes. Duggan stated that, during his time on council, Gatineau committed to assuming financial responsibility for the tramway project. He asked how this would affect next year's budget. Marc Carrière, current Pointe-Gatineau councillor, said he would look into the issue.
Duggan was not the only one to voice their dislike of the tramway project; André Simonson took the mic to state that, if the tramway project has been trashed, this would in fact save Gatineau money. Simonson submitted his proposal for an alternative project to support public transportation infrastructure. He has been a long-time skeptic of the project.
Philippe Garcia Duchesne, Lise Filiatreault, and Denis Couillard all emphasized their support for the tramway project and their frustration with Quebec’s decision to use tax dollars promised to the Outaouais for other projects, noting that the region is continuously overlooked by the Quebec Government. Couillard stated that Quebec’s decision was shameful and insulting, while Filiatreault called for Suzanne Tremblay, deputy for Hull, and Mathieu Lacombe, minister responsible for the Outaouais region, to step down.
Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette and numerous councillors voiced their frustration with the province’s decision and their commitment to the project. Timmy Jutras, designated councillor for Gatineau ensemble and councillor for Lac-Beauchamp, stated that short- and medium-term solutions must be found as the traffic situation in Aylmer is out of control.
Paul Pelletier pool closure
Nicole Lalonde and Manon Circé asked council for clarity and alternative solutions regarding the Paul Pelletier pool closure. The local indoor pool will need to close for over a year for renovations. Lalonde noted the importance of the pool for residents, especially older individuals who depend on it for exercise, stress relief, and social connection. She asked the city to consider offering alternative solutions, as the next nearest indoor pool is located quite further away. Circé expressed her support for Lalonde’s request, and she asked for more communication and transparency regarding the renovation plans.
“I have always insisted that we have an alternative offer,” said Caroline Murray, Deschênes councillor. “Our team is currently working on this. A few weeks ago, we launched a renovation contract. Once the contract is granted, we will have more clarity on what needs to be done and how long it will take. Then we will be able to see what alternatives we can offer.”
Bylaws and regulations
Chantal Leblanc-Bélanger asked council to rethink the by-law limiting how much potable water can be used to water gardens and grass. She says that gardening is her exercise and has been her hobby for many years. Due to the restrictions she’s unable to maintain her flowers and do her gardening. Murray addressed her comment by saying that the restriction was put in place because, in the summer, water usage in Gatineau was highest in the evening. As it has been a year since the by-law was put in place, the city will re-evaluate to see if it’s having the desired effect.
Further degradation of Aylmer Road heritage aesthetic
The last resident to address council, Christiane Thérien, voiced her concerns about the construction of a three-storey commercial building in Écoquartier Connaught at 810 Aylmer Road. A minor variance was requested to reduce the vegetation strip along the road from 25 to 20 meters. Thérien argued that the Service de Development Durable (SUDD) stated that the regulation could be respected if the building was made smaller, but this might reduce income for the developer. Rachel M. Deslaurier, Mitigomijokan councillor, stated that the building was in multiple zones with different regulations; some allowed 20 meters, others 25. The variance was approved later in the meeting.