Gatineau’s new council gathers for their first meeting 

Sophie Demers 

The first meeting of Gatineau’s newly elected city council on November 25 was opened with a word of welcome from Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette. "Good evening, everyone, happy to see so many of you for this first meeting of the city council in this new period of municipal politics in Gatineau,” she said. She also noted that the council had nominated Vincent Roy, Aylmer Councillor, as president of the council. The nomination was officially approved later in the evening. 

As usual, each councillor had a few minutes to speak before the resident question period. Each council member thanked their constituents for their support and their trust during the election. Concerning his nomination for council president, Vincent Roy stated, “Thank you first of all for the trust of the mayor and the entire municipal council. This is a position that honours me enormously. The people around you, regardless of political label, are here for the right reasons. Their level of commitment to our community is essential to allow us to face the great challenges of our city and our time.” 

Following the election, there are currently four independent councillors: Buckingham councillor Edmond Leclerc, Rivière-Blanche councillor Jean Lessard, Pointe-Gatineau councillor Marc Carrière, and Masson-Anger councillor Michael Korhonen. The rest of the council is made up of four Gatineau Ensembles members, previously known as Équipe Mario Aubé, and 12 Action Gatineau members, including the mayor. 

Question Period

Three residents attended to speak about four-season cycling challenges, noting specific paths throughout the city that need to be improved to promote cycling as a mode of transportation. Another resident presented a petition requesting the removal of the two-hour parking spots in front of her business. She runs a laundromat, and all the parking spaces are used by people working in nearby government buildings. 

Three individuals took the mic to bring awareness to the number of stray cats in Gatineau. They urged council to start an initiative with volunteers to create safe areas for the cats in the winter. Bellevue councillor Chloé Bourgeois said she would be happy to help and is open to working with her colleagues to find solutions.

Two members of Mères au front, an organization that fights for the environment, as well as Parc Champlain residents association president Francis Decauteaux, urged council to vote against an amendment to the Village Champlain development. The developer, Brigil, requested that 22 more units be added to their building located at 50 impasse du Griffon. This would bring the total number of units to 178. The project had already been approved, and council moved forward with the additional units. Overall, the project is controversial as it reduces the Champlain Corridor to 50 meters. The building in question does encroach on the corridor.