A lively City Council meeting in Masson-Angers
Jude Osmond and Drazen Seslija
Gatineau City Council held its monthly meeting at the Masson-Angers Community Centre on May 12. Several residents were present to address council members and ask questions on numerous important issues. Progress was made on several files during the meeting.
Ernest-Gaboury Synthetic Turf Field and Sports Dome
Four residents and members of Soccer Outaouais, Virginie Éthier, Richard Gravel, Rémy Helbert and Chérif Atallah, appeared before the council to emphasize the importance of soccer and the need for additional infrastructure for the future of sports in the Outaouais region. They specifically mentioned that youth soccer registration is currently declining. With the World Cup fast approaching this summer, they hoped to find another positive outcome, this time regarding the City's decisions at this meeting in Masson-Angers. After much discussion, the council approved by majority vote the $4 million funding for the synthetic turf field at Ernest-Gaboury, as well as a $10 million investment for the sports dome at UQO (an additional $8 million and $2 million for the locker rooms).
Regulation of High-Pressure Gas Lines
A resident, Véronique Santos, acting as spokesperson for the Buckingham Residents Association, addressed the council to request the implementation of regulations for high-pressure gas lines in residential areas of Buckingham. "Even though incidents are rare, the consequences can be significant and very serious when these lines pass near homes, schools, daycares, heritage sites, and seniors' residences," she stated, adding that it is the city's responsibility to ensure public safety for its citizens.
The mayor reminded her that she had repeatedly tried to move things forward by following up with the Quebec Ministry of the Environment.
“I can assure you that we have followed up very closely,” she stated. “We have reiterated this request and the arguments that have been raised, which are yours, on several occasions, and unfortunately, we are not getting the answers we would like.”
At the request of the Buckingham Residents Association, Buckingham Councillor Edmond Leclerc presented a motion to the municipal council. This motion aims to obtain the support of elected officials for the municipal administration to develop a regulatory framework governing high-pressure gas line projects within the municipality. Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette supported this initiative.
High-Speed Rail
Gatineau City Council had debated the Alto high-speed rail project at its last meeting, in a context where the issue of the sixth link continues to divide elected officials. The Gatineau Ensemble party proposed that the council officially support the rail project, while requesting optimal integration that takes into account the potential construction of a bridge in the city's east end, a project already mentioned by the federal government.
This proposal, however, sparked tensions with the Action Gatineau officials, who remain cautious and vague about their position on the sixth link. They accused Gatineau Ensemble of trying to force the council to take a position in favour of the bridge through the high-speed rail issue, an interpretation rejected by Gatineau Ensemble.
At the end of the discussions, the council adopted a resolution supporting only the high-speed rail project.
Citizen Space
The City of Gatineau will continue to modernize its services to citizens with the deployment of new citizen spaces throughout its territory. These centralized service points aim to improve the resident experience by bringing together all municipal services and experts in one location to address citizens' various needs.
The first citizen service point is already operational in the new Constance-Provost building, which also houses the Lucy-Faris Library. The city also plans to open two more spaces, at the Maison du Citoyen and the Sports Centre, by the end of 2027. The plan is to then continue opening citizen service points in the city's east end, in Masson-Angers and Buckingham.
The total cost of the two new citizen service points is estimated at $680,000.
Chérif Atallah, president of Soccer Outaouais, presenting his ideas and questions to council (DS) Photo: Drazen Seslija