Cook landfill site: major refurbishments work underway 

Sophie Demers 

Refurbishment of the biogas and leachate collection system at the former Cook landfill site started in September 2024. This work has been in discussion for years and was an important topic during the 2021 municipal elections in Gatineau. After significant delays, the work has begun and is scheduled to continue until summer 2025. 

The work being done aims to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from the site. The cook site is one of Quebec’s major GHG emitters. The upgrades to the site are part of Gatineau’s climate change plan. 

“In the era of climate change, it is essential for the city to make every effort to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. I am particularly delighted about the Cook site work as part of the city's Climate Plan and is crucial to achieving its objectives, particularly carbon neutrality. In general, this work will also improve the quality of life of our citizens, while contributing to a sustainable future that respects the environment,” said Marc Bureau, President of the Commission de l'environnement et de la lutte aux changements climatiques and Parc-de-la-Montagne-Saint-Raymond councillor.

The scheduled work includes the construction of a new biogas capture and destruction system, modernization of the current leachate collection system, the addition of a leachate collection network in the northern part of the site, along with landscaping and updating the sites sanitary sewer pumping system. 

Gatineau warns that the work may result in heavier traffic and increased noise in the area surrounding the site. 

The upgrades to the site are part of Gatineau’s climate change plan which aims to reduce its GHG emissions by 50% based on the 2015 numbers by 2030. Other goals include a 35% reduction in community GHG emissions. Overall Gatineau aspires to be carbon neutral by 2050. 

The project is supported by the Quebec government’s Plan for a Green Economy 2030. The project's cost is estimated to total nearly $10 million. Pronex Excavation Inc was given the contract to complete this work.