Gatineau lays infrastructure groundwork while campaign talk heats up

Tashi Farmilo

The executive committee met on August 20 at City Hall, with president Steve Moran presiding. Councillors advanced neighbourhood traffic changes, routine infrastructure agreements and event logistics, while procurement and election talk dominated the post-meeting scrum.

On mobility, the committee approved new parking-sign rules on Rue de la Cité-Jardin east and west, a further tweak on the west segment, and an all-way stop at Montée Dalton and Rue du Sous-Bois in Rivière-Blanche. The city also set terms with Chemins de fer Québec–Gatineau for access to the railway right-of-way and for cost-sharing on crossings, and granted a temporary exemption to the noise by-law to allow off-hours work on Autoroute Guy-Lafleur across several districts. In Hull-Wright, Hydro-Québec will receive a servitude to move equipment from 150, rue Wellington to 15, rue Leduc.

Procurement drew attention for arena users. Tender “2025 SP 160” for refrigeration-system maintenance and repair was rejected after no compliant submissions; the call will be re-issued. After the meeting, in a press scrum, Steve Moran said, “There were no compliant bidders, so we’re re-launching the call very quickly,” adding that “there are a lot of big projects” headed to council. He said he was confident councillors would keep the city’s broader interest in mind even as campaign season shapes discussions.

Seasonal logistics were also approved. Temporary traffic and parking measures will be in place for Aéro Gatineau–Ottawa from September 12 to 14 and for the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival from August 27 to 31, with related authorisations for military and civilian aerial demonstrations during the air show.

The press event turned to priorities ahead of the 2025 municipal election. Buckingham councillor Edmond Leclerc said he will ask council to study a city investment to anchor a partnership for a twin-ice facility in the east end after two unsuccessful provincial grant applications. “The only financial partner missing for the down payment would be the City of Gatineau,” he said, arguing the model mirrors shared-investment arenas already used locally and could move quickly once partners commit funds.

Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette outlined an autumn agenda centred on economic development, housing and environmental measures, along with road-safety work as students return to school. On the campaign itself, she said, “My commitment is to work right up to the last minute to advance Gatineau’s priorities,” and that the election “should play out outside the walls” while council continues its work.